Researchers have found that adolescents who are not socially anxious or lonely use the Internet for communication more often than those who are socially anxious and lonely. This finding supports
A) increased control over interactions in teen friendships.
B) the rich-get-richer hypothesis.
C) reduced emphasis on physical appearance via the use of online communication.
D) the social-compensation hypothesis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rich-get-richer hypothesis suggests that individuals who are already socially active and competent benefit more from the internet by using it to enhance their existing social connections, as opposed to the social-compensation hypothesis which posits that the internet is a tool for those lacking offline social skills to improve their social life. The finding that adolescents who are not socially anxious or lonely use the Internet for communication more often supports the idea that those who are already socially adept benefit more from online communication, aligning with the rich-get-richer hypothesis.

Researchers Have Found That Adolescents Who Are Not Socially Anxious