COMPARISON OF IMAGINARY AND REAL NUMBERS

A Term Paper
Presented By
Jullian Tabasondra
Grade 10
Zamboanga City

Presented to
Antonio J.Alpehi
Grade 10 Math Teacher

JUNE 12 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication ........................................................ 3

Acknowledgement ...................................................... 4

Summary ........................................................ 5

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Discussion / Interpretation of Results… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Conclusion ........................................................ 8

Recommendations ...................................................8

Bibliography ........................................................9

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Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the influence of social media on body image and

self-esteem among young adults. With the widespread use of social media platforms,

concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative effects on body image and self-

esteem, particularly among this vulnerable population. This research seeks to contribute to

the existing literature by examining the relationship between social media usage and body

image dissatisfaction and self-esteem levels.

The study will employ a quantitative research design, utilizing a survey questionnaire to

collect data from a sample of young adults aged 18-25. The questionnaire will consist of

validated scales, including measures of social media usage patterns, body image

dissatisfaction, and self-esteem. A convenience sampling method will be employed to recruit

participants from diverse backgrounds.

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Introduction

In recent years, the pervasive influence of social media has had a significant impact on

various aspects of society, including body image and self-esteem among young adults. Social

media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat have become integral

parts of daily life for many individuals, especially the younger generation. These platforms

offer opportunities for self-expression, communication, and the sharing of personal

experiences. However, the constant exposure to carefully curated and idealized images on

social media has raised concerns about its potential negative effects on body image

perception and self-esteem. Body image refers to how individuals perceive and feel about

their own physical appearance, including their weight, shape, and overall attractiveness. It

plays a vital role in shaping one's self-esteem, which refers to a person's overall evaluation of

their own worth and value. The comparison of oneself to others, particularly through social

media, has become a common occurrence among young adults. This constant exposure to

images of seemingly perfect bodies and lifestyles can lead to negative self-comparisons and

dissatisfaction with one's own appearance. Social media has revolutionized the way we

communicate, connect and consume information. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and

TikTok have become ubiquitous in modern-day life. Social media has provided us with an

unprecedented level of connectivity and access to information. However, with these

advancements have come negative side effects, one of which is the impact social media can

have on self-esteem and body image. Studies have shown that social media use is linked to

negative body image and self-esteem issues. For example, a 2017 study found that frequent

social media use was associated with lower self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and a greater

desire to change one's appearance. Another study found that exposure to images of thin,

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idealized bodies on social media led to increased body dissatisfaction and negative mood.One

reason why social media can negatively impact self-esteem and body image is the "compare

and despair" phenomenon. Social media often presents users with curated images of others'

lives that are seemingly perfect. This can lead users to compare themselves unfavorablyto

others and feel inadequate. Additionally, the use of filters and photo editing tools on social

media can create unrealistic and unattainable beauty standards that can damage self-esteem.

Social media can also create a culture of validation-seeking. Many users feel the need to

gain likes, comments, and followers to feel validated and accepted. This can lead to a focus

on external validation, rather than internal self-worth. In turn, this can lead to a negative

impact on self-esteem and body image as users seek validation through the pursuit of

unattainable beauty standards.One of the key ways in which social media impacts self-esteem

and body image is through the idealized and curated images that are often presented. Social

media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are full of influencers and celebrities who present

a certain ideal of beauty and perfection. Many of these images are heavily edited, filtered, or

manipulated to present a flawless and idealized version of reality. This creates an unattainable

beauty standard that manyusers feel they must live up to, leading to a negative impact on self-

esteem and body image. Social media also creates a culture of validation-seeking. Many users

feel the need to gain likes,comments, and followers to feel validated and accepted. This can

lead to a focus on external validation, rather than internal self-worth. In turn, this can lead to

a negative impact on self-esteem and body image as users seek validation through the pursuit

of unattainable beauty standards.Furthermore, the "echo chamber" effect of social media can

amplify the negative impact on self-esteem and body image. Users tend to follow and interact

with those who share similar interests, views, and lifestyles. This can lead to a reinforcement

of unattainable beauty standards and a negative impact on self-esteem and body image.It is

also worth noting that social media can impact different demographics differently.

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Methods

1. Surveys/Questionnaires: Researchers often design surveys or questionnaires to

assess young adults' social media usage, body image perceptions, and self-esteem.

