The research conducted on Facebook is about its ability to manipulate newsfeeds and posts displayed on the users' timelines (Vindu, 2014). In the research, it is stated that Facebook knowingly manipulated the news feeds displayed on the users’ timelines which did not augur well with most of the consumers, stakeholders, and activists involved in the study. It is argued that Facebook crossed ethical boundaries in manipulating what is presented in news feeds based on the emotions and feelings of various users.
In psychology, it is stated that causation implies determining the primary cause or reason behind the occurrence of a specific phenomenon. On the other hand, correlation refers to a renowned relationship between two factors. Based on this definition, it is evident that the results from the Facebook study demonstrate a correlation relationship. The reason for stating this is because based on the Facebook study, it is apparent that the users’ emotions, opinions or feelings on a post depend on its characteristics. What this implies is that according to the results of this study, Facebook researchers found that if a post was positive, the comments of the users were also affirmative, the opposite happened if the displayed [post was negative. Therefore, from the results, it is obvious that the comments and opinions of the users have a direct relationship with the type of post displayed.
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In my opinion, if the Facebook study was conducted by psychologists then there would be ethical violations in the research. The primary reason for stating this is because the Facebook survey involved manipulating peoples’ emotions and invading user privacy without their consent (Kramer, Guillory, & Hancock, 2014). It is crucial to understand that psychology upholds the notion of involving users in research and getting their consent or respecting their privacy in any study conducted. Therefore, psychologists would have had to get the consent of the users before proceeding with the study as it is an ethical obligation.
Reference
Kramer, A. D., Guillory, J. E., & Hancock, J. T. (2014). Experimental evidence of massive-scale emotional contagion through social networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 111 (24), 8788-8790.
Vindu Goel, (2014). Facebook Tinkers With Users’ Emotions in News Feed Experiment, Stirring Outcry. New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/30/technology/facebook-tinkers-with-users-emotions-in-news-feed-experiment-stirring-outcry.html?_r=0
