The Influence of Instagram on Identity Formation among Generation Z

by | Jun 8, 2024 | philosophy

Research Question:

“How does Instagram influence the identity formation among Generation Z compared to previous generations without social media?”

Note: this is my current research question but adaptations to suit methodology and literature are welcome – my priority is to use my survey results to answer a question about Instagram and Identity Formation in generation z – if you can find literature/studies looking at identity formation in adults who didn’t grow up with instagram then this research question is valid but please make sure the research question is concise and insightful, offering for rich academic insights)

Objectives:
Introduction:
Provide a compelling, well-researched introduction that frames the study’s importance and relevance.
Summarise key theories on identity formation, particularly focusing on social media’s impact.
Integrate philosophical insights from Goffman’s Theory of Self-Presentation, Erikson’s Theory of Identity Development, and Marcia’s Identity Status Theory.
Highlight relevant literature reviews, including the Springer article “Social Media: A Digital Social Mirror for Identity Development During Adolescence.”
Contextualise the study within contemporary research and societal trends, particularly emphasizing the unique aspects of Instagram and its role among Generation Z.
Qualitative Methods:

(Important Note: I distributed an anonymous survey on my Instagram Story asking questions related to identity and got 32 full answers from people – the survey questions and answers are attached as a PDF for you to read and evaluate using qualitative analysis – thematic analysis)

Provide a detailed explanation of the qualitative methodology used to analyse the survey results.
Explain how thematic analysis will be applied to identify and interpret patterns and themes in the qualitative data.
Use direct quotes from survey responses to illustrate key themes, ensuring a rich, nuanced analysis of how Instagram shapes identity among Generation Z.
Discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
Introduction Structure and Content
Objective and Scope:
Brief introduction to social media’s impact on identity, focusing specifically on Instagram.
Explain why this research is crucial for understanding Generation Z’s identity dynamics.
Highlight the societal and academic relevance of this study.
Literature Review:
Summarise key findings from Erikson’s Theory of Identity Development and Marcia’s Identity Status Theory.
Discuss Goffman’s Theory of Self-Presentation as it relates to Instagram.
Integrate insights from relevant literature reviews, particularly the Springer article, and insights from podcasts like “The Digital Human.”
Philosophical Insights:
Incorporate Goffman’s theory to explain how Instagram users manage impressions and present their identities.
Discuss Erikson and Marcia’s theories in the context of how Instagram provides a platform for exploration and commitment in identity formation.
Rationale for Focus on Instagram:
Justify the selection of Instagram, citing its widespread use among Generation Z and its unique features that influence identity formation.
Discuss how Instagram differs from other social media platforms in terms of self-presentation and identity dynamics.
Qualitative Methods Structure and Content
Survey Design and Implementation:
Describe the survey methodology, including participant demographics and the types of questions asked.
Emphasise the qualitative focus of the survey, which includes open-ended questions designed to gather in-depth insights into participants’ experiences.
Thematic Analysis:
Explain the process of thematic analysis, detailing how responses were coded and categorised to identify key themes.
Highlight the main themes identified in the survey responses, such as authenticity vs. aspirational self, digital vs. real-life persona, and the influence of Instagram’s algorithm.
Illustrative Quotes:
Use direct quotes from survey responses to illustrate each theme, providing concrete examples of how Instagram influences identity formation.
Ensure that the analysis is rich and nuanced, capturing the complexity of participants’ experiences and perceptions.
Discussion of Findings:
Relate the findings to the theoretical frameworks discussed in the introduction, highlighting how they align or differ from existing research.
Discuss the implications of the findings for understanding the unique aspects of identity formation among Generation Z on Instagram.
Suggest areas for future research, acknowledging the limitations of the study.

Additional Notes:

I read “the anxious generation” by jonathon haidt and “indistractable” by nir eyal as part of my introductory reading so if you think either of these books are useful to mention or research in answering my research question please do include/quote them as they formed part of my understanding into the topic at the beginning but maybe it’s not as relevant as the philosophy studies and academic literature so keep this in mind.,

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

The Influence of Instagram on Identity Formation among Generation Z

Introduction

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become integral in shaping individuals’ identities, particularly among Generation Z. The emergence of Instagram, with its emphasis on visual storytelling and self-presentation, has revolutionized how young people construct and express their identities online. This study aims to explore how Instagram influences the identity formation process among Generation Z compared to previous generations who did not have access to such platforms. By delving into qualitative survey responses collected through Instagram, this research seeks to offer rich academic insights into the unique dynamics of identity formation in the digital era.

Key Theories on Identity Formation

– Erikson’s Theory of Identity Development: Erikson posited that individuals go through stages of psychosocial development, with adolescence being a critical period for identity exploration. Instagram provides a virtual space for young people to experiment with different aspects of their identity and seek validation from their peers.

– Marcia’s Identity Status Theory: Marcia’s theory categorizes individuals into identity statuses based on their level of exploration and commitment. Instagram’s curated feeds and profiles allow users to showcase their interests, values, and beliefs, influencing how they perceive themselves and are perceived by others.

– Goffman’s Theory of Self-Presentation: Goffman’s theory focuses on how individuals manage impressions in social interactions. On Instagram, users carefully craft their online personas, choosing what to share and how to present themselves to cultivate a desired image.

Contextualizing the Study

– The Springer article “Social Media: A Digital Social Mirror for Identity Development During Adolescence” sheds light on how social media platforms serve as mirrors reflecting and shaping individuals’ identities.

– Insights from podcasts like “The Digital Human” provide a contemporary perspective on the intersection of technology and identity formation, offering valuable context for understanding the impact of platforms like Instagram.

Qualitative Methods

Survey Design and Implementation

– The survey distributed on Instagram collected 32 full responses from participants, providing qualitative data on identity-related experiences.

– Open-ended questions allowed participants to share detailed insights into how Instagram influences their self-perception and identity construction.

Thematic Analysis

– Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns and themes in the survey responses, offering a nuanced understanding of participants’ experiences.

– Themes such as authenticity vs. aspirational self, digital vs. real-life persona, and the role of Instagram algorithms in shaping content consumption were identified through coding and categorization.

Discussion of Findings

– Direct quotes from survey responses will be used to illustrate key themes, capturing the diverse perspectives and experiences of participants.

– The implications of these findings will be discussed in relation to the theoretical frameworks presented in the introduction, highlighting the alignment or divergence from existing research on identity formation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research endeavors to shed light on how Instagram influences identity formation among Generation Z, offering insights into the unique dynamics of self-presentation and exploration in the digital realm. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks, qualitative analysis of survey responses, and contemporary literature on social media’s impact on identity, this study aims to contribute valuable scholarly perspectives to the discourse on identity formation in the age of Instagram.

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