A large portion of social media is dedicated to showcasing people's lives online. Many individuals choose to post pictures of themselves and share details about their daily activities, thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Some may even go so far as to create an entire persona for themselves based solely on what they want others to see. This can be seen in particular on platforms like Instagram where many users have turned to creating "lifestyle" blogs that are focused on certain topics such as fashion, beauty, food, travel, fitness, and more.
There is one lifestyle niche that has become increasingly popular in recent years - erotica. These accounts often feature adult content such as risque images of models posing provocatively or couples engaging in sexual acts. They are typically followed by millions of people who find them entertaining, arousing, and exciting. But what happens when these viewers start identifying with the subjects? And how does this alter their expectations of intimacy and relationships?
To understand this phenomenon, it is essential to explore the psychological processes of identification and projection. Identification occurs when someone recognizes a similarity between themselves and another person, whether real or imagined. Projection involves attributing one's own desires, beliefs, and values onto another person. In the context of following eroticized lifestyle bloggers on Instagram, both of these processes occur simultaneously. Followers begin to identify with the blogger's image, feeling like they could be just like them if only they looked or acted differently. They also project their own sexual fantasies onto the blogger, believing that the person behind the screen shares similar interests and desires.
Followers may come to believe that they need to be just like the model they are following to experience the same level of pleasure and excitement in their own lives. This can lead to unrealistic expectations about sex and relationships, where they assume that anyone they meet will have the same body type, style, energy, or attitude as the person they idolize. It can also create an unhealthy obsession with physical appearance, as they become focused on replicating exactly what they see online instead of embracing their unique qualities and strengths.
While there is nothing wrong with enjoying erotic content online, it is important to remember that what we see on social media is often not representative of reality. We should strive for balance in our consumption and avoid letting it dictate our entire outlook on life, love, and intimacy. Instead, let us focus on building genuine connections with others based on mutual respect and understanding.
What psychological processes of identification and projection occur when users follow eroticized lifestyle bloggers on Instagram, and how do these dynamics alter their expectations of intimacy and relationships?
Following eroticized lifestyle bloggers on Instagram can lead to psychological processes of identification and projection. Identification occurs when people identify with the blogger's behavior, values, and beliefs, and begin to adopt them as their own. This can result in self-presentation bias where they strive to appear more attractive and sexually desirable than they are.