Affirmation, assimilation, and integration: how entertainment and social media shapes the identity of first-generation college students and their success

The purpose of this case study is to examine how entertainment and social media shapes a selected group of first-generation college students as part of a student support program at a large-sized university in the Midwest. Concepts of affirmation, assimilation, and integration were used to evaluate the notion of identity for these students in relation to their use of entertainment and social media. Social identity theory posits that a person’s sense of who they are is based on their group membership. This means first-generation college students’ sense of self is most likely based on the identifying characteristics that are salient to group membership. Participants were selected because they are members of a student support program that provided academic resources, success coaching and tutoring services for its program participants. Students in this program typically were first-generation college students (neither one parent/guardian has graduated from a four-year baccalaureate degree), or were classified as low-income, or had a registered disability with the university’s disability services office.

In the study, twenty first-generation college students in the student support program completed a demographics survey, a 2-part identity/media chart activity, and an interview. The identity chart involved their recognition of words related to identity that were important to them (e.g. race, class year, gender). The media chart explained specific connections that have had influence on their identity during the college experience. Participants completed the identity and media charts on their own and submitted them through Qualtrics. Once the survey and charts were completed, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with each participant to further explore their perspectives on how entertainment and social media is related to their chosen identity characteristics and notions of college success.