Communicative-compensatory Processes on Social Network

Abstract

The aimof the article is to identify the specifics of communicative-compensatory processes on social network. Materials & methods. In order to achievethat objective, the general scientific research methods: analysis, classification, observation, description were used. In addition, as part of an integrated sociolinguistic approach, discourse analysis and a quantitative research method were used. Publications posted in the Ukrainian sector of an American online social media and social networking service Facebook served as an input for the research. Results & discussions. The study identified three modes of communicative-compensatory processes, which are arranged in descending order according to their proportions: 1)communicative-compensatory process characterized by a correlation with the defense mechanism “overcompensation”. During this process personal growth and radical transformations of the whole personality occur on the basis of the dialogical mutual affirmation of “I” and “You”. At the linguistic level, such mode is manifested owing to the use of a preferable image (real or illusory) to affirm one’s strength, significance, value, that is, for self-assertion and rising in status; 2)process characterized by a correlation with the defense mechanism “direct compensation” and which shows itself as adaptive in nature and does not contribute to the personal growth. At the linguistic level such mode is manifested in the individual concentrating on his own interests, feelings and needs and orientation on consumption; 3)process characterized by a correlation with the defense mechanism “illusive overcompensation” and which nature is emotional vampirism. At the linguistic level such mode is manifested in the watching out for another person’s imaginary or real flaws with the purpose of emphasizing and exaggerating. Conclusion. A specific feature of communicative-compensatory processes in social networks is that they mainly act as representations of the compensatory functionof autocommunication. The dominant form of compensatory autocommunication in social networks is an internal monologue. The verbal implementation of communicative-compensatory processes in social networks are: 1)posts in which the protest gains the power of critical confrontation and is a synonym for the right to individual free development; 2)posts aimed at humiliation and criticism; 3)posts containing advice, support, comfort to the troubled “I”.