case study senior project
TRANSCRIPT
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Social Media: Conflict on interpersonal romantic relationships
Introduction
Since today is known as the age of technology, when people are out in public, whether it
is in school, at work, on a date, most of them are distracted by their phones and even more
recently by social media sites. That is because sixty-seven percent of all Americans are on one
or more social media sites (Bowe, 2010). According to the article Online and Offline Social
Networks, many people use social media sites but little is known how these sites actually affect
relationships (Subrahmanyam et al., 2008).Social Media took on a whole new light when
Facebook came to the forefront in 2004. Since then over 500 million people cannot wait to check
their phones or computers to see who liked, commented, or shared something on one’s profile.
At first this was a newfound way to connect and have an online communication; when two or
more people communicate messages with each other over the internet, with old friends or family
members that one has not seen in a long while (Subrahmanyam, Reich, Waechter, & Espinoza,
2008). However, since Facebook there are a plethora of social media sites that do almost the
same things as Facebook but may contain minor differences that draw people to them. These
social media sites have in some way taken away from the reality of life and have caused some
people to focus more on their online relationships than their actual interpersonal relationships.
Since cell phones have become very popular as well, phones are being used to access these social
media sites at anyplace at anything which can distract people from the people whom they are
actually with (Bowe, 2010). Romantic relationships are the interpersonal relationship that is at
harm the most due to social media (Blais, Craig, Peple, & Connolly, 2007). Social media had
many positive features, but because of all the photos and status’s that people post it tends to
create conflict within many interpersonal relationships. People see social media causing fights
and problems in people’s relationships all the time, this research study should show that the way
people in relationships use social media causes more conflict than good. This paper will discuss
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interpersonal relationships, use of online tools for relationships, implications for trust and
intimacy, and how social media helps or harms these relationships.
Literature Review
Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal Relationship is a bond that two people share with one another.
Interpersonal Relationships vary in terms of levels of intimacy (Clayton, 2014). An interpersonal
relationship can start with two people who just met sharing a conversation together all the way
up to when two people share a physical connection with one another. It is considered a romantic
interpersonal relationship when two people bond and share things on a deep level, and when
social media is involved people become protected over the other person in this type of
relationship (Blais et al., 2007). Interpersonal relationships can actually be made stronger over
social media sites when one person sees another person’s photo on comments or likes it to
be nice (Clayton, 2014; Blais et al., 2007). That is the good part of social media and
interpersonal relationships. However, there is a huge distinction between people in just any
interpersonal relationship and those in a romantic interpersonal relationship and each one have
different ways in which to act when on social media (Clayton, 2014; Blais et al., 2007). If those
in a romantic interpersonal relationship would not like others profile pictures, or favorite tweets,
or flirt on social media there would not be as much conflict with these relationships. In addition
to being in an interpersonal relationship, there are various online tools that impact these
relationships.
Online Tools
Online tools such as social media sites are sites on the internet where people can interact
with people that they already know and with people they do not know. It is a more complete
communication using online tools where one can share pictures and videos of their families
instead of just calling someone or using data trying to text someone or trying to hunt their
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number down, its more convenient and easily accessible foe anyone with a computer or cell
phone. Online tools such as social media allow people to socialize when they cannot do so in
person (Subramanyam et al., 2008). Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are the most popular social
media sites where people communicate with each other (Bowe, 2010).Jealousy is often seen
when it comes to tools on Facebook such as liking people’s photos of the opposite sex, poking
people of the opposite sex, direct messaging people of the opposite sex, and commenting on the
wall of people of the opposite sex (Bowe, 2010). Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are the most
popular SMS where people communicate with each other (Bowe et al., 2010; Subramanyam et
al., 2008). Not only these online tools, but YouTube, Snapchat, and Vine are other online tools
that make it possible for people that haven’t seen someone in a while to see there and hear them
and these tools also allow these people to emanate their personally. These tools are not always
used just to talk to old friends or family members. That being said, jealousy is often seen when it
comes to tools on Facebook such as liking people’s photos of the opposite sex, poking people of
the opposite sex, direct messaging people of the opposite sex, and commenting on the wall of
people of the opposite sex (Bowe et al., 2010; Subramanyam et al., 2008). Online tools such as
social media sites are a great way to connect with people. The online tools within those sites are
a great way to express what people like, don’t like, and what they think of certain things.
