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 was associated with 3 cues in pictures and status updates.
► The 3 cues were associated with estimations of user extraversion by strangers.
► Facebook honesty was associated with 3 cues in status updates and friend comments.
► Two of three cues were associated with estimations of user conscientiousness by strangers.