Wired to seek, comment and share? Examining the relationship between personality, news consumption and misinformation engagement

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xizhu Xiao ◽  
Yan Su

PurposeNews consumption is critical in creating informed citizenry; however, in the current context of media convergence, news consumption becomes more complex as social media becomes a primary news source rather than news media. The current study seeks to answer three questions: why the shifted pattern of news seeking only happens to some but not all of the news consumers; whether the differentiated patterns of news seeking (news media vs social media) would result in different misinformation engagement behaviors; and whether misperceptions would moderate the relationship between news consumption and misinformation engagement.Design/methodology/approachA survey consisted of questions related to personality traits, news seeking, misperceptions and misinformation engagement was distributed to 551 individuals. Multiple standard regression and PROCESS Macro model 1 were used to examine the intricate relationships between personality, news use and misinformation engagement.FindingsResults indicate that extroversion was positively associated with social media news consumption while openness was inversely related to it. Social media news consumption in turn positively predicted greater misinformation sharing and commenting. No association was found between Big Five personality traits and news media news seeking. News media news seeking predicted higher intention to reply to misinformation. Both relationships were further moderated by misperceptions that individuals with greater misperceptions were more likely to engage with misinformation.Originality/valueThe current study integrates personality traits, news consumption and misperceptions in understanding misinformation engagement behaviors. Findings suggest that news consumption via news media in the digital era merits in-depth examinations as it may associate with more complex background factors and also incur misinformation engagement. Social media news consumption deserves continuous scholarly attention. Specifically, extra attention should be devoted to extrovert and pragmatic individuals in future research and interventions. People with these characteristics are more prone to consume news on social media and at greater risk of falling prey to misinformation and becoming a driving force for misinformation distribution.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2021-0520

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-231
Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Mihailescu

Background: Selfies are a rising phenomenon associated with the widespread use of smartphones and social media. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different personality traits and selfie behaviors. Methods: Undergraduate psychology students were asked to complete a questionnaire about their frequency of selfie taking, selfie posting to social media, and selfie sharing through private messaging. They were also asked to complete the Rosenberg 10-item self-esteem scale and the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP)-50 item scale to evaluate the Big Five personality traits. Results: A total of 96 participants were included in this study (mean age ± standard deviation of 26.4 ± 9.0 years, 81.3% women). On univariate analysis there was a significant negative correlation between the frequency of selfie taking (Spearman r = -0.228, p = 0.025) or posting (Spearman r = -0.238, p = 0.025) and emotional stability. However, on multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for age among other factors, only self-esteem was independently and negatively correlated with the frequency of selfie taking (beta = -0.206, p = 0.020) or posting (beta = -0.233, p = 0.020), with the effect most notable in young (<25 years) individuals for selfie taking. Extraversion was independently and positively correlated with the frequency of selfie sharing (beta = 0.264, p = 0.005), with the effect most notable in young (<25 years) women. Conclusion: Findings from this study further expand our knowledge of the relationship between different personality traits and rising digital media phenomena.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-219
Author(s):  
Robert Kwame Dzogbenuku ◽  
George Kofi Amoako ◽  
Desmond K. Kumi

Purpose This study aims to determine the impact of social media usage on university student’s academic performance in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used for the study. With the aid of a simple random sampling technique, quantitative data were obtained from 373 out of 400 respondents representing 93 per cent of volunteered participants. Data collected was analysed using structural equation modelling to establish the relationship among social media information, social media entertainment, social media innovation, social media knowledge generation and student performance. Findings The findings of this study indicate that social media information, social media innovation and social media entertainment all had a significant positive influence on social media knowledge generation, which has wide learning and knowledge management implications. Also, the study indicated that information computer technology knowledge moderates the relationship between social media and student performance. Research limitations/implications The sample taken was mainly cross-sectional in nature rendering the inference of causal relationships between the variables impossible. Future researchers should adopt a longitudinal research design to examine causality. Finally, the study was limited to only university students in Accra, Ghana. Future research can extend to a bigger student population and to other West African and African countries. Practical implications This paper will serve as a profitable source of information for managers and researchers who may embark on future research on social media and academic performance. The findings that social media information, innovation and entertainment can likewise enhance social media knowledge generation can help managers and university teachers to use the vehicle of innovation and entertainment to communicate knowledge. Social implications The findings of this study will help policymakers in education and other industries that engage the youth to realise the important factors that can make them get the best in the social media space. Originality/value Social media usage in academic performance is increasingly prevalent. However, little is known about how social media knowledge generation mediates between social media usage and academic performance and, furthermore, whether the information computer technology knowledge level of students moderates the relationship between social media knowledge generation and academic performance of university students in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ghana. Theoretically, the findings of this study provide clear research evidence to guide various investigations that can be done on the relationships of the variables under social media usage, knowledge generation and university student performance, which advances the diffusion of new knowledge.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 2219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Bilgin ◽  
Asena Yılmaz