These instruments typically include multiple-choice questions, Likert-scale items,

and open-ended questions. Examples of established scales include the Body

Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ), the Social Media Impact Scale

(SMIS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

2. Interviews: In-depth interviews can provide valuable insights into young adults'

experiences with social media and how it affects their body image and self-

esteem. Researchers may conduct structured, semi-structured, or unstructured

interviews to gather qualitative data. These interviews allow participants to

express their thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences related to social media

and body image concerns.

3. Experimental Studies: Researchers sometimes employ experimental methods to

investigate the causal effects of social media on body image and self-esteem. For

instance, participants may be randomly assigned to groups exposed to either

idealized body images on social media or neutral content. Changes in body image

perceptions and self-esteem can then be assessed using pre- and post-

intervention measures.

4. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): EMA involves collecting data in real-

time or near real-time in participants' natural environments. Researchers may

use smartphone apps or other electronic devices to prompt participants to report

their social media usage, body image thoughts, and self-esteem levels at specific

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 intervals throughout the day. EMA provides a more nuanced understanding of

the momentary impact of social media on body image and self-esteem

Results

Table 1 Self-esteem

Time spent on Mean N Std. Deviation

facebook

less than half an 25.2500 32 2.67606

hour

1-3 hours 16.7358 53 1.07687

3-5 hours 12.1951 41 1.32702

more than 5 hours 8.2500 21 2.11105

more than 5 hours 15.9533 150 5.93967

Discussion / Interpretation of Results:

The results presented in Table 1 provide insights into the relationship between time spent

on Facebook and self-esteem among young adults. As the time spent on Facebook increases,

the mean self-esteem score decreases. This suggests that individuals who spend more time on

Facebook tend to have lower self-esteem levels compared to those who spend less time on the

platform. Specifically, participants who spent less than half an hour on Facebook had the

highest mean self-esteem score of 25.2500. As the time spent on Facebook increased, the

mean self-esteem scores decreased. Participants who spent 1-3 hours on Facebook had a

lower mean self-esteem score of 16.7358, while those who spent 3-5 hours had an even lower

mean score of 12.1951. The lowest mean self-esteem score of 8.2500 was observed among

participants who spent more than 5 hours on Facebook.

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 These findings suggest a negative association between time spent on Facebook and self-

esteem among young adults. Spending more time on Facebook may expose individuals to a

higher level of social comparison and idealized images, leading to lower self-esteem. It is

important to note that these findings are correlational, and further research is needed to

establish causality and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Additionally, the standard deviation values provide information about the variability

within each group. The higher the standard deviation, the more dispersed the self-esteem

scores are within the group. In this study, participants who spent less than half an hour on

Facebook had a relatively low standard deviation of 2.67606, indicating less variability in

self-esteem scores within this group. On the other hand, participants who spent more than 5

hours on Facebook had a higher standard deviation of 2.11105, suggesting greater variability

in self-esteem scores within this group.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study suggest that there is a negative relationship between time spent

on Facebook and self-esteem among young adults. As the time spent on Facebook increases,

self-esteem tends to decrease. These results contribute to the growing body of literature

highlighting the potential negative impact of social media on body image and self-esteem.

Recommendations:

Based on the results, it is important to raise awareness among young adults about the

potential negative effects of excessive social media use on self-esteem. Education and

intervention programs can be developed to promote healthy social media habits and

encourage individuals to engage in activities that enhance their self-esteem and well-being.

Additionally, further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop

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strategies to mitigate the negative impact of social media on body image and self-esteem

among young adults.

Bibliography

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comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women's body image
concerns and mood. Body Image, 13, 38-45.
2. Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social media effects on young women's body image concerns:
Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research. Sex Roles, 71(11-12), 363-377.
3. Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use
of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body
Image, 17, 100-110.
4. Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social media
literacy protects against the negative impact of exposure to appearance ideals in
adolescent girls. New Media & Society, 17(6), 793-809.
5. Perloff, R. M., & Sorice, M. (2018). Social media effects on young women's body
image concerns: The mediating role of appearance comparisons. Cyberpsychology,
Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(6), 343-349.
6. McLean, S. A., Wertheim, E. H., Masters, J., & Paxton, S. J. (2016). A pilot
evaluation of a social media literacy intervention to reduce risk factors for eating
disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 49(8), 849-853