KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Communication Studies
    • Communication Studies Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Communication Studies
    • Communication Studies Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Tunes that Bind?: Predicting Friendship Strength in a Music-Based Social Network

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Baym_2009_Tunes-That-Bind.pdf (520.9Kb)
    Issue Date
    2009
    Author
    Baym, Nancy K.
    Ledbetter, Andrew
    Publisher
    Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
    Type
    Article
    Article Version
    Scholarly/refereed, author accepted manuscript
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Despite the popularity of social network sites based on common interests, the association between these shared interests and relational development is not well understood. This manuscript reports results of an empirical investigation of interpersonal relationships on Last.fm, a music-based social network site with a multinational user base. In addition to baseline descriptors of relational behavior, the chief goals of this study were to examine the degree to which Last.fm relationships are characterized by homophily (and particularly by shared musical taste), the extent to which communication via Last.fm is associated with other forms of communication (both offline and online), how such communication behavior is associated with demographic and relational characteristics, and whether these variables predict strength of relational development. Results indicate that although Last.fm relational partners exhibit shared musical taste, this shared taste is not associated with relational development. Rather, following media multiplexity theory, relational development is strongly and uniquely associated with communication behavior across almost all forms of communication (including Last.fm). These results suggest that shared interests may foster the creation of weak ties, but conversion of these connections to strong ties is relatively rare.
    Description
    This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available from Taylor & Francis at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691180802635430.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/8715
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1080/13691180802635430
    Collections
    • Communication Studies Scholarly Works [120]
    Citation
    Baym, N. & Ledbetter, A. (2009) Tunes that Bind? Predicting Friendship Strength in a Music-Based Social Network. Information, Communication & Society 12(3), 408-427. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691180802635430

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps