The Psychology of Social Media feat. Dr. Steve Rathje
Jul 19, 2024
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Join Dr. Steve Rathje, a psychologist, as he discusses the psychology behind social media virality, the impact of smartphone usage, effects on mental health, changes in social media content, Dead Internet Theory, and personality quizzes. Explore how negativity drives engagement, challenges in changing minds, and the reliability of personality assessments. Delve into the influence of social media on mental health, the rise of ads, and the prevalence of AI bots in online content.
Spending excessive time on social media can lead to mental health issues, especially in Gen Z.
Unfollowing polarizing accounts enhances social media experience and reduces negative feelings.
Commercialization of social media has shifted focus from personal connections to consumption-driven platforms.
Deep dives
Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
Spending excessive time on social media, especially among adolescents, can have detrimental effects on mental health. Research indicates a rise in rates of depression and anxiety among Gen Z, linked to increased time spent on social media and reduced in-person interactions. This is exacerbated by the negative content, such as toxicity, false information, and polarization, that tends to go viral on social media platforms.
Effects of Unfollowing Polarizing Accounts
Unfollowing polarizing accounts on social media platforms can reduce negative feelings towards opposing views and improve users' overall experience. A study showed that unfollowing such accounts led to reduced polarization and a more positive news feed, contributing to better mental well-being. Choosing to avoid toxic content and cultivating a balanced information diet can result in a more fulfilling social media experience.
Evolution of Social Media and User Experience
Social media platforms have evolved from facilitating social interactions to becoming inundated with ads, AI-generated content, and influencer posts. The shift towards monetization has transformed the user experience, moving away from personal connections to consumption-driven platforms. The increasing commercialization and automation of content contribute to decreased engagement with actual social connections and more exposure to commercial interests.
Dead Internet Theory: Rise of Bots and AI
The Dead Internet Theory suggests that the internet is increasingly populated by AI-generated agents and bots rather than humans. While the theory may exaggerate, evidence, like AI-generated faces on social media and AI chat bots on Twitter, indicates the infiltration of bots online. The manipulation of internet traffic by bots poses challenges for researchers in accurately determining the presence of artificial entities online, impacting views, likes, and shares.
Impact of Falsehoods and Outgroup Behavior
False news tends to spread faster and wider than fact-checked information on social media platforms like Twitter. Emotions triggered by falsehoods, such as surprise and disgust, make them more appealing and engaging to users. In psychology, the phenomenon of forming in-groups and out-groups leads to irrational behavior, where individuals favor their own group and discriminate against others based on arbitrary distinctions. This tribalistic mindset influences societal beliefs and behaviors, highlighting the psychological aspects of social identities.
Today we're joined by StevePsychology to chat about fun psychology topics! From how things go viral online (the more negative the better) to different studies about how social media impacts our mental health, and more!
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