Glancing up or down: Mood management and selective social comparisons on social networking sites |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy;2. Medical Office, Via Molinara 14, 37135 Verona, Italy;1. The Ohio State University, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210-1339, USA;2. The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 575 Children’s Crossroad, WB5K10, Columbus, OH 43215, USA;1. Department of Business Administration, Sangji University, 83, Sangjidae-gil, Wonju, Ganwondo 220-702, Republic of Korea;2. Department of Psychology, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea |
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| Abstract: | Social networking sites (SNS) provide opportunities for mood management through selective exposure. This study tested the prediction that negative mood fosters self-enhancing social comparisons to SNS profiles. Participants were induced into positive or negative moods and then browsed manipulated profiles on an experimental SNS. Profiles varied in a 2 × 2 within-subjects design along two dimensions, ratings of career success and attractiveness, allowing for upward comparisons (high ratings) and downward comparisons (low ratings). Selective exposure was measured in seconds spent viewing profiles. Negative mood led to less exposure to upward comparisons and more to downward comparisons than positive mood. The comparison dimension did not influence selective exposure. Thus, in a negative mood, SNS users prefer self-enhancing social comparisons to manage their mood. |
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| Keywords: | Social networking sites Mood management Selective exposure Social comparison Self-enhancement |
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