The Varied Relationships between Personality and Different Aspects of Social Media Use
Poster Number
093
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor
Matthew Hayes, Ph.D.
Abstract
Previous research on the relationship between personality traits and social media use generally treat social media as a single entity, ignoring the diverse functions offered by these sites which may vary in their appeal to different personality types. For example, Amichai-Hamburger and Ben-Artzi (2002) found that people with high levels of neuroticism, extraversion, and openness were positively related with using instant messages and social media networking. However, they also found that interactions through online applications such as chat rooms differ from in-person interactions due to the lack of physical appearance and proximity. This suggests that personality may impact use of specific features of social media; for example, introverted people may use chat features to assuage their actual anxiety. However, they neglected other functions of social media – such as more public posting, photo sharing, and group messaging, – which may exhibit different relationships with personality factors. Extending previous work, the present study looked at a specific type of social media (Facebook) and examined the relationship between three separate aspects of Facebook use (attitudes, functions, and sociability) and Big 5 personality traits. We hypothesized that people with high level of extraversion and neuroticism would have more positive attitudes toward Facebook, visit it more frequently and use more of its features. The present study demonstrated that people’s attitudes towards Facebook, which features they use, and how frequently they use Facebook differentially relate to personality traits, suggesting that different aspects of social media may attract different personality traits.
Course Assignment
PSYC 302 – Hayes
Previously Presented/Performed?
Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) Annual Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 2018
Start Date
20-4-2018 2:15 PM
End Date
20-4-2018 4:15 PM
The Varied Relationships between Personality and Different Aspects of Social Media Use
Richardson Ballroom
Previous research on the relationship between personality traits and social media use generally treat social media as a single entity, ignoring the diverse functions offered by these sites which may vary in their appeal to different personality types. For example, Amichai-Hamburger and Ben-Artzi (2002) found that people with high levels of neuroticism, extraversion, and openness were positively related with using instant messages and social media networking. However, they also found that interactions through online applications such as chat rooms differ from in-person interactions due to the lack of physical appearance and proximity. This suggests that personality may impact use of specific features of social media; for example, introverted people may use chat features to assuage their actual anxiety. However, they neglected other functions of social media – such as more public posting, photo sharing, and group messaging, – which may exhibit different relationships with personality factors. Extending previous work, the present study looked at a specific type of social media (Facebook) and examined the relationship between three separate aspects of Facebook use (attitudes, functions, and sociability) and Big 5 personality traits. We hypothesized that people with high level of extraversion and neuroticism would have more positive attitudes toward Facebook, visit it more frequently and use more of its features. The present study demonstrated that people’s attitudes towards Facebook, which features they use, and how frequently they use Facebook differentially relate to personality traits, suggesting that different aspects of social media may attract different personality traits.
