Analyzing Dwayne Johnson’s Personal

Identity Production on Instagram

 

Introduction 
Answering the question of “who am I?” is by no means an easy task in the process of self-
identification. While some might argue that we are defined by our beliefs and actions,
others note that we are what others perceive us to be through our collective self-
representation behaviors. Harold Noonan, described the problem of personal identity as
“the problem of specifying the criterion of diachronic identity for persons, where what is in
question is not an evidential or heuristic principle but a metaphysical-cum-semantic one.”
Noonan (2019, p. 84). As complicated as the notion of identity formation is, what is equally
intriguing is the continuous efforts of self-expression we as individuals perform regardless
of us claiming to know our true selves or not. These self-expressive practices have been
examined in the current digital age by multiple authors who covered a diverse set of
studies. Personal identity representation was examined by authors such as Jordan (2019),
Mallan (2009), Toma, Hancock, & Ellison (2008), Yee & Bailson (2009), and Yang, Holden &
Carter (2018). Each of the authors, however,  conducted a different kind of study ranging
from how identity fragments are represented on social media, to deception in online
dating, and  how social comparison shapes identities. Other authors touched on similarly
detailed aspects of personal identity such as Craig & Mclnroy (2014) who covered identity
formation for LGBTQ members, and Courbet & Fourquet-Courbet (2014) who studied
collective identity representation in mourning celebrities. I chose these articles because
they collectively cover a wide scope of how personal identity is effected, formed and
represented online. For an easier understanding, the following literature review, is
composed of seven articles structured into three main parts. It covered each of the facets
mentioned before in their respective order. Each article review presented what the piece is
about, the study’s methodology, and finally, what were the findings. Building on the
literature review, a research question will be presented for study. A methodology will be
detailed on how the data collected was analyzed to answer a set hypothesis. Finally, the
chosen  social actor’s identity formation on the social media platform will be discussed in
detail, covering how his identity was presented through performing various actions. 
Thematic Literature Review 

Factors Affecting Personal Identities: 

The first set of articles will cover two studies and show examples of how personal identities
are affected. One study by Mallan (2009) will discuss self-representation and self-exposure
through online networks. The second by Yang, Holden & Carter (2018) will cover how social
media comparison affects personal identity clarity. To start, Mallan (2009), in her study on
self-representation and self-exposure through online networks, showed that being active
on social networking sites (SNS) caused young people to feel lost, vulnerable and
threatened. In response, adults were anxious about this involvement as it was disrupting
the norm which in itself was expected with every shift to a new age. Mallan added that
although constructed online profiles entail certain politics of visibility which results in an
epithet of narcissism, reports also showed the advantages of SNS and online activities
such as the coordination of social relations and creation of outlets for self-expression.
Through reflecting on empirical research, Mallan argued that the young people in the
study showcased their social networking as evolving pattern of inter-spatial and inter-
subjective social practices all the while expressing a sophisticated awareness of risk
factors. The study highlighted how online engagement swings between opposing states of
exhibition and inhibition, self-exposure and self-preservation, authenticity and deception.
Mallan’s study used qualitative research that included two (one hour) semi-structured
focus groups of a balance of girls and boys whose ages ranged between 13 – 16 years.
Each group had 10 – 15 students with a total of 150 students in four schools over a 12
month period. A total of 14 hours of discussions were recorded and later transcribed. These
were then coded according to categories derived from the issues/topics emerging from
the students’ responses. The first focus group format consisted of an open discussion after
the students were shown a video of high school students talking about SNS while the
second focus group had Mallan read a short statement about her interest in how they go
about creating their profiles, friendships, and problems they might have encountered
online. Mallan classified her findings into four areas relating to the study, constructing a
profile, friends & communities, exposure & surveillance, and privacy matters. First, Mallan
reported that constructed profiles on SNS can be either ‘everything you think you are’, or
‘whatever makes you look good’, or just ‘ a statement’ all the way to self-representation
being complicated by what others ‘see’ on the profile page. As the audience factor
influences the manner in which the profiler articulates, composes, and distributes the self-
document, the ‘look at me’ desire creates an ‘economy of recognition’ whereby young
people seek others’ comments and approval. Another find from the study was the
students’ desire for closeness through their online participation. Participants presented the
desire to connect with like-minded others, family, close friends or those from a similar
ethnic background. Mallan added that the notions of being seen, in contact, appearing
popular, communicating and developing new relationships are some factors that impact an
individual’s willingness to expose themselves online. When it came to exposure and
surveillance, students had varied responses on how much information to put out about
themselves where some said they would not give out personal details while others had no
problem with it. The students added that although much of their time online was spent on
checking up other people’s personal pages, staying in touch with friends online becomes a
daunting task when others demand a flow of constant communication. As for the issue of
online privacy, students demonstrated that they were well informed about the potential
risks of online communication without having a ‘naïve trust’ in technology all the while
believing that they are able to control potential unwanted visitors to their online presence.
The study also showed that the more tech-savvy the students are, the more knowledgeable
they are about risks and how to avoid them. Yang, Holden & Carter (2018) on the other
hand delve into studying how social media comparison affects personal identity clarity.
According to Yang, Holden, & Carter (2018), social comparison of ability “competition-
oriented” and opinion “information-oriented” is particularly relevant in the digital age as
social media platforms allow users to easily access other’s daily updates. This provides rich
opportunities for social comparison, which in turn, has effects on the youths’ identity
development. The study takes a sample of college freshmen and tests the association
between the two types of social media social comparison and two identity variables of
global self-esteem and identity clarity. The methodology included a total of 219 college
freshmen at a US university in the mid-south filling out an online survey at the start of the
fall semester and were asked to complete a follow-up survey the next semester of which
136 managed to follow through. To measure the social media comparison activities, a
number of items were adopted from the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation
Measure. The authors used surveys that were then analysed through various measures to
examine students’ global self-esteem and identity clarity. The study concluded that social
comparison of ability on social media indirectly predicted lower identity clarity of
participants while having no effects on their global self-esteem. In contrast, neither of the
freshmen’s global self-esteem and identity clarity were influenced by social comparisons of
opinion.

