The Influence of Social Media on Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of Reality

Through the Theoretical Perspective of Groupthink

Authors

  • Titi Huynh
  • Kristen Kostuch
  • Mya Martorano
  • Olivia McMurray
  • Victoria Scimeca

Abstract

Most literature places heavy emphasis on social media user’s agency over the interactions they have on various websites. However, many do not acknowledge the way social media platforms have been curated to influence user’s daily life and perceptions of reality. Within our study, the way social media platforms impede individual’s perspectives of reality has proven to shift this agency and how one’s perception of reality is impeded through the psychological longingness to conform and associate with specific groups as well as groupthink. We conducted an online anonymous survey through Limesurvey that consisted of 20-30 open and closed ended questions. Our research aimed to gain an understanding of how undergraduate students conform to a certain behaviour through social media. We found that social media does have an impact on how undergraduate students perceive reality. This can be seen through portrayals of body image and self-inadequacy. With increased social media use we found that individuals are more likely to engage in groupthink. We have concluded that social media is extremely pervasive in our behaviours and the construction of individual ideologies. Thus, proving our hypothesis that undergraduate students find themselves following social media trends, norms, and beliefs available to them through online networking sites.  

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Published

2021-09-22

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Section

Thesis Papers