People used to log onto Facebook to spy on old flames and check out new crushes.
Now it seems like they are more interested in gazing at their own profiles – and that’s a problem.
A new study published in the journal Media Psychology found that while looking at one’s profile for just five minutes helped boost self-esteem, the narcissistic exercise also led to a measurable dip in motivation.
In the study of 159 U.S. college students, author Catalina Toma of the University of Wisconsin-Madison notes that “by affirming the self, Facebook profiles may render additional efforts to prove oneself superficial.” She adds, “the increase in self-worth and self-integrity induced by Facebook-profile exposure was shown to backfire by reducing users’ motivation to perform well in subsequent cognitive tasks of moderate difficulty.” The author reached her conclusions by having students answer a set of questions measuring self-esteem and cognitive performance after viewing either their own or someone else’s profile.
I – Word Understanding
Old flame – ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend
Narcissistic exercise – the act of becoming self-centered / loving oneself too much
Affirming the self – to be aware of one’s values, goals and treasured characteristics
Superficial – shallow; appearance without substance
II – Have your say
1. Man becomes what he is by socialization.
2. Facebook Depression:Researchers found that spending time on Facebook created feelings of loneliness, misery and envy.
3. Moderation in all things, including moderation.”
126 Stop Staring at Your Facebook Profile: It Could Be Making You Stupid
