Skip to main content
Book cover

Human and Mediated Communication around the World pp 243–279Cite as

Media Behavior and Culture

Abstract

Differences in human communication, such as orality and literacy, are reflected in media usage. Cultural dimensions can also explain variation. Newspaper readership varies with wealth and power distance. Heavy TV viewing is found in less wealthy countries. There are even stronger differences in usage of hybrid media such as the mobile phone and the Internet. Wealth and individualism are the determinants of the structure of international hyperlink flows, and social media are used most in collectivistic cultures. On the Internet subjects from low-context cultures search more for information and facts, while subjects from high-context cultures are more interested in social interaction. Worldwide usage, content, and form of social media vary along with culturally defined communication habits. An important difference is with respect to how people present themselves, the degree of self-disclosure, and several psychosocial effects. Predictions of the new media that they would bring democracy around the world have proved wrong.

Keywords

  • Mobile Phone
  • Social Medium
  • Internet Usage
  • Power Distance
  • Interpersonal Communication

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-01249-0_8
  • Chapter length: 37 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-319-01249-0
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 8.1
Fig. 8.2
Fig. 8.3

Literature

  • Akpan-Obong, P. (2010). Unintended outcomes in information and communication technology adoption: A micro-level analysis of usage in context. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 45(2), 181–195.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Al Nashmi, E., Cleary, J., Molleda, J. C., & McAdams, M. (2010). Internet political discussions in the Arab world: A look at online forums from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. International Communication Gazette, 72(8), 719–738.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Albarran, A. B., & Hutton, B. (2009). Young Latinos use of mobile phones: A cross-cultural study. http://spanishmedia.unt.edu/english/downloads/bibliography/cellphonestudypaper.pdf. Accessed 10 Dec 2011.

  • Albarran, A. B., Dyer, C., Hutton, B., & Valentine, A. (2010, August 4–7). Social media and Young Latinos: A cross-cultural examination. Paper presented to the Media Management and Economics Division at the 2010 AEJMC Conference, Denver, Colorado. http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p433602_index.html. Accessed 25 Feb 2012.

  • Alzouma, G. (2008). Everyday use of mobile phones in Niger. Africa Media Review, 16(2), 49–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Community Survey. (2006). U.S. Census Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archambault, J. S. (2011). Breaking up ‘because of the phone’ and the transformative potential of information in Southern Mozambique. New Media & Society, 13(3), 444–456.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • AVG Technologies. (2011, June 1). Digital diaries: Digital playground. www.frankbaker.com/mediause.htm. Accessed 6 Mar 2012.

  • Barnett, G. A., & Sung, E. (2005). Culture and the structure of the international hyperlink network. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(1), article 11. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/v0111/issue1/barnett.html

  • Baron, N. S., & Hård af Segerstad, Y. (2010). Cross-cultural patterns in mobile-phone use: Public space and reachability in Sweden, the USA and Japan. New Media & Society, 12(1), 13–34.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Berger, G. (2009). How the Internet impacts on international news: Exploring paradoxes of the most global medium in a time of ‘hyperlocalism’. International Communication Gazette, 71(5), 355–371.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Boase, J., Horrigan, J. B., Wellman, B., & Rainie, L. (2006). The strength of Internet ties. Pew Internet & American life project, Washington, DC. http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2006/PIP_Internet_ties.pdf.pdf. Accessed 23 Apr 2013.

  • Bose, R. (2011). In Malaysia, social media defies censorship. Agence France-Presse. http://apdforum.com/en_GB/article/rmiap/articles/print/departments/mixed_media/2011/01/01/feature-01. Accessed 1 Jan 2011.

