Connected: Facebook May Facilitate Face-to-Face Relationships for Introverts

• Published in: Psychology of popular media culture Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 34 - 40
• Main Authors: Spradlin, Alexander, Cuttler, Carrie, Bunce, John P., Carrier, L. Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Educational Publishing Foundation 01-01-2019
• Subjects: Attachment Behavior; Computer Mediated Communication; Extraversion; Female; Human; Interpersonal Communication; Interpersonal Relationships; Introversion; Male; Online Social Networks; Personality Traits; Test Construction; interpersonal relationships; personality; attachment; Facebook; face-to-face communication
• ISSN: 2160-4134; 2160-4142
• DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000162

Many fear that social networking sites (SNSs) are disconnecting people from meaningful face-to-face relationships. Nevertheless, previous research suggests that SNS use is related to increased face-to-face communication. The present study was conducted to determine whether personality traits and attachment styles moderate this relationship. Students (n = 855) completed an online survey that included measures of Facebook use, time spent engaging in face-to-face communication, personality traits, and attachment styles. The results revealed that Facebook use was associated with increased face-to-face communication and that this relationship was moderated by extraversion. Specifically, the relationship between Facebook use and face-to-face communication was significant for individuals with low to moderate levels of extraversion (i.e., introverts) only. As extraversion increased, the magnitude of the relationship between Facebook use and face-to-face time decreased. No other personality traits or attachment styles significantly moderated the relationship between Facebook use and face-to-face communication. Facebook (and potentially SNSs more generally) may be especially beneficial for introverts by allowing them to build trust and rapport in a less threatening social environment that, in turn, makes them more comfortable engaging in face-to-face communication. However, research is needed to understand the direction and mechanisms underlying this relationship. Nevertheless, the present study provides novel insights into the beneficial role that Facebook may play in connecting people in the real world.
Public Policy Relevance Statement
In young adults, more Facebook use was associated with increased time spent engaging in face-to-face communication, and moderation analyses revealed that this association was only present in people with low to moderate levels of extraversion. No other personality traits or attachment styles moderated the association. These results suggest that Facebook use may be especially beneficial for fostering face-to-face relationships for introverts.