ABSTRACT

Social networking sites such as Instagram provide users with numerous social comparison cues, potentially leading to envy and lower self-esteem. We conducted two experiments, examining whether such negative consequences could be mitigated by brief cognitive interventions. In Experiment 1 (N = 391), we reminded users of the unrealistic nature of most Instagram posts in a 2 (intervention: disclaimer vs. control) × 2 (Instagram profile: upward vs. downward comparison standard) between-subjects design. Positive and negative affect, envy, self-esteem, and well-being served as dependent variables. Experiment 2 (N = 184) explored whether slightly longer cognitive interventions (“cognitive bias” vs. “growth mindset” vs. control) could improve participants’ experience of upward comparisons, shielding them against envy or the loss of self-esteem. Both experiments included social comparison orientation (SCO) as a potential moderator. Results show that eliciting upward comparisons indeed evoked more envy, with SCO moderating the effect. We further observed indirect effects of the shown Instagram profiles on positive affect, envy, self-esteem, and well-being via participants’ social comparison experience. Concerning the cognitive interventions, however, we report that neither an authoritative disclaimer, nor educating users about cognitive biases or mindsets significantly reduced the negative consequences of social comparisons.

摘要

Instagram 等社交网站为用户提供了大量的社交比较线索，可能导致嫉妒和自尊心降低。我们进行了两项实验，检查是否可以通过简短的认知干预来减轻这种负面后果。在实验 1 ( N = 391) 中，我们在 2（干预：免责声明与控制）×2（Instagram 个人资料：向上与向下比较标准）主题间设计中提醒用户大多数 Instagram 帖子的不切实际性质。积极和消极的影响、嫉妒、自尊和幸福感是因变量。实验二（N= 184）探索稍长的认知干预（“认知偏见”与“成长心态”与控制）是否可以改善参与者向上比较的体验，保护他们免受嫉妒或自尊的丧失。两个实验都包括社会比较取向（SCO）作为潜在的调节者。结果表明，引发向上比较确实引起了更多的嫉妒，而 SCO 缓和了这种影响。我们通过参与者的社会比较经验进一步观察到显示的 Instagram 个人资料对积极影响、嫉妒、自尊和幸福感的间接影响。然而，关于认知干预，我们报告说，无论是权威的免责声明，还是对用户进行认知偏见或心态的教育，都不能显着减少社会比较的负面后果。