The use of facebook
Bernard Williams
Dr. Cutuli
Method and Theory in Psychology
October 8, 2013
Romantic Jealousy and Facebook Usage
The use of Facebook, a popular social network, can have a significant influence in the development of romantic jealousy. Facebook jealousy can occur when someone feels threatened after viewing their partner interacting online with a superior potential mate, which could possibly lead to a daily surveillance of their partner’s activity on Facebook. A person with anxious-attachment could be described as having low self-esteem and a fear of abandonment, resulting in the continuous need for reassurance about the status of their romantic relationship and possible signs of infidelity. Individuals who have an anxious-style of attachment and frequently view their partner’s Facebook activity are more prone to experience feelings of romantic jealousy. Prior research has shown that anxious attachment is positively related, and avoidant attachment negatively related, to Facebook jealousy and surveillance (Marshall, Bejanyan, DiCastro, & Lee, 2012, p.5). Those with an anxious-style of attachment do not feel that they deserve a loving relationship and are scared of being alone. The researchers designed an online survey to test the prevalence of Facebook jealousy. The study included 255 participants, 201 women and 54 men. Two tests were conducted that measured attachment style, self-esteem, perceived relationship quality, jealousy, and their usage of Facebook. The participant’s answers were formatted in the form of a Likert Scale. The study discovered that attachment anxiety and avoidance were strongly correlated to Facebook jealousy and surveillance because individuals with attachment anxiety had a lack of trust in their partner (Marshall et al., 2012, p.17). Overall, those who were less satisfied with their relationship and had a lack of trust for their partners were most likely to display Facebook jealousy. Another study aimed to figure out whether an
Dr. Cutuli
Method and Theory in Psychology
October 8, 2013
Romantic Jealousy and Facebook Usage
The use of Facebook, a popular social network, can have a significant influence in the development of romantic jealousy. Facebook jealousy can occur when someone feels threatened after viewing their partner interacting online with a superior potential mate, which could possibly lead to a daily surveillance of their partner’s activity on Facebook. A person with anxious-attachment could be described as having low self-esteem and a fear of abandonment, resulting in the continuous need for reassurance about the status of their romantic relationship and possible signs of infidelity. Individuals who have an anxious-style of attachment and frequently view their partner’s Facebook activity are more prone to experience feelings of romantic jealousy. Prior research has shown that anxious attachment is positively related, and avoidant attachment negatively related, to Facebook jealousy and surveillance (Marshall, Bejanyan, DiCastro, & Lee, 2012, p.5). Those with an anxious-style of attachment do not feel that they deserve a loving relationship and are scared of being alone. The researchers designed an online survey to test the prevalence of Facebook jealousy. The study included 255 participants, 201 women and 54 men. Two tests were conducted that measured attachment style, self-esteem, perceived relationship quality, jealousy, and their usage of Facebook. The participant’s answers were formatted in the form of a Likert Scale. The study discovered that attachment anxiety and avoidance were strongly correlated to Facebook jealousy and surveillance because individuals with attachment anxiety had a lack of trust in their partner (Marshall et al., 2012, p.17). Overall, those who were less satisfied with their relationship and had a lack of trust for their partners were most likely to display Facebook jealousy. Another study aimed to figure out whether an
References: Elphinston, R., & Noller, P. (2011). Time to face it! Facebook Intrusion and the Implications for Romantic Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(11), 631-635. Knobloch, L.K., Haunani, D., & Cruz, M.J. (2011). The Role of Relationship Development and Attachment in The Experience of Romantic Jealousy. Personal Relationships, 8(2), 205-224. Print. Marshall, T., Bejanyan, K., & Castro, G. D. (2012). Attachment Styles as Predictors of Facebook-related Jealousy and Surveillance in Romantic Relationships. Personal Relationships, 20, 1-22. Muise, A., Christofides, E., & Desmairais, S. (2009). More Information than You Ever Wanted: Does Facebook Bring Out the Green-Eyed Monster of Jealousy? Cyber Psychology and Behavior, 12(4), 441-444. UT, S., & Beukeboom, C. (2011). The Role of Social Network Sites in Romantic Relationships: Effects on Jealousy and Relationship Happiness. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 16, 511-527.