Personal Identity Formation: 

The second set of studies also includes two articles, however, these will expand on how
digital avatar affect behaviour change, and how LGBT youth members are benefiting from
the  use of online spaces to develop their personal identities. The first study, by Yee &
Bailson (2009), covers the contribution of self-perception and priming to behavioral
changes via digital self-representation. According to Yee & Bailenson (2009), users now
are increasingly allowed to interact via avatars on digitally mediated spaces. Now easier
than ever, users can customize their avatars to serve not only a cosmetic function but also
a physiological arousal function. While it is assumed that users modify their avatars, the
study shows how the chosen avatars change how users behave in digital environments
through the “Proteus Effect”, independently of how others perceive the user. The author’s
methodology uses an immersive virtual environment technology (IVET), seventy three
undergraduate students participated in two studies. The first, an “Avatar attractiveness
pretest” with two conditions, a mirror condition where a number of participants would view
themselves in a virtual room through the reflection of a mirror hung on the wall having a
pre-chosen virtual face (avatar), and a playback condition where other participants would
view the mirror condition participants from the other end of the hung mirror but are told
that what they see is a television recording for someone who was in the room some time
ago. Participants from the mirror condition were later asked to follow a script asking the
playback avatars questions about their interests, hobbies, and plans after graduation. The
second study, a “mock dating web site” had the participants use a web-based survey to
rate the attractiveness of screenshot faces on a scale from 1 (extremely unattractive) to 7
(extremely attractive) then choose two people in the photographs who they were most
interested in and thought would be most interested in them. The study found that identity
cues in a digital self-embodiment led to a significantly greater amount of behavioral
change than in the condition where the identical visual stimulus was provided without
digital self-embodiment. A combination of the participant’s believing that they are in a
different body and the interactivity in a new body, both forming the embodiment and
digital self-representation (ie. Avatar), are crucial for behaviour change in the Proteus
Effect. Furthermore, it was concluded that in the mirror condition participants were not
affected by attractiveness in the choice of partners unlike in the playback condition where
reported heights were noted to be more accurately reported. Interpersonal distance
measures also showed more lenience in the mirror condition where participants walked
closer to the confederate than in the playback condition. Regardless of the differences
between conditions, overall participants were not even aware of the experimental
manipulation of avatar attractiveness. Finally, it was concluded that identity cues in digital
self-embodiment do lead in large amounts to personal identity behavioral change and in
turn, identity adjustments. The second study, by Craig & Mclnroy (2014), researched how
digital self-embodiment and the overall influence of new media can help in the identity
develpment and coming out for LGBTQ youth. According to Craig & Mclnroy (2014),
emerging forms of media are critical to the identity developments of many LGBTQ youth
that might remain inaccessible offline. Whether online or offline, the development of a
sexual minority identity requires active personal engagement and sharing of one’s identity
with others through a six-staged model for a successful coming out that includes identity
confusion, comparison, tolerance, acceptance, pride and synthesis. While the potential risk
of bullying and exposure to inappropriate content has severe negative consequences,
online participation has potential benefits. Some advantages include the promotion of self-
expression and competence as well as strengthening offline relationships for LGBTQ
youth. The study aimed to identify the effect of online media in respect to this process in
the formation of their identities. The methodology of the study involved data collection
throughout a period of four months. Data collection used in-depth participant interviews,
of one to three hours in length, conducted by a primary investigator and was audio
recorded. Recruitment involved a sample of 19 ethnically diverse youth members between
18–22 years of age who were active users of at least four forms of new media and who self-
identified as members of the LGBTQ community. Prior to the interviews, participants were
provided written informed consent and were asked to complete a detailed pre-interview
questionnaire which included questions about their demographics as well as details about
their media use. During the interviews, a semi-structured interview protocol consisting of
12 open-ended questions was employed and prompts were used to stimulate in-depth
discussion by participants.Data were collected throughout a period of four months. Data
collection used in-depth participant interviews, of one to three hours in length, conducted
by a primary investigator and was audio recorded. Recruitment involved a sample of 19
ethnically diverse youth members between 18–22 years of age who were active users of at
least four forms of new media and who self-identified as members of the LGBTQ
community. Prior to the interviews, participants were provided written informed consent
and were asked to complete a detailed pre-interview questionnaire which included
questions about their demographics as well as details about their media use. During the
interviews, a semi-structured interview protocol consisting of 12 open-ended questions
was employed and prompts were used to stimulate in-depth discussion by participants.
Finally, five main themes were found to influence the development of LGBTQ individuals
through the use of new media, which are the opportunity to access resources, explore
identity, find likeness, come out digitally, and potentially expand identities formed online
into offline life. First, participants pointed out that access to LGBTQ resources offline can
be severely impeded by factors such as safety and stigma while new media offer a wealth
of relevant and realistic material without the limitations, risks, or difficulties of finding
resources offline. Second, there was an emphasis from participants on the ability to
explore, develop and rehearse their LGBTQ identities online where the anonymity of new
media allowed them to be creative with their presentation of self in a safe place as well as
enable them to restart or alter their personas at will. Participants also reported receiving an
external reinforcement by others of their burgeoning awareness of their own sense of
identity which was empowered by watching the journeys of other LGBTQ youth online who
shared their own experiences. In addition, participants stated that they strongly believe
that the internet was a good place to start the tentative process of coming out because of
the low level risk involved compared to the offline experience. Finally, many pointed out
that their new identities developed online could then be expanded into offline life.

