Influence of Exposure to Facebook on Personality, Self-Esteem and Social Perception in Working Environment

This study examines the influence of Facebook activities on self-esteem and social skills in the working environment. Personality traits are analyzed using the Big Five Inventory and Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale. The study also uses the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Arnett Sensation Seeking Scale to evaluate self-esteem. The research methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative methods. The respondent is a chemical PhD student who was observed through social media and interviewed. The study aims to provide insights into individual differences in online behavior.

INFLUENCE OF EXPOSURE TO FACEBOOK ON
PERSONALITY, SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL
PERCEPTION IN WORKING ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction
The study examines the influence that activities on Facebook have on self-esteem in work
environment. It aims at finding whether Facebook activities will increase or decrease users’ self-
esteem and increase the social skills within her surroundings which is her working environment.
Based on the result, for the Big Five Inventory, we can say that the respondent get highest score in
openness which is 35,followed by agreeableness that is 30, the third rank is extraversion which is 29
and conscientiousness and neuroticism are the lowest rank with the same score that is 27. For Rotter’s
Locus of Control Scale, the respondent get low score that is 12 over 29 indicates internal locus of
control instead of external locus of control. The respondent get lower score in Rosenberg Self –
Esteem Scale which is 15 over 40, indicates that the respondent got lower self-esteem. For Arnett
Sensation Seeking Scale, the respondent get higher score in thrill and adventure seeking which is 6
over 10. The higher the score indicates the more likely a person to seek out novel and intense
sensations. The last one is RIASEC. The respondent get higher score in social, investigative and
enterprising which are 33, 26 and 23 respectively and the lower scores are artistic, conventional and
realistic which are 22, 20 and 18.
The purpose of this study is to examine the role of Facebook usage in self esteem and and
increase the social skills within her surroundings. In doing so, we look at how personality influences
the degree to which individuals use this form of social networking and the content they include.
Overall, these results indicate the importance of examining individual differences in online behaviour.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2. Literature Review
2.1 Big Five-Personality Scale
Psychological research acknowledges that the central aspects of personality can be described
as a five-factor model (Big 5;Benet-Martinez & John, 1998; John et al., 1991, 2008). According to the
Big 5, personality consists of five main factors: extraversion,agreeableness, openness to new
experience, conscientiousness,and neuroticism (Costa & McCrae, 1992). Extraversion represents an
individual’s level of sociability and outgoingness. Agreeablenessreflects the extent to which an
individual engages in and endorsesinterpersonal cooperation. Openness reflects the extent to whichan
individual is willing to explore new situations. Conscientiousnessreflects the extent to which an
individual is organized, careful,and shows self-control. Finally, neuroticism reflects
emotionalstability.
Personality psychologists have reached a consensus that the domain of personality can best be
described by the Big Five dimensionsof the Five Factor Model (Devaraj, Easley, & Crant,
2008).With respect to the Internet, Amiel and Sargent (2004) explored the relationship between
personalityand internet usage motives. They found those scoring high in neuroticism (low emotional
stability) reported using the Internet tofeel a sense of ‘‘belonging’’ and to be informed, while
extraverts made more instrumental and goal-oriented use of Internet services(Amiel & Sargent,
2004).McElroy et al. (2007) found personality to be a much better predictor of internet use than
cognitive style,while Devaraj and associates’ (2008) results showed a moderatingrole for personality
on the relationship between technology usefulnessand intention to use and between subjective norms
and intentionto use (with the exception of openness).
Extraversion refers to the extent to which individuals are social, cheerful, optimistic, active
and talkative. Individuals high inextraversion were expected to engage in high amounts of social
interaction and approach others more easily (Wehrli, 2008).Research has offered two competing
explanations for the relationship between extraversionand Facebook usage: social compensation and
the ‘‘rich-get-richer’’(Ong et al., 2010).According to the social compensation explanation, introverts
would have the most to gain from the use of socialnetworks like Facebook because such indirect
communicationallows them to compensate for their lack of interpersonal skills,while the ‘‘rich-get-
richer’’ proposition argues that extraverts benefitmore since Facebook simply provides another
platform forthem to communicate with friends and contacts made off-line.
