The For You Effect: TikTok's Influence on User Interests and Self-Perception
Authors
Ilieva, Maria Zdravkova ; Delcheva, Hristina-Maria Krasimirova
Term
4. term
Publication year
2026
Abstract
This thesis examines how Gen-Z women experience and interpret the boundary between their own self-perception and TikTok’s platform influence when engaging with the For You Page (FYP). Grounded in an interpretivist, hermeneutic approach and informed by Self-Perception Theory, Social Norm Theory, filter bubbles, and users’ algorithmic folk theories, the study draws on digital diaries and semi-structured interviews with photo elicitation with seven active TikTok users who identify as women. The data were analysed using affinity mapping and reflexive thematic analysis. Participants often experienced the FYP as a personalised mirror of their interests, emotions, humour, values, and life situations, generating relatability, validation, and a sense of belonging. This reflection was not neutral: because TikTok responds to engagement and repeatedly amplifies certain content, what feels like recognition can also reinforce and shape what is perceived as relevant or central. At the same time, the platform exposed them to trends, lifestyles, opinions, behaviours, and social expectations not initially seen as part of the self; repeated exposure could shift perceptions, interests, and desirability, thereby reinforcing social norms over time. Participants developed their own explanations of how the algorithm works, and everyday use was marked by tensions: they appreciated personalisation yet felt uneasy when recommendations were too accurate; they knew their engagement shaped the FYP, yet repetition could make ideas seem more widespread than they are; they sought information while questioning its credibility; and they felt they had trained the algorithm but still lacked full control over what appeared. Overall, the findings suggest that self-perception and platform influence become intertwined through everyday engagement with the FYP, which can simultaneously reflect, reinforce, and introduce new norms.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan kvinder i Gen-Z oplever og fortolker grænsen mellem deres egen selvopfattelse og TikToks platformspåvirkning, når de engagerer sig med For You-siden (FYP). Med et interpretivistisk og hermeneutisk udgangspunkt og med afsæt i Self-Perception Theory, Social Norm Theory, filterbobler og brugeres folketeorier om algoritmer bygger studiet på digitale dagbøger og semistrukturerede interviews med foto-elicitering med syv aktive TikTok-brugere, der identificerer sig som kvinder. Data blev analyseret gennem affinity mapping og refleksiv tematisk analyse. Deltagerne oplevede ofte FYP som et personligt spejl for deres interesser, følelser, humor, værdier og livssituationer, hvilket skabte genkendelse, validering og tilhørsforhold. Spejlingen var dog ikke neutral: fordi TikTok reagerer på engagement og gentager visse typer indhold, kan oplevelsen af genkendelse også forstærke og forme, hvad der føles relevant eller centralt. Samtidig blev de eksponeret for trends, livsstile, holdninger, adfærd og sociale forventninger, der ikke umiddelbart var en del af deres selvforståelse; gentagen eksponering kunne påvirke opfattelser, interesser og ønskværdighed og dermed styrke sociale normer over tid. Deltagerne udviklede egne forklaringer på, hvordan algoritmen virker, og deres hverdagsbrug var præget af spændinger: de satte pris på personalisering, men blev urolige, når anbefalinger var for præcise; de vidste, at deres engagement formede FYP, men gentagelse kunne få idéer til at fremstå mere udbredte end de er; de søgte information, men stillede spørgsmål ved troværdigheden; og de følte, at de havde trænet algoritmen, men uden fuld kontrol over, hvad der dukkede op. Samlet peger resultaterne på, at selvopfattelse og platformspåvirkning flettes sammen gennem daglig interaktion med FYP, som både kan afspejle, forstærke og introducere nye normer.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]