How Exposure to Consumerist Content on Instagram Shapes Economic and Symbolic Mate-selection Preferences in Women and Men
الموضوعات : مجله بین المللی علوم اجتماعی
Amirhossein Haghparast
1
,
Mehrdad Navabakhsh
2
,
Asemeh Ghasemi
3
1 - Ph.D. Student of Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Professor of Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Assistant Professor of Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
الکلمات المفتاحية: Instagram, Consumerist content, Mate selection criteria, Economic criteria, Symbolic criteria, Gender differences.,
ملخص المقالة :
This study explores the impact of exposure to consumerist content on Instagram on mate selection criteria, focusing on economic and symbolic factors. With the growing influence of social media, understanding its role in shaping romantic preferences has become increasingly important. The primary objective of this research was to assess whether exposure to consumerist content on Instagram influences the prioritization of economic and symbolic criteria in partner selection.
A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a survey method. The sample consisted of 400 students from the Islamic Azad University, Qods Branch, with data collected through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included scales measuring exposure to consumerist content on Instagram and various criteria for mate selection, including economic and symbolic factors. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including Spearman’s correlation, were used for data analysis.
The findings revealed that exposure to consumerist content on Instagram significantly influenced the importance of both economic and symbolic criteria in mate selection. A moderate positive correlation was found between exposure to consumerist content and economic criteria, particularly among women. Additionally, exposure to consumerist content was significantly correlated with symbolic criteria, with men showing slightly stronger associations.
The results suggest that Instagram plays a significant role in shaping romantic preferences based on consumerist ideals. These findings highlight gender differences, with women more influenced by economic factors and men by symbolic ones. The study contributes to understanding how social media affects mate selection, with implications for both digital consumer culture and romantic decision-making.
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