Welcome to the InfoSci Platform
Reference Hub1
I Sang, Therefore I am! Uses and Gratifications of Self-Mocking Memes and the Effects on Psychological Well-Being

I Sang, Therefore I am! Uses and Gratifications of Self-Mocking Memes and the Effects on Psychological Well-Being

Miao Lu, Hua Fan
Copyright: © 2018 |Volume: 8 |Issue: 2 |Pages: 16
ISSN: 2155-7136|EISSN: 2155-7144|EISBN13: 9781522545767|DOI: 10.4018/IJCBPL.2018040103
Cite Article Cite Article

MLA

Lu, Miao, and Hua Fan. "I Sang, Therefore I am! Uses and Gratifications of Self-Mocking Memes and the Effects on Psychological Well-Being." IJCBPL vol.8, no.2 2018: pp.35-50. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJCBPL.2018040103

APA

Lu, M. & Fan, H. (2018). I Sang, Therefore I am! Uses and Gratifications of Self-Mocking Memes and the Effects on Psychological Well-Being. International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL), 8(2), 35-50. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJCBPL.2018040103

Chicago

Lu, Miao, and Hua Fan. "I Sang, Therefore I am! Uses and Gratifications of Self-Mocking Memes and the Effects on Psychological Well-Being," International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL) 8, no.2: 35-50. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJCBPL.2018040103

Export Reference

Mendeley
Favorite Full-Issue Download

Abstract

Sang (丧) culture is a youth subculture that has emerged in recent China. Through the lens of self-mocking memes, this exploratory study attempts to understand the psychological mechanisms and social meanings behind sang culture. A survey research of Chinese college students (N=506) were conducted to examine the uses and gratifications of self-mocking memes on social media. Six gratifications were identified. Two individual traits – the need for humor and narcissism – were found partially related to self-mocking meme usage. By considering self-mockery as an alternative form of self-presentation, this study challenged the pervasive self-enhancement hypothesis. On China's social media, self-mocking memes were used as both a self-protection strategy (intra-personal) and a social strategy (interpersonal). This study found a mixed effect of self-mocking meme usage on Chinese youths' psychological well-being: it was positively related to the harmonious interpersonal relationship while negatively related to self-acceptance.

Request Access

You do not own this content. Please login to recommend this title to your institution's librarian or purchase it from the IGI Global bookstore.