  • Bringué, X., Sádaba, C., & Tolsá, J. (2010). La Generación Interactiva en Iberoamérica 2010. Niños y adolescentes ante las pantallas. Fundación Telefónica: Colección Generaciones Interactivas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronzwaer, S. (2013, March 12–13). De tijd van alles delen is voorbij. NRC Handelsblad, p. 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. W. (2007). A cross-cultural comparison of perceptions and uses of mobile telephony. New Media & Society, 9(2), 343–363.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Castells, M. (2009). Communication power. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, K. (2010). Youth and consumption. Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkfacebook.com. (2010). Database on Facebook usage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, H., Rivera-Sánchez, M., & Lim, S. S. (2009). A multinational study on online privacy: Global concerns and local responses. New Media & Society, 11(3), 395–416.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • De Mooij, M. (2011). Consumer behavior and culture. Consequences for global marketing and advertising (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Souza e Silva, D., Sutko, D. M., Salis, F. A., & De Souza e Silva, C. (2011). Mobile phone appropriation in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. New Media & Society, 13(3), 411–426.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • De Waal, E., & Schoenbach, K. (2010). News sites’ position in the mediascape: Uses, evaluations and media displacement effects over time. New Media & Society, 12(3), 477–496.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Do, J., Kim, D., Kim, D. Y., & Kim, E.-m. (2009). When mobile phones meet television…: An FGI analysis of mobile broadcasting users in Korea. Media, Culture & Society, 31(4), 669–679.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Elvestad, E., & Blekesaune, A. (2008). Newspaper readers in Europe: A multilevel study of individual and national differences. European Journal of Communication, 23(4), 425–447.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Etling, B., Kelly, J., Faris, R., & Palfrey, J. (2010). Mapping the Arabic blogosphere: politics and dissent online. New Media & Society, 12(8), 1225–1243.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Eurobarometer. (2000a). How Europeans see themselves. Brussels: Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurobarometer. (2000b). Measuring information society (Report 53). Brussels: Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurobarometer. (2005). Social values, science and technology. Brussels: Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission. EBS 225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurobarometer. (2007). European cultural values. Brussels: Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission. EBS 278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurobarometer. (2008). E-communications household survey. Brussels: Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission. EBS 293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurobarometer. (2011). E-communications household survey. Brussels: Directorate-General Communication of the European Commission. EBS 362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fundacion Telefónica. (2007). Medios de Comunicacion Annuario de Medios.

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Montes, J. M., Caballero-Muñoz, D., & Pérez-Álvarez, M. (2006). Changes in the self resulting from the use of mobile phones. Media, Culture & Society, 28(1), 67–82.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gozzi, R., Jr. (1992). Mass media effects in high- and low-context cultures. In F. Korzenny & S. Ting-Toomey (Eds.), Mass media effects across cultures (pp. 55–66). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hakoama, M., & Hakoyama, S. (2011). The impact of cell phone use on social networking and development among college students. The American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences Journal, 15, 1–2. http://aabss.org/Journal2011/05HakoamaFinal.pdf. Accessed 26 Feb 2012.

  • Hallin, D. C., & Mancini, P. (2004). Comparing media systems. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hao, Z., Jianqiang, T., & Shan, H. (2008). The diffusion of mobile phones in China. A new medium with Chinese characteristics. Media Asia, 35(3), 144–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hensen, C. (2012, March 5). Digitale vijand van Poetin. NRC Handelsblad.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations. Software of the mind (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houston Santhanam, L., & Rosenstiel, T. (2011). The state of the news media 2011. Pew Research Center’s project for excellence in journalism. http://stateofthemedia.org/2011/mobile-survey/international-newspaper-economics/. Accessed 7 Mar 2012.

  • Ioffe, J. (2010, December 29). Facebook’s Russian campaign. Business Week. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_02/b4210032487137_page_2.htm. Accessed 10 Jan 2011.

  • IP-network, data from ip-network.com. http://www.ip-network.com/rd/assets/file_asset/Viewing_Time_Individual.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov 2011.

