Social networks allow us to keep in touch with people all over the world. In addition to personal messages, many users also post pictures and videos from their everyday lives. For many people, however, this has not only positive effects.
In fact, social media can also have a negative impact on our sense of well-being. In particular, the constant comparison with the postings of other users can unsettle not only young people. Nick Feldmann looks at the connection between social comparison processes on Instagram and the user's self-esteem.
Due to the high user numbers of social media, a particularly large number of people are affected by these mechanisms. Self-perception also has a major influence on success in life. Feldmann therefore examines the extent to which conscious and unconscious comparison with other people in social networks affects self-worth.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical part: Background and state of research
2.1 Research Field Social Psychology
2.2 The Self
2.3 The social network Instagram
2.4 Derivation of the research question and hypotheses
3 Methodology
3.1 Survey method
3.2 Description of the questionnaire
3.3 Description of the sample
3.4 Evaluation method
4 Results
4.1 Hypothesis testing and empirical findings
4.2 Further findings
5 Discussion
5.1 Criticism
6 Conclusion and outlook
Objectives and Research Focus
This research investigates the relationship between social comparison processes on Instagram and the explicit self-esteem of its users, aiming to determine whether digital interaction patterns negatively impact self-perception.
- Theoretical analysis of human social needs and self-concept.
- Examination of the Instagram platform as a space for social comparison.
- Quantitative survey design and analysis of explicit self-esteem subdimensions.
- Evaluation of potential correlations between Instagram usage and self-worth.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3.1 Social comparison processes on Instagram
In addition to the possibilities for social comparisons that result from the digital self-presentation of the users, there are other factors within the platform that favor this process. On the basis of the exemplary Instagram profile page of the weekly magazine Stern, the three key figures that are on each profile page of a user can be read. These are marked as (1) posts, (2) subscribers and (3) subscribed. The number of posts shows how many photos and videos have been posted by an account in total. Accordingly, it catches up, among other things, about how actively a user shares selected content with his subscribers. The number of subscribers provides information about how many people follow the respective profile, i.e. how many people have decided to receive content from this person. The third key figure (subscribed) informs about how many other profile pages are followed. Placed in the above area of the profile, these codes resemble a heading that can leave a certain impression before viewing the profile. This information, as well as the "likes" and the general digital representation of users, allows people to compare themselves with each other in a way that could not be implemented in reality (Kobilke, 2016).
The question now arises with whom a user compares himself and what this is related to. Here it is immensely important to go into the algorithm introduced by Instagram in 2016. This significantly influences which persons are primarily used for comparison. This is because the algorithm allows Instagram to no longer present content in chronological order, but depending on a user's individually calculated priority (Rising Media Ltd.B, 2018). This prioritization is based on the evaluation of three essential characteristics: Up-to-date, (2) interest, (3) relationship.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the research context regarding the human need for social belonging and the transition of social comparison processes into digital environments like Instagram.
2 Theoretical part: Background and state of research: Establishes the psychological foundations of social behavior, self-concept, self-esteem, and the specific mechanics of Instagram that facilitate social comparison.
3 Methodology: Details the quantitative survey design, including the use of existing scales to measure self-esteem and comparison orientation among a sample of 134 participants.
4 Results: Presents the empirical findings, including hypothesis testing and correlations between Instagram comparison tendencies and various subdimensions of explicit self-esteem.
5 Discussion: Interprets the research results in the context of existing psychological theory and addresses the limitations and potential distortions within the study's data.
6 Conclusion and outlook: Summarizes the key findings and suggests that future research should further examine how specific subdimensions of self-esteem are influenced by digital interaction.
Keywords
Social Psychology, Self-Esteem, Instagram, Social Comparison, Explicit Self-Worth, Digital Sociality, Self-Concept, Survey Methodology, User Behavior, Performance Self-Esteem, Appearance Self-Esteem, Social Feedback, Digital Platform, Psychological Well-being, Quantitative Research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this research?
The study aims to investigate if there is a significant connection between social comparison processes on Instagram and the explicit self-esteem of its users.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The core themes include the human need for social belonging, the development of the self-concept, the mechanics of Instagram, and how these factors contribute to social comparison and self-esteem outcomes.
Which methodology was employed to gather data?
A quantitative online survey was conducted using standardized questionnaires to measure explicit self-esteem and social comparison orientation.
What is the main finding regarding social comparisons on Instagram?
The study confirmed a significant negative relationship between the tendency to engage in social comparisons on Instagram and the users' explicit self-esteem.
What is the function of the "State self-esteem scale" in this study?
It was used to capture the construct of explicit self-worth by evaluating performance, social, and appearance-related self-esteem.
How does the Instagram algorithm influence comparison processes?
The algorithm prioritizes content based on recency, user interest, and relationship intensity, which influences the types of profiles and social comparisons presented to the user.
Did the study find gender-specific differences in self-esteem or comparison?
No significant differences were found due to gender, except for one item related to the importance of being perceived as an intellectual person.
How is "self-handicapping" related to self-esteem in this work?
Self-handicapping is described as a strategy used by individuals to protect their self-esteem from the threat of failure, often by creating self-imposed barriers.
What impact does the need to receive "likes" have on users?
The study indicates that placing high importance on receiving "likes" correlates positively with the tendency to make social comparisons on Instagram.
Why are the findings from this research relevant for future studies?
The study highlights the potential socio-psychological effects of digital platforms, suggesting that further research is needed to understand how platform interactions influence long-term well-being.
- Citar trabajo
- Nick Feldmann (Autor), 2019, Social comparisons on Instagram and users' self-esteem. How social media affects our self-perception, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1190041
