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The Inflated Cost of Interpersonal Relationships

Dagnogo, Ben Fortune Rockya LU (2025) SOCK10 20251
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis investigates how students navigate interpersonal and professional relationships in the context of neoliberal rationality and Web 2.0 digital infrastructures. Focusing on self-marketization practices and the conflict between online personas and real identities, the study draws on qualitative data from interviews and focus groups with university students aged 20–35. Using a dual theoretical framework of Rational Choice Theory and Symbolic Interactionism,it explores how emotional labor, digital capital, and compatibility logic shape identity performance and social connection in digital social arenas (DSAs). The findings reveal that while students engage in strategic self-presentation to remain visible and competitive, this often... (More)
This thesis investigates how students navigate interpersonal and professional relationships in the context of neoliberal rationality and Web 2.0 digital infrastructures. Focusing on self-marketization practices and the conflict between online personas and real identities, the study draws on qualitative data from interviews and focus groups with university students aged 20–35. Using a dual theoretical framework of Rational Choice Theory and Symbolic Interactionism,it explores how emotional labor, digital capital, and compatibility logic shape identity performance and social connection in digital social arenas (DSAs). The findings reveal that while students engage in strategic self-presentation to remain visible and competitive, this often results in emotional fatigue, ambivalence, and feelings of disconnection. Suggesting an “inflation” of interpersonal relationships of increased access, but a paradoxically devaluation of genuine connection. The study contributes to a broader understanding of how neoliberal market logic and digital culture restructure intimacy, identity, and social meaning and digital landscapes. (Less)
Popular Abstract (Swedish)
Denna uppsats undersöker hur studenter navigerar mellan interpersonella och professionella relationer i ett sammanhang präglat av nyliberal rationalitet och digitala infrastrukturer kopplade till Web 2.0. Med fokus på självmärktnadspraktiker och konflikten mellan onlinepersonor och verkliga identiteter bygger studien på kvalitativa data från intervjuer och fokusgrupper med universitetsstudenter i åldern 20–35 år. Genom att använda ett dubbelt teoretiskt ramverk bestående av rational choice-teori och symbolisk interaktionism, utforskar den hur emotionellt arbete, digitalt kapital och kompatibilitetslogik formar identitetsprestation och sociala kopplingar i digitala sociala arenor (DSA). Resultaten visar att även om studenter strategiskt... (More)
Denna uppsats undersöker hur studenter navigerar mellan interpersonella och professionella relationer i ett sammanhang präglat av nyliberal rationalitet och digitala infrastrukturer kopplade till Web 2.0. Med fokus på självmärktnadspraktiker och konflikten mellan onlinepersonor och verkliga identiteter bygger studien på kvalitativa data från intervjuer och fokusgrupper med universitetsstudenter i åldern 20–35 år. Genom att använda ett dubbelt teoretiskt ramverk bestående av rational choice-teori och symbolisk interaktionism, utforskar den hur emotionellt arbete, digitalt kapital och kompatibilitetslogik formar identitetsprestation och sociala kopplingar i digitala sociala arenor (DSA). Resultaten visar att även om studenter strategiskt iscensätter sig själva för att förbli synliga och konkurrenskraftiga, leder detta ofta till emotionell utmattning, ambivalens och känslor av främlingskap. Studien pekar på en "inflation" av interpersonella relationer, där ökad tillgång paradoxalt nog medför en devalvering av genuina kontakter. Den bidrar till en bredare förståelse av hur nyliberal marknadslogik och digital kultur omstrukturerar intimitet, identitet och social mening i digitala landskap. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Dagnogo, Ben Fortune Rockya LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
The Inflation of Interpersonal Relationships
course
SOCK10 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Web 2.0, Self Marketization, Digital persona, Neoliberal rationality, Inflation, Digital capital, interpersonal relationships commodification, Connection, performance, Digital Social arenas
language
English
id
9208556
date added to LUP
2025-09-01 16:40:23
date last changed
2025-09-01 16:40:23
@misc{9208556,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates how students navigate interpersonal and professional relationships in the context of neoliberal rationality and Web 2.0 digital infrastructures. Focusing on self-marketization practices and the conflict between online personas and real identities, the study draws on qualitative data from interviews and focus groups with university students aged 20–35. Using a dual theoretical framework of Rational Choice Theory and Symbolic Interactionism,it explores how emotional labor, digital capital, and compatibility logic shape identity performance and social connection in digital social arenas (DSAs). The findings reveal that while students engage in strategic self-presentation to remain visible and competitive, this often results in emotional fatigue, ambivalence, and feelings of disconnection. Suggesting an “inflation” of interpersonal relationships of increased access, but a paradoxically devaluation of genuine connection. The study contributes to a broader understanding of how neoliberal market logic and digital culture restructure intimacy, identity, and social meaning and digital landscapes.}},
  author       = {{Dagnogo, Ben Fortune Rockya}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Inflated Cost of Interpersonal Relationships}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}