  • Ipsos. (2010). Young Asians survey. Received from Susanna Lam on March 20, 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii, K. (2009). Mobile Internet use in Japan. Social consequences of technology convergence. Media Asia, 36(4), 201–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, Y. (1993). The future of political communication research: A Japanese perspective. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 69–79.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ito, M. (2003). A new set of social rules for a newly wireless society. Japan Media Review. http://www.ojr.org/japan/wireless/1043770650.php. Accessed 9 Dec 2011.

  • International Telecommunications Union [ITU]. (2011). Data for all years to be accessed from http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/default.aspx. Data for households with computers 2010 found in key ICT indicators, from http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx

  • Jeong, Y., & Mahmood, R. (2011). Reading the world’s mind: Political, socioeconomic and cultural approaches to understanding worldwide Internet search queries. International Communication Gazette, 73(3), 233–251.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Jinghua, H., & Xuerui, Y. (2009). Influences on use of the mobile phone for Internet connectivity in China. Media Asia, 36(4), 210–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. (2009, June 5) How twitter will change the way we live. Time. http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,190260,00.html. Accessed 12 June 2011.

  • Jouët, J., Vedel, T., & Comby, J.-B. (2011). Political information and interpersonal conversations in a multimedia environment: A quantitative and qualitative examination of information practices in France. European Journal of Communication, 26(4), 361–375.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Jowell, R., et al. (2003/2004/2005). European social survey (Technical report). London: Centre for Comparative Social Surveys, City University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, D. (2008). Political blogs: Teaching us lessons about community (Nieman reports). http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=100022. Accessed 11 Apr 2013.

  • Kim, K.-H., & Yun, H. (2007). Cying for me, cying for us: Relational dialectics in a Korean social network site. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), article 15. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/kim.yun.html

  • Ko, H., Roberts, M. S., & Cho, C. H. (2006). Cross-cultural differences in motivations and perceived interactivity: A comparative study of American and Korean Internet users. Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising, 28(2), 93–104.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Korenaga, R., & Komuro, H. (2009). Going out of tune? Use of mobile phone TV among Japanese youth. Media Asia, 36(4), 194–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraidy, M. M. (2010). Reality television and Arab politics. Contention in public life. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriem, M. S. (2009). Mobile telephony in Morocco: A changing sociality. Media, Culture & Society, 31(4), 617–632.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Krotz, F., & Hasebrink, U. (1998). The analysis of people-meter data: Individual patterns of viewing behavior and viewers’ cultural backgrounds. European Journal of Communication Research, 23, 151–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Ferle, C., Edwards, S. M., & Mizuno, Y. (2002). Internet diffusion in Japan: Cultural considerations. Journal of Advertising Research, 42(2), 65–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lexander, K. V. (2011). Texting and African language literature. New Media & Society, 13(3), 427–443.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S. (2010). The online public space and popular ethos in China. Media, Culture & Society, 32(1), 63–83.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., & Lin, G. (2012). Exploring the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations in blogging: A survey on Hong Kong University students. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 1(4), 96–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lilleker, D. G., Koc-Michalska, K., Schweitzer, E. J., Jacunski, M., Jackson, N., & Vedel, T. (2011). Informing, engaging, mobilizing or interacting: Searching for a European model of web campaigning. European Journal of Communication, 26(3), 195–213.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ling, R., & Horst, H. A. (2011). Mobile communication in the global south. New Media & Society, 13(3), 363–374.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone, S., Haddon, L., Görzig, A., & Ólafsson, K. (2011). Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European children. Full findings. London: LSE, EU Kids Online.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lonkila, M., & Gladarev, B. (2008). Social networks and cellphone use in Russia: Local consequences of global communication technology. New Media & Society, 10(2), 273–293.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lunden, I. (2013, March 26). BBC study confirms tablets’ growing role in TV consumption, but also that TV remains supreme. http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/26/bbc-study-confirms-tablets-growing-role-in-tv-consumption-but-also-that-tv-remains-supreme/. Accessed 16 Apr 2013.

