Psychology of Social Media

Description

Not everyone uses social media the same way. Depending on platform, culture, usage styles, and individual differences, social media experiences can be dramatically different, and research on understand these varied effects of social media is still in its infancy. This course will focus on the cultural aspect of social media, by examining how different platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch, attract different audiences, and how online communities can be formed and maintained within or even across platforms. This course will also explore how the user can be impacted by these platforms, through examining effects on individuals’ well-being and stress, psychopathology, and interpersonal relationships.