Social Networking Sites
70 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications • Vol. 1, No. 2 • Fall 2010
The Effect of Personality Styles (Level of Introversion- Extroversion) on Social Media Use
Erin Ryan Harbaugh* Strategic Communications & Psychology : Double Major Elon University
Abstract
This research paper details a study of social network users personality style and their consequent social media use on the popular social networking site (SNS), Facebook. The self-reported level of extroversion amongst other personality traits served as the central delineation of personality style. The amount of social media usage was determined based on basic behaviors and motivations for using the site (e.g., time spent, purpose, etc.). The objective of this study was to determine if and how a relationship existed between Facebook use and personality type in that one personality type would use Facebook more often and for different reasons than the other, unrepresented personality type. The results indicated that heavy Facebook users, who spend more than two hours daily on the site, are seen by themselves and others as more outgoing and extroverted.
I. Introduction
The conceptualization of the Internet has been undeniable, affecting the way millions of people today communicate, interact and gather information.1 People use the Internet to “send e-mail, check news, research, play games, download music or movies, keep in touch with family and friends, seek similar others, buy products, and engage in numerous other activities.”2 Additionally, the Internet is used to conduct business, keep in touch with family and friends, seek emotional support, and search for romantic partners.3 The Internet we know today has come about not in the form of a replacement for the real world, but rather as a part of it in our present society, and this is just the beginning. The ability of the Internet to touch almost every aspect of our life is likely to increase over the next few years.4 This
The Effect of Personality Styles (Level of Introversion- Extroversion) on Social Media Use
Erin Ryan Harbaugh* Strategic Communications & Psychology : Double Major Elon University
Abstract
This research paper details a study of social network users personality style and their consequent social media use on the popular social networking site (SNS), Facebook. The self-reported level of extroversion amongst other personality traits served as the central delineation of personality style. The amount of social media usage was determined based on basic behaviors and motivations for using the site (e.g., time spent, purpose, etc.). The objective of this study was to determine if and how a relationship existed between Facebook use and personality type in that one personality type would use Facebook more often and for different reasons than the other, unrepresented personality type. The results indicated that heavy Facebook users, who spend more than two hours daily on the site, are seen by themselves and others as more outgoing and extroverted.
I. Introduction
The conceptualization of the Internet has been undeniable, affecting the way millions of people today communicate, interact and gather information.1 People use the Internet to “send e-mail, check news, research, play games, download music or movies, keep in touch with family and friends, seek similar others, buy products, and engage in numerous other activities.”2 Additionally, the Internet is used to conduct business, keep in touch with family and friends, seek emotional support, and search for romantic partners.3 The Internet we know today has come about not in the form of a replacement for the real world, but rather as a part of it in our present society, and this is just the beginning. The ability of the Internet to touch almost every aspect of our life is likely to increase over the next few years.4 This