Overview Of Professionals In The Social Sciences Investigate

Overviewprofessionals In The Social Sciences Investigate Human Behavio

Professionals in the social sciences investigate human behavior and society for the purpose of understanding why people act the way they do. This investigation can help address a wide variety of social issues, such as the role of social media in the Arab Spring protests, the impact of social skills on future success, racial factors in police violence, and how partitioned grocery carts can help shoppers purchase healthier foods. Social scientists can help address issues such as these through research and investigation. The summative assessment for this course has two parts. In Project One, you will conduct a research investigation that examines an issue in the social sciences.

You will identify appropriate resources for investigating the issue you select, use these resources to apply social science principles to the issue, and develop a question related to the issue. In addition, you will identify an audience who would be interested in the selected issue. In Project Two, you will develop a presentation for the audience you identified in Project One. In your presentation, you will explain how social scientific thinking has affected you and discuss the impact of the issue on your audience, supporting your claims with evidence. Project One addresses the following course outcomes: Illustrate the impact of social scientific thinking on personal and professional experiences Select appropriate and relevant social science resources in investigating contemporary issues in the social sciences Communicate effectively to specific audiences in examining fundamental aspects of human behavior Apply essential principles of the social sciences in addressing critical questions related to human behavior

Paper For Above instruction

In this research investigation, I have chosen to examine the issue of social media's influence on adolescent mental health, a pressing concern in contemporary social sciences. The widespread use of social media platforms among teenagers has raised questions about their potential impact on psychological well-being, self-esteem, and social development. Understanding this issue is significant because of the rising rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among youth, which have been linked to social media usage (Twenge et al., 2018).

To explore this issue, I identified three relevant academic sources. First, Twenge et al. (2018) offer statistical evidence linking increased social media use to mental health issues in adolescents, emphasizing how screen time correlates with depression symptoms. Second, Keles, McCrae, and Grealish (2020) present a comprehensive review of the cognitive and emotional impacts of social media, discussing mechanisms such as social comparison and cyberbullying. Third, Orben and Przybylski (2019) investigate the bidirectional relationship between social media use and mental health, highlighting that adolescents with existing emotional difficulties are more likely to engage heavily with social media, which can exacerbate their issues. These sources are appropriate because they are peer-reviewed, contain empirical data, and directly relate to adolescent mental health and social media use.

The thought process behind selecting these resources involved searching academic databases such as PsycINFO and Google Scholar with keywords like "social media," "adolescent mental health," and "psychological impact." I prioritized studies published within the last five years to ensure relevance and current insights. I also focused on sources that combine quantitative data with theoretical analysis, providing a balanced understanding of the issue.

In analyzing the social science principles applicable to this issue, I identified several key concepts. First, the principle of social influence is evident, as social media exerts pressure on adolescents to conform to certain ideals, impacting self-esteem and identity formation (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). Second, the concept of social comparison plays a role, where adolescents evaluate themselves against curated portrayals online, often leading to feelings of inadequacy (Festinger, 1954). Third, the principle of reinforcement, particularly positive reinforcement through likes and comments, can reinforce certain behaviors and cognitions that affect mental health (Becker et al., 2018). Understanding these principles helps explain how social media environments influence adolescent psychology and behavior.

My target audience for this investigation includes parents, educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers dedicated to adolescent well-being. To communicate effectively with this diverse group, I would tailor my message by avoiding overly technical terminology and instead using clear, relatable language. For example, instead of discussing "cognitive dissonance," I would refer to how teens compare themselves to others online and feel worse about themselves. Visual aids such as infographics showing statistics and diagrams explaining social influence would enhance understanding. I would emphasize practical recommendations, like setting limits on social media use and promoting offline activities, to resonate with parents and educators who are responsible for guiding youth.

Conclusion

Based on this investigation, a pertinent research question is: "How can interventions leveraging social influence principles reduce the negative mental health effects of social media on adolescents?" A social scientist seeking to answer this question might design experimental studies that manipulate exposure to positive online content or peer-led anti-cyberbullying campaigns. Qualitative methods, such as interviews with adolescents, could provide insights into their perceptions and experiences. Longitudinal research would track changes over time to assess intervention effectiveness. Ultimately, future research should explore targeted strategies that harness social influence principles to foster healthier social media environments and mitigate its adverse effects on youth mental health.

References

• Becker, M. W., Miao, M., & Faust, K. (2018). The social influence of likes: How feedback from the social environment affects online self-disclosure. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(5), 327-332.
• Cialdini, R. B., & Goldstein, N. J. (2004). Social influence: Compliance and conformity. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 591-621.
• Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140.
• Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in young people. Information, Communication & Society, 23(4), 531-552.
• Orben, A., & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use. Nature Human Behaviour, 3(2), 173-182.
• Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and school problems among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to social media use. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 127(2), 174-183.