Impact of Social Media and Reality TV on College Students
Session Title
Explorations in Social Science
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Mass Communication
Faculty Mentor
Aimee Meader, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Nathaniel Frederick, Ph.D.; Mark Notz, M.Ed
Abstract
This thesis delves into the impact of social media and TV on college-aged students. My research is guided by cultivation theory, which looks into how the media influence people. This study will examine whether Black and Caucasian students are impacted differently by social media and TV. My study will not be comparing which of the two mediums has more of an impact, but whether they are influential and in what ways. To test this, I sent out a survey to Winthrop students concerning media use, whether they feel represented if the media promotes ideal beauty standards and questions about self-esteem. The participants for this study will be Winthrop students, ideally between the ages of 18-22. I chose this sample because college students are most convenient for me to reach, and they represent a huge portion of who is on social media today. This study looks at TV to see if it still impacts college-aged students and the extent. This study additionally aims to investigate the effects of social media on different minorities. This research is essential because it explains how the media define cultural standards and how that impacts self-perceptions.
Honors Thesis Committee
Aimee Meader, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Nathaniel Frederick, Ph.D.; Mark Notz, M.Ed
Course Assignment
HONR 450H - Meader & 451H – Lipscomb
Type of Presentation
Oral presentation
Impact of Social Media and Reality TV on College Students
This thesis delves into the impact of social media and TV on college-aged students. My research is guided by cultivation theory, which looks into how the media influence people. This study will examine whether Black and Caucasian students are impacted differently by social media and TV. My study will not be comparing which of the two mediums has more of an impact, but whether they are influential and in what ways. To test this, I sent out a survey to Winthrop students concerning media use, whether they feel represented if the media promotes ideal beauty standards and questions about self-esteem. The participants for this study will be Winthrop students, ideally between the ages of 18-22. I chose this sample because college students are most convenient for me to reach, and they represent a huge portion of who is on social media today. This study looks at TV to see if it still impacts college-aged students and the extent. This study additionally aims to investigate the effects of social media on different minorities. This research is essential because it explains how the media define cultural standards and how that impacts self-perceptions.
