Quiz 3: Algorithms and the Effects of Social Media

What does the author mean when he says social media platforms manipulate users' behavior?

• They prevent users from posting opinions

• They use algorithms to subtly influence choices and actions

• They allow users to express themselves freely

• They give users full control over their decisions

They use algorithms to subtly influence choices and actions

How does the author argue that algorithms shape users' decisions and preferences?

• By randomly selecting content for them to see

• By making all content neutral and unbiased

• By showing users content that reinforces their existing beliefs and emotions

• By blocking users from engaging with certain topics

By showing users content that reinforces their existing beliefs and emotions

Why does the author argue that social media addiction is different from other forms of addiction 

• It is entirely voluntary and has no addictive properties

• It has no real impact on mental health

• It is based on intermittent rewards and behavioral manipulation

• It only affects certain individuals, not the general population

It is based on intermittent rewards and behavioral manipulation

What is "BUMMER" and how does it relate to the loss of free will, according to the author?

• A harmless term for social media trends 

• A government program that regulates online platforms

• A type of online meme that spreads misinformation.

• A system of behavior manipulation used by social media companies

A system of behavior manipulation used by social media companies

How does the author argue that social media platforms profit from manipulating users?

• By charging users for every post they make

• By requiring a monthly subscription fee for access

• By donating their profits to charity

• By selling advertising based on user engagement and data

By selling advertising based on user engagement and data

How does the author argue that social media contribute to political polarization?

• By encouraging civil debates between opposing sides

• By reinforcing biases and amplifying extreme opinions through algorithims

• By preventing users from discussing politics online

• By reinforcing logical argument

By reinforcing biases and amplifying extreme opinions through algorithims

Why does the author believe that individuals quitting social media can make a difference? 

• It prevents social media companies from existing

• It reduces their exposure to manipulation and misinformation

• It ensures that no one is ever influenced by online content

• It allows companies to develop better advertising strategies

It reduces their exposure to manipulation and misinformation

How does the author argue that social media amplifies extremism and misinformation?

• By restricting the sharing of controversial opinions

• By prioritizing sensational content that triggers emotional reactions

• By only allowing verified sources to post information

• By encouraging users to think critically about the content they consume

By prioritizing sensational content that triggers emotional reactions

What is the connection between social media and mental health issues, according to the author? 

• Social media increases anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy

• Social media has no impact on mental health

• Social media reduces stress and loneliness

• Social media improves overall well-being and happiness

Social media increases anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy

What psychological effects does social media have on users that might make them behave more aggressively, according to the author?

• It makes people more patient and thoughtful

• It prevents people from arguing or engaging in debates

• It encourages people to be kinder and more understanding

• It rewards outrage and negativity with engagement and validation

It rewards outrage and negativity with engagement and validation

The author compares social media’s effect on personality to which psychological phenomenon?

• The Flynn Effect, where intelligence increases over generations

• The Stanford Prison Experiment, where environments dictate extreme shifts in behavior

• The Placebo Effect, where beliefs alter physical responses

• The Milgram Experiment, where people obey authority figures even when harming others

The Stanford Prison Experiment, where environments dictate extreme shifts in behavior

According to the author, what is the primary evolutionary flaw that social media exploits to make people behave worse?

 

The brain’s predisposition to prioritize tribalism and us-vs-them thinking

 

The inherent desire for complete independence from external influences

 

The ability of humans to rationally evaluate conflicting information

 

The human tendency to avoid conflict at all costs

The brain’s predisposition to prioritize tribalism and us-vs-them thinking

The author refers to something called "BUMMER." What does it stand for?

 

Bots, Users, Memes, Marketing, and Exploited Reactions

 

Behavior of Users Modified and Made into an Empire for Rent

 

Big Uncontrollable Machines Manipulating Everyone Relentlessly

 

Behavioral Understanding for Maximized Manipulation and Engagement Regulation

Behavior of Users Modified and Made into an Empire for Rent

Which of the following is NOT an example the author provides to illustrate how social media degrades truth?

 

The emergence of conspiracy theories with massive online followings

 

The publication of government-funded newspapers that spread misinformation

 

The rise of deepfake technology and its use in political campaigns

 

The erosion of local news organizations due to algorithmic dominance

The publication of government-funded newspapers that spread misinformation

How does the author explain the contradiction that social media can make users feel both outraged and powerless at the same time?