However, it can hurt relationships when these people are using these tools to make other
romantic relationships or when it seems that way.
Self-Disclosure
Self-Disclosure is when people tell other people things about themselves that make them
different from other people and things that people would not know from just looking at a person.
People self-disclose things about themselves all the time to other people. However, more
recently people disclose personal things about themselves on social media sites (Subramanyam et
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al., 2008). People disclose information about themselves, and even other people (Utz, &
Beukeboom, 2011). Self-disclosing things about oneself is one thing but when someone starting
disclosing information about a significant other or close friend that is taking things to a different
level. It has been shown that people will disclose both positive and negative information about
others on social media sites (Subramanyam et al., 2008). People self-disclose for different
reasons. It might be out of anger, jealously, or even love. However, there is a time and place
where self-disclosing is a good thing, but most of the time self-disclosing on a social media
platform can be negative.
Implications for Trust and Intimacy
Intimacy is when two people share a deep connection and share their feelings with one
another. Sharing things with people online can cross into being “intimate” with a person online
(Utz, & Beukeboom, 2011). The bad thing with this is when someone feels that the other person
in the relationship is becoming intimate with someone else online it can cause jealousy (Clayton,
2014; Utz, & Beukeboom, 2011).If someone sees his or her romantic partner comments on the
wall of an attractive person that in and of itself can initiate that jealousy (Utz, & Beukeboom,
2011). However, if that person publicly displays his or her affection it can make the intimacy and
trust between the two of them that much stronger (Utz, & Beukeboom, 2011). The one thing that
people do not realize that can affect the trust in one’s relationship is having access to the
partner’s profile. This gives these partners information they did not have before social media
sites were around like seeing their partner engage with a potential romantic partner on Facebook
showed that people can become jealous if they see their partner interacting with potential
romantic partners on Facebook (Utz, & Beukeboom, 2011). Also, it was shown that the time
spent on their social media sites can affect how much trust or therefore lack of the partner has for
the other. picture of the opposite sex without thinking anything of it. There are psychological
factors in people’s mind while online that affect their thoughts and feelings and how they may
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act on social media (Utz, & Beukeboom, 2011) .Intimacy is an important thing to have with
someone you are in a relationship with, but when you are being intimate even self-consciously
with someone online it can be detrimental to that interpersonal relationship you were once
intimate in offline. People’s interpersonal relationships, how they use online tools, and
implications for trust and intimacy need to be thought about when people in relationships go on
social media sites so there is no conflict from it. Why do people post content via social media
that causes conflict in interpersonal relationships? Do people know the danger of having public
conflicts on social media? Do people post content to get attention from other people, including
their partners? Overall, this research says about this problem that it could be easily prevented if
people did not post racy things or have trust in each other, However, overall it says that this
problem is so relevant because social media is becoming more and more popular that if people
were actually aware of how much conflict can be caused in their romantic relationships it could
all be resolved before it is too late.
Research Questions
Why do people post content via social media that causes conflict in interpersonal relationships?
Do people know the danger of having public conflicts on social media?
Do people post content to get attention from other people, including their partners?
Case Study
Narritive
This paper has talked mostly about how social media sites cause conflict and in some
instances even amplifies conflict that already existed in an interpersonal relationship. So which
better two people to study than Chris Brown and Karrueche Tran who have posted on twitter and
Instagram about each other over and over again. Chris Brown is an American recording artist,
dancer, and actor, and Karrueche Tran is an actress and model. These two celebrities were at one
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time in a relationship together. After their split up they took it public posting many different
content onto both Instagram and twitter.
Before getting into that, this is why they broke up in the first place. According to
HollywoodLife.com, that every time Chris Brown went on tour Karrueche wanted to go with him
but he did not want her to bother him and wanted to just hang out with his friends. She didn’t
only want him to not go by himself because she was afraid of him getting himself into trouble,
but also because she was worried his eye would be drawn to another woman (Boon, 2015).
She expressed this to him and he didn’t want to hear it and told her to knock it off and she left
after that. This happened in December of 2014.