Correa et al. (2010) found that extraverts reported making more contact with their
Facebookfriends, were more likely to broadcast their activities and eventson Facebook, and posted
more pictures on Facebook. Moreover, Bibby (2008) found that extraverts engaged in more self-
disclosurethrough self-generated Facebook content.
Comparedto extraversion, much less research has been conducted relativeto agreeableness
and Facebook usage.Ross et al. (2009) and Amichai-Hamburger and Vinitzky (2010), for example,
found no relationshipbetween agreeableness and Facebook usage, whileSwickert et al. (2002) found a
significant relationship betweenagreeableness and the reported use of recreational Facebook
activities,such as instant messaging and online games. In related research, Amachai-Hamburger,
Kaplan, and Dorpatcheon (2008)found that individuals low in agreeableness were more likely tobe
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Wikipedia members, presumably because they could correctothers without having to be sympathetic
or courteous.
Conscientious individuals will not invest a large amount of resources inFacebook because
they prefer to stick to their main goals by avoidingdistraction (Wehrli, 2008). Previous research
indicating that conscientious people spend more time online engaged in academicpursuits than in
leisure activities (McElroy et al., 2007) supportsthis notion, as does the finding of Wilson et al. (2010)
that highlyconscientious people spend less time on social networking sites.
Neuroticism has previously been assumed to benegatively associated with social relationships
(Wehrli,2008) butpositively related to the amount of time they spend online (McElroyet al., 2007).
Wehrli (2008) found that a positive relationship between neuroticism and social media usage can
explained that someone which is low in emotional stability is tend to spend more time on social
networking sites because they will try to change their selves to look attractive.
The respondent get highest score in openness. Some research has been conducted on the
relationship between openness and Facebook. McElroy et al. (2007) found that openness was a
significant predictor of general internet use, while Guadagno et.al (2008) found that people high in
openness to be more likely to blog. Different with Ross et.al, he found that individuals high on trait of
openness, they are more willing to consider alternative methods of communication which is important
in Facebook use. There also got positive relationship between openness and social media use for an
example people higher in openness engaged in increased online sociability through Facebook, a
finding they attributed to the novel nature of this form of social communication technology (Correa
et.al.,2010).
2.2 Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale
Rotter explains that humans can interpret events as being either a result of one’s own actions
or external factors.He goes on to suggest that whether or not people believe a situation or event is
under their own control will influence their reward expectancy and behaviour (Rotters, 1956)
2.3 Rosenberg Self –Esteem Scale
Self-esteem is defined in Wilson et al study (2010) as being “the subjective evaluation
aperson makes and maintains about himself or herself and the extent of belief in their
capability,worth, and significance, which is conveyed through their attitudes and verbal behaviour”.
(Wilsonet al, 2010 p 1). Wilson et al found (2010) no link between self-esteem and SNS use.
In essence, individuals with low self-esteem tend tobehave in a manner that is cautious,
conservative, restrained, and modest (Josephs et al. 1992).This self-protective approach may reflect
the uncertainty that accompanies low self-esteem.
It is important to note that the basis of the vulnerability model isthe idea that negative beliefs
about the self are think to play a critical role in the etiology ofnegative outcomes rather than just being
a symptom of these experiences (Beck 1967; Metalskyet al. 1993).
The clearest illustration of the vulnerability model may be the link between self-esteemand
depression. It is believe that low self-esteem may be a risk factor for depression because it contributes
to the development and maintenance of depression through both intrapsychicprocesses and
interpersonal strategies (Orth et al. 2008).
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Valkenburg, Peter and Schouten (2006) found that Facebook can enhance ‘social self-
esteem’, measures as perceptions of a user’s physical appearance and close relationship especially
evident when ‘Facebook friends’ give positive feedback and comments. Ellison et al (2007) also
found that Facebook user with low self-esteem might seek opportunities by creating on Facebook,
which creates positive benefits for one’s self, esteem. This contribute to the idea that people who
spend longer online Facebook or any social media have lower self-esteem and trying to build a social
connection with others to improve their self-esteem levels (Mehdizadeh, 2010).
