We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The Social Relativity of Digital Exclusion: Applying Relative Deprivation Theory to Digital Inequalities.
- Authors
Helsper, Ellen Johanna
- Abstract
Digital inequalities research adopted the idea that exclusion is compound and multifaceted. Nevertheless, digital exclusion theory and empirical research often takes an individual, static approach; assuming that personal characteristics such as socioeconomic status consistently influence how individuals engage with information and communication technologies across different contexts. This article makes a theoretical contribution by looking at the value of relative deprivation theory ( RDT) in understanding digital inequalities. RDT argues that evaluations of personal circumstances depend on social and temporal contexts and are, therefore, relative. Digital inequalities research could benefit from a shift toward this relative approach in both theorization and empirical research by incorporating explanations based on context and social group processes into existing individual and structural explanations of digital inequalities.
- Subjects
EMPIRICAL research; RELATIVE deprivation; SOCIAL perception; SOCIAL groups; COMMUNICATION methodology
- Publication
Communication Theory (1050-3293), 2017, Vol 27, Issue 3, p223
- ISSN
1050-3293
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/comt.12110