Rachel Grieve

Face-to-face or Facebook: Can social connectedness be derived online?

Previous research has identified the importance of social connectedness in facilitating a number of positive outcomes, however, investigation of connectedness in online contexts is relatively novel. This research aimed to investigate for the first time social connectedness derived from the use of Facebook. Study 1 investigated whether offline social connectedness and Facebook connectedness were separate constructs. Participants were Facebook users (N=344) who completed measures of offline social connectedness and Facebook social connectedness. Factor analysis (Maximum Likelihood analysis with Oblimin rotation) revealed Facebook connectedness to be distinct from offline social connectedness. Study 2 examined the relationship between Facebook social connectedness and anxiety, depression, and subjective well-being in a second sample of Facebook users (N=274) in a cross-sectional design. Results suggest that Facebook use may provide the opportunity to develop and maintain social connectedness in the online environment, and that Facebook connectedness is associated with lower depression and anxiety and greater satisfaction with life. Limitations and future directions are considered. It is concluded that Facebook may act as a separate social medium in which to develop and maintain relationships, providing an alternative social outlet associated with a range of positive psychological outcomes.

Does online psychological test administration facilitate faking

This study examined for the first time the effect of delivery mode on faking good and faking bad in psychological testing. Participants (N=223) completed questionnaires either online or in pen-and-paper format in a mixed experimental design. After completing measures of personality (HEXACO-60, Ashton & Lee, 2009) and depression (DASS-21, Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) under standard instructions, participants then faked the personality measure as if applying for a job, and faked the depression measure as if experiencing severe depression. Equivalence of internet and pen-and paper-administration on faking was then measured between groups. As predicted, participants were able to fake good on the HEXACO-60 and to fake bad on the DASS-21. Also as predicted, there were no significant differences in faked scores as a function of test administration mode. Further, examination of effect sizes confirmed that the influence of test administration mode was small. It was concluded that online and pen-and paper presentation are largely equivalent when an individual is faking responses in psychological testing. Given the advantages of online assessment and the importance of valid psychological testing, future research should investigate whether the current findings can be generalised to other faking and malingering scenarios and to other psychological measures.

The Psychological Benefits of Being Authentic on Facebook

Having others acknowledge and validate ones true self is associated with better psychological health. Existing research indicates that an individuals true self may be more readily expressed on Facebook than in person. This study brought together these two premises by investigating for the first time the psychosocial outcomes associated with communicating ones true self on Facebook. Participants (n = 164) completed a personality assessment once as their true self and once as the self they present on Facebook (Facebook self), as well as measures of social connectedness, subjective well-being, depression, anxiety, and stress. Euclidean distances quantified the difference between ones true self and the Facebook self. Hypotheses received partial support. Better coherence between the true self and the Facebook self was associated with better social connectedness and less stress. Two models provided evidence of mediation effects. Findings highlight that authentic self-presentation on Facebook can be associated with positive psychological outcomes.

Facebook as a source of social connectedness in older adults

This study examines for the first time whether —and subsequently the extent to which— social connectedness can be derived from Facebook in a population of older Facebook users. Participants (N = 280) were aged between 55 and 81 years (Mage = 61.28 years). Exploratory factor analysis (maximum likelihood with direct oblimin rotation) revealed that Facebook social connectedness emerged as a separate factor to offline social connectedness, with correlations between the factors indicating that they were distinct constructs. In addition, participants reported levels of Facebook-derived social connectedness similar to those seen in younger samples in previous research. Future directions for research include identifying the mechanisms by which Facebook social connectedness might be associated with positive outcomes in older populations. Given the global rate of population ageing, these findings have important implications in terms of the delivery of social capital in older adults.

Cyberfaking : I can, so I will? Intentions to fake in online psychological testing

The aim of this study was to investigate whether intentions to fake online (cyberfaking) or in pencil-and-paper psychological testing differ. Participants (N=154) completed online questionnaires measuring attitudes toward faking, perceived behavioral control over faking, subjective norms regarding faking, and intentions to fake in future psychological assessment, with online and pencil-and-paper test administration scenarios compared. Participants showed similar intentions toward cyberfaking and faking in pencil-and-paper testing. However, participants held more positive attitudes toward cyberfaking than faking offline, greater perceived behavioral control over cyberfaking than offline faking, and more favorable subjective norms toward cyberfaking compared to offline faking. Analysis via multiple regression revealed that more positive attitudes toward cyberfaking, greater perceived behavioral control over cyberfaking, and more favorable subjective norms regarding cyberfaking were significantly related to the intention to cyberfake. In addition, more positive attitudes toward faking offline and greater perceived behavioral control over faking offline were significantly related to the intention to fake in offline tests. Overall, results indicated a similar pattern of relationship in the prediction of intentions to engage in faking regardless of the test administration modality scenario. Subjective norm, however, was not a significant predictor for faking offline. Future research could aim to include a behavioral faking outcome measure, as well as examine intentions to cyberfake in specific scenarios (for example, faking good or faking bad).

