CP Introduction Formative
Task : In this assessment, you will complete the introduction section of your culminating
project. This section will lay the groundwork for your research by clearly stating your
hypothesis, identifying the variables, providing background information on your topic,
explaining why you chose this topic, and outlining what you hope to learn or gain from
your research.
My introduction:
Tailoring the Digital Experience: " To what extent do social media systems
control what we see and influence what we do and think?"
Social media is now a big part of daily life, changing how we connect with others.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have grown from basic
communication tools to powerful systems that shape content and influence our thoughts
and actions. With algorithms personalizing our experiences, we must consider how
much control social media has over what we see and how it impacts our behavior.
Social media algorithms shape what users see which can influence their beliefs and
actions. They can strengthen existing views, encourage new behaviors, and sometimes
spread misinformation. The design of these algorithms is the independent variable,
while users' reactions, like changes in beliefs and behaviors, are the dependent
variable. Factors like age, location, and how long someone spends on the platform are
control variables. These algorithms track user interactions, such as likes and comments,
to show personalized content. This can make the experience better, but it can also
create “echo chambers,” where people only see similar ideas. This can lead to
misinformation or extreme views. More research is needed to understand how these
algorithms affect user behavior. I chose this topic because social media is really
affecting how people think and make decisions. It’s a major source of news,
entertainment, and socializing, impacting politics, culture, and personal lives. Since so
many people use these platforms, it’s important to understand how they influence our
thoughts and actions today. Throughout this research I aim to explore how social media
affects user behavior and thinking, focusing on opinion formation, emotional responses,
and issues like misinformation and social division. This will help me understand the
ethical and social impacts of these digital systems better.
