Personality and self reported mobile phone use

As the mobile phone supports interpersonal interaction, mobile phone use might be a function of personality. This study sought to predict amounts and types of mobile phone use from extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and self-esteem. One hundred and twelve mobile phone owners reported on their use of their mobile phones, and completed the NEO-FFI and the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory. Extraverts reported spending more time calling, and changing ring tone and wallpaper, implying the use of the mobile phone as a means of stimulation. Extraverts and perhaps disagreeable individuals were less likely to value incoming calls. Disagreeable extraverts also reported using the mobile phone more, and spent more time adjusting ringtone/wallpaper. The neurotic, disagreeable, unconscientious and extroverted spent more time messaging using SMS. This study concludes that psychological theory can explain patterns of mobile phone use.