Representing Personal Identities: 

The third and final set of studies includes the remaining three articles. These articles
expand on how personal identities are represented online. The first article, by Jordan
(2019), covers how personal and professional identities can be fragment and merged to be
uniquely expressed online through different social media platforms. According to Jordan
(2019), social networking sites (SNS) are becoming a bigger part of the academic life.
Although, by nature, SNS require users to establish an online presentation of themselves,
created online academic identities are altered as they get mediated by different platforms
through different attitudes and approaches. While some platforms are viewed as a more
informal, social space, where connections could be made more readily, other spaces are
used to present a digital CV and address a pre-existing audience of professional academic
contacts. The ways how academics decide to present themselves will affect how they use
each platform. Personal and professional identities can merge or become separate through
deciding what information is presented on which platforms. Identities become fragmented
based on which information is presented on each social media platform. This split of
personal and professional identities raises the question of whether some fragments are
exclusive to some platforms or do they appear on many. Jordan’s methodology included
data collection from 198 participants through an online survey of 41 statements where
participants were asked about their demographic information, overall level of use of social
media, as well as types of information that they might share, activities they engaged in, and
how did they perceive the audiences at different social media platforms. The data was then
collected in a two-mode network graph. Jordan uses a network-based analytical approach
that would support what he described as a “many-to-many mappings between platforms,
audiences, and expressions of identity.” (Jordan, 2019, p. 3). The study’s results showed an
extensive overlap on how academics use the different sites.
While Facebook was agreed to be a platform for informality and the exhibition of authentic
identities, Twitter received great consensus as being a platform for building diverse
networks and discussions. However, while that consensus represents the extreme, there
was still visible evidence supporting the hypothesis that identity fragments were expressed
by academics across the selected platforms. Jordan classified the identity fragments into
three main clusters. First, a personal identity fragment expressed through Facebook and
Instagram with friends and family that presented an “authentic self”. Second, a
professional identity fragment which played out across platforms like Academia.edu,
LikedIn, and ResearchGate with other academics as the perceived audience presented
the “formal self”. Finally, a third fragment which combined both the personal and
professional identities enacted mostly on blogs and Twitter with a wide range of perceived
audiences including NGOs, students, policymakers and none academics. The second
article, by Toma, Hancockm & Ellison (2008), studied deceptive self-presentation in online
dating profiles. According to them, the quest for love requires people to present
themselves as desirable mates which often involves deception through reporting lies on
online dating platforms. The absence of direct physical contact between daters gives rise
to misrepresentation of physical attributes, social status, and financial ability, a fact that is
known by most online daters and which is believed to be the biggest disadvantage of
online dating. The study addresses the issue by comparing presented information by
daters on their online profiles to their observed characteristics as well as assesses
deceptive practices and factors that shape the nature of deception in the context of
relationship formation. The authors’ methodology included asking online daters to assess
the accuracy of their profile information and the acceptability of deception in online dating
profiles on traditional dating sites. 80 participants (40 men, 40 women) composed a young
group aged between 21 – 30  and an older group aged between 51 – 65. The participants
were interviewed individually in a New York City lab and asked about the online service
they used, their user name, and email address. They then were presented with printed
copies of their online dating profile that included their answers to open-ended questions
such as “About Me” and “In My Own Words”, and closed-ended ones like activities,
interests, and hair color. Participants were asked to undergo a quantitative approach of
rating the accuracy of their responses on each of their profile items on a scale from 1
being “least accurate” to 5 being “most accurate” as well as the social acceptability of lying
on each of the items from 1 being “completely unacceptable to lie” to 5 being “completely
acceptable to lie”.  These items were categorized into five main categories as follows,
physical appearance, social status, relationship information, habits & interest, and beliefs.
The study’s findings concluded with the accuracy of participant’s profiles being assessed
using two approaches, self-report and cross validation. The self-report accuracy score
indicated a mean of 4.7 over 5 points across all categories indicating a high degree of self-
reported accuracy with “relationship information” being reported as the most accurate by
the participants. Univariate comparisons across males and females in each category
