President's Showcase
Sofia Bernal She/Her/Hers
Supervising Professor: Dr. Vanessa Dennen
Sofia Bernal is a junior at Florida State University studying Psychology and Marketing. She spent her sophomore year participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program studying how social media usage can generate both positive and negative emotions. This motivated her to create her own project on body image, social media, and Greek organizations. Following her undergraduate degree, Sofia plans on continuing her education by pursuing a Master’s in Psychology.
Abstract
Previous research suggests that young adults compare themselves to their peers more often than celebrities on social media platforms; thus, social groups play a vital role in how they perceive themselves. Social media platforms can promote unachievable body standards using techniques such as photo editing and filters. Similarly, Greek organizations provide environments where members are highly concerned with their appearance. This study intersects these two ideas and investigates how social media usage and participation in Greek organizations can influence students' satisfaction with their appearance. Participants will complete a survey that measures satisfaction with physical appearance, eating habits, and social media usage. Additionally, if the participants are members of a Greek organization, they will be asked to elaborate on their experiences. This is an ongoing study that aims to illuminate toxic body standards through young adults’ social groups.
Presentation Materials
