A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that heavy use of social media may be a sign of strong self-love, or narcissism. The researchers say that college students in their early twenties who score high on narcissism post frequently on Twitter, while narcissistic middle-aged adults, in their thirties, post more on Facebook.
The scientists add that people in their thirties have already built up their social networks, so their frequent posting is an attempt to win approval from society, and especially from their own social circles. That is why they prefer Facebook.
College students, on the other hand, want to get their voice heard through a big megaphone like Twitter, which broadcasts their opinions and ideas.
The study involved 486 college students, three quarters of them women, with an average age of 19. They were asked how much they read and wrote posts on social media, and about psychological traits that reflect narcissism, such as exhibitionism, exploitativeness (using opportunities to improve one's image), superiority, authority and self-sufficiency.
The second part involved 93 adults, mostly white women, with an average age of 35.
The study found a strong link between posting and reading more and narcissism in several of its forms.
Like
Love
Angry
Dislike
