Self-monitoring, honesty, and cue use on Facebook: The relationship with user extraversion and conscientiousness ?
The present study explored the relationship between Facebook (FB) users self-monitoring and self-reported FB honesty and the content of users profiles. It was anticipated that high self-monitors would construct a more extraverted profile and honest FB users would construct a more conscientious profile. A content analysis of 53 cues on participants FB profiles (N=100) was conducted. Supporting evidence was shown in a lens model analysis of FB user profiles and strangers (N=35) impressions of users personality. User self-monitoring was uniquely associated with three FB cues: posting a profile picture at a younger age, posting more frequently, and using more shorthand in status updates. These three cues informed strangers estimations of user extraversion, but were unrelated to estimations of users conscientiousness. Honesty on FB was uniquely associated with three cues that informed strangers estimations of user conscientiousness: expressing positive affect and talking more about family in status updates, and having FB friends who expressed support in response to status updates. This study demonstrated that FB use and profile page construction were associated with FB users personality, and the construction of profiles affected strangers perceptions of FB users.
self-monitoring honesty facebook lens model personality online impression formation