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

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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.