The aim of the research, is to examine the relationship between adolescents' five-factor personality features by use of Social Media. As for sample, there are 548 girl and 441 boy students and they are between the ages of 11-18.  Adolescents’ data participating in the study, are determined by Big Five Factor personality traits Scale. Prepared data on the use of social media called "Personal Information Form" has been obtained by researcher. In the analysis of data, understanding of social media use times whether it differs according to big five personality traits, According to the social media using time, there was no significant difference between the agreeableness and openness subscales. On the other hand, there is a significant differences between conscientiousness, extraversion and neuroticism.  In association with five personality traits of social media purpose, it was found that there are significant differences with different personality traits for each purpose.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanika Lakmali ◽  
Kanagasabai Kajendra

PurposeThis study aims to explore customer personality traits as an antecedent of customer citizenship behaviour which positively facilitates service providers.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows the positivism research paradigm. Hence, primary data were collected from 250 homestay visitors who stayed at five selected homestays located at Mirissa homestay zone, Sri Lanka.FindingsThe present study's findings reveal that “agreeableness,” “extraversion” and “conscientiousness” personality traits promote customer citizenship behaviour. Furthermore, the openness to “experience” trait identified to have a statistically insignificant relationship with CCB and neuroticism recorded a positive impact on the relationship between CCB and personality, contrary to the existing literature.Practical implicationsThis study comprehensively explains how service providers should arrange their service facilities to increase customer willingness to perform citizenship behaviour, which helps develop their services.Originality/valuePrevious research has investigated that customer personality in terms of prosocial and proactive nature impacts CCBs. In contrast, the effect of Big Five personality traits on CCB is highlighted in this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suha Fouad Salem ◽  
Alshaimaa Bahagat Alanadoly

PurposeThe main objective is to investigate the effects of antecedents of word-of-mouth (WOM) towards sustainable fashion, using the Personality Traits theory. More specifically, this study wants to examine the impact of the Big Five personality traits on social media activities, which could affect eco-friendly behaviour and environmental concerns for fashion production. This impact is influenced by the use of WOM on sustainability in the fashion industry.Design/methodology/approachThe partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS SEM) technique is used to evaluate the internal and external measurement model with a sample size of 272.FindingsThe three most active personality traits on social media are extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness. Additionally, the active use of social media has a positive impact on the optimisation of users' eco-friendly behaviour and an increase in users' concerns for fashion production. Eco-friendly behaviour and environmental concerns for fashion production are important factors that lead to the spread of WOM.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature by evaluating the effects of the Big Five personality traits on using social networking and how will this improve the creation of WOM towards sustainability. This study is among the several scientific studies which combine the theory of Big Five personality traits with social networking, green behaviour and the WOM in a sustainability context.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishal Mishra ◽  
Sridhar Vaithianathan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of customer personality and customer relationship proneness (CRP) on customer’s relationship satisfaction (CS) with the firm in emerging economies context. In the study, the authors state that the relationship proneness of the customer (CRP) would be influenced by personality trait of the customer. To examine the argument on personality trait, the authors have adopted Big Five personality trait theory in this study. The authors also argue that CRP would influence CS. Furthermore the authors put forth that customer’s perception of marketer’s relationship orientation (RMO) would mediate the relationship between CRP and CS. Design/methodology/approach – Data for the study were collected through structured questionnaire. A sample of 428 respondents was obtained through questionnaire survey (response rate 41.19 percent) and the hypotheses depicting the aforementioned relationships were empirically tested in the context of banking services in India. Structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used for data analysis. Findings – The results confirm that personality traits influences CRP. Further, customer’s perception of RMO is found to have a mediating effect. Research limitations/implications – The study utilizes cross-sectional data, so the results of the study might vary depending upon the context (country/sector). Practical implications – The outcomes of the study can be utilized by the marketers, particularly in the emerging economies like India for formulating targeted strategies in accordance with the personality type of the customers. Originality/value – The relationship between CRP, personality traits and CS of the customer using Big Five personality theory has been empirically analysed in the context of an emerging economy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nsubili Isaga

