USA Today Article: Scholarly Or Popular Source?

In the article, Is Facebook Making Us Lonely by Stephen Marche, the author claims that social media makes people become lonely. Marche’s article conducted vast amounts of research to support his claim. He presented many strong points in his article about on people becoming lonely due to the effects of social media. Although this article presented data on his claim of the increasing number of people becoming isolated, this article shows irrelevant research the data doesn’t necessarily prove his statement that social media is the cause of people’s loneliness, which consequently weakens his claim. that weakens his argument because the data doesn’t proveon people becoming isolated without the use of social media. which weakens his argument.

When they were not asked to view their profile their physiological arousal wasn’t as significant. This shows the way SNS can have a different impact on mental health other than causing depression or loneliness. For example, using Facebook for a long period of time in one sitting and passively operating the website lead to an increase in SAD symptoms as demonstrated in a Shaw et al. research study (2015). In other words, using Facebook in a manner of only looking at profiles, pictures, statuses and comments without interacting with users was greatly associated with an increase in SAD symptoms. It was also found that individuals with SAD and the way they way use SNS to interact was associated with lower life quality and depression.

Abrams focused on the damage social media can cause on our mental health. One study that she pointed to is by the UK Disability Charity Scope. They found that of 1500 Facebook and Twitter users “62 percent [of users] reported feeling inadequate and 60 percent reported feelings of jealousy from comparing themselves to other users” (Abrams). Another study that she also points to is one by researchers at the University of

A recent study published in 2016 by a team of researchers found that in a survey of 1,787 adults, ages 19-32 there was a “strong and significant association between social media use and depression in a nationally representative sample of U.S. young adults” (Lindsey et al.). This is not the first study to confirm the hypothesis that social media use causes depression, but it is the most recent and largest study to date and it confirms the findings of other smaller studies done. Perhaps social media makes lonely people less lonely by allowing them to easily meet new people or rekindle old social bonds. However, a study lead by social psychologist Robert Kraut on depression and internet use found that users who were introverted were more likely to feel depressed and lonely using the internet that extroverted internet users (49-74). Social media has even given way to a new term, FOMO…or the fear of missing out which users can experience as they peruse Facebook. Not only does the internet hardwire us for depression, but its driving content can make us feel more lonely or

I found this essay to be trustworthy for two reasons. One thing that this essay deals with is accuracy, we see that it is written in 2016, making this article and the facts contained within recent and up to date. Along with being accurate, this article is well-supported. Throughout Bruinuis’ essay, there are several links to credible sources such as the RAND corporation,

In addition to the lack thereof evidence, this article is scattered as can be; making the reading experience quite confusing and unenjoyable at times. Annika Hagley’s writing style is quite abstract, at times causing seemingly choppy

The author’s purpose of writing an article can differ to major extremes depending on the type of discourse. At times the two discourse purposes can be similar, but a majority of discourses tend to lean towards a certain audience and purpose for writing. Academic discourses tend to weigh more on the informative side of persuasion than popular discourses do. The informative technique is accomplished through multiple studies, and experiments which back up the writer’s argument. Academic discourses are usually very fact heavy, and include numerous amounts of researches or studies. This amplifies the purpose for the article, and shows that the main target audience for an academic discourse is scholars, researchers, scientists, and advanced students. In contrast, a popular discourse usually falls towards the entertainment side of the persuasion spectrum. Popular news articles and discourses use only the important or interesting facts from the original article to keep the audience from getting bored. Popular discourses are mainly concerned with the audience and their opinions, rather than just the basic facts and research. The audiences that popular discourses

Fallacies found in this article are appealed to popular agreement. In this article, it states, “...

Firstly, there have been significant links between our online presence and other aspects of our mental health, which has inspired the subject matter of many recent research studies around the world. There are many psychological and physical factors that affect our mental well-being due to the impact of social media. Depression and Body Dysmorphia being the leading causes, due to the content the individuals are exposed to while online. Even though researchers coined the correlation between social media use and depression as complex. Data was collected from a sample of 340 first year college students, and the findings were that the increase use of Facebook have been associated with higher levels of loneliness. Also the extensive use of Facebook has been associated with higher rates of disordered eating and body image insecurity.

According to Dr. Douglas Kenrick, University of Arizona’s Social Psychology lecturer, Facebook is not bad but the usage of it is what paints an ugly picture. In the article above, emotional aspects seem to be most affected when one uses Facebook in comparing oneself with their peers, friends or relatives. Posts by the defined group outline the seven ways mentioned which are termed bad since it leads to mental health dysfunctions. The use of Facebook to follow others updates leads to a number of psychological hazards such as; gives one a feeling that their life is not neat as of others, one develops envy towards friends achievements, Facebook keeps touch with people who hurt before, it can disenfranchise marriage in the event of stalking. The emotional friction developed through the wrong use often leads to depression. If one can avoid using Facebook in a manner that they will not follow other people’s posts then they are less likely to get stressed up about others and to a great extent avoid mental complications such as depression. According to the study about 80% percent who use Facebook in following others updates with a lot of

What’s more, in the article, the author shows us many other researchers and examples from the professional study prove his topic “Is Facebook making us lonely." For example, Moira Burke concludes that the effect of Facebook depends on what people bring to it. And her research does not support the assertion that Facebook creates loneliness.

Overall Bruni’s article is rather compelling, although there are clearly not enough evidence to further this article’s credibility. This could easily be resolved with the addition of more statistical evidence provided by a variety of schools at different levels of academics instead of just schools at a college level. The articles strengths shine through with its current use of statistics, even with the lack of variety. Once resolved, this article could easily appeal to a wider audience and even allow more to believe in the argument Bruni attempts to

Clarissa Silva article in the Huffington Post delves into social media’s impact on self-esteem. As a behavioral scientist, her interest in the matter relates to her field. She also gets the help of other experts Dr. Jennifer Rhodes, Natalia Lusinski, and Dr. Suzana Flores to help with her research. Silva states that “social media is linked to higher levels of loneliness, envy, anxiety, depression, narcissism and decreased social skills" (1). Then outlines her research findings using rhetorical appeals.

Pantic, Igor. "Online Social Networking and Mental Health." Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, vol. 17, no. 10, Oct. 2014, pp. 652-657. EBSCOhost, DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2014.0070. Doctor Pantic in “Online Social Networking and Mental Health” discusses various studies on Facebook and symptoms of depression, social

The manner in which scientific research is presented to experts and the general public primarily differs as a result of different objectives. In Dr. Master’s article “Pain Relief Through Photography”, she investigates the capacity at which viewing a photograph of one’s significant other can reduce pain. While scientists such as Dr. Master write to effectively communicate the methods they took to conduct their research and discuss the implications of the results they found, reporters such as Ms. Rabin write to garner interest and illustrate the “highlights” of the study. Both authors employ differing rhetorical strategies, tones, and vocabulary to achieve their objectives. In Dr. Master’s article, it’s evident she is tailoring her argument for an audience with experience in her field through her use of descriptive language, specific terminology, scientific formatting. While in Rabin’s article she approaches her audience by employing a colloquial tone, punchy writing style, and providing practical applications of the research.