PSYC 2210: Research Methods in Psychology
Group 10: Week #3 - Lab Assignment: Research Project
Topic:
Social media/internet use and mood/depression.
Research Question:
How does the type of internet content someone interacts with impact their mood?
➢ Internet Content / Social Media: I want to focus on how heavy usage on various
types of social media (TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter) leads to problems feeling
motivated to do work and maintain relationships. If more politically involved people feel
increased feelings of hopelessness for their future, they may feel less motivated to carry
on with life.
➢ Depression Symptoms: I specifically want to focus on the depression symptom of
hopelessness. Various types of social media platforms may impact symptoms differently,
as the younger generations have impacted dopamine symptoms from constantly
absorbing short form media. Depending on the content of those short forms of media,
particularly if they are more politically active, some people may have worsened
symptoms of hopelessness.
Predictor/grouping variable:
Social media/internet content
Outcome/Dependent Variable:
Depression Symptoms
Possible measures of each variable:
Predictor: Social Media / Internet Content
1) Social Media Use Scale (SMUS)
2) Social Media Activity Questionnaire (SMAQ)
3) Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)
Outcome: Depression Symptoms
1) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ)
2) Existential Concerns Questionnaire (ECQ)
3) Hopelessness Depression Symptom Questionnaire (HDSQ)
Hypothesis:
People who engage with internet content that involves current and political events will
experience a heightened sense of fear and hopelessness, leading to a lack of motivation in
present affairs such as school work and maintaining relationships due to a belief that it will not
meaningfully improve their life.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 11-14-2025 04:39:06 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251703088/Week-3-Lab-Assignment-Chloe-Whalen-Section-002pdf/
Group 10: Week #3 - Lab Assignment: Research Project
Topic:
Social media/internet use and mood/depression.
Research Question:
How does the type of internet content someone interacts with impact their mood?
➢ Internet Content / Social Media: I want to focus on how heavy usage on various
types of social media (TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter) leads to problems feeling
motivated to do work and maintain relationships. If more politically involved people feel
increased feelings of hopelessness for their future, they may feel less motivated to carry
on with life.
➢ Depression Symptoms: I specifically want to focus on the depression symptom of
hopelessness. Various types of social media platforms may impact symptoms differently,
as the younger generations have impacted dopamine symptoms from constantly
absorbing short form media. Depending on the content of those short forms of media,
particularly if they are more politically active, some people may have worsened
symptoms of hopelessness.
Predictor/grouping variable:
Social media/internet content
Outcome/Dependent Variable:
Depression Symptoms
Possible measures of each variable:
Predictor: Social Media / Internet Content
1) Social Media Use Scale (SMUS)
2) Social Media Activity Questionnaire (SMAQ)
3) Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)
Outcome: Depression Symptoms
1) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ)
2) Existential Concerns Questionnaire (ECQ)
3) Hopelessness Depression Symptom Questionnaire (HDSQ)
Hypothesis:
People who engage with internet content that involves current and political events will
experience a heightened sense of fear and hopelessness, leading to a lack of motivation in
present affairs such as school work and maintaining relationships due to a belief that it will not
meaningfully improve their life.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 11-14-2025 04:39:06 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251703088/Week-3-Lab-Assignment-Chloe-Whalen-Section-002pdf/
