Social Media & Narcissism

Twitter and Facebook usage does not make college undergraduates more narcissistic, a recent study suggests.

Many Michigan State University students found the study’s conclusions to be reasonable and accurate.

Ricky Avery, a biosystems engineering senior, said he does not have a Facebook or a Twitter account.

However, he said he does not think these sites make users narcissistic. People can use Twitter or Facebook to stay in contact with one another, share ideas, and communicate more easily.

Patrick Sheridan, a biosystems engineering senior at MSU, said social media sites are today’s equivalent of landline telephones.

“A few years ago, my apartment and the dorms would’ve had landlines, and we would’ve been calling people all the time,” Sheridan said.

Robin Coan, a criminal justice junior, said Facebook “has very functional purposes.”

Coan said she uses her account to stay connected with groups and clubs. She is part of a Facebook group for criminal justice students at MSU, and another group for the university’s ballroom dance team.

To watch film interviews on social media and narcissism, click on the video above. For more on this topic via Twitter, click here or search #SocMediaMSU.