Investigating the self-esteem and social comparisons on social media platforms

Abstract

This study will explore self-esteem and social comparisons through social media platforms. More precisely, this study investigates the effect of social comparisons on self-esteem through social media. Practice-based research was employed to substantiate the project's hypothesis. Adopting an ethnomethodology technique and quantitative observations, the researcher engaged in, and observed users' social media presence. The many fragments of data obtained via observations on specific social media platforms resulted in significant impacts on the project's work and process. This study examines Kate Eichorn's identity theory, Leon Festinger's social comparison hypothesis, and Donna Freitas' Happiness Effect theory, demonstrating how social media serves to pressure an entire generation to look flawless at all costs. Numerous artists who have launched campaigns supporting these notions are also highlighted. This study sheds light on the link between social media platforms and self-esteem, specifically how individuals might compare their image and lifestyle with those depicted in several social media posts. For the project segment, ordinary people were photographed with their response to a question that was asked. Gillian Wearing's project named 'Signs That Say What You Want Them to Say and Not Signs That Say What Someone Else Wants You to Say' served as a significant source of inspiration. They were photographed without filters or masks typically put on when presented with a camera. These photographs were ultimately chosen and processed to create a series of posters promoting and embracing their authenticity and unfiltered reality.