Facebook posts can be revealing of psychological disorders

[Nevero]

study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...91886913012890
in full pdf: http://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-cont...strom-2013.pdf


Analyses of your status updates on Facebook can show if you have psychopathic personality traits. Narcissistic traits can also be discerned from Facebook. These are the results of a new study by researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy and Lund University.

The study, based on personality tests and content analyses in status updates on Facebook for just over 300 Americans, is the first quantitative semantic study of its kind. In the study, the researchers ask whether the status updates can reveal the same dark personality traits as the psychological personality tests.

"Facebook has revolutionized how people interact on the Internet, and this offers a unique opportunity for psychological research," says Danilo Garcia, researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy's research center, the Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health.

Machiavellian personality traits

The Facebook users answered a scientific questionnaire with questions that test extrovert, neurotic, psychopathic, narcissistic and Machiavellian personality traits. They also sent in their 15 most recent status updates. The contents of the status updates were then studied with algorithms for latent semantic analysis, which is a method for measuring the significance of words.

Information on psychopathy

The researchers found that status updates contained information on the personality traits of psychopathy and narcissism. "Hence, the status analyses could indicate which Facebook users demonstrated psychopathic and narcissistic personality traits in the personality tests. These people used negatively charged or odd formulations more often," says Danilo Garcia.

Own good characteristics

The status updates that indicated psychopathy could, for example, concern prostitutes, decapitation, pornography and butchers. People with narcissistic personality traits could emphasize their own good characteristics by, for example, noting that others did not understand what true happiness is.

Neurotic personality traits, how many friends you have on Facebook and how often you update your status can also be discerned from the analysis of the status updates. The study also shows that Facebook users with extrovert and open personalities generally have many friends on Facebook and update their status more often than others.

The study, The dark side of Facebook, is published in the scientific journal, Personality and Individual Differences.

FACTS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
• People with narcissistic traits are self-absorbed, self-glorifying and have an exaggerated confidence in their own abilities.
• Neurotic disorders are phobias, anxiety disorders and other disorders that arise as a result of trauma or extreme stress. These disorders are irrational, and are due to personality or other unconscious conflicts.
• People with psychopathic traits are strongly focused on their own wishes, and have a lack of empathy for others. These people often break norms and rules, and have a higher inclination to commit crime.
• People with Machiavellian traits are cynical, emotionally distant and unaffected by morals. They deceive and manipulate people in their surroundings to gain advantages.

http://www.sahlgrenska.gu.se/english...ook.cid1194899

[ashlesha]

now employers will test your facebook profile for mental health issues.

edit: dang you have to pay $36 for the study.

[rat1]

Well then, we're fucked

[Aylen]

I change my status every few months, maybe. It is usually an apology for not responding to posts, messages directed as me. I don't know if my profile comes up in any search. It is as private as I know how to make it. No drama to speak of within my different groups of friends but I don't pay much attention to FB anymore...anyone on my list is free to call me if they want to talk and can find my number (since I know them all from various spiritual group get togethers) I might answer if I recognize the number.

[Aylen]

[rat1]

This is fucking stupid.

Isn't everything?

[bolong]

Which employers actually do something like this?

I'm just wondering, because I haven't come across it. I do know a couple people doing medicine-related degrees who have stylized their facebook name so they can't be found through a name search, or something. But others say it's better to be open about your social media presence.

[rat1]

Many things.

This one is just extra annoying given its potential as a tool for yet more stupid stereotyping. You can already imagine HR consultants peddling analytics like this for pre-employment screening, etc.

yeah

[Nevero]

now employers will test your facebook profile for mental health issues.

edit: dang you have to pay $36 for the study.

here's a free copy: http://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-cont...strom-2013.pdf

Which employers actually do something like this?

I'm just wondering, because I haven't come across it. I do know a couple people doing medicine-related degrees who have stylized their facebook name so they can't be found through a name search, or something. But others say it's better to be open about your social media presence.

most places will run a background check on anyone they are considering for a job or intership. checking your background including any facebook pages they can find for is already a regular practice. what could come out of this is an application for evaluate the semantics of your fb posts. which would be dumb, because if you happen to make a joke about prostitution or dead babies it could alert them of you being a potential psycho ( ... the status updates that indicated psychopathy could, for example, concern prostitutes, decapitation, pornography and butchers), but because some employers will pay for such an app they would still go ahead and use it.