Research on Social Media Influencer Personality Traits
Research from the University of Wrocław in Poland and Oxford University in the United Kingdom has shed light on the specific personality characteristics that are often found in young individuals who aim to establish themselves as social media influencers—a modern profession that has surpassed more conventional ambitions like becoming an astronaut.
The shift in career preferences is illustrated by a survey sponsored by Lego in 2019, which showed that among 3,000 children surveyed in the US, UK, and China, one in three had the ambition to be social media influencers. “The study highlights the profound influence and appeal that a social media presence holds,” stated the team conducting the research.
Diving into Influencer Career Ambitions
Published in the journal Telematics and Informatics, the study evaluated nearly 800 adolescents, aged 16 to 17, from both Poland and the UK. These individuals responded to inquiries about their vocational objectives and underwent assessments based on the “Big Five” personality dimensions – openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism – as well as their propensity for histrionic behavior.
The research outcomes indicate a significant inclination towards the influencer profession among those exhibiting elevated tendencies of extroversion, narcissism, and histrionics, which is characterized by a pattern of intense, attention-seeking behavior. “Traits like these mirror a need for acknowledgment and attention from others,” opined the head of the research group, making a comparison with the traits of individuals drawn to the performing arts.
This investigation offers unique insights into the motivator factors behind choosing an influencer as a livelihood, concentrating on the individual motivation rather than how influencers are perceived by their audiences. “Although the career of an influencer is far from a clear-cut path to triumph, discerning the personality characteristics that encourage this choice could shed light on emergent labor and societal norms,” the researchers pondered.
The growing tendency of youth to chase influencer status prompts contemplation about its prospective implications on communal values and social identity. The outcomes underline the relevance of understanding the psychological elements at play in the continuously shifting realm of digital interaction and the pursuit for online recognition.