In Soraya Mehdizadeh's study (2010) ‘Self-Presentation 2.0: Narcissism and Self-Esteem on
Facebook’, they found a negative correlation between self-esteem and Facebook use. Participants who
get lower score on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale had a greater amount of time spent on Facebook
per session and greater number on Facebook logins per day.
Kalpidou, Costin and Morris (2011) examines the relationship between Facebook towards
individual attitudes and their self-esteem. They also relate with social, emotional and academic
adjustment to college, as well as attachment to the institution. They target to find a negative
correlation between Facebook and self-esteem.
Gonzales and Hancocks (2011) found that Facebook has a positive effect on self-esteem.
Sixty-three participants took part in their study where each participants sat in front of a computer that
either was turned off or had the student’s Facebook profile. Some of the computers that were off had a
mirror beside them while others had no mirror. Participants were told that they had three minutes to
look through any of the tabs on their profile page. When the three minutes were up, each participants
were given the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965). Based on the results, the participants who were
looking at the mirror showed no elevations in self-esteem but the participants that use Facebook
showed higher ratings of self-esteem. it is important to select a better ways to present ourselves to
increase our self-esteem. This study suggest that self-presentation can have a positive influence on
self-esteem (Gonzales et. al, 2011, p81).
The Internet can provide a unique venue for expressingalternate selves. According to
McKenna, Green, and Gleason(2002), some individuals, particularly those high in social anxiety,feel
able to express hidden self-aspects (characteristics currentlypart of the self, but not normally
expressed in everyday life) onthe Internet.
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CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
This chapter mainly emphasizes on the description of the research methodology used in this study
which includes research design, research participants, research instruments, research procedure, and
data analysis.
3.1 Research Design
This research has employed both the qualitative and quantitative research methodology, which is
mixed method, was used in this study to obtain the necessary data for more accurate results. Creswell
and Plano Clark’s (2006) mentioned that “… the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches in
combination provides a better understanding of research problems than either approach alone.”
In fact, there are six types of mixed methods designs namely Convergent Parallel Design (or
concurrent), Explanatory Sequential Design, Exploratory Sequential Design, Embedded Design,
Transformative Design and Multiphase Design (Creswell, 2012). However, this research belongs to
the Convergent Parallel Design or Concurrent Design for several reasons. First, the same priority was
given to both the qualitative and quantitative data in this research (Creswell, 2012). Next, both the
qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently or at the same time during this study but
analyzed individually (Creswell, 2012). Finally, the results from both of the quantitative and
qualitative were used to compare or relate (Creswell, 2012). Although the results of both data were
analyzed separately, they were merged together and the combined results were interpreted.
In this study, observations are done by researchers in the time periods of 3 terms, 3 months for each
term. Then, the five instruments in questionnaires form to investigate personality as the quantitative
study were distributed to the respondent to obtain the scores to evaluate personalities. Quantitative
data are analyzed for frequency of occurrence. The five datasets are compared. Next, the qualitative
study is by interviewing the respondent being chosen to examine the unique case of the person’s life.
Comparisons of the quantitative and qualitative results are based on a theme chosen after
observations, which related with social media.
3.2 Research Participants
The respondent for this research was a chemical PhD student who was just passed her viva which was
sixth year postgraduate study and going to attend her graduation ceremony in October 2017 in UTM.
She had been studying in UTM for 10 years including obtained degree in total.
3.3 Research Instrument
As mentioned in the research design section, the research instruments used in this study were an
observation, questionnaires and an interview. Detailed descriptions of the instruments are presented in
the next sections.
