Self Cultivation Theory Essay

Underlying assumptions and context

This theory only applies to the context where the respective culture has access to the Internet and social media. Other cultures that do not have access to the Internet will not be applicable.

The first assumption of the theory states that media is everywhere and it has become a part of the daily lives of the people in their respective culture. In this theory, the media refers to the Internet and even more specific, the social media. With the presence of media everywhere, people will find it harder to avoid using the media.

The second assumption of the theory states that social media influences users, but there are other factors too. Similar to the Cultivation Theory, social media shapes the perceptions of reality. Content shared on social media with captions such as “relationship goals” and those posts about a perfect relationship alters the users’ perception of a relationship in reality, albeit it not being so.

The third and last assumption of the theory states that children in the family are the primary user of social media. The parents may use social media too, but in comparison, parents do not affect the interpersonal communication within a family as much as children, after prolonged usage of social media.

The Knapp’s relationship model mentioned the stages of a relationship that allows me to compare how a relationship affected by social media will progress. The social identity theory and self-categorization theory helps me to analyze how individuals view themselves as part of a particular group and how they react to the out-groups. While on the other hand, the cultivation theory helps me in identifying the assumption for this