Question

Explain if the prevalthence of being exposed to social factors on social media influences individual behavior and the development of the social self, include how it does or does not. Use social psychological terminology to explain your answer. Discuss the positive and negative aspects associated with social media sites.

Answer 1

Social media is known to affect individual behavior at a phenomenal pace and level. Conformity is one of the biggest examples one will encounter when looking at peoples behavior, hopping onto the bandwagon has been the norm when it comes to social media behavior.

One such recent example of social behavior being influenced by social media is the Cambridge Analytical scandal wherein more than 50 million facebook profiles were harvested to influence voter decision in 2016 presidential elections. This goes to show the extent to which behavior can be modified and changed or influenced.

Social media can affect positive influence or negative influence. Positive influence when you see how struggle for freedom or against injustice gains a voice on this platform and revolutionizes minds beyond a geographical scope.