Social Psychologist’s Interest in the Motives For and Effects of Excessive Social Media Use

Studies have found that seeking social connection online can result in users’ loss of social skills, damage to existing relationships, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and inability to interact meaningfully in face-to-face situations (Ahn & Shin, 2013; Cain, 2018; Chiou et al., 2015; Oberst et al., 2017). Some even argue that social media use is the newest form of addiction (Cha & Seo, 2018). However, not all researchers have reached the same conclusion.
That said, findings to date suggest excessive social media use looms as a potential real-world problem. Researchers want to know what motivates excessive social media use and, more importantly, what and how it may affect its consumers. Furthermore, researchers may want to know if excessive social media use is age- or gender-specific or if its use is preferred by certain personality types, educational achievement, race, or ethnicity. There are myriad ways to approach this topic, depending on what, specifically, the researcher wants to know.
For this Discussion, you will create a research question related to quantitative or qualitative research in social psychology as well as examine a research method appropriate for the question.
References:
Ahn, D., & Shin, D. H. (2013). Is the social use of media for seeking connectedness or for avoiding social isolation? Mechanisms underlying media use and subjective well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2453–2462.
Cain, J. (2018). It’s time to confront student mental health issues associated with smartphones and social media. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 82(7), 738–741. Retrieved from https://ezp(dot)waldenulibrary(dot)org/login?url=https://search(dot)ebscohost(dot)com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=132137452&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Cha, S., & Seo, B. (2018). Smartphone use and smartphone addiction in middle school students in Korea: Prevalence, social networking service, and game use. Health Psychology Open, 5(1), 2055-1029.
Chiou, W.B., Lee, C.C., & Liao, D.C. (2015). Facebook effects on social distress: Priming with social networking thoughts can alter the perceived distress due to social exclusion. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 230–236.
Oberst, U., Wegmann, E., Stodt, B., Brand, M., & Chamarro, A. (2017). Negative consequences from heavy social networking in adolescents: The mediating role of fear of missing out. Journal of Adolescence, 55, 51–60.
Post a research question that reflects a social psychologist’s interest in the motives for and effects of excessive social media use. Indicate the research methodology that best aligns with your research question and provide empirical support for the research method you have chosen.