https://www.slashgear.com/yale-study-finds-social-media-likes-train-users-to-act-outraged-13686659/ * EXPLORE * Tech * Cars * Gaming * Entertainment * Science * FEATURES * Reviews * Columns * Buyer's Guide * Top Roundups SlashGear * Tech * Cars * Gaming * Entertainment * Science * Features + Reviews + Columns + Buyer's Guide + Top Roundups * Twitter * Facebook * Youtube * RSS * Search SlashGear Search [ ] Yale study finds social media 'likes' train users to act outraged Brittany A. Roston - Aug 13, 2021, 2:51pm CDT Yale study finds social media 'likes' train users to act outraged A new study from Yale University has found that common social media features like "sharing" and "likes" are unintentionally training users to act outraged online, the reason being that other users are more likely to engage with posts that are more extreme. Users who like and share these posts have the side effect of teaching the person they "liked" to keep posting similar materials. [INS::INS] Many social media platforms, including the popular ones like Twitter and Facebook, features both 'like' and 'share' functions that allow users to express their positive impression of a message and/or share it with other people. When a social media user receives a like or share, it is essentially their reward for posting the content. Over time, and especially among users who are part of "politically moderate" networks, these rewards train the users to post similar content. The new study from Yale University focused on the "expression of moral outrage" among Twitter users related to actual controversial events taking place in real life. This analysis was joined by a study of participants in controlled experiments, ultimately finding that the "basic design of social media," including its algorithms, teaches some users to express more outrage online. The researchers point out that outrage can be both good and bad, at times seeking justice for legitimate transgressions, but at other times being used to bully, spread fake news, and increase polarization among political groups. More than 12 million tweets from 7,331 Twitter users were tracked by a machine learning model created by the researchers. The study found that people who received more likes and shares for outraged tweets were more likely to increase the amount of outrage they posted in the future. The controlled experiments backed up these findings. One of the study's leads, Molly Crockett, explained: Amplification of moral outrage is a clear consequence of social media's business model, which optimizes for user engagement. Given that moral outrage plays a crucial role in social and political change, we should be aware that tech companies, through the design of their platforms, have the ability to influence the success or failure of collective movements. Story Timeline * Mark Cuban social media app aims to surpass podcasting * Facebook smartwatch with social media features tipped to launch in 2022 * Study warns social media bans drive users to more extreme platforms [INS::INS] * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Topics InternetResearchSocial mediaStudy Must Read Bits & Bytes * Apple CSAM Detection failsafe system explained * Meet the new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 * The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 feels mainstream in all the right ways * Audi skysphere concept EV literally stretches and shrinks * 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing First Drive: Heart of a Hooligan [INS::INS] Latest Headlines * Facebook Messenger gets new encrypted call and message features Facebook Messenger gets new encrypted call and message features Aug 13, 2021 * 2022 BMW M4 GT3 is a 590HP hardcore racing machine 2022 BMW M4 GT3 is a 590HP hardcore racing machine Aug 13, 2021 * ITC judge sides with Sonos over Google in preliminary patent ruling ITC judge sides with Sonos over Google in preliminary patent ruling Aug 13, 2021 * Apple CSAM Detection failsafe system explained Apple CSAM Detection failsafe system explained Aug 13, 2021 * Well, I'm addicted to Final Fantasy XIV Online Well, I'm addicted to Final Fantasy XIV Online Aug 13, 2021 Latest Reviews * 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Review 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Review Aug 11, 2021 * 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Review 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Review Aug 10, 2021 * Fauna Spiro Transparent Brown Audio Glasses Review Fauna Spiro Transparent Brown Audio Glasses Review Aug 10, 2021 * Pokemon Unite review: Big fun, big concerns Pokemon Unite review: Big fun, big concerns Aug 6, 2021 * 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Review 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Review Aug 6, 2021 Site Information About / Advertise / Tip Us / Contact Policies Editorial Standards / Ethics Statement / Privacy Policy / Terms of Use (c) 2005-2021 SlashGear, All Rights Reserved. Social and Media * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * RSS Feed