Facebook jealousy: a hyperperception perspective

ABSTRACT

This study tests the predictive power of part of the recently proposed hyperperception model. The model’s components posit that aspects of an observer of other’s SNS interactions as well as aspects of the SNS environment may cause the observer’s perceptions of others’ interactional and relational intimacy to be heightened. This study describes potential predictors of romantic jealousy related to observing one’s partner on Facebook and uses the hyperperception model to make unique moderation predictions concerning the extent to which the potential rival is known to the observer. A survey of Facebook users (N = 615) tested those predictions by asking the participants to focus on their observations of a particular potential rival. Results are consistent with the model’s prediction that signs of closeness between the partner and a potential rival are substantially more likely to be associated with jealousy when the partner does not interact with the potential rival offline.

KEYWORDS:

• Computer-mediated communication
• social network site
• SNS
• jealousy
• hyperperception model
• hyperpersonal model

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erin L. Spottswood

Erin L. Spottswood is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Portland State University. Email: [email protected].

Christopher J. Carpenter

Christoperher J. Carpenter is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Western Illinois University. Email: [email protected].