Short-form social media impact on attention span and product…

Paper Requirements * 1012 pages- Research Paper * Double-spaced * Times New Roman, 12-point font * 1-inch margins * MLA format * Works Cited page * Minimum 6 sources: * 2 scholarly sources from Psychology * 2 scholarly sources from Information Technology / Platform Design * 2 additional credible sources * Must synthesize disciplines * Must maintain ambiguity * Must analyze, not just summarize — I. Attention-Grabbing Introduction (12 pages) Start with a brief anecdote: > A college student sits down to prepare for an important exam. A few minutes into studying, they check their phone just for a second. What was meant to be a quick glance turns into thirty minutes of scrolling through short videos. When they finally return to their notes, concentrating feels harder than before. Then transition: * Introduce short-form platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts). * Explain how they dominate digital consumption. * Introduce the broader issue of attention and productivity. * Present your research question. Research Question: > How does frequent exposure to short-form social media content influence attention span and productivity among young adults? End introduction with a working thesis that suggests complexity. — II. Background & Context (2 pages) * Define short-form content. * Explain infinite scroll and rapid video format. * Briefly introduce the attention economy. * Explain why this topic matters today. Purpose: establish context before diving into disciplines. — III. Discipline One: Psychology (23 pages) Explanation: This section examines how attention works at the cognitive level. Psychology helps analyze why short, fast-paced content may condition users to expect constant stimulation. From a psychology perspective, I want to look at how scrolling habits affect attention, focus, and self-control. Why is it so easy to lose track of time? And why does it sometimes feel harder to concentrate on longer tasks after being on social media? Goal: Show how attention and behavior operate inside the individual. — IV. Discipline Two: Information Technology / Platform Design (23 pages) Explanation: This section examines how social media platforms are intentionally engineered to maximize engagement. Information technology helps analyze the structural systems that shape user behavior. Rather than focusing only on personal discipline, this perspective considers how platform architecture interacts with psychological tendencies. Goal: Show how the platform design influences user habits. — V. Synthesis Section (1.52 pages) This is the MOST important part. * Connect psychology + IT. * Show how cognitive tendencies and algorithmic design reinforce each other. * Connect psychology + technology * Explain how individual behavior and structural design influence each other This is where you demonstrate interdisciplinarity. — VI. Counterarguments & Complexity (1 page) * Is short-form content always harmful? * Does it improve information efficiency? * Are attention spans truly declining, or just adapting? * Could productivity issues be caused by broader technological shifts? Purpose: Show ambiguity and avoid a one-sided argument. — VII. Conclusion (1 page) * Restate the complexity. * Reflect on the interaction between human psychology and digital design. * Leave room for nuance dont oversimplify. —