After that, is when they decided to take their problems and relationship public onto two
of the largest social media platforms Instagram and Twitter. The posts started on Instagram when
Chris Brown posted a capture calling out his on again off again girlfriend Karrueche. She Tried
to respond in a civil way back to Chris Brown but the damage was already done. Millions of
people saw what Chris posted and even if he did not mean it, it drew an even sharper dagger
between them. Chris Brown also posted a tweet on twitter right after they broke up that said
“Don’t sleep with a white TEE on next to your shawty (Thomas, 2014). You ganna wake up with footprints on
your back.” These photos were both taken from Karrueche and Chris Brown Instagram pages.
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aishamusic.blogspot.com , www.rickey.org
After the falling out between the two of them went public Chris Brown wanted
her back when he posted another comment on Instagram saying what he did was wrong and that
he wanted Karrueche back (Thomas, 2014). He also posted another comment on his twitter that stated “ I will
always love you KAR.” This might have actually had a positive impact on Karrueche if Chris
Brown said things like this to her on social media often and not the hateful things he has said in
the past. Studies have shown that social media can also be used to show intimacy towards one
another to other people and to the significant other. However, once these forums have been used
to cause conflict in the relationship using it to make up is kind of useless.
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www.dailymail.co.uk
Analysis
Looking at the above fight between Chris Brown and Karrueche, it can be seen that the
theory that social media can cause conflict and can contribute to conflict is correct. All of the
concepts that have been discussed in the literature review relate to this case study and show how
social media can be used as a negative online tool. Speaking of online tools, after the breakup
both of the celebrities used these online tools to communicate to everyone about each other. As
can be seen in the picture, once they were posted in only a couple of minutes already thousands
of people have seen these comments and liked them. Since, they used these online tools to post
these comments and pictures they can never be unseen, and will always be assessable somewhere
on the internet. However, then Chris Brown tried to cover up his previous posts with an apology
on Instagram to Karrueche. Just like social media was used as a negative online tool he is now
trying to use it as an online tool.
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Trust
This is why self-disclosing too much information on social media platforms can cause
even more conflict to a interpersonal relationship. After Chris Brown posted the nasty comment
about Karrueche he most likely lost her trust and respect. He humiliated her not only to a few
people but to millions and millions of people. That is why even though the relationship may not
have been over for good, saying those things online to strangers made the relationship between
the two of them even weaker. She tried to respond in a way to keep her image up and be the
classier person. However, Chris Brown did enough harm to that by the way he portrayed her
rather the comments be true or not true. Not only did the trust between these two become almost
nonexistent after these posts but it became even worse when Chris Brown’s ex- girlfriend
Rhianna posted a picture on her Instagram of Chris Brown, while Karrueche and Chris Brown
were still on again off again.
Rhianna posting this picture once again shows the dangers of self-disclosing on social media.
This photo could have easily ended things for good between Chris Brown and Karrueche. Even
though that may have been Rhianna’s goal, it still goes to show that once someone self discloses
something on social media it is there for anyone with an account to see. Like Utz stated once
someone in an interpersonal relationship feels that the other person is becoming intimate with
someone else it causes trust issues, and makes that person no longer want to be intimate. This
shows perfectly here when Karrueche liked the picture that Rhianna posted it showed that she
was threatened and loss of trust in Brown. Even if she would have found out in person that they
were together she still would have lost respect for him but if she found out from him and not
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Rhianna if could have salvage whatever trust was still left between the two of them.
Once their relationship was supposedly over for good, Karrueche went on Access
Hollywood and said somethings about Chris Brown about their relationship. She said in that
interview, and in this interview (Karrueche Tran Opens Up About Chris Brown To Iyanla
Vanzant " Full Interview ") that she went to social media to express her feelings and that was a
mistake. She said since it is such an easy tool and way to express oneself and since he already
had posted too it was just a knee jerk reaction that she shouldn’t have done. Even just by doing
this interview and it being posted online and on social media Chris Brown responded to it on
social media and was mad at her for talking badly about him. Karrueche responded to his
comments with a post on Instagram where she self-disclosed many private things about their
relationship (vultaggio, 2015). Once again trust and the intimacy they once had was lost and
shared with millions of people.
