An Examination of the Five Factor Model Personality Traits as

142 Pages·2011·5.31 MB·English

An Examination of the Five Factor Model Personality
Traits as Predictors of Online Social Network Use.
Eric Langstedt
University of Connecticut, 2011
Widespread use of online social networks has made them a prominent form of
media for many consumers. The variety of features available to users has bridged the
gap between an interpersonal and mass communication medium, allowing users to
perform both functions. This analysis examines users of social network sites and
considers whether psychological traits play a role in their media use, and the
gratifications they may attain while on these sites. The analysis uses traditional uses
and gratification categorizations, as well as medium-specific categorizations. With
major social network sites offering similar features, categorizations can be made based
on a feature's general function. Deviating from previous studies, this analysis also
examines the use of social network site features dependent on the role of the user. It is
believed that the gratifications attained from online social networks will be dependent
on the role the user plays in the communication.
Results of this analysis suggest that certain uses and gratifications attained by
social network sites can be predicted by psychological traits. Canonical correlation
analysis offers further structure in our understanding of these relationships. Findings
from this analysis suggest that Conscientious people are less likely use social networks
sites to pass time or for habitual use. As suggested by the facets of Extraversion, people
ii
high in this trait were more likely to use social network sites for information expression.
While predicting certain media uses, the roles of Openness to Experience,
Agreeableness and Neuroticism in predicting uses of social network sites is less clear.
While Neuroticism has been the strongest predictor of media use for other
communication mediums, results of this analysis did not find this to be true for online
social networks.
When distinguishing the role of the user as either a source or receiver of
information, results of this research question suggest that users of social network site
differ in their use of features dependent on role. As such, future uses and gratifications
studies should consider wording questions in a way that they can distinguish the user's
role in the communication.
Eric Langstedt - University of Connecticut, 2011
I l l
An Examination of the Five Factor Model Personality
Traits as Predictors of Online Social Network Use.
Eric Langstedt
B.Sc, Cornell University, 2001
M.Litt., University of St. Andrews, 2003
A Dissertation
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
at the
University of Connecticut
2011
UMI Number: 3472652
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An Examination of the Five Factor Model Personality
Traits as Predictors of Online Social Network Use.
Eric Langstedt
University of Connecticut, 2011
Widespread use of online social networks has made them a prominent form of
media for many consumers. The variety of features available to users has bridged the
gap between an interpersonal and mass communication medium, allowing users to
perform both functions. This analysis examines users of social network sites and
considers whether psychological traits play a role in their media use, and the
gratifications they may attain while on these sites. The analysis uses traditional uses
and gratification categorizations, as well as medium-specific categorizations. With
major social network sites offering similar features, categorizations can be made based
on a feature's general function. Deviating from previous studies, this analysis also
examines the use of social network site features dependent on the role of the user. It is
believed that the gratifications attained from online social networks will be dependent
on the role the user plays in the communication.
Results of this analysis suggest that certain uses and gratifications attained by
social network sites can be predicted by psychological traits. Canonical correlation
analysis offers further structure in our understanding of these relationships. Findings
from this analysis suggest that Conscientious people are less likely use social networks
sites to pass time or for habitual use. As suggested by the facets of Extraversion, people
ii
high in this trait were more likely to use social network sites for information expression.
While predicting certain media uses, the roles of Openness to Experience,
Agreeableness and Neuroticism in predicting uses of social network sites is less clear.
While Neuroticism has been the strongest predictor of media use for other
communication mediums, results of this analysis did not find this to be true for online
social networks.
When distinguishing the role of the user as either a source or receiver of
information, results of this research question suggest that users of social network site
differ in their use of features dependent on role. As such, future uses and gratifications
studies should consider wording questions in a way that they can distinguish the user's
role in the communication.
Eric Langstedt - University of Connecticut, 2011
An Examination of the Five Factor Model Personality
Traits as Predictors of Online Social Network Use.
Eric Langstedt
University of Connecticut, 2011
Widespread use of online social networks has made them a prominent form of
media for many consumers. The variety of features available to users has bridged the
gap between an interpersonal and mass communication medium, allowing users to
perform both functions. This analysis examines users of social network sites and
considers whether psychological traits play a role in their media use, and the
gratifications they may attain while on these sites. The analysis uses traditional uses
and gratification categorizations, as well as medium-specific categorizations. With
major social network sites offering similar features, categorizations can be made based
on a feature's general function. Deviating from previous studies, this analysis also
examines the use of social network site features dependent on the role of the user. It is
believed that the gratifications attained from online social networks will be dependent
on the role the user plays in the communication.
Results of this analysis suggest that certain uses and gratifications attained by
social network sites can be predicted by psychological traits. Canonical correlation
analysis offers further structure in our understanding of these relationships. Findings
from this analysis suggest that Conscientious people are less likely use social networks
sites to pass time or for habitual use. As suggested by the facets of Extraversion, people
ii
high in this trait were more likely to use social network sites for information expression.
While predicting certain media uses, the roles of Openness to Experience,
Agreeableness and Neuroticism in predicting uses of social network sites is less clear.
While Neuroticism has been the strongest predictor of media use for other
communication mediums, results of this analysis did not find this to be true for online
social networks.
When distinguishing the role of the user as either a source or receiver of
information, results of this research question suggest that users of social network site
differ in their use of features dependent on role. As such, future uses and gratifications
studies should consider wording questions in a way that they can distinguish the user's
role in the communication.
Eric Langstedt - University of Connecticut, 2011
Copyright by
Eric Langstedt
2011
APPROVAL PAGE
Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation
An Examination of the Five Factor Model Personality
Traits as Predictors of Online Social Network Use.
Presented by
Eric Langstedt, B.Sc, M.Litt.
Major Advisor_ t&u*/ C> Ck^.
o
David Atkin
Associate Adviso)ryf e^i*/V\f yfu-f &»*^
Kirstie Cope-Farrar
Associate Advisor .^^SCiAL (AS J
Alex Wang
University of Connecticut
2011