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The Hyperperception Model: When Your Partner's New Friends Inspire Jealousy and Failing to Use Social Distancing
Christopher J Carpenter1, Erin L Spottswood2
1Department of Communication, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, USA.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|July 6, 2021
Summary
Social media use can intensify romantic jealousy by making partner interactions seem more intimate. This hyperperception model also helps explain possessiveness and adherence to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Romantic jealousy is a complex emotion influenced by perceived threats to a relationship.
- Social networking sites (SNS) offer new avenues for observing romantic partners' interactions, potentially altering jealousy experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hyperperception model's prediction that SNS-constrained observations of partner interactions appear more intimate than offline observations.
- To explore the model's utility in predicting phenomena like possessiveness and social distancing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 322 participants was conducted.
- Data were analyzed to test hypotheses derived from the hyperperception model.
Main Results:
- Findings generally supported the hyperperception model's hypotheses regarding SNS-influenced jealousy.
- The model demonstrated utility in predicting possessiveness and pandemic-related social distancing adherence.
Conclusions:
- The hyperperception model effectively explains how observing partners on social media can heighten romantic jealousy.
- Interpersonal dynamics play a crucial role in compliance with public health guidelines, such as social distancing.
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