Facebook as a Communicational Tool in Romantic Relationships of European and North American Adolescents and Young Adults

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Method
  • 1.2 The Sociological Problem of Romantic Relationships
• 2. Theories
  • 2.1 Social Exchange Theory
  • 2.2 Social Exchange Theory and Romantic Relationships
  • 2.3 Social Network Theories and Analysis
  • 2.4 Knapp's Relational Stage Model
  • 2.5 Baxter's Relational Dialectics Theory
• 3. Communication on Facebook and Facebook User Demographics
  • 3.1 Understanding Facebook Communication
  • 3.2 Internet and Facebook Usage
    • 3.2.1 Facebook usage in general population
    • 3.2.2 Facebook usage in adolescents and young adults
    • 3.2.3 Facebook relationship status distributions
      • 3.2.3.1 Relationship status distributions of all ages
      • 3.2.3.2 Relationship status distributions of young adults
    • 3.2.4 Gender differences
  • 3.3 Conclusion
• 4. Romantic Relationships and Facebook
  • 4.1 Romantic Relationship Formation and Facebook
    • 4.1.1 Facebook's role in early romantic relationship stages
      • 4.1.1.1 Usage and strategies
      • 4.1.1.2 Implications for social acting
    • 4.1.2 Becoming Facebook official
  • 4.2 Romantic Relationship Maintenance and Facebook
    • 4.2.1 Maintaining a romantic relationship on Facebook
    • 4.2.2 Representing a romantic relationship on Facebook
  • 4.3 Romantic Relationship Dissolution and Facebook
• 5. Discussion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This literature review aims to explore current research about romantic relationship communication of European and North American adolescents and young adults on Facebook. The review focuses on communication behaviours observed in Knapp's (1978) three relational stages: formation, maintenance, and dissolution.

• The role of Facebook in romantic relationships among adolescents and young adults.
• The impact of Facebook communication on relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution.
• The influence of social networks on romantic relationships, including communication patterns and relationship outcomes.
• The interplay between online and offline communication in romantic relationships.
• The potential challenges and benefits of using Facebook for romantic relationships.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of the research topic and the methodology used in the literature review. Chapter 2 explores relevant theories, including social exchange theory, social network theories, Knapp's relational stage model, and Baxter's relational dialectics theory. Chapter 3 examines Facebook communication and user demographics, analyzing internet and Facebook usage patterns, relationship status distributions, and gender differences. Chapter 4 delves into the relationship between romantic relationships and Facebook, focusing on the role of Facebook in relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This literature review focuses on romantic relationship communication, online social media, social networking sites, and Facebook. It examines the influence of Facebook on the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of romantic relationships among European and North American adolescents and young adults.