Can social intelligence be measured? Psychometric properties of the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale – English Version

Despite its intuitive appeal as a construct relevant to a number of psychological outcomes, adequate operationalisation of social intelligence has been problematic for researchers. This research aimed to extend the understanding of the measurement of social intelligence by investigating the psychometric properties of the English version of Tromso Social Intelligence Scale by Silvera, Martinussen and Dahl. Factor analysis (N=328; Maximum Likelihood with Promax rotation) revealed three clear factors that paralleled the original Norwegian measure: social skills, social information processing and social awareness. Construct validity was also examined (N=116). As predicted, social intelligence was strongly and significantly related to political skill, emotional intelligence (EI) and empathy in both males and females. In addition, as predicted, there were weak relationships with social desirability; however, for males, there was no relationship between social intelligence and social desirability. Internal relia...

Faked Depression: Comparing Malingering via the Internet, Pen-and-Paper, and Telephone Administration Modes

BACKGROUND The Internet and telephone are valuable resources for mental health practitioners when access to face-to-face assessment or therapy is difficult. However, despite the high stakes (such as access to medication or financial compensation) often involved in psychological testing, little is known about how test administration mode influences test scores when patients are malingering. The aim of this research was to examine for the first time the equivalence of a malingered measure of depression when administered over the Internet, over the telephone, and with pen and paper. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A mixed experimental design was used with participants (n=91) randomly allocated to Internet, telephone, or pen-and-paper groups. Participants completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale, first under standard instructions and then under instructions to fake as if experiencing severe depression. A manipulation check was included to ensure participants had understood and followed instructions to fake. RESULTS As predicted, participants were able to significantly increase their depression scores when asked to fake depression. Participants reported significantly lower faked depression scores over the telephone than in pen-and-paper format. Faked depression scores in the online group did not differ significantly from those in the telephone and pen-and-paper groups. However, participants in all groups met criteria indicative of a provisional diagnosis of depression. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results indicate that there may be no meaningful difference between malingering across administration modes. If an individual is malingering depression, administration mode has minimal influence. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of online/telephone technologies in the assessment of depression.

Unpacking the characteristics of Snapchat users: A preliminary investigation and an agenda for future research

Snapchat is emerging as a popular image-based instant messaging service. Aiming to provide the first insight into the characteristics of Snapchat users, this study (N = 235) drew on the limited existing Snapchat research base, uses and gratifications theory, and other social media research to derive a range of research questions about Snapchat users vs. non-users. As hypothesised, Snapchat users were younger, placed significantly more importance on social connectedness than non-users, reported significantly greater reliance on graphics in communication, were more likely engage with technology regularly, had greater comfort with technological multitasking, and showed a stronger preference for online social interaction than non-users. However, in contrast to predictions, a desire for instantaneous interaction and reward was not significantly associated with Snapchat use. The findings are considered in terms of a proposed research agenda, including relevant theoretical paradigms (such as belongingness, technology acceptance, psycholinguistic, and semiotic theories) and applied outcomes (such as social capital and communication). Frameworks for future Snapchat research are provided.

Self-ie love: Predictors of image editing intentions on Facebook

Little research has examined image-editing behaviour on social media, yet with images being a key form of online social communication, the importance of such research is evident. The aim of the current study was to examine the factors that influence peoples’ intentions to post digitally altered self-images on the Facebook platform, using an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model. It was hypothesised that after controlling for age, prior editing application use, and integration of Facebook in a user’s life, the TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control [PBC]) would explain a significant proportion of intention to post digitally altered images on Facebook. Furthermore, that the addition of narcissism would explain further variation in intentions, beyond that explained by the control and TPB variables. Participants (N = 151; Mage = 25.6 years; 76% female) completed an online survey assessing each of the aforementioned variables. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that each of the hypotheses were supported, with all variables significantly contributing to the prediction of intentions, except PBC and age. This study sheds light on the predictors of image-editing behaviour, and sets the stage for subsequent research examining editing behaviours on Facebook as well as other social media platforms (e.g. Instagram).

Thumbs up: A thematic analysis of image-based posting and liking behaviour on social media

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the thoughts that social media users have prior to posting or ‘liking’ images on social media; particularly exploring the presence of egoistic, self-presentation considerations. Responses to two open-ended questions regarding considerations prior to posting (n = 203) and ‘liking’ (n = 195) images on social media were analysed using thematic analysis. Egoistic motivations influenced both posting and ‘liking’ an image on social media; suggesting an awareness that self-presentation can be affected (and therefore manipulated) through image posting and ‘liking’. Users also considered who would see their content or behaviour, and the effect this might have on others. Finally, ‘liking’ actually represents liking, with enjoyment and image value considered prior to providing public, online appreciation.