revealed no gender differences in self-reported accuracy. The cross validation assessment
showed that 81% of participants provided information in their online profile that deviated
from at least one of their observed characteristics with age being the least characteristic
lied about while weight being the most having almost two thirds of the participants
providing inaccurate information. Another find was that although participants who posted
photographs reported being more accurate than those who did not, inconsistency was
evident between the personal information reported and the presented profile photographs.
In addition, it was found that the more friends and family who are aware of the online
dating profile, the more accurate it should be. Although participants generally disapproved
of deceptions across categories in online dating profiles, they themselves were proven to
be aware of the inaccuracies in their own profiles and that the discrepancies were most
likely intentional. Finally, the last article, by Courbet & Fourquet-Courbet (2014), examined
how social identities are represented in the mourning process among fans on social media
when a celebrity passes away. According to Courbet & Fourquet-Courbet (2014), many
fans establish parasocial interactive relationships with celebrities that influence their
identities, lifestyles, attitudes, and behaviour. The study sets out to explain the level of
individual and social sadness following the death of a celebrity (Michael Jackson) who was
virtually unknown to the fans personally. Using a qualitative approach and an exploratory
perspective, the researchers try to discover if fans go through the typical process of
bereavement when mourning a celebrity and whether the process is influenced by the
social “groupal” & “personal” identities the fans constructed online. The authors’
methodology included interviewing 29 people, 16 men and 13 women with an average age
of 25.8 years, who have been Michael Jackson (MJ) fans for years. The Face-to-face
interviews averaging an hour long took place 15-21 weeks after the announcement of MJ’s
death and consisted of three parts. First, interviewees where asked about their passion for
MJ and had their empathic behaviour, non-verbal elements such as glances, silence, and
facial expressions analyzed. Second, the fans’ reactions were studied using a retrospective
account method to understand how differing types of adjustment to the loss were
operated up unto five months after the new of MJ’s death. Third, the interviewer talked to
each interviewee individually to dig deeper about their thoughts, feelings, communication,
and social media interactions immediately following MJ’s death until the time of the
interview.  Finally, a systematic content analysis was carried out of the collected verbal
material, as well as 1851 messages shared on three social media platforms for MJ fans.
Finally, the study presents four main results. The first finding is that some fans associated
MJ’s death with a symbolic, imaginary loss of either happy memories with a third person
from the past that MJ played a part in, while others were afraid of losing the attachment
figure (the third person) from their own micro-social environment that MJ was in a way a
part of their bond.
The second finding compares how fans went through the mourning process according to
how their identities are constructed. Fans with a “Personal Identity” found themselves
having to manage a significant cognitive problem where their mourning work required
frequent phases of withdrawal in solitude. Online, these fans maintained the parasocial tie
they had with MJ by addressing messages of attachment directly to him (‘I miss you’). On
the contrary, the fans who constructed their identity with reference to MJ “Groupal
Identity” identify themselves as people who belong to the MJ fan group and have no
fundamental cognitive problem to solve concerning their identity; they experience the
mourning process in interaction with the other fans where they think, write, and express
their sadness as the group does and derive reassurance from contact with the group they
are strongly attached to. The third main result outlines five functions of social media in the
mourning process, starting with reassuring fans that their affective and cognitive reactions
are normalized by comparing them with those of other group members. The second
function is offering fans the possibility of ‘self-managing their mourning’ without the
boundaries of classic anthropological mourning rituals. Another function of social media
concerns the opportunity to give each fan the chance to emerge from anonymity and
leaving behind a personalized and lasting trace. The fourth role is that social media
provides fans with the socio-emotional and socio-cognitive reference points to co-
construct the meaning of the event to go beyond the limits of their individual management
of the phenomenon and better cope with the death. The last function identified in the
survey is the ‘support through action’ which enables fans to write, exchange, and meet up
physically at real-life events to pay tribute to MJ and obtain a more direct and personal
social support. Finally, the study showed that prolonged and frequent use of social media is
associated with a slowed resolution of the mourning process as it regenerates negative
thoughts, increasing the frequency of negative emotions felt while heightening their
intensity. With new images, information, or previously unseen photographs of MJ, social
media makes it easier to spend a lot of time online elongating the mourning process.

