“Two-Way Interaction: The Interplay of Facebook Use, Self-Esteem and Self-Disclosure”
Social networking sites has extended the scope of its influence. For instance, the worldwide popularity of Facebook has penetrated daily lives of million users. Pew Research Center (2013) reported that 71% of Facebook users agree that social media is important in their lives(as cited in Chang, 2014, p. 79). The overwhelming acknowledgement of the social networking site have been dominating every person’s computer, laptop, or mobile phones. Facebook has become an indispensable part of many user’s everyday lives, breaking the boundary between virtual and real worlds( Chang, 2014, p. 79). Because of the interaction between users and Facebook, it is possible that some personality constructs, such as self-esteem and self-disclosure— may have been affected. According to Tazghini(2013), self-esteem is the extent to which one prizes, approves, likes, or values oneself(p. 827). Self-esteem is the evaluation of one’s self relative to others, and grounded in the acceptance and recognition of other people. Meanwhile, self-disclosure is the revelation of previously unknown information so that it becomes shared knowledge, often with the goal of creating bonds and developing trust (Joinson & Paine, 2007, as cited in Wang & Stefanone, 2013, p. 441). This encompasses sharing of feelings, thoughts, and emotions. A fundamental question then, is, how do we explain the interaction between Facebook usage and the aforementioned personality constructs? Researchers have been interested in the role of self-esteem and self-disclosure on Facebook use. …show more content…
In one study, Steinfield et al. (2008) found that “Facebook use and social capital is greater for those with lower self-esteem than those with higher self-esteem”( as cited in Tazghini, 2013, p. 827). Regarding self- disclosure, Smock (2011) identified 8 major motives for using Facebook: relaxing entertainment, escapism, companionship, professional advancement, social interaction, habitual passing of time, meeting new people, and one of these was expressive information sharing supported by previous studies that user’s motives predict their Facebook usage( Lee & Boyer, 2007; Pempek, Yermolayeva & Calvert, 2009 as cited in Chang, 2014, p. 80). Although previous researches have examined the roles of self-esteem and self-disclosure that affect Facebook use, a two way interaction that also explains the impact, not only the role of two personality constructs is not yet explored. This will be relevant in exploring the ongoing interaction of million active users as well as the social psychology involved in using Facebook. Therefore, this paper argues that there is a two-way interaction between Facebook use and the personality constructs: self-esteem and self-disclosure. Usage of Facebook enhances user’s self-esteem or self-disclosure and at the same time the user 's personality constructs act as motivators to strengthen the behavior (i.e. Facebook use). Also, university students are chosen to be the focus of this paper since checkfacebook.com (2012) reported that 24. 4% of people in the range of 25-34 years old is one of the largest age groups to use Facebook in the United States, thus, they are the major subjects for Facebook-related studies in this field( as cited in Chang, 2014, p.80). In this paper, I will examine how self-esteem is influenced by Facebook usage and acts as motivator followed by self-disclosure. There are various Facebook activities that improve self-esteem. For example, posting positive, appealing, and encouraging status updates like quotations. Forest (2012) suggest that more positivity in one’s update is better liked by other people( p. 300). Moreover, taking selfies(photos of oneself while holding a camera or smartphone) and using photo-editing applications to improve image quality. Exposure to information on one’s Facebook profile and selective self-presentation enhances self-self-esteem (Gonzales and Hancock, 2010, p. 4). A nice profile picture with impressive personal information in ‘About Me’ section highlights ideal aspects of oneself. These activities generates likes and comments implying acceptance and recognition from other people. However, it is contradictory to Objective Self-Awareness Theory that viewing one’s profile should prompt a downgrading of self-esteem( Gonzales & Hancock, 2010, p.2). Yet, it is notable that using Facebook has a favourable impact on self-esteem. Though there has been a lot of research showing that Facebook enhances self-esteem, there is also a lot of support that self-esteem motivates usage of Facebook. Some individuals feel more comfortable in expressing themselves and forging relationships when using Facebook than in a face-to-face situation, especially those with low self-esteem. Tazghini (2013) found that greater sense of belongingness to
