Dr. Michael A. Stefanone

Assistant Professor
Office: 327 Baldy Hall
Email: ms297
Phone: (716) 645-1159

 

Degrees:

B.A., University at Buffalo
M.S., Cornell University
Ph.D., Cornell University

Teaches in these programs:

Bachelor of Arts Communication Department
Master of Arts Communication Department
Ph.D. Communication Department

Research Interests:

Dr. Stefanone's main interest is in group-level computer-mediated communication (CMC), distributed groups and Internet-based communication tools like social networking sites.  Utilizing a social network perspective, his research focuses on illuminating group process and situating technology use in social contexts (see article in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication). In addition, his research explores the utility of applying social network analysis to identify structural attributes of participants (i.e., centrality) and the extent to which these attributes relate to consistent individual differences in attitudes and behaviors. Currently, he is building on the theory of instrumental action by exploring individual differences that result in strategic pursuit of social capital.

His research also explores novel uses of CMC technologies like blogs and social network sites, and the effects these tools have on interpersonal relationships. An article in ACM's Hypertext (June, 2008) found a link between reality television consumption and behavior on SNSs like Facebook. Stefanone, Lackaff and Rosen found that reality television consumption predicted the size of people's online social networks, the number of photos shared, and the level of promiscuous friending (the frequency users friend others they haven't actually met).

Recently, Dr. Stefanone published articles in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication linking reality television consumption to a range of web2.0 behaviors including blogging, photo and video sharing, and Computers in Human Behavior exploring impression formation and willingness to initiate friendships in networking sites like facebook.com.

Finally, to learn more about organ and tissue donation and the grant-funded (HRSA) project Dr. Stefanone is working on in collaboration with Dr. Feeley, visit nydonateslife.org.

Ongoing Research Support

D71HS09611    Hollander (PI)   09/01/08-08/31/10

HHS/HRSA/Division of Transplantation ($631,782)

Promoting organ and tissue donation through new media

Role: Co-Investigator

 

Recent Publications

Stefanone, M. A., Lackaff, D., & Rosen, D. (In Press). The Relationship between Traditional Mass Media and ‘Social Media:’ Reality Television as a Model for Social Network Site Behavior. Forthcoming in the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media.

Rosen, D., Stefanone, M. A., & Lackaff, D. (2010). Online and Offline Social Networks: Investigating Culturally-Specific Behavior and Satisfaction. In Proceedings of IEEE’s Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science (HICSS), January 2010. Los Alamitos, CA: IEEE Press.

Wang, S., Moon, S., Kwon, K., Evans, C., & Stefanone, M. A. (2010). Face off: Implications of visual cues on initiating friendship on Facebook. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(2), 226-234.

Jang, C. Y., & Stefanone, M. A. (2009). I think you know who I am: Bloggers’ perceived identifiability. Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence Conference on Weblogs and Social Media, 234-238.

Stefanone, M. A., Jang, C. Y., & Claes, N. (2009). New media in context: Environmental Cues and Self-Disclosure on Weblogs. Social Computing (IEEE, SocialCom), p.416-423. Los Alamitos, CA: IEEE Press.

Stefanone, M. A., & Lackaff, D. (2009). Reality Television as a Model for Online Behavior: Blogging, Photo and Video Sharing. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14(4), 964-987.

Stefanone, M. A., Lackaff, D., & Rosen, D. (2008). We’re All Stars Now: Reality Television, Web 2.0, and Mediated Identities. In the Proceedings of ACM’s Hypertext and Hypermedia, 107-112. Los Alamitos, CA: IEEE Press.

Stefanone, M. A., & Gay, G. (2008). Structural Reproduction of Social Networks in Computer-Mediated Communication Forums. Journal of Behavior and Information Technology, 27(2), 97-106.

Stefanone, M. A., & Jang, C. Y. (2007). Writing for Friends and Family: The Interpersonal Nature of Blogs. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 123-140.