Publication Date

2012

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Facebook (Electronic resource), Online social networks-Psychological aspects, Personality, Internet-Psychological aspects, Big five personality traits, Cyberpsychology

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits and level of Facebook use. It was hypothesized that certain personality characteristics such as extraversion and low levels of conscientiousness would be more strongly correlated with higher levels of Facebook use. In addition, the study explored whether agreeableness and openness were significantly correlated to use/non-use of the site as had been found in previous research. Data was collected using an online survey, which included questions regarding demographic criterion, the Big Five Personality Inventory, whether participants utilized Facebook and if so how frequently, and what their reasons were for either using or not using the site. Results demonstrated no significant relationship between any of the five personality traits and level of Facebook use; however, differences in use were found according to age and gender. These findings were similar to some of the work of past researchers, which contributes to the exploration about the nature of the interconnectedness between technology and the psychological self.

Language

English

Comments

v, 49 p. : col. ill. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2012. Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-40)

Limited Access until August 2017

Download

Share

COinS