Methodology
The three methodological units of analysis, lower-level, higher-level, and frozen mediated
action will be used to study how our actor’s identity is formed on Instagram. To start,
Norris (2016, p. 143) defines a mediated action as a “social actor(s) acting with or through
cultural tools/mediational means”. That said, mediated actions come in different forms
including the three methodological units we will now expand on. 

One form of a mediated action is the lower-level mediated actions which is the “smallest
pragmatic meaning unit of a mode.” Norris (2016, p. 148). A great example of what a lower-
level action is a person’s change of gaze, stance, or posture. Moving a hand, sniffing or
even smiling are other examples of lower-level mediated actions. Higher-level mediated
actions on the other hand are those “that social actors usually intend to perform” Norris
(2016, p. 150). Playing a game, writing a paper, or having dinner are examples of higher-
level actions that a person is consciously aware of and pays attention to. Following on that,
we can see a connection between higher- and lower-level actions where higher-level
actions build chains of lower-level actions as well as both producing each other as Norris
(2020, p. 33) explains “Higher- and lower-leveled  mediated actions thus produce each
other through actions and interactions”. Another form of mediated action is the frozen
mediated action defined as “the lower- or higher-level mediated action embedded in the
environment or in objects.” Norris (2020, p. 38). Chattered glass on the floor, a fallen tree,
an empty bottle or an apple missing a piece of it are examples of frozen mediated actions
that signify a lower- or high-level action has taken place. Even if we did not witness an
action in real-time, a frozen mediated action allows us to hypothesize what other causing
actions took place. 

Research Question
 How does Dwayne Johnson produce his personal identity element on Instagram?
 

Phase I - Data Collection Table

Data collected Date Place # of

participants

A Message for 11/06/2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/B-21OAdldFH/ 1

a fan 

International 11/06/2020 https://instagram.com/p/B9e19HxlzEa 2

Woman’s

Mother’s 11/06/2020 https://instagram.com/p/B4FxmsSFcZz 2

Birthday

Mourning 13/06/2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAwpZCiFjRS/ 1

Autobiography 11/06/2020 https://instagram.com/p/B56Dm7flelk 1

Re-formulated Research Question into a

Statement 

Dwayne Johnson produces his personal identity element on Instagram.

Phase II - Data Delineation

 
Name of data Where/Length of Participants Notes 1-3
piece recording/Number involved 1-3 (relationships, Observational
 of images important pets) notes
cultural
tools

A Message for Dwayne’s house Dwayne None Dwayne wishes a

a fan  happy birthday
From min. 0 for a fan and
Tone gestures a kiss at
58 seconds Song two different
times. 

International Dwayne’s house Dwayne None Dwayne praises

Woman’s Day Dwayne’s his daughter on
From min. 0 Daughter the occasion
   
38 seconds   Tiana chooses
Voice her mother over
Tattoo her dad

Mother’s Dwayne’s house Dwayne None The relationship

Birthday   Dwayne’s is very strong;
From min. 0 Mother Dwayne jokes
    and his mother
18 seconds grabs him tightly
Song
Arm

Mourning Dwayne’s house Dwayne None Dwayne holds a

note quoting the
1 Image Story  last words of
George Floyd

Autobiography Video Montage Dwayne  Others Dwayne covers

how he feels
From min. 2:40 about being a
man, husband,
1 min. Tone and a father. He
Clothes concluded with
the phrase “I am
what I am”, and
that he is trying
to be himself as
best as he can.
  

Phase III - Producing A Bundled Higher- Level

Action Table

Five Higher-Level Action Tables:

Data Piece 1: A Message for a fan

Time stamp in video at the beginning of a higher- Brief description of a higher-
level action  level action

00:00:00 Sings happy birthday

00:00:49 Sends final best wishes for

holidays
 
 Data Piece 2: International Woman’s Day
Time stamp in video at the beginning of a Brief description of a higher-level
higher-level action action

00:00:00 Instructs daughter to repeat

empowering words
 
 Data Piece 3: Mother’s Birthday
Time stamp in video at the beginning of a higher- Brief description of a higher-
level action  level action

00:00:15 Jokes about being the only child

00:00:17 Sends best wishes

 Data Piece 4: Mourning

Time stamp in “Image” at the beginning of a Brief description of a higher-
higher-level action  level action

Not Applicable Expresses solidarity

 Data Piece 5: Autobiography
Time stamp in video at the beginning of a higher- Brief description of a higher-
level action  level action

