The Effect of Cyberspace (Internet) usage on Students' National Identity

Hajiani, Ebrahim; Mohammadzadeh, Hamidreza

The Effect of Cyberspace (Internet) usage on Students' National Identity

Volume 16, Issue 61
Spring 2014

Pages 67-84

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ebrahim Hajiani ¹

Hamidreza Mohammadzadeh ²

¹ Associate Professor of Sociology, Head of Department of Cultural Researches, Center of Strategic Research

² M.A. in Cultural Management, ISPA Researcher, Corresponding Author

Abstract

In this article the effect of internet usage on national identity is studied. The main question is, whether there is a connection and correlation between each dimensions of internet usage and national identity of users. Secondary questions discuss the same question in the case of each dimensions of national identity. In this conceptual model, religious identity as an intervener variable is considered. The researchers have used the field researching method with the help of questionnaire accessory for quantitative part. The enquiry questionnaire has been distributed between 320 students of Islamic azad university, science and research branch of Tehran. The results of data analysis in testing of main assumptions has shown there is a complete Bivariate correlation between amount of internet usage and cognitive dimension of users' national identity with intensity of 0.119 in positive direction. There are positive correlation coefficients between duration of internet usage and behavioral and cognitive dimensions of users' national identity. For informational aspect of usage, with national identity, positive correlation and for communicational aspect and entertainment aspect, negative correlation has been gained.

Keywords

National Identity

Cyberspace

Religious Identity