 

All of the above

 

Users are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of conflicting information and perspectives

 

The constant cycle of emotional engagement trains users to seek anger while feeling unable to change anything

 

Social media platforms deliberately manipulate emotions but do not provide meaningful action pathways

All of the above

The author argues that young people are experiencing higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to previous generations. Why?

 

Economic instability has led to greater financial anxiety

 

Increased academic expectations have made students more stressed

 

The widespread adoption of smartphones and social media has disrupted normal social and emotional development

 

A cultural shift toward overprotective parenting has limited childhood independence

The widespread adoption of smartphones and social media has disrupted normal social and emotional development

Which of the following best describes the author's view on the role of artificial intelligence in spreading misinformation?

 

AI is inherently neutral; humans misuse it for spreading misinformation

 

AI is an emerging problem, but misinformation is primarily spread by malicious human actors

 

AI-driven algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, which inherently favors falsehoods

 

AI can be trained to only promote truth if given the right parameters

AI-driven algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, which inherently favors falsehoods

The author compares the spread of misinformation on social media to the concept of “pollution” in what way?

 

Just like environmental pollution, misinformation spreads invisibly and accumulates over time

 

Both require heavy government regulation to be controlled

 

Both are intentionally spread by corporations for financial gain

 

The effects of both are short-term and easily reversible

Just like environmental pollution, misinformation spreads invisibly and accumulates over time

In the argument on the “switch from play-based childhood to phone-based childhood,” what societal trend is claimed to having contributed the most?

 

The rise of two-income households, leaving children with less parental supervision

 

A cultural shift toward “safetyism,” leading parents to limit unsupervised exploration in favor of digital engagement

 

The decline of neighborhood safety, causing parents to discourage outdoor play

 

The expansion of digital entertainment options, making screens more appealing than physical play

A cultural shift toward “safetyism,” leading parents to limit unsupervised exploration in favor of digital engagement

In the materials that you read/watched what arguments are given as to how social media interacts with the psychological concept of “moral outrage”?

 

It encourages rational, constructive moral discourse instead of knee-jerk reactions

 

It amplifies moral outrage by rewarding public displays of anger and punishment

 

It has no significant impact on moral outrage, which remains a constant in human societies

 

It diminishes moral outrage by exposing people to a wider range of perspectives

It amplifies moral outrage by rewarding public displays of anger and punishment

In the assignments that you read/watched, which historical development are social media's effects on democracy  compared to? 

 

The rise of television and its impact on political campaign

 

The invention of the printing press and the Protestant Reformation

 

The introduction of leaded gasoline and its effects on cognitive decline

 

The spread of radio propaganda during World War II

The invention of the printing press and the Protestant Reformation

How is the rise of “cancel culture” and the decline of free speech on college campuses explained in the assignments that you read/watched? 

 

All of the above

 

Tribal morality—groups punish individuals who deviate from the dominant narrative

 

Digital panopticon—social media creates a culture of constant surveillance and self-censorship

 

Psychological safety—students feel a greater need for protection from harmful ideas

All of the above

Which of the following is proposed by the researcher as a potential solution to the harms caused by social media?

 

Complete government regulation of all online content

 

Banning all anonymous accounts on major platform

 

Replacing social media with decentralized, blockchain-based networks

 

Delaying social media use until later adolescence to protect mental health

Delaying social media use until later adolescence to protect mental health

What is a key methodological limitation in the research linking smartphone use to mental health issues that critics of Haidt’s argument  point out?

 

There is no difference in mental health outcomes between social media users and non-users

 

Most studies rely on self-reported data, which can be unreliable

 

There is no statistical correlation between screen time and mental health outcomes

 

The research focuses too much on extreme cases rather than general trends

Most studies rely on self-reported data, which can be unreliable

If social media has contributed to increased rates of anxiety and depression among young people, which of the following best explains this phenomenon?

 

The decline of traditional religious values due to secular influences on social media

 

Constant exposure to political content creates stress and existential dread

 

The rise of online gaming communities has reduced face-to-face interactions

 

Social comparison and online validation cycles increase insecurity and self-doubt

Social comparison and online validation cycles increase insecurity and self-doubt