The Psychogical Profile of Online Social Networkers
No offence, but in the online social networking space, I’ve found many people to be quite (ironically) anti-social (back to this later). This week there was a pretty average news article put out by the BBC titled ‘Online networking harms health’. Nothing new here – same old stuff about people who use computers loose social skills – that kind of thing. However, there is a very good psychological, evidence based retort to this article by Dr John Grohol here. Dr Grohol argues in essence that:
“The Internet’s not the problem — the Internet is a solution for lonely people.”
He says that people who use the Internet a lot, especially online social networkers have found a vehicle through which they can adequately interact with the rest of the world. It’s a very compelling article. Which brings me back to my observations about the anti-social nature of the people in this space.
Some of the online social networkers I’ve met online appear to be extremely opinionated, hostile, judgemental, and very black and white. If they displayed such characteristics in the offline world they would find it very difficult to form long term stable relationships with others. I would further guess that many people in this space are extroverted, and love interacting with others, yet find it difficult to do so (probably for the preceding reasons).
My concern with all of this is that in the online social networking space many people are practicing behaviours that are indeed really quite anti-social. Therefore they will find themselves increasingly confined to effective communications in the online space only. Practice being an opinionated twat online – and that’s what you’ll become! The implication of this is ghastly.
So here’s my suggestion. Have a look at all the posts and comments you’ve written – what do they say about you? If you are active online – then treat each other well. Practice pro-social behaviour. Be good to each other and supportive, not grumpy, judgemental, and mean spirited.
To round this off, check out Adrian Chan’s work on looking at the personality profiles of online social networky types here.
Fritz Bachen is a Consumer Psychologist and Founding Partner at Naked Communications. Fritz can be seen, read or heard at; The Gruen Transfer, ABC Radio (Sunday nights), Adnews columnist, as well as The Australian, Cleo, Mumbrella, Shop Till You Drop and so on. He speaks at numerous conferences on marketing, ideas, contemporary culture, and consumer behaviour. Fritz has degress in clinical psychology and commerce (marketing). A registered psychologist and has worked in private practice, forensic settings, advertising (Saatchi & Saatchi) and marketing consultancy (Added Value). He was also state under 12 chess champion on WA, and has a board game called The Analyst selling well in the Benelux countries.
Comments
Anonymous
Feb 22nd, 2009This is probably correct as most people in the space currently are from technical backgrounds. However, its a bit harsh to group all social media experts together
Daniel Oyston
Feb 22nd, 2009Fritz, its very interesting the point about being opinionated and being very black and white. I just left a comment on Julian Coles blog and will be posting more about his topic tonight on my own but I see more and more blogs being people’s “opinions” and not a post that positions their opinion but starts a conversation. I feel like I get lectured half the time.
However, I wonder how much the findings align to marketers? Sweeping statement but, most marketers are extraverted and like interacting with people. But maybe the online avenues start to attract more of the wrong type of personalities because of the safety it offers?
On Saturday arvo I had drinks with Julian Cole, Jye Smith and Scott Drummond. First time I had met them in person and I had a great time (wish I hadn’t driven). A few weeks ago I recorded a Podcast with Peter Wagstaff and Zac Martin and again it was the first time I had met them and I had a great time (Zac doesn’t remember most of the latter part of the evening
Plus you and I were going to catch up for lunch but the timing didn’t align
However, I do have to put up with jokes from my wife and friend about meeting up with men I met on the internet
Morgan Coudray
Feb 23rd, 2009Good topic Fritz and I really like the new site logo.
I got to agree that social networking and the internet in general has opened many doors to many people who wouldn’t “thrive” as well socially in the real world.
But at the same time I think the nature of the medium allows you and I to behave in particualr way. I could argue that I’m more opinionated online because I can.
haze
Feb 23rd, 2009Not sure I agree at all.
Consider the two most widely used social networking sites; Facebook and Myspace. I use the former quite a bit, and I can’t recall any instance of opinionated, anti social behaviour. Ever. Of course it exists, but I would say it’s probably fairly rare.
Why, because these sites are inherently social.
Where this sort of behaviour occurs is the blogosphere, and that’s because of a few things;
a) it’s inherently used for commercial purposes (even social bloggers and twitterers are forever chasing site traffic and followers)
b) because it’s commercial, it’s competitive. being controversial can lead to people listening to you.
c) there’s not necessarily much accountability (via anonymity)
I’m sure if you compared all the behaviour of these anti social people on the blogosphere with their behaviour on more personal sites like Facebook it would be worlds apart.
Anonymous
Feb 25th, 2009Most appear to be wannabe celebrities within the industry, with a dash of digital trainspotter thrown in for good measure.
Daniel, couldn’t agree more on the lecture feel. I visit Godin’s blog for an escape from this for what at least feels like an actual conversation.
Fritz Bachen
Feb 25th, 2009Morgan apprecate your comments however, not so sure that just becuase we can means we should is the best rationalisation (ie Lord of the Flies?)
Haze, I guess I was talking primarily about the Blogosphere – you’re right.
Cheers
jemster
Feb 25th, 2009For once I have nothing to say (hooray!).
Particularly like Adrian Chan’s analysis, nice to see someone cutting through the ‘social media crap’ that is epidemic over here, so thanks for that.
Kate Kendall
Feb 25th, 2009Looking forward to seeing you speak tonight Fritz at Domain. Might come over and introduce myself.
Kate
Fritz Bachen
Feb 26th, 2009Jemster – cheers mate, come out to Aus. sometime. Kate, looking forwards to meeting you tonight.
jemster
Feb 26th, 2009are you suggesting that they are better at cutting through the crap in aus ?
… ‘no shit sherlock’
Stan Lee
Feb 26th, 2009As my mum used to say when I was a kid, treat people the way you would like them to treat you. Nuff said.
Fritz Bachen
Feb 28th, 2009Stan that’s it in a nutshell. However, I think there would be a few embarrassed mothers out there right now.
Trackbacks and Pingbacks
Leave a Comment