Scientists in Milan and at M.I.T. examined the various physiological states of 30 people using Facebook compared to when they were relaxing looking at natural panoramas or taking a maths test. They measured physical and psychological responses including breathing rate, brain activation, and pupil dilation. They found that only while looking at Facebook (not while looking at nature pics or doing mathematics), the study subjects were transported into a “core flow state,” which is that thing that people often call flow. It’s what you might experience when you’re practicing an instrument, or if you’re writing and feeling like everything is just, well, flowing. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes it wonderfully in this TED talk.
We already know Facebook is harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol. So it’s not all that surprising that Facebook is enjoyable. Cocaine is enjoyable! But like an addictive drug, the results suggest the social network might have a sinister effect: Facebook makes you think you’re being productive when really you’re probably just telling everyone how delicious your lunch was and discovering that your best friend’s cousin’s baby just ate squash.
That’s why perhaps it’s important to keep in mind what Harvard’s Daniel Gulati said: over time, Facebook is making us miserable. Everyone is a shiny happy person on Facebook. Very few people share their insecurities, misgivings, evenings spent alone in the fetal position. And if you experience any of that you might feel very much alone if your visiting Facebook often. In which case maybe consider playing your favourite instrument, hanging out with your kids, working on that novel, or doing something else that leads to actual flow. [Cyberpsychology, behaviour, and Social Networking]
Image: Shutterstock/PressureUA
John
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 7:57 PMThis is very true, and rather dissapointing. In my time at university I could not stand seeing people sitting in lectures the entire time on FB, trolling through peoples profiles for a glimpse into other peoples lives. I find it incredibly depressing and vain, it has certainly earned its nickname of FAKEbook. I had an account for a few years and gave up on it in the end, because you simply do not need it and it is hours wasted on useless information. There have been many studies stating that FB users suffer from depression, and that is due to the way it is designed to be a competition and numbers game – who can amass the most ‘friends’, who can post the most statuses to make their life seem interesting etc. It is a sphere of fakeness contained on the interweb – and one I am proud NOT to be apart of.
John
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 8:11 PMFacebook is a depressing place to be, why would anyone with real friends want to be apart of it.
Chris
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 8:31 PM“feel very much alone if YOUR visiting Facebook often.” uh oh! :P
Dennison
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 8:41 PMAhh crap I just liked this article on Facebook!
Ahh, only kidding, but one of my mates said “to quit Facebook is like quitting wanking, you’ll only fix the problem if you cut it off”
Matt P
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:33 AMlol
Ozoneocean
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 9:57 PMIt’s a shame, it’s true. But then all socialising is actually exactly the same, it doesn’t matter if its online or off; humans are social, pack creatures at heart and the validation of our “friends” is extremely important to us no matter where we are.
The only difference is that when you’re not online you have slightly more chance of actually having sex.
David
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:39 AMA lot like checking work email really.