The Rise of the Social Technology: Evaluating the Impact of the Instant Messenger Culture
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2002
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Award
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of Instant Messenger technology (IM)--namely American Online Instant Messenger (AIM)--on American youth. Stemming from previous research in the field of computer-mediated communication and more specifically real-time chat, it was predicted that one's personality and a number of individual differences would affect the way that the IM technology is used. Furthermore, we expected to find data showing IM as a key tool and factor in a college student's social network. The experimenters recruited college students and young adults to complete an online questionnaire with questions concerning subjects' background information, experience with technology, patterns of IM use, and personality information (Five Factor Inventory). Results showed a wealth of significant results concerning relations between individual differences and patterns of IM use. Specifically, a number of significant gender and personality differences were noted, with extraversion and agreeableness producing some of the most relevant findings. It was concluded that IM is an integral part of many young Americans' social networks, and that it is changing the dynamics of communication. Furthermore, males are concluded to be more transformed socially by this technology, with females simply transferring their social habits to this new medium. Future research is imperative in further exposing the effects--both long-term and short term--of IM culture on our youth. Future studies should be more directed and focused on specific aspects of IM use, and should especially target younger high school populations of IM users.