11 Points in the Development of a Self in Blog Culture

A person's identify of self is not in-built but it is developed through experience and time. Similarly, a blogger's identity on the web does not only contain his offline personality but also his online counterpart both which changes over time.

The first step is to know that there is a self. When you stand in front of a mirror, you know that it is a reflection and not another being. However young children below the age of one do not know this. An experiment was done to show this. Children were shown a mirror twice, once with a red dot on their forehead and once without. Only older children would respond by rubbing to see if the dot was there.

So the first step for a blogger will be to get this own blog. This allows himself get his own unique identity online and also allow others to differentiate him.

The second step in traditional self identity involves interaction with other humans. A self emerges as a result of social interaction and role-taking. Similarly, a blogger's identify is developed and maintained by interaction with other bloggers.

The looking glass self model means that the self that we develop derives from the way others treat us. Their treatment is like a mirror reflecting our personal qualities.

A being's identify of self is not in built and is developed through experience and time. Similarly, a blogger's identity on the web does not only contain his offline personality but also his online counterpart.

The first step is to know that there is a self. When you stand in front of a mirror, you know that it is a reflection and not another being. However young children below the age of one do not know this. An experiment was done to show this. Children were shown a mirror twice, once with a red dot on their forehead and once without. Only older children would respond by rubbing to see if the dot was there.

So the first step for a blogger will be to get this own blog. This allows himself get his own unique identity online and also allow others to differentiate him.

The second step in traditional self identity involves interaction with other humans. A self emerges as a result of social interaction and role-taking. Similarly, a blogger's identify is developed and maintained by interaction with other bloggers.

The looking glass self model means that the self that we develop derives from the way others treat us. Their treatment is like a mirror reflecting our personal qualities.

1) We imagine how we appear to those around us.
(We do this before we write an article. We might think of how our article might affect our readers, how many people will be interested in reading it and how Google will rank it.)

2) We interpret others' reactions.
(From the comments that people leave or the number of Diggs,links it gets, we get a rough idea of whether people like your post. Being liked is important as it allows you to continually develop your social self and social web)

3) We develop a self concept.
(As we stick to our niche of writing based on what was popular, we start to create our blog such that the content is pointed in a certain direction and to certain segments of people. These people get to know you better as you post more. In time you go deeper into the culture and write even more articles suited in the culture.)
That in essence is how self identity developments.

There are 8 components of self that people list when asked who you are. Here I have adapted them into blog culture for an interesting read.

1) Interpersonal Attributes
How people think of you.
"This blogger has link exchanged with me. He is my friend" " He writes good articles" "I have hosted a carnival with his post before"

2) Existential Aspects
Things that can be seen
"How does your blog look? Do you use Wordpress or Blogger? Is there a photo of yourself on your blog."

3) Internalized Beliefs
Things that you believe in
"I like Tech Gadgets. I want to help people. I must get as much traffic as possible"

4) Ascribed Characteristics
Your Profile
"Name, Age, Race etc"

5) Self Awareness
Who you think you are. This is different from internalized beliefs as Self awareness as your awareness of yourself might be different from what other people think.
"I am a good Blogger. My posts are interesting. "

6) Interests and Activities
"What you do. What do you like."

7) Social Discrimination
How your blog differs in the aspect of social level
"I belong to this blog network, I run this affiliate program"

8) Social Differentiation
How you differ from other bloggers.
"I make less on Adsense. My blog get less traffic."