Abstract

Humans are driven to compare themselves to others. Social technology has increased humans’ ability to compare themselves to others. Social networking sites help fulfill the need to be affiliated with a group and offer the ability to self-evaluate (Vogel, Rose, Roberts, & Eckles, 2014). Social networking sites offer the ability to alter appearances with face altering applications and filters. People attempt to earn recognition for meeting these unrealistic standards portrayed by social networking sites (Arendt, Peter, & Beck, 2017). This study asked participants to abstain from appearance altering applications for four days in order to determine if appearance altering applications, including the application of make-up, affect an individual’s self-esteem and self-worth. Participants of this study completed Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and the Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale before and after abstaining from appearance altering applications for four days. The researcher expected that if an individual uses face altering applications on a daily basis, then they will report lower self-esteem and self-worth than an individual who does not. After the four days, it was expected that participants who abstain would report an increase in their self-esteem and self-worth. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The sample population consisted of 94 participants, 73% females and 27% males, within the age range of 18-64 years old. For the statistical analysis portion of this study, a Repeated Measure ANOVA was used to compare the scores for the pre and post-tests for the self-esteem and self-worth scales. Other tests were done, including independent sample t-tests, Pearson’s correlations, and descriptive statics. The results suggested there is an influence on self-esteem from daily use of face altering applications when measured with Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale.