Author: Waqas Hassan
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rukhsana Kausar
Degree: M.phil
Year: 2010-2012
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore how personality, motivation and social interaction are related to use of social networking sites (SNS). Following hypotheses were formulated: H 1: There is likely to be relationship between personality traits, motivation, social interaction and use of SNS. H 2: Personality traits are likely to predict use of SNS. H 3: There are likely to be gender differences in motivation to use SNS. H 4: There are likely to be gender differences in use of SNS and motivation to use SNS. The sample comprised 241 university students (males = 105, females = 136). Personality was measured through NEO-FFI, motivation through Motivation Questionnaire and for assessing social interaction and use of SNS, Technology Use and Social Interaction Questionnaire, Facebook Questionnaire and Facebook Intensity Scales were used with authors’ permissions. Correlation analysis was carried out to find correlation among study variables, stepwise regression was performed for assessing predictors of SNS use and series of t-test was performed to see gender differences in SNS use and motivation to use SNS. Results showed that among five personality factors, only extraversion significantly correlated with SNS use. However, Neuroticism was found positively correlated with non-social motivation to use SNS and Extraversion was found positively correlated with social motivation to use SNS. Stepwise regression showed that non-social motivation to use SNS appeared to be strongest predictor if SNS use followed by social interaction and extraversion. No gender differences were found in overall SNS use and motivation to use SNS. However few items showed that there were gender differences in some patterns of SNS use and motivation to use SNS. Males appeared to have more SNS friends then females. Males’ motivation to use SNS was related to providing information about themselves and females were more motivated to use SNS for the sake of staying in touch with family and friends. Results suggest that SNS use patterns of Pakistani youth are a bit different from Western culture as revealed by pas research. It is suggested that in future more in depth research should be done unearth the patterns and causes of SNS use.
Keywords: Personality, Motivation, Social Interaction, Social Networking Sites.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