  • Madianou, M., & Miller, D. (2011). Mobile phone parenting: Reconfiguring relationships between Filipina migrant mothers and their left-behind children. New Media & Society, 13(3), 457–470.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mareck, M. (1999, December). Research watch. M&M Europe, p. 47

    Google Scholar 

  • Media Literacy Clearinghouse. (2012). Media use statistics. www.frankbaker.com.htm. Accessed 6 Mar 2012.

  • Moore, T. (2010, April 13). Facebook under attack in Germany over privacy. Time.com. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1981524,00.html. Accessed 11 June 2011.

  • Morozov, E. (2011). The net delusion. The dark side of internet freedom. New York: Public Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muk, A. (2007). Consumers’ intentions to opt in to SMS advertising: A cross-national study of young Americans and Koreans. International Journal of Advertising, 26(2), 177–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, J., & Scharl, A. (2007). An investigation of global versus local online branding. International Marketing Review, 24(3), 297–312.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen. (2011). Time spent social networking. www.frankbaker.com/mediause.htm. Accessed 6 Mar 2011.

  • OECD. (2009). Society at a glance. Chapter 2, Special focus: Measuring leisure in OECD countries. OECD Social Indicators, p. 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofcom. (2010). The international communications market 2010. London: Ofcom. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/cmr/753567/icmr/ICMR_2010.pdf. Accessed 20 Feb 2012.

  • Palackal, A., Mbatia, P. N., Dzorgbo, D.-B., Duque, R. B., Ynalvez, M. A., & Shrum, W. M. (2011). Are mobile phones changing social networks? A longitudinal study of core networks in Kerala. New Media & Society, 13(3), 391–410.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Pasquier, D., Buzzi, C., d’Haenens, L., & Sjöberg, U. (1998). Family lifestyles and media use patterns. An analysis of domestic media among Flemish, French, Italian and Swedish children and teenagers. European Journal of Communication, 13, 503–519.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, T.-Q., & Zhu, J. J. H. (2010). A game of win-win or win-lose? Revisiting the internet’s influence on sociability and use of traditional media. New media & society, 13(4), 568–586.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, S. (2010, August 4). Mobile Internet more popular in China than in U.S. Nielsenwire. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/global/mobile-internet-more-popular-in-china-than-in-u-s/. Accessed 25 Feb 2012.

  • Roper Starch. (1997). The global marketplace. The Public Pulse, (10,11) 12. Roper Starch Worldwide Inc., p. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozhnov, K. (2011, March 23). Social media capitalize on Russia’s history of censorship. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12834226. Accessed 10 Apr 2011.

  • Sani, M. A. M., & Knocks, T. Z. (2010, July 5–8). Democratization in Malaysia: The impact of social media in the 2008 general election. In E. Morrell & M. D. Barr (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia in Adelaide. http://asaa.asn.au/ASAA2010/reviewed_papers/. Accessed 24 Apr 2013.

  • Sawers, P. (2011). Why Twitter outguns Facebook in Japan. TNW Conference 2011. http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/02/02/why-twitter-outguns-facebook-in-japan/. Accessed 25 Apr 2011.

  • Schroeder, R. (2010). Mobile phones and the inexorable advance of multimodal connectedness. New Media & Society, 12(1), 75–90.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Sey, A. (2011). ‘We use it different, different’: Making sense of trends in mobile phone use in Ghana. New Media & Society, 13(3), 375–390.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Sima, Y., & Pugsley, P. C. (2010). The rise of a ‘Me Culture’ in postsocialist China: Youth, individualism and identity creation in the blogosphere. International Communication Gazette, 72(3), 287–306.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Sifry, D. (2006, May 1) State of the blogosphere, April 2006 Part 2: On language and tagging. http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000433.html. Accessed 29 Apr 2013.

