We explore how specific behaviors on Facebook inform interpersonal perceptions. We conducted two studies that explored the impact of linguistic (Study 1) and emotional cues (Study 2) on interpersonal perceptions of a fictitious target. In both studies, a between-participants design was used, whereby participants were randomly allocated to one of three cue conditions, were presented with a Facebook profile that varied in the respective cue usage, and were asked to provide personality perceptions. Study 1 conditions varied in linguistic cues (accurate spelling, one error, and multiple errors), and Study 2 conditions varied in emotional cues (no emoji, one happy emoji, and multiple happy emoji). Study 1 found linguistic accuracy was related to perceptions of target extraversion. Specifically, the target was rated more extraverted in the control condition, with no errors relative to a single error condition. Study 2 results suggested that emoji cues did not have any significant impact upon trait perceptions. Taken together, the findings suggest that "less is more" when making judgments specifically for extraversion.
Public Policy Relevance StatementOnline communication is a fundamental part of 21st century communication methods. This research highlights that aspects of our communication such as spelling accuracy may have a knock-on impact on how others judge us with respect to our personality. Specifically, we may be more likely to judge people as extraverted when they use more accurate spelling with their social media posts.