Feelings and Social Media

Crystal Kidd
Aug 31, 2018 · 2 min read

The feelings that can come from social media
Everyone uses nonverbal communication when interacting face-to-face. Their body language, their facial expressions, and their body language can play a huge role. When interacting behind a computer or smart phone, none of those play a part. People hide behind the devices to avoid the awkwardness that can happen in person. For example, if someone is not comfortable dealing with the public they can interact on-line and essentially get the same feelings from the interactions of social media. Social media can create homophily and it can be a good thing.

WHAT IS HOMOPHILY?
Homophily means love of the same. In social networks, homophily is something that really can’t be avoided. For example, when you look at video online or read an article on Facebook ads automatically start showing up. Ever wonder why? It’s because of algorithms that are used based off of what is being seen. Taking the algorithms into consideration, it’s a brilliant idea. People start feeling happy and feeling as though they matter when they start seeing things they are interested in on the social media site they are using.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALGORITHMS
I have noticed that when I am Facebook I get a lot of articles and ads that are based on sites that I have recently visited. I have Multiple Sclerosis and I am a part of some of the MS support groups. I am constantly seeing ads for MS awareness shirts and clinical trials for MS. I also see a lot of beagle ads too since I am a part of beagle mom groups. Sometimes it is nice seeing those things pop up but it can also be very overwhelming at times. A benefit of these things though is that it gives you a sense of feeling that you are not alone in the things that matter the most to you.

REFERENCES
Margalit, L, PHD; The Psychology Behind Social Media Interactions, Aug 29, 2014
Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/behind-online-behavior/201408/the-psychology-behind-social-media-interactions

Retica, A; 12/10/2006; Homophily
Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/magazine/10Section2a.t-4.html

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