Psyc 495
Article Review-Social
Psyc 495
Introduction
This article discusses how social media has had an impact on self-image and self-esteem
over the last decade. In 2005, only 5% of Americans reported using one of more social media
platforms. By 2019, that number had risen to 72% (Midgley, Thai, Lockwood, Kovacheff, &
Page-Gould, 2020). Social media was created to enhance social connections and provide social
support. However, research has shown that social media is correlated with negative outcomes
like envy, romantic jealousy, decreased self-esteem, loneliness, depression, and social isolation
(Midgley, Thai, Lockwood, Kovacheff, & Page-Gould, 2020). Despite these negative outcomes,
social continues to grow. This study aims to determine to contain research that shows when and
how social media will result in negative outcomes, and whom these negative outcomes will
impact the most. A large body of research suggest that one of the negative impacts of social
media on users is social comparisons. Individuals view others content on social media assuming
that those people must be experiencing a better life and eventually feel worse about themselves.
Research has shown that this is likely to happen more in individuals with low self-esteem.
Through social media, there is a stream of information about other’s accomplishments. Past
research suggests that social comparisons occur automatically. When individuals view this
information, their own self-perceptions will be affected. Research also suggests that most social
media users selectively post positive experiences online and are less likely to post any negative
experiences (Midgley, Thai, Lockwood, Kovacheff, & Page-Gould, 2020). Thus, viewing a news
feed individual are most likely to see posts about friends’ exciting experiences and appear better
off than others. The researchers of this study hypothesized that participants would be more
Article Review-Social
Psyc 495
Introduction
This article discusses how social media has had an impact on self-image and self-esteem
over the last decade. In 2005, only 5% of Americans reported using one of more social media
platforms. By 2019, that number had risen to 72% (Midgley, Thai, Lockwood, Kovacheff, &
Page-Gould, 2020). Social media was created to enhance social connections and provide social
support. However, research has shown that social media is correlated with negative outcomes
like envy, romantic jealousy, decreased self-esteem, loneliness, depression, and social isolation
(Midgley, Thai, Lockwood, Kovacheff, & Page-Gould, 2020). Despite these negative outcomes,
social continues to grow. This study aims to determine to contain research that shows when and
how social media will result in negative outcomes, and whom these negative outcomes will
impact the most. A large body of research suggest that one of the negative impacts of social
media on users is social comparisons. Individuals view others content on social media assuming
that those people must be experiencing a better life and eventually feel worse about themselves.
Research has shown that this is likely to happen more in individuals with low self-esteem.
Through social media, there is a stream of information about other’s accomplishments. Past
research suggests that social comparisons occur automatically. When individuals view this
information, their own self-perceptions will be affected. Research also suggests that most social
media users selectively post positive experiences online and are less likely to post any negative
experiences (Midgley, Thai, Lockwood, Kovacheff, & Page-Gould, 2020). Thus, viewing a news
feed individual are most likely to see posts about friends’ exciting experiences and appear better
off than others. The researchers of this study hypothesized that participants would be more
