The Effects of Positive Comments Through Social Media on Happiness

Indianapolis, IN

This experiment was designed to measure the effect of positive comments through Facebook on happiness. Prior research has shown that positive actions in person led to increased happiness. This study investigates if social media would produce similar results in social media, specifically Facebook. The study took place over four days. Participants were given a happiness survey the first day to establish a baseline. On the second day the participants were assigned to one of three conditions for days two through four: no comments (control), 2 comments per day, and 7 comments per day. During days two through four the participant spent time (approximately 20 minutes) on Facebook during which the groups made their assigned number of comments. Participants concluded each day with the happiness survey. The researchers predict that happiness will increase with the number of positive comments made.