Author: Patricia HämäläinenTitle and subtitle (English): Today's sources of inspiration - A qualitative study of how followers perceive and are influenced by influencers on InstagramLanguage: Swedish Pages: 39 Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate how 18–30-year-old women’s on Instagram are affected by influencers' publications on Instagram. What factors play a role for Instagram users to start follow and unfollow influencers on Instagram. Method: The study is based on a qualitative method been used by an of a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. The method is well suited for answering this type of question and therefore this type of method has been used. One survey and 3 depth interviews have been conducted with women aged 18-30 who follow Influencers on Instagram. The respondents answered questions that concern their opinions, perceptions and experiences about influencers they themselves follow on Instagram. Result / analysis: Respondents tend to compare their opinions and skills with influencers they follow on Instagram. Comparisons take place when individuals experience a sense of equality and belonging with the comparison group. Previous research suggests that it is more common for individuals to compare themselves with an environment that they experience as better than themselves (Festinger 1954). Conclusion: The conclusion of the study shows that the main reasons why young women start following influencers on Instagram are to be inspired and motivated, but the experience of friendship and belonging also plays a significant role. The respondents' experiences reflect Festinger's (1954) theory of how people often compare their opinions and skills in relation to their surroundings, which can then affect young women's mental health.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hig-39386 |
| Date | January 2022 |
| Creators | Hämäläinen, Patricia |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Gävle, Avdelningen för humaniora |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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