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What are the practical implications of Social Theory on an individual's social behavior?

Beda Wehner

Have you ever wondered why some people act the way they do on social media? Have you ever noticed some users are more active than others? Well, my friend, that's precisely where the social theory comes in.

Social theory is the study of how people interact with each other, and it has many practical implications on an individual's social behavior. The following are some of the most significant:

1. Self-presentation: We all want to present ourselves in the best possible way, right? Well, social theory suggests that our presentation on social media significantly influences our social behavior. Some users tend to present themselves in a more positive light to get more likes and followers, while others portray themselves more authentically. So, your choice of self-presentation on social media significantly affects how others perceive you.

2. Social influence: Social theory emphasizes that a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can be influenced by others around them. This phenomenon is more prevalent on social media, where we tend to follow and imitate people we admire. For instance, posts about fashion, beauty, or fitness get more attention than others and lead to the birth of trends. Therefore, social influence plays a vital role in our social behavior on social media.

3. Social networks: Social networks are the platforms where we interact with others online. Social theory suggests that the larger our social networks, the more chances we have to interact with others. So, more extensive networks positively affect our social behavior on social media, leading to more connections, followings, and increased social capital.

4. Group dynamics: Group dynamics play a crucial role in how we behave on social media. Groups influence our thoughts and behaviors, making us more cooperative or competitive, depending on the group's nature. For instance, public groups tend to be more competitive than private ones due to members' visibility.

5. Social norms: Social norms refer to the expected behaviors, values, and attitudes in a society or group. Social theory suggests that social norms highly influence our social behavior on social media. For instance, it's acceptable to share your food or travel experience on Instagram, but it's not okay to engage in hate speech or cyberbullying. So, adhering to social norms positively influences our social behavior on social media.

In conclusion, social theory greatly influences our social behavior on social media. Our self-presentation, social influence, social networks, group dynamics, and social norms greatly shape our interactions with others online. Therefore, it's crucial to understand and harness these practical implications to enhance our social behavior on social media.