PurposeFocussing on the relationship between personality traits and small and medium enterprise (SME) performance in Tanzania’s furniture sector, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of cognitive characteristics as a mediating variable.Design/methodology/approachA total of 300 SMEs in furniture sectors from four different regions in Tanzania were involved in this study. Structural equation modelling approach was used to test simultaneously the direct and the indirect effects of the characteristics of the entrepreneurs on the SMEs performance.FindingsThe findings show that personality traits have a significant influence on SMEs performance through cognitive characteristics.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s data were collected from businesses in only one industry (furniture) in Tanzania. Future research may extend the approach to other business sectors.Practical implicationsSince entrepreneurial characteristics are considered an important driver of a country’s economic development and performance, it is hoped that governments and sector associations implement suitable policies and incentives to develop an entrepreneurial culture among citizens.Originality/valueCurrent knowledge about entrepreneurial characteristics and their relationship with SME performance in developing countries, especially Tanzania, is very limited. The present study suggests that cognitive characteristics are necessary mediators of the link between personality traits and SME performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicky Chang Bi ◽  
Yanqin Lu ◽  
Louisa Ha ◽  
Peiqin Chen

PurposeSocial media have become an increasingly important source for people to learn about politics and public affairs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of social media news sharing as a reasoning process of the O-S-R-O-R model and the moderation role of social media news performance on the association between news consumption and attitudinal changes.Design/methodology/approachA national survey was conducted in the US. The researcher recruited participants in the Qualtrics national panel by following the census adult demographic breakdown.FindingsThis study finds that social media news consumption on the US-China trade conflict is likely to lead Americans to change attitudes toward Chinese, and this relationship is mediated by social media news sharing. In addition, the indirect relationship via news sharing is found particularly strong among individuals who perceive social media news fair and balanced.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature by examining social media news engagement on the ongoing trade conflict between the US and China. It reveals that the impact of social media news consumption on people's attitudinal and behavioral changes depends on people's perceived news quality on these platforms. Theoretical contribution to the O-S-R-O-R model and practical implications to social media news are discussed in terms of the role that social media platforms play in attitude change.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2020-0178


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Luis Barbosa dos Santos

PurposeWhen a concept is diffusely defined or, as this article argues, “taken for granted”, it becomes very difficult to track such concept on the literature and have some continuity as researchers build on top of previous results. This article proposes a definition for user-generated content, a term that though has lost some saliency, stands in the center or the social media phenomenon, so it should not be disregarded as an object of study.Design/methodology/approachCelebrating 20 years of the concept, this research performs a multidisciplinary literature review of 61 academic articles on UGC. Through deconstruction of the acronym UGC, it builds on the present converging, conflicting and diverging definitions and/or approaches to UGC on an attempt to consolidate a broader definition that encompasses the complexities of the phenomenon in a context of consolidation of social media, to be applied to social sciences.FindingsFollowing the present analysis, UGC is defined as any kind of text, data or action performed by online digital systems users, published and disseminated by the same user through independent channels, that incur an expressive or communicative effect either on an individual manner or combined with other contributions from the same or other sources.Originality/valueThis is the first academic effort that aims to create an in-depth dialogue over the different approaches to UGC across disciplines on the social sciences field. It should help reignite interest in the acronym, which got somehow eclipsed by the broader field of social media; whilst without UGC, social media would not exist or would not have the same social impact it does in its current form. Analogously, UGC as a topic of research has been deeply affected by the emergence and consolidation of Social Media. As this debate evolves, this contribution should be helpful as a reference to operationalize UGC on future research.Peer reviewThe peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-06-2020-0258


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suliman Aladhadh ◽  
Xiuzhen Zhang ◽  
Mark Sanderson

PurposeSocial media platforms provide a source of information about events. However, this information may not be credible, and the distance between an information source and the event may impact on that credibility. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address an understanding of the relationship between sources, physical distance from that event and the impact on credibility in social media.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the authors focus on the impact of location on the distribution of content sources (informativeness and source) for different events, and identify the semantic features of the sources and the content of different credibility levels.FindingsThe study found that source location impacts on the number of sources across different events. Location also impacts on the proportion of semantic features in social media content.Research limitations/implicationsThis study illustrated the influence of location on credibility in social media. The study provided an overview of the relationship between content types including semantic features, the source and event locations. However, the authors will include the findings of this study to build the credibility model in the future research.Practical implicationsThe results of this study provide a new understanding of reasons behind the overestimation problem in current credibility models when applied to different domains: such models need to be trained on data from the same place of event, as that can make the model more stable.Originality/valueThis study investigates several events – including crisis, politics and entertainment – with steady methodology. This gives new insights about the distribution of sources, credibility and other information types within and outside the country of an event. Also, this study used the power of location to find alternative approaches to assess credibility in social media.


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