Can You Tell Who I Am? Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Online Self-Presentation among young adults

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

The present study examined the link between neuroticism, extraversion, as well as presentation of the real, the ideal, and the false self on Facebook. Self-reports were collected from 261 young adults (ages 18–30) about personality, online self-presentation, and Facebook use. Level of extraversion was positively associated with Facebook activity level. A series of regression analyses revealed that young adults high in neuroticism reported presenting their ideal and false self on Facebook to a greater extent whereas those low in extraversion reported engaging in greater online self-exploratory behaviors. Findings suggest that young adults who are experiencing emotional instability may be strategic in their online self-presentation perhaps to seek reassurance, and those who have self-doubt further explore their self online.

Publication Title

Computers in Human Behavior

Volume

33

First Page

179

Last Page

183

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.010

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Rights Statement

In Copyright