3.0

Average Course Rating

Social media is a ubiquitous feature of modern social life. By interfacing with technology, we can communicate with one another, express our views, learn new information, pursue professional and recreational goals, and even earn a living. As a scientific community and through personal experience, we know a great deal about the various ways in which social media are used, the benefits and drawbacks, and how they shape our decisions and lifestyles. The goal of this class is to explore social media use through multiple psychological lenses. Through weekly student-led discussions and readings, it will accomplish 3 aims: 1) applying psychology of personality, identity, motivation, communication, etc. to social media (e.g., self-presentation, intergroup dynamics, interpersonal relationships), 2) investigating clinical/health implications of social media use (e.g., addiction, loneliness), and 3) exploring social media as data-gathering environments (e.g., user experience research from guest-speakers who work in social media industries). Recommended Course Background: at least 1 course in introductory psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and/or clinical psychology.