  • Sooryamoorthy, R., Miller, B. P., & Shrum, W. (2008). Untangling the technology cluster: Mobile telephony, internet use and the location of social ties. New Media & Society, 10(5), 729–749.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Specht, N. (2010). How social media is used in Germany, China and Brazil. http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/5948/3-Social-Media-Lessons-For-Global-Marketers.aspx. Accessed 11 June 2011.

  • Su, M. N., Wang, Y., Mark, G., Aiyelokun, G., & Nakano, T. (2005). A bosom buddy afar brings a distant land near: Are bloggers a global community? Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Communities and Technologies (C&T 2005). Milan: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suess, D., Suoninen, A., Garitaonandia, C., Juaristi, P., Koikkalainen, R., & Oleaga, J. A. (1998). Media use and the relationships of children and teenagers with their peer groups: A study of Finnish, Spanish and Swiss cases. European Journal of Communication, 13(4), 521–538.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, T. (2010). MySpace or Mixi? Japanese engagement with SNS (social networking sites) in the global age. New Media & Society, 12(3), 453–475.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • TNS Digital Life. (2008). http://www.wpp.com/wpp/marketing/digital/digital-life-digital-world/. Accessed 11 Oct 2010.

  • TNS Digital Life. (2011). http://www.slideshare.net/TNSNIPO/tns-digital-life-2011-biggest-worldwide-study-on-online-consumer-behaviour/download?lead=8189a3aea56aa01c0a57f9c2bb4defc79cebfac9. Accessed 7 Mar 2012.

  • UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2009). http://www.uis.unesco.org/literacy/. Accessed 7 Aug 2013.

  • Van Belleghem, S. (2010). Social media around the world. InSites Consulting. www.slideshare.net/stevenvanbelleghem/social-networks-around-the-world-2010. Accessed 22 Feb 2012.

  • Van Belleghem, S., Thijs, D., & De Ruijck, T. (2012). Social media around the world. InSites Consulting. http://www.slideshare.net/InSitesConsulting/social-media-around-the-world-2012-by-insites-consulting. Accessed 16 Apr 2013.

  • Vasalou, A., Joinson, A. N., & Courvoisier, D. (2010). Cultural differences, experience with social networks and the nature of “true commitment” in Facebook. International Journal of Human Computer Studies, 68, 719–728.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Veilbrief, A. (2007, January). Chattend de puberteit door (Chatting through adolescence). NRC Handelsblad Maandblad, pp. 20–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Tetzchner, J. (2011). State of the mobile web, April 2011. http://www.opera.com/smw/2011/04/ Accessed 12 Nov 2011.

  • Vuylsteke, A., Wen, Z., Baesens, B., & Poelmans, J. (2010). Consumers’ online information search: A cross-cultural study between China and Western Europe. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 24(4), 209–331.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wallis, C. (2011). Mobile phones without guarantees: The promises of technology and the contingencies of culture. New Media & Society, 13(3), 471–485.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, R., & Jinhua, H. (2009). Mobile phone as third screen? An adoption study of mobile TV in China. Media Asia, 36(4), 187–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westlund, O. (2010). New(s) functions for the mobile: a cross-cultural study. New Media & Society, 12(1), 91–108.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank Development Indicators. (2010). Mobile cellular phone subscriptions per 100 people worldwide. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS.P2. Accessed 3 Sept 2011.

  • Zha, W., & Perlmutter, D. D. (2010). Blogs as stealth dissent? “Eighteen Touch Dog Newspaper” and the tactics, ambiguity, and limits of Internet resistance in China. In G. J. Golan, T. J. Johnson, & W. Wanta (Eds.), International media communication in a global age (pp. 277–295). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Burgh-Haamstede, The Netherlands

    Marieke de Mooij

Authors
  1. Marieke de Mooij
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

de Mooij, M. (2014). Media Behavior and Culture. In: Human and Mediated Communication around the World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01249-0_8

Download citation