Self-enhancement Motives for Social Self-Esteem

Describe the self-enhancement and self-verification motives for self-esteem

Social media platforms and especially Facebook has become a platform for 21st -century adults and youths to use for self-presentation when interacting with others online. Consequently, social media is now an avenue for either false or true self-presentation in different situations, which contributes to low or high self-esteem to individuals. Self-enhancement refers to a type of motivation that enables people to develop a sense of self-contentment. It is essential when persons experience failure, insecurity or low self-esteem. In the self-enhancement motive for self-esteem, Facebook users tend to downplay their vulnerabilities and weakness through posting their better parts of life or comparing with others to look better (Cramer, Song & Drent, 2016) . Through self-verification motive people seek information about self from others whether positive or negative (Kwang & Swann, 2010) . Feedback from other Facebook users motivates personal self-esteem.

Evaluate the posts/pages you see through the lens of self-presentation.

In social media platform, most often Facebook the self-presentation motives expressed by many people is self-objectification. There is an over-exaggeration of users’ physical appearance and presentation of their real life. Often Facebook users seek validation from others. This is evident from the kind of post and pictures they upload. There is a tendency of people posting every positive experience and adventurous. Right from vacation pictures to hotels they visit and other fun moments. It is a competition of boosting self-esteem where no one wants to be left behind. Also, some photographs and profiles I come across are of personal pictures posted to draw attention from others.

Discuss which motive (self-enhancement or self-verification) is most evident in the sites you viewed. Provide examples, but do not include identifying information (names, handles, gender, etc.).

On Facebook, the most prominent motive for self-esteem is self-enhancement. The majority of users often selectively post images of themselves while experiencing joyous moments with their good friends. In a bid to enhance their representation in the eyes of other Facebook users, people also post pictures and video clips of their happy moments dining at fancy hotels and sun-basking at expensive beaches across the world. However, no one tends to post their sad experiences in order to hide their insecurities (Cramer, Song & Drent, 2016) . Everyone wants others to have an expression that their lives are always good throughout, even when in the face of dull moments often. Still, this is not for everyone; some users like seeking attention.

Discuss if you think these online portraits of people are accurate. Explain your position.

I think most of the profiles and pictures posted on Facebook are just pretense for users to boost their self-esteem through the comments and the likes they get from others. Also, I perceive them as a strategy for people to hide their insecurities and incompleteness in real life. This is because most people hire designer clothes and fancy cars to take photos, which they use to gain followers on Facebook.

Explain if the prevalence of being exposed to social factors on social media influences individual behavior and the development of the social self include how it does or does not. Use social-psychological terminology to explain your answer.

Prevalence use of social networks such as Facebook has the ability to affect once social life. One of the traits that contribute to false presentation is low self-esteem. Therefore, most users tend to minimize their offline interaction for their real self to remain undisclosed. Also, this excessive use of Facebook has resulted in challenges in relationships, school dropouts, and guilt feelings. Also, Facebook is often used to regulate moods (Vogel, Rose, Roberts & Eckles, 2014) . When users have deficient in self-regulation, it may result in addiction and life dissatisfaction.

Discuss the positive and negative aspects associated with social media sites.

In a real sense, Facebook is a significant platform for interaction and making friends. Also, it’s a platform where people use to gain knowledge, ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations and relationships, which sometimes leads to marriage and business ideas. However, people with low self-esteem tend to abuse the platform by bombarding other users with their false identity (Oh, Ozkaya & laRose, 2014) . As a result, they end up being less likeable thus worsening their low self-esteem.

References

Cramer, E. M., Song, H., & Drent, A. M. (2016). Social comparison on Facebook: Motivation, affective consequences, self-esteem, and Facebook fatigue.  Computers in Human Behavior ,  64 , 739-746. 

Kwang, T., & Swann Jr, W. B. (2010). Do people embrace praise even when they feel unworthy? A review of critical tests of self-enhancement versus self-verification.  Personality and Social Psychology Review ,  14 (3), 263-280. 

Oh, H. J., Ozkaya, E., & LaRose, R. (2014). How does online social networking enhance life satisfaction? The relationships among online supportive interaction, affect, perceived social support, sense of community, and life satisfaction.  Computers in Human Behavior ,  30 , 69-78.