Social Media Addiction Quiz

Study Notes

Definition: Social media addiction refers to the excessive and compulsive use of social media platforms, leading to negative consequences on daily life, relationships, and mental health.
Characteristics:
- Spending more than 4 hours a day on social media
- Feeling anxious or irritable when unable to access social media
- Neglecting important responsibilities and activities due to social media use
- Continuing to use social media despite negative consequences
Effects:
- Decreased self-esteem and body satisfaction
- Increased symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances and fatigue
- Social isolation and decreased face-to-face interactions

Social Learning Theory: People learn new behaviors by observing and imitating others, including media characters.
Desensitization: Repeated exposure to violent or aggressive media content can lead to decreased empathy and increased aggression.
Cultivation Theory: Prolonged exposure to media can shape our perceptions of reality, influencing our attitudes and behaviors.
Examples:
- Media portrayal of thinness and beauty can contribute to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction.
- Exposure to violent media can increase aggressive behavior and decrease helping behavior.
- Media representation of minorities and underrepresented groups can influence stereotypes and prejudice.

Emotional Arousal Theory: Media content can elicit strong emotions, such as fear, excitement, or sadness, which can influence our attitudes and behaviors.
Catharsis Theory: Exposure to media can provide an outlet for emotional release and purging, leading to a sense of relief and relaxation.
Parasocial Relationships: Viewers can form emotional bonds with media characters, influencing their emotional responses and behaviors.
Examples:
- Horror movies can elicit fear and anxiety, but also provide a safe outlet for emotional release.
- Sad music can provide a cathartic experience, allowing listeners to process and release emotions.
- Fans can form strong emotional connections with celebrities or characters, influencing their self-esteem and behavior.

Social media addiction is characterized by excessive and compulsive use, leading to negative consequences on daily life, relationships, and mental health.
Common characteristics of social media addiction include:
- Spending over 4 hours a day on social media
- Feeling anxious or irritable when unable to access social media
- Neglecting important responsibilities and activities due to social media use
- Continuing to use social media despite negative consequences
Social media addiction can have severe effects, including:
- Decreased self-esteem and body satisfaction
- Increased symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances and fatigue
- Social isolation and decreased face-to-face interactions

The Social Learning Theory suggests that people learn new behaviors by observing and imitating others, including media characters.
Desensitization can occur through repeated exposure to violent or aggressive media content, leading to decreased empathy and increased aggression.
The Cultivation Theory proposes that prolonged exposure to media can shape our perceptions of reality, influencing our attitudes and behaviors.
Examples of media influence on behavior include:
- Media portrayal of thinness and beauty contributing to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction
- Exposure to violent media increasing aggressive behavior and decreasing helping behavior
- Media representation of minorities and underrepresented groups influencing stereotypes and prejudice

The Emotional Arousal Theory states that media content can elicit strong emotions, such as fear, excitement, or sadness, which can influence our attitudes and behaviors.
The Catharsis Theory suggests that exposure to media can provide an outlet for emotional release and purging, leading to a sense of relief and relaxation.
Parasocial Relationships occur when viewers form emotional bonds with media characters, influencing their emotional responses and behaviors.
Examples of emotional responses to media include:
- Horror movies eliciting fear and anxiety, but also providing a safe outlet for emotional release
- Sad music providing a cathartic experience, allowing listeners to process and release emotions
- Fans forming strong emotional connections with celebrities or characters, influencing their self-esteem and behavior