Social Media as an Identity Actualization Arena: A Communication Theory of Identity Study of Sherly Tjoanda's Digital Activities

Abstract

This study employs the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), developed by Michael Hecht, to analyze how social media functions as an identity actualization arena. CTI breaks down identity into four main layers: personal identity, which encompasses an individual’s view of themselves in specific social situations, including their feelings and ideas about who they are; enacted identity, which refers to how an individual presents themselves through behavior, visual language, and communication style; relational identity, which is formed through relationships and social interactions with others; and communal identity, which relates to an individual’s attachment to broader groups or communities. In this study, these four layers are used to analyze Sherly Tjoanda’s digital content across various social media platforms. Personal identity is reflected in her communication style and the values she conveys. Enacted identity is evident through her visual expressions and posting routines, while relational identity is examined through Sherly’s interactions with her followers, which foster a sense of symbolic closeness. Communal identity is illustrated by the role of her follower community and digital networks in constructing her image as a public figure. Overall, CTI helps to understand how identity on social media is a multi-layered, dynamic construction influenced by two-way interactions with the audience, where processes of negotiation and identity performance occur in complex ways within the digital space.