Social networking sites has extended the scope of its influence. For instance, the worldwide popularity of Facebook has penetrated daily lives of million users. Pew Research Center (2013) reported that 71% of Facebook users agree that social media is important in their lives(as cited in Chang, 2014, p. 79). The overwhelming acknowledgement of the social networking site have been dominating every person’s computer, laptop, or mobile phones. Facebook has become an indispensable part of many user’s everyday lives, breaking the boundary between virtual and real worlds( Chang, 2014, p. 79). Because of the interaction between users and Facebook, it is possible that some personality constructs, such as self-esteem and self-disclosure— may have been affected. According to Tazghini(2013), self-esteem is the extent to which one prizes, approves, likes, or values oneself(p. 827). Self-esteem is the evaluation of one’s self relative to others, and grounded in the acceptance and recognition of other people. Meanwhile, self-disclosure is the revelation of previously unknown information so that it becomes shared knowledge, often with the goal of creating bonds and developing trust (Joinson & Paine, 2007, as cited in Wang & Stefanone, 2013, p. 441). This encompasses sharing of feelings, thoughts, and emotions. A fundamental question then, is, how do we explain the interaction between Facebook usage and the aforementioned personality constructs? Researchers have been interested in the role of self-esteem and self-disclosure on Facebook use. …show more content…
In one study, Steinfield et al. (2008) found that “Facebook use and social capital is greater for those with lower self-esteem than those with higher self-esteem”( as cited in Tazghini, 2013, p. 827). Regarding self- disclosure, Smock (2011) identified 8 major motives for using Facebook: relaxing entertainment, escapism, companionship, professional advancement, social interaction, habitual passing of time, meeting new people, and one of these was expressive information sharing supported by previous studies that user’s motives predict their Facebook usage( Lee & Boyer, 2007; Pempek, Yermolayeva & Calvert, 2009 as cited in Chang, 2014, p. 80). Although previous researches have examined the roles of self-esteem and self-disclosure that affect Facebook use, a two way interaction that also explains the impact, not only the role of two personality constructs is not yet explored. This will be relevant in exploring the ongoing interaction of million active users as well as the social psychology involved in using Facebook. Therefore, this paper argues that there is a two-way interaction between Facebook use and the personality constructs: self-esteem and self-disclosure. Usage of Facebook enhances user’s self-esteem or self-disclosure and at the same time the user 's personality constructs act as motivators to strengthen the behavior (i.e. Facebook use). Also, university students are chosen to be the focus of this paper since checkfacebook.com (2012) reported that 24. 4% of people in the range of 25-34 years old is one of the largest age groups to use Facebook in the United States, thus, they are the major subjects for Facebook-related studies in this field( as cited in Chang, 2014, p.80). In this paper, I will examine how self-esteem is influenced by Facebook usage and acts as motivator followed by self-disclosure. There are various Facebook activities that improve self-esteem. For example, posting positive, appealing, and encouraging status updates like quotations. Forest (2012) suggest that more positivity in one’s update is better liked by other people( p. 300). Moreover, taking selfies(photos of oneself while holding a camera or smartphone) and using photo-editing applications to improve image quality. Exposure to information on one’s Facebook profile and selective self-presentation enhances self-self-esteem (Gonzales and Hancock, 2010, p. 4). A nice profile picture with impressive personal information in ‘About Me’ section highlights ideal aspects of oneself. These activities generates likes and comments implying acceptance and recognition from other people. However, it is contradictory to Objective Self-Awareness Theory that viewing one’s profile should prompt a downgrading of self-esteem( Gonzales & Hancock, 2010, p.2). Yet, it is notable that using Facebook has a favourable impact on self-esteem. Though there has been a lot of research showing that Facebook enhances self-esteem, there is also a lot of support that self-esteem motivates usage of Facebook. Some individuals feel more comfortable in expressing themselves and forging relationships when using Facebook than in a face-to-face situation, especially those with low self-esteem. Tazghini (2013) found that greater sense of belongingness to