Intimacy in social media: A theoretical analysis of extimacy

Abstract

The massive use of social networking sites makes people ‘increasingly interconnected’. The current paper aims at theoretical systematization of the concept of extimacy. It is defined as a phenomenon of public disclosure of own intimacy to achieve self-confirmation and acceptance of the inner self and to form a social bond. The article distinguishes extimacy from self-presentation, exhibitionism, shamelessness and coming-out. The assumed theoretical contexts refer to shame and identity formation. The study includes sections on extimacy’s examples, possible correlates, social media affordances, as well as suggestions for further empirical studies.

Keywords

Intimacy extimacy social media shame identity exhibitionism

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