Comparisons and Social Networking Sites

Article Review
Author's Name
The Institutional Affiliation
Course Number and Name
Instructor Name
Assignment Due DateArticle Review
Introduction
Adolescence and young adulthood are vital phases of identity development in an individual, greatly affected by the abundantly used social networking sites (SNSs). While the ideal selves posted on social media sites might help boost adolescents' self-esteem and self-concept, they are also a platform for social comparisons. The current research studies how Instagram, a social media site, affects identity development in specific adolescents.
Erikson's theory posits how adolescents seem to invalidate their previous childhood identifications and form new ones based on their past, present, and future. At this point, along with their already formed self-concepts, they are starting to reform their identity based on their talents, interests, and goals. Marcia also gave her identity status paradigm in line with this theory, proposing four statuses. Out of the four, one is diffusion status, where the adolescent is neither exploring nor committing to identity, while the achievement status is the exact opposite when the individual has explored multiple possibilities and now has committed to one with surety.
Identity development also involves three dimensions. First is commitment, which is the choice one makes in any life situation that consolidates into their identity, thus deriving self-confidence. Second is the in-depth exploration of already made choices by analyzing the options one has around them. Third, it involves contemplating oneself based on the information gathered from the surroundings. Finally, the third dimension is when the individual becomes skeptical of his identity and rethinks his commitment by comparing others.
The authors also discuss the three-factor model in explaining identity formation in an adolescent. It is assumed that a teenager enters his adolescence with pre-formed identities based on how they identify with his significant others. This self-concept and view of oneself are then corroborated with the individual's potential, talents, and interests. If self-concept and interests appear to be in line, the individual would immediately form their identity, but on the contrary, if the talents are not being justified with the current identity, the individual might end up in role confusion. It will lead to an in-depth exploration of the other options, ultimately leading to reconsideration in committing to an identity. Erikson's theory also supports this model's claim, which guides us to how the identity formation phase is crucial in determining healthy relationships, societal engagement, responsibility endurance, and emotional stability. On the contrary, maladaptive identity development leads the individual to depression, anxiety, lack of self-concept, and inability to form positive relationships with family and peers.
Comparisons and Social Networking Sites
SNSs tend to provide a platform in which adolescents compare their performance and abilities with others. The other's actions might influence them or negatively affect their self-esteem and self-confidence. For example, it has been noted that people tend to upload a perfect life image on SNSs, which lead to unhappy and unsatisfied comparison with others, therefore, leading to lower life and relationship satisfaction and negative self-evaluations. Another aspect of social comparison is the comparison of opinion. This aspect has both positive and negative impacts on the adolescents as it was seen that some individuals benefited in adjustment by talking to their online friends while others faced self-esteem problems when they compared themselves to others.
Purpose of the Study
The authors evaluated how the use of SNSs affected the thinking patterns and behaviors of adolescents in ultimately shaping their identity development. While the previous research almost certainly states that social comparisons on these sites inhibit one's certainty and belief in oneself and raise self-doubt, it also suggests that Instagram users rated the most on feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, or anxiety. Thus, in terms of identity development, the authors hypothesized that social comparisons in terms of ability would be negatively proportional to commitment and in-depth exploration while positively related to reconsideration and ambiguity towards commitment (Noon, 2020). This study also served the purpose of exploring the positive relationship between the social comparison of opinion with commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment.
Population of Interest
The study aimed to explore the mentioned variable in adolescents compared to previous research, largely based on young adults. The authors mention how identity development is a crucial part of the teenage period rather than early adulthood, so the adolescent population has to be deeply studied. An initial sample of 266 participants was approached from a Catholic secondary school in England. They were asked to fill out surveys with voluntary participation and writt...