00:00:28 Talks about his childhood

00:00:46 The women in his life

00:02:55 His wedding

00:03:30 Trying to be himself

Bundled Higher-Level Action Table:

Time stamp A bundle of high-level
mediated actions

(1)00:00:00, (3)00:00:00 Social actor singing

(1)00:00:19, (1)00:00:35, (1)00:00:49, (2)00:00:00, Social actor praising

(3)00:00:10, (3)00:00:17

(2)00:00:25, (3)00:00:15 Social actor joking

(5):00:00:00, (5)00:00:28, (5)00:00:46, (5)00:02:55, Social actor talking about

(5)00:03:30 himself

(4):00:00:00 Social actor mourning 

Analysis 

For us to understand how our social actor produces his personal identity on Instagram, we
will analyze and expand on some examples. Five examples will be presented to showcase
how lower-, higher-, and frozen actions are in action in each of the chosen data piece
segments.

Personal identity production through “Singing”:

In the first example, we will see how our social actor, Dwayne Johnson, produces his
personal identity on Instagram through singing to one of his fans. Peyton Segar, is a 10 year
 old girl who is being cared for in Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Peyton is a
fan of Dwayne and of one of his movies. In an attempt to uplift her spirit, Dwayne sings
the “Happy Birthday” song for Peyton and thanks her for being a fan. In figure 1  below, we
can see Dwayne amidst singing “Happy Birthday” to Peyton. This exact moment of the
higher-level action was captured half way through the full 20 seconds of the song. 

Figure 1: Dwayne singing “Happy Birthday” for a fan

In figure 2 we can see Dwayne performing a lower-level action while performing the same
higher-level action mentioned above. Here, Dwayne performed a gesture characterized by
placing his hand on his chest and closing of his eyes to emphasize how dear Peyton is to
his heart. This gesture was also accompanied by a change of both the speed and pitch of
Dwayne’s speech
 

Figure 2: Dwayne places his Figure 3: Disneyland map hung on the wall
hand on his chest

In figure 3, we can view an example of a frozen action. The picture framed on the wall
behind Dwayne of the map of Disney Land resembles an embedded object in the
environment. Following on Norris (2020), definition of a frozen action, although we did not
witness the action in real-time, we can hypothesize that the frame was hung up via a
higher-level action. 

Mallan (2009), in her article summarized earlier, touches on two points that relate to
Dwayne’s first example. The first point being that although adults are anxious about their
kids getting involved in social media sites, there are some advantages that shine through
such as the coordination of social relations. In this example, we can assume that Peyton’s
parents themselves were involved in requesting Dwayne to perform for their daughter.
Another point Mallan (2009) raises, is how the audience on social media influences the
manner in which the profiler articulates. Here we can see clearly how Dwayne uses cultural
tools, gestures, and tones that would resonate with 10 year old Peyton. 

Personal identity production through “Praising”:

In the second example, we can see how the social actor produces his personal identity
through praising and empowering his young daughter Tia on the event of International
Women’s Day. In this data piece, Dwayne performs a higher-level action by asking his
daughter to repeat empowering statements after him (Figure 4) which include the
following transcript  from the first 15 seconds.
 Dwayne: “Can you say I am a pretty girl?”

Tia: “I am a pretty girl”

Dwayne: “That’s right, even more importantly than that, can you say, I am an awesome girl”

Tia: “Awesome girl” 

Dwayne: “I am a smart girl”

Tia: “smart girl”

Figure 4: Dwayne & Tia  Figure 5: Dwayne’s affirmative

gesture

A lower-level action is noted at the moment Dwayne says “That’s right” in the transcript
above. At that moment (Figure 5) Dwayne nods his head downwards and raises his
eyebrows while smiling to stress and approve Tia’s reply. In both figures and throughout
the data piece was can see Dwayne’s chest tattoo to what resembles another frozen
action. Again, although we did not witness him receiving the tattoo, we can presume that
causing lower- and higher-level actions took place.

Going back to the study of Yang, Holden, & Carter (2018) on how social comparison of
opinion does not influence global self-esteem and identity clarity,  we can see some
 connection Dwayne’s following action. After Dwayne’s empowering interaction with his
daughter, he jokingly asks her to say that he is better than her mother (his wife) “Daddy’s
the best” where Tia confirms at first then rapidly denies it and shouts “Mother!”. Dwayne
quickly replies with “No not mother, you are ruining the thing” with a head shake (Figure 6).
From this higher-level action we can only hypothesize on Dwayne’s true self-esteem and if
it indeed was influenced by his daughter’s favoritism. 