3.3.1 Observation
In this study, a PhD student who was undergoing critical periods at the beginning of this year, 2017
had been observed through her social media which are Facebook and WeChat, as she had to prepare
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her viva presentations. 3 periods were observed after deciding to choose her as a participant, which
were from September to November 2016; from November to February; and from March to May 2017,
her actions or behaviors were observed through both social media, which are before, during and after
viva presentation. For the first term, from September to November 2016, she wrote her final written
thesis as have to summit it for supervisor to check as to finalize her thesis for the next procedure,
which is viva presentation. She had done countless laboratory experiences using chemicals and went
to her lab according to office hours before she succeeded in obtain the required results from her
experiments. During this writing period, she preferred to stay in her room to write the thesis.
Sometimes, she went to library and rented a room to study alone inside. While for second term, the
waiting period for the viva date is not yet confirmed and considered quite long for her. She went back
to her hometown and applied for jobs there. This period is observed to investigate the consistency of
her behaviors in social media. For the period after viva presentation, her opinions regarding future
paths were observed through social media.
3.3.2 Questionnaires
During the distribution of 5 sets of questionnaires, an oral briefing was given by the researcher to
obtain the respondent’ perceptions on whether they could understand the learnt subject matter and the
meaning of certain questionnaires to avoid misunderstood the meanings of the questions or
statements. The respondent was allowed to ask questions to clarify the actual meanings of the
questionnaires. The time given to do the 5 sets of questionnaires was not given.
The five instruments in questionnaire forms are used for the participant, which are the Big Five
Inventory (BFI), Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale, Sensation Seeking
Scale and RIASEC. The tables of the scores for the instruments are depicted as below.
3.3.2.1 The first instrument is the Big Five Inventory (BFI) to obtain her opinions to what extent she
agree or disagree with the statements which indicate characteristics. The 44-item inventory measures
an individual on the Big Five Factors (dimensions) of personality (Goldberg, 1993).
Table 1:The Scoring of the Big Five Inventory (BFI)
The Big Five Inventory (BFI) Scoring for the Five Subscales
Openness 35
Agreeableness 30
Extraversion 29
Conscientiousness 27
Neuroticism 27
The highest scale scoring of BFI is openness which is 35, followed by agreeableness that is 30. The
third rank is extraversion which is 29, and conscientiousness and neuroticism are the lowest rank with
the same score, 27.
3.3.2.2 Using Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, there were 29 statements or situations with two choices
each and one statement was chosen which the participant agreed the most.
Table 2: The Scoring of Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale
Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale Score (12 / 29 )
A high score indicates external locus of control. The result showed a low score, 12, which indicates
internal locus of control instead of external locus of control.
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3.3.2.3 Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale is a 10-item scale that measures global self-worth by measuring
both positive and negative feelings about the self. The scale is believed to be uni-dimensional. All
items are answered using a 4-point Likert scale format ranging from strongly agree to strongly
disagree.
Table 3: The Scoring of Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale
Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale Score ( 15 / 40 )
Higher score indicates higher self-esteem. 15 over 40 scoring were considered lower score and lower
self-esteem.
3.3.2.4 Zuckerman (1994) defines sensation seeking as “…a trait defined by the seeking of varied,
novel, complex, and intense sensations and experiences and the willingness to take physical, social,
legal, and financial risks for the sake of such experiences.” (p. 27). Originally developed as an
individual difference measure which might predict differential response to sensory deprivation
(Zuckerman, 1979), the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) evolved into a multi-dimensional measure,
consisting of four interrelated subscales. The subscales, each comprised of ten forced-choice items,
include boredom susceptibility (BS; an aversion to repetitive and/or boring tasks and/or people),
disinhibition (DIS; seeking release and/or disinhibited social behavior via alcohol, partying, sex etc.),
experience seeking (ES; pursuit of an unconventional lifestyle via unplanned activities and/or
hallucinatory drugs), and thrill and adventure seeking (TAS; seeking unusual sensations via exciting
and risky sporting activities).
Table 4: The Scoring of Sensation Seeking Scale
Sensation Seeking Scale Scoring for the Four Subscales
Thrill and Adventure Seeking 6/10
Boredom Susceptibility 5/10
Experience Seeking 3/10
Disinhibition 2/10
Scoring shows ‘high’ sensation seeking behavior. The higher the score,the more likely a person to
seek out novel and intense sensations.
