Graduation Year
Fall 2012
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Piercarlo Valdesolo
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2012 Jeanne M. Kelber
Abstract
The "always on" aspect of social media creates a complex zone of self-expression for children and adolescents. The relentless quality of the potential for interaction encourages impulsive communication and response, a primary feature of what we think of as "bullying" in social media. In addition, social media creates a forum for people to connect within a community larger and more extensive than the physical. Different social media outlets even connect with each other to create an even larger sense of community. Increased understanding of the psychology of these dynamics may contribute to successful interventions to educate and reach out to young social media users. Application of positive psychological principles can help elicit emotions such as empathy in order to help resolve conflicts and curb online bullying. While social media receives a great deal of criticism for the platform it provides bullying, social media outlets can also provide an effective platform for promoting positive social change by playing into the psychology of inclusion to combat exclusion through the internet.
Recommended Citation
Kelber, Jeanne M., "Using Positive Psychology Interventions to Combat Cyberbullying" (2012). CMC Senior Theses. 495.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/495
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
