Chapter 61. Social Media and Social Isolation

Learning Objectives

affiliation need
basic psychological motive to form close relationships with other people, and to be part of social groups; also called need to belong
cyberbullying
form of bullying that involves rumors or insults spread through social media
self-esteem
perception of self-worth; feelings about the self as competent or inadequate
social isolation
feeling of being cut off from others; psychological distance from friends and family
stress
the body’s response to a threat or challenge
Social Media and Social Isolation
true
true
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Illustration: Composite illustration representing social media use taking the place of direct face-to-face communication
Learning Objectives:

Describe some positive and negative psychological effects of social media use.

Contrast the characteristics of frequent and infrequent users of social media.

Review

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Source: Pew Research Center Surveys, 2005-2006, 2008-2015. No data are available for 2007.

1. Social media has changed the way that people communicate with each other. Since 2005, online social networking has increased dramatically in all age groups, but college students lead the way, with about 95 percent reporting daily use of at least one social media site. Meanwhile, time spent in face-to-face contact with friends and family has dropped. Research suggests this rising use of social media is associated with some beneficial outcomes, but also may create some problems for heavy users.

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Illustration: Stock image of social networks

2. The beneficial effects of social networking flow mainly from its potential to overcome the barriers of time and space, allowing us to connect to distant family members and friends, as well as to people with shared interests all around the globe. This helps us fulfill our affiliation need—the "need to belong" to social groups and to maintain significant social relationships.

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Photo: Young adult, alone, in a pose suggesting loneliness or mild depression
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3. Paradoxically, spending so much time “connected” to others through social networking can actually promote social isolation, as you have less direct contact with friends in your geographical location. The loneliness of social isolation can harm your physical health, through its association with lack of exercise and poor eating habits, as well as higher stress levels.

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Photo: young adult using social networking site, but with a facial expression suggesting a pensive or sad mood
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4. Social media use can also directly raise stress levels by promoting unrealistic social comparisons. The photos people post on social networking sites convey the impression that everyone has a wonderful life, sometimes leading viewers to feel inadequate and undermining their self-esteem. This problem is amplified if a viewer has experienced cyberbullying.

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A boy sits at a desk with various textbooks in math, physics, and biology.  Above his head are symbols representing twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.  The boy is scratching his head and looks distracted.

5. Social media has another negative effect: It can serve as a powerful distraction, interfering with the ability to focus on daily tasks. If your daily life is not going well, social media can allow you to escape from those difficulties rather than face them and deal with them.

Practice: Exploring Connections with Social Media

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Practice: Exploring Connections with Social Media

Surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center and other researchers have found that the level of social media use is correlated with a number of characteristics and behavioral variables that are important to young adults. Roll over each category to view any associations with social media use.

Academic grades

Gender

Ethnic group

Household income

Self-esteem

Life satisfaction

Social diversity

Loneliness

Close friendships

Connections to social media:

No significant correlation. On average, heavy social media users earn grades similar to light users.

No significant correlation. Women and men use social media at similar rates.

No significant correlation. Different ethnic groups use social media at similar rates.

Positive correlation. Members of higher-income families report using social media more frequently.

Negative correlation. Frequent users of social media report lower self-esteem.

Negative correlation. High use of social media predicts low scores on subjective well-being.

Positive correlation. Frequent users of social media report more contact with individuals not in their own social or ethnic group.

Positive correlation. Frequent users of social media report greater loneliness.

Negative correlation. High use of social media predicts a larger group of acquaintances but fewer real friends.

Three types of associations are listed in relation to social media.  These include negative, positive, and no association.  Those items listed as having a negative association with social media use are close friendships, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.  Those items listed as having a positive association with social media use are social diversity, loneliness, and household income.  Those items listed as having no association with social media use are academic grades, gender, and ethnic group.
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Data from several sources, including Social Media Usage: 2005-2015

http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/08/social-networking-usage-2005-2015/

Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Match the terms with their descriptions by dragging each colored circle to the appropriate gray circle. When all the circles have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Perhaps you should go back to review the effects of social media on individuals.
Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.
affiliation need
social isolation
self-esteem
cyberbullying
form of bullying that involves rumors or insults spread through social media
perception of self-worth; feelings about the self as competent or inadequate
basic psychological motive to form close relationships with other people, and to be part of social groups; also called need to belong
feeling of being cut off from others; psychological distance from friends and family

Quiz 2

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1,0,0, 0,0,1, 0,0,1, 0,1,0, 0,1,0
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Try to respond to the variables again.

Quiz 2

Indicate what type of relationship each of the variables has to the level of social media use. When responses have been chosen for all variables, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Positive correlationNo correlationNegative correlation

Social diversity

Self-esteem

Close friendships

Gender

Academic grades

Conclusion

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Illustration: Composite illustration representing social media use taking the place of direct face-to-face communication
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