Instagram Inspiration: How Upward Comparison on Social Network Sites Can Contribute to Well-Being
Instagram Inspiration: How Upward Comparison on Social Network Sites Can Contribute to Well-Being
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DOI：
10.1093/joc/jqaa025
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发表时间：
2020-10-01
影响因子：
7.9
通讯作者：
Possler, Daniel
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Meier, Adrian;Gilbert, Alicia;Possler, Daniel
在社交网站（如Instagram）上被动接触他人积极的自我展示，已多次被发现与幸福感降低有关，尤其是通过引发向上的社会比较和嫉妒。然而，先前的研究在很大程度上忽略了在社交网站上进行向上比较也可能促进积极的结果，特别是媒体引发的灵感，这是一种对幸福感非常有利的激励状态。我们进行了两项实验，测试对社交网站上的视觉帖子进行认知 - 情感处理是否以及如何产生灵感。研究1（N = 270）首次提供证据表明，用户对更积极、优化的Instagram自然和旅行帖子会有更强烈的向上比较反应，这种反应通过一种同化的情绪反应（良性嫉妒）促进灵感，从而提高幸福感。预先注册的研究2（N = 408）重复了这些发现。总体而言，结果表明用户可以从社交网站上的向上比较中获得灵感，这可能会短暂地改善他们的幸福感。我们讨论了边界条件以及对未来传播研究的影响。
Passive exposure to others' positive self-presentations on social network sites (SNS) such as Instagram has been repeatedly associated with reduced well-being, particularly by triggering upward social comparison and envy. However, prior research has largely neglected that upward comparisons on SNS may also facilitate positive outcomes, specifically media-induced inspiration, a motivational state highly conducive to well-being. We conducted two experiments that tested whether and how cognitive-affective processing of visual SNS postings results in inspiration. Study 1 (N = 270) provides first evidence that users react to more positive, optimized Instagram nature and travel posts with stronger upward comparison, which facilitates inspiration via an assimilative emotional reaction (benign envy), thus enhancing well-being. The pre-registered Study 2 (N = 408) replicates these findings. Overall, results indicate that users can be inspired from comparing upwards on SNS, which may briefly improve their well-being. We discuss boundary conditions and implications for future communication research.