Abstract:

We live in a world of rapidly developing innovative technologies. Social networks have become an additional platform for self-presentation and meeting the social needs of not only the younger generation, but also scientists and researchers (Babaeva Yu.D., Voiskunsky A.E., Smyslova O.V.). Many researchers note that social networks perform a number of important socio-psychological functions - the communicative function, the cognitive function, the interaction function and the perceptual function, which is expressed in the construction of a certain image of the "I" for the Other, as well as in satisfying the social needs of the individual (Chernyaeva K. O., Pikuleva O.A.). In addition, we believe that social networks can prevent the formation of a congruent "I" in adolescents. According to a survey conducted by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center in December 2017, 82% of students have an account in social networks (Facebook, Instagram). In this regard, the study of self-presentation and the expression of social needs among students - users of social networks is relevant not only for theory, but also for psychological practice.

The purpose of the research was to study the features of self-presentation and the severity of social needs among students - users of social networks.

We assumed that:
1) the self-presentation strategies chosen and the general need for managing the impressions and communicative control of student users of social networks, and students who don't use them, will differ;
2) the severity of social needs among students - users of social networks and students - not users of social networks, will differ.

To solve the tasks, a set of methods was used: testing, conversation, quantitative-qualitative and statistical analysis (Student's t-test for comparing two independent samples, frequency analysis, quartile procedure). Methods of the research: the scale of self-presentation tactics (S. Lee, B. Quigley), the questionnaire for the diagnosis of communicative control (M. Schneider), the questionnaire of interpersonal relations diagnostics (Schutz).

The results of the research showed that students- users of social networks have a greater need for managing impressions, but in the process of self-presentation they have a less diverse behavioral repertoire than students who do not have accounts in social networks. Students who are not users of social networks, expressed the need to include and establish close relationships more. Prospects for the research are gender differences in the characteristics of self-presentation and the manifestation of social needs among students.

Keywords:

Self-presentation, severity of social needs, student, user of social networks.