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www.viralsplash.net
Discussion
These several posts prove that social media can indeed be used to cause conflict in
interpersonal relationships where it doesn’t need to be. These posts show how much both of
these people self-disclosed to the whole social media world and how it had no positive impact on
their relationship. It caused more trust issues between the two of them, and caused both of them
to become more insecure not only within the relationship but towards themselves because these
comments were shown to almost the entire country. On the other hand Chris Brown tried to
make up for it and post a nice comment but too much damage was already done and the trust was
already gone. In this instance to answer the research question on why people post things to social
media that they know can cause conflict there is several different reasons. Karrueche stated that
she did it on impulse and because it was easy and that he was doing. In Chris Brown’s one post
he said it is because social media has become the outlet that everyone expresses themselves on
even though sometimes they shouldn’t. Both of these celebrities showed that even though they
know the dangers of self-disclosing so much information on social media they still do it because
it is easy. To answer the other question, whether or not people know the dangers of social media
on their interpersonal relationship before they post or not based on this study would be yes. They
both stated they knew how they both could be perceived by the public and each other but they
still posted anyways. In correspondence with the third research question, which asked if people
posts these things to get attention from the public or their significant other, Chris Brown most
certainly posted most of those posted because he wanted to get a reaction and attention from
Karrueche. Along with this incident, almost every person that is on a social media site has more
than likely saw a break up or a fight on that forum. This in all reality could have turned out
differently if people used social media more as a tool for reconnecting with people then a form of
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gossip. If avid social media users would pay more attention to cases like this involving conflict
in interpersonal relationships due to social media it might make them twice before posting things
they may later regret.
Conclusion
In summary, Interpersonal Relationship is a bond that two people share with one another.
(Blais et al., 2007). Online tools such as social media sites are sites on the internet where people
can interact with people that they already know and with people they do not know
(Subrahmanyam et al., 2008). While intimacy is when two people share a deep connection and
share their feelings with one another, and need that intimacy to trust one another on social media
(Utz, & Beukeboom, 2011).
Since it was so rigorous to keep well rounded romantic interpersonal relationships before
social media, it is even harder now. Even when the impersonal communication between those
two people is good and well established, one wrong move or ill judgment on social media can
change that status of that interpersonal relationship ( Blais et. al., 2007). It is detrimental to some
because many girls see Instagram and Facebook as a competition (Bowe, 2010). They want to
see who can get more likes, more comments, and more attention. Therefore, they can post racy
photos that can make the partner jealous and enrage, showing once again how photography can
be one of the main sources of jealous on social media sites. As it has been shown, Social Media
has had many positive impacts on people’s lives throughout recent years, but the way in which
people use it can cause many problems especially if those people are in committed relationships.
Nevertheless, conflict is everywhere, it is at work, it is at home with families, and it is in
relationships. Social media has done nothing to help eliminate conflict especially in
relationships. However, since most of these people in these relationships already know the
dangers of it and what not to do it should be an easy fix. Once these problems blow up enough
people in these types of relationships are going to start realizing what not to do, however by that
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time it might be too late.
References
Blais, J., Craig, W., Pepler, D., & Connolly, J. (2007). Adolescents Online: The importance of internet activity choices to salient relationships. Journal of Youth and Adolescents, 37(5), 522-536.
Boon, J. (2015, June 14). Karrueche Tran Tells Chris Brown To ‘Man The F–k Up’ In Shocking Rant. Retrieved from http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/06/14/chris-brown-karrueche-tran-instagram-fight-man-up-message/
Bowe, G. (2010). Reading romance: The impact Facebook rituals can have on a romantic relationship. Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology, 1(2), 61-77.
Clayton, R. (2014). The third wheel: The impact of Twitter use on relationship infidelity and divorce. Cyberpsychological Behavior Social Networks, 7(17), 425-430. doi:10.1089/cyber.2013.0570
Subrahmanyam, K., Reich, S., Waechter, N., & Espinoza, G. (2008). Online and offline social networks: Use of social networking sites by emerging adults. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(6), 420-433.
Thomas, C. (2014, December 8). 'I'm young and dumb': Chris Brown hangs his head in shame and issues a grovelling apology to Karrueche Tran... after accusing her of sleeping with
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Drake. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2865102/Chris-Brown-issues-grovelling-apology-Karrueche-Tran-accusing-sleeping-Drake.html
Utz, S., & Beukeboom, C. (2011). The role of social network sites in romantic relationships: Effects on jealousy and relationship happiness. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 16(4), 511-527. doi:10.1111/j.1083-6101.2011.01552.x
Vultaggio, M. (2015, June 15). Karrueche Tran- Chris Brown Instagram Feud Update: Model Should’ve Known Better. Retrieved from ibtimes.com