FACT: Facebook users are not more narcissistic. Facebook users do not suffer more from low self-esteem.
A recent study ‘found’ that Facebook users are narcissistic and suffer from low self-esteem. This ‘study’ was distributed virally, and was even featured on prominent websites. However, the study has major flaws.
1. The sample size of 100 people is not statistically significant – Only 100 people. Facebook has a population of 500 million. The sample size calculator reveals a study must include at least 9604 people to be 95% accurate in this case. There is no possible way a study of 100 people could draw sweeping conclusions about Facebook users in general.
2. Even if this study evaluated 9604 people, and found the users to be narcissistic, it doesn’t really tell us much about ‘Facebook users’. It would, however, tell us something about the general population. This is because almost everyone has a Facebook account. It’s redundant.
3. Lastly, the study’s big finding –
There was also a difference between men and women – men generally promoted themselves by written posts on their Facebook page while women tended to carefully select the pictures in their profile.
– Isn’t really surprising. Most guys brag. Most girls want to look beautiful.
Much ado about nothing.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
You cannot gather an opinion with just the opinion of 100 people when there is 500 million people who are on facebook.the person who took this study must live in another country not in the US.He or she must have paid them for such foolishment.If this is true then all the other studies are wrong for ages we might as well ask the ten year olds for their opinion.(smile)!
The true Narcissistic would not be on facebook because they would want to position themselves as not to participate in something 90% of the population does. They are ‘elitist’ by nature and want no part of something so common. In addition, by definition, Narcissists always seem aloof as to be too good for any group. They do not participate socially in terms of spending time to build relationships… they simply think they can show up and be the life. The guys that did this study do not even know the definition of clinical narcissism. Futhermore, they did not use an ample sample size. They are not scientists. They are wanna-bes trying to ride the co-tails of facebook for a news story. They had their 15-minutes of fame and are now debunked!
It seems like the real narcissists are the people who did this study. They manipulated a study for their 15 min. of fame. They completely disregarded the scientific community just to get a headline. Classic narcissism.
Stupid is as stupid does!!
Anyone who does not know the true traits of a narcisstic person does not really understand what they are talking about. I have a grandmother and a mother who are both narcisstic people. My grandmother even more so. She speaks negatively about everyone, she hibernates up in her bedroom all day long, she makes up stories about my mothers grandkids all the time just to get them in trouble with grandma and she is just a miserable person to be around. This condition has also worn off on my mother. She sues everyone because of it. I know this for a fact because when I started on faceboook, 2 years ago, I was negative to allot of my friends until someone befiended me over my behavior and brought it to my attention. I’m now in school for Psychology and I have changed my way of speaking to people.