Dr. Djuwari
We’re often afraid of being vulnerable, but vulnerability creates genuine connection.” (Gabby Bernstein – 2024).
It is common for the members of the WhatsApp’s group (WA group) to have a long chat with different topics. As I have observed so far, the topics can be actual and prevailing ones. The hot Issues in the society tend to be the engaging topics. We also have some WA groups that have regulations not to talk something sensitive. But, we also have some without any preliminary regulations for chatting.
The quote above this article is taken from the American professional speaker and an Author whose name is Gabrielle Berstein. She was born on September 1, 1979, in Larchmont, New York as described in Wikipedia. The genuine connections can also be found in the natural social chatting. This chatting reflects sociometry in which we can identify individuals in a group.
When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open up to others about our true feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This openness, in some cases, fosters deeper understanding, empathy, and intimacy in relationships because it allows others to see us as we truly are, flaws and all. In essence, by embracing vulnerability, we create the opportunity for genuine and meaningful connections with those around us. This reminds of sociometry.
Sociometry is the concept of measuring social interactions and relationships between individuals in a group. This technique is used to identify patterns of interaction and attraction. Using this technique, we can see both the similarities and differences of ideas through the pros and cons. From this, the members in the group can be identified as the social interactions in the sub-genuine groups.
Sociometry, nowadays, is found to be a modern-day practice in the digital society such as WhatsApp’s groups. In today’s interconnected world, these virtual spaces serve as microcosms of human interaction. They offer a rich tapestry of social dynamics ripe for analysis. WhatsApp’s, with its ease of communication presents an intriguing platform for sociometric exploration.
In digital spaces like WhatsApp’s groups, people navigate complex social relationships, forming alliances and identities in real-time. WhatsApp’s features, like group chats and multimedia sharing, provide is with unprecedented access to study social interaction patterns. Sociometry helps us understand these dynamics, revealing insights into human behavior in the digital era.
At the core of Sociometry, it lies the concept of social networks, exemplified in WhatsApp’s groups. Each group has its own norms and roles, fostering various interactions from casual chats to serious discussions. It resembles face-to-face dynamics. Analyzing these interactions unveils insights into network dynamics like centrality, cohesion, and hierarchy. Centrality measures individuals’ influence while cohesion gauges group solidarity. But, hierarchy uncovers power distribution within the group, highlighting leaders and cliques.
Moreover, WhatsApp’s groups offer a fertile ground for studying the formation and maintenance of social identities. In these digital spaces, individuals have the opportunity to construct and negotiate their identities through the selective presentation of self and the performance of various roles. From crafting witty messages to sharing personal anecdotes, members engage in impression management strategies aimed at shaping how they are perceived by others.
WhatsApp’s group reflects anonymity and asynchronous communication. It also provide individuals with the flexibility to experiment with their identity without the constraints of face-to-face interaction. By examining the discursive practices and interactional strategies employed within WhatsApp’s groups, we can gain insights into how social identities are constructed, negotiated, and contested in online environments.
However, the digital landscape of WhatsApp’s groups is not without its challenges and ethical considerations. As an observant, we have to navigate this terrain. They must grapple with issues such as privacy, consent, and data security. WhatsApp’s, as a proprietary platform owned by Facebook, raises concerns about data ownership and user privacy. It needs a careful consideration of ethical guidelines and informed consent procedures.
However, ethical considerations loom large in this endeavor, highlighting the need for responsible research practices that safeguard the rights and privacy of participants. As WhatsApp’s continues to shape the landscape of digital communication, Sociometry offers a powerful lens through which to understand and navigate the evolving dynamics of online social interaction.
Dr. Djuwari is an Associate Professor at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya (UNUSA) Indonesia. Surabaya, the editor of some research journals in the Philippines and Indonesia. He is also a journalist in some newspapers in Indonesia; the President of International Association of Scholarly Publishers, Editors, and Reviewers (IASPER), a small business owner of Djuw Café.
