Psychologists urge users to remember that social media rarely reflects the full complexity of real life. Influencers often ____________ a carefully curated online persona, which can ____________ unrealistic standards and occasionally ____________ negative self-comparisons amongst their followers.
Psychologists urge users to remember that social media rarely reflects the full complexity of real life. Influencers often ____________ a carefully curated online persona, which can ____________ unrealistic standards and occasionally ____________ negative self-comparisons amongst their followers.
Solution
The sentence describes influencers presenting a curated persona that leads to unrealistic standards and causes followers to compare themselves negatively. We need words that match this logical flow.
Option 1 → endorse; foster; provoke
“Endorse a persona” is incorrect — you endorse a product or idea, not your own online identity.
Eliminate.
Option 2 → maintain; generate; trigger
“Maintain a carefully curated persona” fits perfectly, because influencers actively keep up a crafted image.
This persona can “generate unrealistic standards,” which makes sense as it creates them.
These standards can “trigger negative self-comparisons,” a natural psychological reaction.
This option is coherent and contextually accurate.
Option 3 → advocate; perpetuate; stimulate
“Advocate a persona” is unidiomatic — you advocate for a cause, not your own image.
“Stimulate negative self-comparisons” sounds unnatural in psychological context.
Eliminate.
Option 4 → profess; inspire; release
“Profess a persona” is awkward and incorrect — you profess beliefs, not identities.
“Release negative self-comparisons” makes no sense.
Eliminate.
Hence, Option 2 is correct.