Figure 6: Dwayne disagrees with Tia

Personal identity production through “Joking”:

To further expand on Dwayne’s identity production through joking, the next example
features him with his own mother this time in a congratulatory song for her 71st birthday. In
figure 7 we can see the exact moment Dwayne’s mother is shocked by the joke he cracks
after attributing the gifted song to himself, her only child. Dwayne’s higher-level action is
detailed in the below transcript.
 Dwayne: “Happy birthday mom” 

His mother: “Thank you son”

Dwayne: “From your one and only child, I think I am your only child” 

Directly following her laughter in shock, Dwayne’s mother proceeds to communicate non-
verbally by grabbing and squeezing his arm in a display of a lower-level action as shown in
figure 8. Right after that action, she brings herself into a closer intimate proximity of him
where we get to clearly see a frozen action. The red & black handbag in figure 9 signifies
that Dwayne’s mother either just arrived home, or she is planning to go out soon.

Figure 7: Dwayne’s mother Figure 8: Intimate Proximity Figure 9: Handbag as a

shocked signifier

This example has us revisit Jordan’s (2019) study on identity fragmentation on social
network sites. Jordan (2019) claimed that platforms such as Instagram and Facebook,
exhibit informality and authentic identities. The social actor and the participant in this
example do show what seems to be a authentic genuine behaviors and reactions. However,
as our studied social actor is truly an actor by profession, this raises the problem of
identifying naturally occurring data. That said, Dwayne’s mother, who is not an actor
herself reacts to Dwayne’s joke in what truly seems an honest reaction followed by a
motherly non-performed affectionate care. To reinforce the possibility of this example as
being truly authentic, we can add that the top-down camera angle is previously used by
Dwayne in our first example as well. During those instances of camera angle use, we note
that he is engaging in genuine actions, from singing to Peyton unto connecting with his
own mother. Following this reasoning, although the notion is problematic, we will assume
both higher-level actions to be genuine forms of identity representation.

Personal identity production through “Mourning”:

The following example showcases the social actor in

collective mourning in response to what is one of the  
major events of 2020, the passing of George Floyd. The
rippling effects and reactions of the incident reached
global proportions, particularly affecting African-
Americans including the social actor studied. Although
Dwayne’s ethnic identity could be argued to have
influenced his higher-level action of mourning Floyd in
his lengthy 200+ word post, the statement does exhibit
notions of general human consensus as the transcript
covers. More than once, Dwayne addresses  statements
in the plural form as follows.

Figure 10: Collective

“This is our ongoing disease." Mourning

“We ultimately win when we can normalize equality.” 

Dwayne concludes the higher-level action by a statement of solidarity to the Floyd family
and a call to #NormalizeEquality. Following on that we can view an accompanying lower-
level action, in figure 10 above, where Dwayne both decides to hold the letter in the way he
did as well as represent it in such a setting. Finally, as we cannot be sure who wrote that
letter, we can however, assume that someone did write it, making the letter itself a frozen
action. This example closely touches on the study from Courbet & Fourquet-Courbet (2014)
where they delve into how parasocial interactive relationships (a celebrity in their study)
influence individuals identities, lifestyles, attitudes, and behaviors. In this instance, it is
safe to presume that neither Dwayne nor the majority of mourners world wide knew
George Floyd personally, nonetheless, by the use of plural forms as shown above (our & we)
Dwayne constructed his identity with reference to Floyd in what Courbet & Fourquet-
Courbet (2014) described as a Groupal Identity. Dwayne thus identified himself as a person
who belong to the Floyd group and has no fundamental cognitive problem to solve
concerning his individual identity as the authors expand. It is also worth noting that in
further conjunction with the authors’ findings, Dwayne’s higher-level action reassures fan
that their reactions are normal by comparing theirs with his own publicized reaction.
Personal identity production through “Being Ourselves”:

Concluding with the fifth example, we present Dwayne’s most diverse data piece thus far.
The three minute autobiography includes Dwayne exhibiting multiple fragments of his
personal identity; that of a son, father, husband, athlete, actor and more. However, we will
focus on one particular higher-level action, that of which where he announces his efforts to
achieve his true personal identity as the transcript details. 

“I would have to say my next chapter will be titled, I Am What I Am. That’s what it would
be.” 

“I Am What I Am, because really that’s what we’re all searching for, is just to, kind of, be
ourselves as best we can”

This leads us to the below two figures (11 & 12). Dwayne delivers the above words with a
lower-level action that shows contemplation and thoughtfulness. He presents a subtle
smile, tilts his head and gazes into the distance at first as seen in figure 11, to follow by
lowering his head and looking downwards to what seems to conclude a genuine honesty in
his words. On another note, a frozen action, the gym environment Dwayne is in, suggests
that he either finished or about to start exercising. 
 

Figure 11: I Am What I Am Figure 12: Be ourselves

Jordan (2019) is worth mentioning yet again, as his study classified identities into three
main clusters. A personal identity, a professional one, and a combination of the two is what
Jordan covered and what is exactly presented in the above data piece. We can clearly see
in the last example how the fragments of Dwayne’s personal and professional are
separated at times yet brought back together in what he states he is searching for, being
himself.

