To be cringing at all the look how in love we are valintines posts on social media

[Hahaha88]

Maybe I'm just old and cold hearted but it honestly makes me cringe seeing my social media flooded with posts about how much they love their other half and pics of their cards and gifts for valentines day. Surely no one actually cares or wants to see?! Am I alone in this?
Fwiw I am happily in love with my partner, but I manage to tell him to his face not plant it all over the Internet 🤦🏻‍♀️

So it would be a reasonable extrapolation from this that if you're coming from the starting point of being psychologically quite healthy, you'll use SM in a different way to what is being described on here (ie - as a way to connect rather than as a way to "show off", seek approval, because your relationship is shit... etc etc).

Yes but I would be interested in whether people who are psychologically healthy are more or less likely to use SM in that way in the first place if that makes sense.

But much of how we interpret others' behaviour (inc what they post online) is also inextricably linked to our own life experiences and emotional and psychological health at the time of being exposed to it - which varies vastly from person to person.

So do you ever think there is general consensus?
I do think there is.

I recognise Maslow, I have a ALevel
in psychology but can't remember much 🤣

@dinglehopper1

So it would be a reasonable extrapolation from this that if you're coming from the starting point of being psychologically quite healthy, you'll use SM in a different way to what is being described on here (ie - as a way to connect rather than as a way to "show off", seek approval, because your relationship is shit... etc etc).

Yes but I would be interested in whether people who are psychologically healthy are more or less likely to use SM in that way in the first place if that makes sense.

Ahh sorry, I misunderstood.

Yes. This would be an interesting study I agree.

My guess is that there's likely to be those who use it to seek feedback and approval from others because their self esteem is so low that they are unable to find this elsewhere; and then probably those who would entirely avoid it because exposure to the happy aspect of others' lives makes them feel less worthwhile. But that's just my hunch. It'd be interesting research for sure.

@dinglehopper1

But much of how we interpret others' behaviour (inc what they post online) is also inextricably linked to our own life experiences and emotional and psychological health at the time of being exposed to it - which varies vastly from person to person.

So do you ever think there is general consensus?
I do think there is.

Probably more so about political figures such as Trump, yes. Because he's so well known and very much in the public eye, as well as having the (potential) power to influence an entire country. People tend to form more of a consensus view in those situations I'd say.

But coming back to the thread topic, and how people interpret others' SM posts, there will be huge variation without a doubt. Just as thousands of people could all talk to the same person at a party, and each come away with a slightly different impression of them. So I think consensus is less likely in that sort of situation.

Don't know if that answers your question🤷‍♀️🤣

Yes that's my angle. I don't doubt people can use it in a healthy way but who does it appeal to in the first place & do those who have healthy relationship consume it differently & less often for example then unhealthy people. I would imagine it's quite different.

I find it very interesting, a close friend went through a very difficult time (cheating, marriage break down, divorce) & I know something was wrong before she told me because of how she changed her SM behaviour.

@dinglehopper1

I recognise Maslow, I have a ALevel in psychology but can't remember much 🤣

Interestingly I didn't do A Level psychology but have studied it at length including PhD level.

Maslow is such an interesting theory and has so much validity in practice even now, 80 years or so on. And the fact that the human need for connection and belonging is 3rd on the hierarchy - secondary only to the basic needs for food, water, shelter and safety - for me really shows just how basic and fundamental it is!

So I think consensus is less likely in that sort of situation.

There may be slightly different impressions but I would think there would be some general patterns. Plus I do tend to think I'm right 😆

@dinglehopper1

So I think consensus is less likely in that sort of situation.

There may be slightly different impressions but I would think there would be some general patterns. Plus I do tend to think I'm right 😆

I think there would be patterns, yes. But I think those patterns would be very much a product of the interaction between the two people as opposed to being about the person themselves (if that makes sense). So if 1,000 people spoke to Bob at a party, they'd all form slightly different conclusions about him based on their own perceptions, but patterns would probably emerge in the sense that people with x type of personality judged Bob positively, whereas people with y type of personality disliked him... etc. So I think you'd see general themes, but determined more so by the interaction of how Bob comes across with the personality / psychology of the person forming the opinion. Hence why we all see something slightly different online - we can't separate our own psychology from it.

It's fascinating.

The arguing on this thread is actually quite hilarious. On and on it goes.

And I doubt a single person has changed their mind or position.

Why don't you two start your own thread ?
It's getting boring.

@Silenceisgolden20

Why don't you two start your own thread ? It's getting boring.

Yep, it is, it's just degenerated into 'dick-swinging' for women.

Apologies I didn't mean to swing my dick. If someone challenges my post I feel like I need to address it but agree the back & forth was tiresome & yes I won't change my mind

Oh @LouJ85 . I agree with more or less everything you've been saying, but it was so obvious when that poster first came in with "u mad bro soz lol" that the mission was a wind up. Most likely a name changer. If some people get validation from FB posts, some people get it from, well, this. Don't encourage him.

Im confused?

I'm probably swinging my dick @GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom but I think your tone was fairly abrasive to & you kept referring to other posters which was relevant if replying to me.

sorry bad typing.

wasn't relevant to me

"u mad bro soz lol"

who is this meant to be?

@GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom

Oh *@LouJ85* . I agree with more or less everything you've been saying, but it was so obvious when that poster first came in with "u mad bro soz lol" that the mission was a wind up. Most likely a name changer. If some people get validation from FB posts, some people get it from, well, this. Don't encourage him.

Noted!

@Silenceisgolden20

Why don't you two start your own thread ? It's getting boring.

Agreed. So dull. I feel well and truly talked down to.

But please not another 300 posts from the expert to analyse that