Chapter 9 Review Questions

Short Answer Questions

1. Explain the differences between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft.

2. Outline the key findings of the Hampton, Goulet and Albanesius study that took place on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City?

3. Contrast the utopian and dystopian perspectives of the Internet in terms of community.

4. Explain the “rich get richer” hypothesis as it pertains to the Internet.

5. Explain networked individualism in terms of the Triple Revolution brought up by Rainie and Wellman.

6. Wellman proposed the community liberated perspective based on his criticism of the community-lost and community-saved perspectives. What are the main criticisms of the community-lost and community-saved perspectives?

7. Explain the Internet dictator’s dilemma.

Essay Questions

1. Twenge in the book iGen argues that there are generational differences in how iGen socializes. As key part of the argument is that iGen is heavily relying on technologies, like the smartphone, to communicate. Do you agree that iGen is substituting meaningful social interaction that takes place in-person with mediated forms of socialization that are not as rewarding? Argue in favour and against this thesis and provide a conclusion after weighing the arguments on both sides.

2. In the study by Wellman, Quan-Haase & Harper (2019), the authors identify three different types of categories: socially isolated, socially connected, and networked individuals. The authors found that the proportion of these three categories changed across the life course, with younger generations being more likely to be networked individuals than older adults. Why do you think that younger generations are more likely to be networked individuals? What is the role digital media in different types of personal network structures?