Conclusion
In conclusion, we found that the multiple studies presented complement each other. Every
study answered a unique set of questions about the details of how personal identities are
formed, represented, and the factors that might affect it. The collection of findings
presented us with proof that identity fragments do exist, and could be represented
differently on social networking sites. They also have proven that even in the process of
finding romantic partners, individuals tend to be deceptive in presenting their identities
online. Similarly important, the studies covered both how online social comparison could
alter identities as well as how social media can be crucial for LGBTQ members on multiple
levels. Even in collectively mourning a celebrity, whom we might have not even met, it was
proven that our identities can be uniquely represented during that process. Following on
those studies, a research question was presented and later answered by utilizing three
methodological units. The  analyzed chosen data pieces covered multiple examples that
either directly compliment or touch on some of the referenced studies. 

References 
Courbet, D. & Fourquet-Courbet M. (2014). When a celebrity dies …Social identity, uses of
social media, and the mourning process among fans: the case of Michael Jackson.
Celebrity Studies, 5(3), 275-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2013.872361

Craig, S. & Mclnroy, L. (2014). You Can Form a Part of Yourself Online: The Influence of
New Media on Identity Development and Coming Out for LGBTQ Youth. Journal of Gay &
Lesbian Mental Health, 18(1), 95-109. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2013.777007

Jordan, K. (2019). Imagined audiences, acceptable identity fragments and merging the
personal and professional: how academic online identity is expressed through different
social media platforms. Learning, Media and Technology.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2020.1707222

Mallan, k. (2009). Look at me! Look at me! Self-representation and self-exposure through
online networks. Digital Culture and Education, 1(1), 51-66.
https://eprints.qut.edu.au/20920/

Noonan, H. (2019). Personal Identity. Taylor & Francis Group. ProQuest Ebook Central.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/aut/detail.action?docID=5763027.

Norris, S. (2020). Multimodal Theory and Methodology : For the Analysis of (Inter)action
and Identity. Taylor & Francis Group. ProQuest Ebook Central.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/aut/detail.action?docID=6110532.

Norris, S. (2016). Concepts in multimodal discourse analysis with examples from video
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Yang, C., Holden, S., & Carter, M. (2018). Social Media Social Comparison of Ability (but not
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https://doi.org/10.1080/15213260902849943

therock, [@therock]. (2020, May 28). Past few days I’ve been stunned trying make sense of
George Floyd’s death. The video. The plea for breath. The callous response. The racism.
The killing. This is our ongoing disease. I’ve had cops in my family. Good men. And there’s a
cop code, granting you the authority to use force if your life is in danger. But when a man is
handcuffed, on the ground, no longer a threat, with your brothers in arms standing around
watching and he struggles to say, “please I can’t breathe” when your knee is on his neck..
not his back, but his neck - cutting off his air. Cop code must become moral code. Ethics
code. HUMANITY code. Knowing that if you don’t ease up, then that man is going to die.
So when you decide to not ease up, your intention is to kill. 
And that’s what this was. George Floyd, said “officer I can’t breathe” as he struggled for air.
He said these words a total of 15 times. Not once. Not twice. 15 times. These officers will be
charged, I’m positive of that. Held accountable. But then where’s the greater
accountability? The leadership to healing. More importantly, the leadership to EQUALITY.
We ultimately win when we can normalize equality. I’m so sorry to the Floyd family. My
heart breaks for you.Let the process begin now.
#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd#NormalizeEquality . Instagram. Retrieved June 13, 2020, from
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAwpZCiFjRS/

therock, [@therock]. (2020, April 11). Happy 10th Birthday to a very strong,
special, cool and beautiful lil’ girl, named Peyton June Segar who’s being cared for in
Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A huge rated R Baywatch fan which
automatically makes her the coolest Stay strong, honey and enjoy your birthday and
Easter weekend. DJ . Instagram. Retrieved June 11, 2020, from
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-21OAdldFH/ 
therock, [@therock]. (2019, December 10). I am what I am. Enjoy my
#ThreeMinuteAutobiography w/ @instagram . Instagram. Retrieved June 11, 2020,
from https://www.instagram.com/p/B56Dm7flelk/

therock, [@therock]. (2020, March 8). The world will one day hear from you too, my strong
little love.  And I can’t promise you I’ll love you for the rest of your life, but you have my word
I’ll love and protect you for the rest of mine. #internationalwomensday #fatherdaughter
#tiaj. Instagram. Retrieved June 11, 2020, from
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9e19HxlzEa/ 

therock, [@therock]. (2019, October 26). Happy 71st Birthday to best mom this lucky dude
could ever be blessed with. Our family is so grateful you were born and for being such a
high quality example to our baby girls. Now go enjoy your birthday weekend in Vegas - and
remember everyone has cel phones at the Magic Mike show, so be cool - the internet is
forever . Instagram. Retrieved June 11, 2020, from
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4FxmsSFcZz/