3.3.2.5 The most coming used assessment tool in career planning is the RIASEC Hexagon. First
introduced during the 1970s by Dr. John Holland, a classification interviewer with the US army,
RIASEC-Holland’s Theory of Career Interest is based on four main assumptions about people,
interests, and careers.
Table 5: The Scoring of RIASEC
RIASEC Scoring
Social 33
Investigative 26
Enterprising 23
Artistic 22
Conventional 20
Realistic 18
The highest three scores are in categories which are social, investigative and enterprising, which are
33, 26 and 23 respectively. The lower scores are artistic, conventional and realistic which are 22, 20
and 18.
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3.3.3 Interview
The interview was carried out based on the results and comparison of the 5 sets of instruments.
Several questions were asked to clarify her answers to previous scores in personality and answers
were noted in note-taking form. More examples are given to confirm her personality with the scores
obtained for all the instruments.
CHAPTER 4
EVALUATION OF PERSONALITY
4.1 Introduction
The participant personality theories are evaluated based on the six distinct domains of personality as
explained by Larsen and Buss (2014).Most people can be categorized into six types and that each
person may be characterized by one type or a combination of these types.Behavior is determined by
an interaction between a person’s personality and the characteristics of their environment.
4.2 Six Domains of Personality
4.2.1The Dispositional Domain
She was independent during her 6 years postgraduate study at same place, UTM. She stayed at the
same room for many years. She prefers to wear clothes suitable to attend certain events. This means
she had high self-concept of her appearance as well although she wore T-shirts to her lab most of the
time. However, she has low self-esteem from the result from instrument. She often changes her profile
pictures on social media. She admitted that she seldom took selfie as well.
4.2.2The Biological Domain
The participant is 30 years old this year. Her thoughts were matured enough in giving decisions and
advices. She believes that there was always hope in every path taken when others seek advices from
her. However, she admitted that she was quite emotional and still learning to have better control of
emotions. She always mentioned that she took actions based on feelings. It can be noticed from her
social media when she updated her feelings on it.
4.2.3 The Intrapsychic Domain
As she was thrill and adventure seeking according to SSS score, it can be proved from her opinions.
She told that she was willing to make friends with various ranges of ages, from kids to adults, and
even with strangers. She told that she was willing to work at other places from her hometown after
graduated, although she mentioned that she wished to work in her hometown as her family was
around. However, she told that she felt sad when juniors she cares the most try to avoid her. She threw
away drawing papers from him in a dustbin and purposely took the pictures to show her action and
posted on social media.
4.2.4 The Cognitive/ Experimental Domain
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She scored high in openness, agreeableness and extraversion. She willing to listen to people opinions
and accept it according to her own beliefs. She can be happy by entertaining herself in her room
without feeling sad. She tried to played new games after she passed up her thesis and exercise by
jogging as her daily habit. Moreover, she was willing to talk with people although she just first met an
old lady when going to a place. The lady was willing to invite her to her house and gave her a
desktop. This means that she was easily communicate and interact with people. She gave comments
on social media without afraid to terrifying people. She was humorous rather than being too formal
when she commented on social media.
4.2.5 The Social and Cultural Domain
She was social and investigative. It was because she had various experiences in working with people
in various places in Malaysia. She ever worked in police station to help investigating cases. She can
make friends with gangsters as well. This shows that she adapted herself easily with people from
different cultures and background. She accepted them as friends on Facebook as well. She thinks that
we can learn various aspects from everyone.
4.2.6 The Adjustment Domain
During career planning and development, the participant seeks occupations that let correspond with
their skills, interest, and values, and obviously avoid work situations that are in conflict with their
skills, interests, and values. She was willing to be innovative and working in an intense and new
environment as long as the job was matched with her interests and skills. Besides, she takes good care
of her health by not taking fast foods. She posted out products created by her on social media which
was special using chemicals.
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