17 June 2005
Are introverts more likely to send text messages than call from their mobile phones? Do conscientious people reserve mobile phone use for business or practical use only? Do extroverts receive and make more calls than the rest of the population?
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| Ms Sarah Butt |
These are some of the questions a new study by Monash University researchers is looking to answer.
Dr James Phillips and Ms Sarah Butt, from the department of psychology, want to ask people how they use their mobile phones and whether personality influences the ways in which they use them.
Ms Butt said the study would look at five personality traits and their potential impact on phone use -- extroversion, neuroticism, open-ness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness.
"I believe that the study will show that young people are more likely to use their phones for fun, rather than practical reasons and that extroverts are more likely to ring while introverts are more likely to send text messages," she said.
"I also suspect that people who are more open to experience, or are more curious in general, will embrace new technology more so than other phone users."
The study will also assess the kinds of calls people receive on their mobile phones -- whether they are wanted or unwanted calls and whether this has any effect on people's self-esteem
"Some studies have found relationships between self-esteem and the time spent on the Internet," Ms Butt said.
"So it will be interesting to see whether self-esteem is a factor in how people use their phones or in how they perceive the kinds of calls they receive."
Ms Butt said the study would help provide an understanding of the role personality played in determining people's communication choices.
Anyone interested in taking part in the study can email sarah.butt@med.monash.edu.au.
Sarah is available for interview. Further information from Ms Penny Fannin in the Media Communications office on 9905 5828 or 0417 125 700.
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