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Do we maintain a consistent version of ourselves on various social media? A new study suggests that’s not the case. Yagi Studio/Getty ImagesMultiple personality disorder is a complex psychological condition where an individual can embody two or more entirely distinct identities. These personas may differ in age, gender, race, speech patterns, and body language. Individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID) may switch from one persona to another in a rapid process, sometimes in mere seconds.
The many of us who adjust our personas for social media probably don’t qualify for a DID diagnosis. In fact, a recent study from Pennsylvania State University reveals that most social media users modify how they present themselves across different platforms simply to blend in.
"Users often represent themselves differently in these various online spaces," said Penn State researcher Dongwon Lee in a press release. Lee and his team examined over 100,000 social media profiles voluntarily shared for analysis.
Consider someone who uses Instagram or Snapchat to flaunt a new pair of stylish sunglasses or to share their epic Coachella adventure. That same person might switch to LinkedIn, replacing the shades with reading glasses, and post an article about the fluctuations in the Bolivian oil market. This is because they use different platforms to communicate different aspects of their identity.
We've all witnessed or even engaged in this type of persona shift online. Many of us have probably done it ourselves. Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize that having data to support these observations is invaluable, offering true insight into how people navigate interactions in our constantly evolving world.
Additional research from Australia suggests social media users may be better off allowing others to choose their profile pictures. Photos selected by others tend to leave a more favorable first impression than those chosen by the users themselves, according to the study.
