Final answer:
According to the instructor, social media and search engines would be characteristic features of the digital era and sociology, affecting communication, information access, social homogenization, and fragmentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social media and search engines are key attributes of the digital era, particularly within the context of sociology.
Search engines, meanwhile, facilitate an unprecedented access to information, altering how we gather data and make decisions.
These tools are central to a human factors psychologist's research into the interaction between workers and technology, representing a key area of study in the modern digital landscape and sociology.
Moreover, this new media represents both social homogenization and social fragmentation, showing how the use of technology and media impacts society, creating a uniform culture while also leading to fragmented groups based on specific interests or beliefs.
The omnipresence of social media in decision-making processes underscores its significance, as it influences various aspects of life, from educational choices to consumer behavior.