The Effect of Instagram Popularity on Perception and Self-Esteem

Previous research suggests that the use of social media can have psychological impacts (e.g. depression, self-esteem issues). The purpose of our study was to determine whether the way we perceive the likability and attractiveness of others, as well as our own self-esteem, is influenced by Instagram popularity. There were three experimental groups; all groups viewed the same three Instagram posts that differed only in number of likes and comments. The low popularity images showed 10-14 likes, average popularity 100-120 likes, and high popularity 1,000-1,020 likes. Participants viewed each image for 1 min. After viewing the posts, participants were asked to rate the girl in each photo from 1 (extremely unattractive) to 10 (extremely attractive). Participants were then instructed to complete the Reysen Likability Scale to measure the likability of the subject of the images and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale to measure the participants self-esteem. It is expected that participants in the low popularity group will perceive the person pictured as less attractive and less likable, and rate their own self-esteem as higher compared to those in the high popularity group who will perceive the person as more attractive and likable, and rate their self-esteem as lower