Persönlichkeitsforschung und Internetnutzung

Die persönlichkeitspsychologische Perspektive der Internetforschung berücksichtigt, dass nicht alle Personen das Internet in gleicher Weise nutzen und auch die Nutzung selbst unterschiedliche Wirkungen auf Personen ausüben kann. Im Schnittfeld von Medienpsychologie, Persönlichkeitspsychologie und Kommunikationswissenschaft analysiert die Arbeit den Zusammenhang zwischen der menschlichen Persönlichkeit und Online-Verhalten. Insbesondere Social Networking Sites wie Facebook haben Kommunikation nachhaltig verändert. Im Kontext verschiedener Arten von Online-Kommunikation werden sieben Persönlichkeitseigenschaften auf ihren Zusammenhang mit Online-Verhalten untersucht: Neurotizismus, Extraversion, Offenheit, Verträglichkeit, Gewissenhaftigkeit, Narzissmus sowie Schüchternheit. Es zeigt sich, dass Persönlichkeit und kontextuelle Aspekte der digitalen Umgebung in unterschiedlicher Weise miteinander interagieren und Online-Verhalten als eine Funktion aus Person und Situation zu verstehen ist.This work aims to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between personality and Internet usage. In the theoretical chapters, trait psychological and media psychological theories and approaches are presented and integrated into various causal models of personality and online-behavior. The empirical part consists of three independent empirical studies. The first study analyzes whether the Five Factors of human personality are expressed differently on the computer and on the Internet when compared to the offline world. It can be shown that four traits including extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness lead to more moderate test results in the online version, thus, the expression of these four traits is significantly weaker in the digital environment. However, the trait expression of emotional stability even increases. The second study examines the frequently uttered assumption that especially narcissistic people have a special affinity for social networking sites. With the help of an online questionnaire study it is shown that users of social networking sites are not generally more narcissistic than non-users. Furthermore, the assumption that the typical needs of narcissistic people for attention and admiration, for self-disclosure and self-presentation as well as for self-esteem can be satisfied easier on social networking sites than in face-to-face communication can not be confirmed. Even highly narcissistic people prefer face-to-face communication to satisfy these three needs. The third study examines whether the often-reported preference of shy people for text-based, computer-mediated communication also applies to social communication and interaction on social networking sites. Regarding the typical needs of shy individuals including the needs for control, belongingness and self-esteem, the results indicate that these needs can be satisfied easier on social networking sites. All three studies show both the importance of considering interactions between personality traits and situational aspects and also emphasize that computer-mediated communication differs significantly from face-to-face communication in some psychologically important aspects.Die Arbeit leistet einen Beitrag zum Verständnis des Zusammenhangs zwischen Persönlichkeit und Internetnutzung. Dazu werden im theoretischen Teil persönlichkeitspsychologische sowie medienpsychologische Theorien und Ansätze vorgestellt und zu verschiedenen Kausalmodellen des Zusammenhangs zwischen Persönlichkeit und Online-Verhalten integriert. Der empirische Teil der Arbeit besteht aus drei unabhängigen Studien. Die erste Studie untersucht anhand des Fünf-Faktoren-Modells der Persönlichkeit, ob sich Persönlichkeit am Computer und im Internet anders ausdrückt als außerhalb der digitalen Umgebung. Es wird gezeigt, dass der Ausdruck der vier Eigenschaften Extraversion, Offenheit für Erfahrung, Verträglichkeit und Gewissenhaftigkeit im Internet signifikant schwächer ausfällt. Der Ausdruck der Eigenschaft Neurotizismus verstärkt sich jedoch in dem Sinne, dass Personen am Computer und im Internet emotional deutlich stabiler sind als außerhalb der digitalen Umgebung. Die zweite Studie geht der Vermutung nach, dass besonders narzisstische Personen eine besondere Vorliebe für Online-Social-Networking haben. Eine Online- Fragebogenstudie ergibt, dass Nutzer von Social Networking Sites jedoch nicht generell narzisstischer sind als Nicht-Nutzer. Die Annahme, dass die typischen Bedürfnisse narzisstischer Personen nach Aufmerksamkeit und Bewunderung, Selbstoffenbarung und Selbstdarstellung sowie Selbstwert auf Social Networking Sites besser befriedigt werden können als in Face-to- Face-Kommunikation, lässt sich ebenfalls nicht bestätigen. Die dritte Studie untersucht, ob die in der Literatur oft berichtete Vorliebe von schüchternen Personen für textbasierte, computervermittelte Kommunikation auch auf Social Networking Sites übertragbar ist. Eine Online- Fragebogenstudie kann zeigen, dass die typischen Bedürfnisse schüchterner Personen nach Kontrolle, Zugehörigkeit und Selbstwert tatsächlich auf Social Networking Sites besser befriedigen können als in Face-to-Face- Kommunikation. Alle drei Studien belegen gleichermaßen die Wichtigkeit von Interaktionen zwischen Persönlichkeitseigenschaften und situativen Aspekten und unterstreichen zudem, dass sich computervermittelte Kommunikation in einigen, psychologisch relevanten Aspekten deutlich von Face-to-Face-Kommunikation unterscheidet

Narcissism and related need satisfaction among German social network users

Positive correlations between online social networking and narcissistic behaviors and traits can be regarded as common sense among traitpsychological online research today. However, it still remains unclear what underlying factors motivate narcissistic individuals to engage in social interactions on websites such as Facebook. This study investigates trait narcissism (measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory) and narcissism-related needs on social networking sites. Therefore, perceived possibilities of satisfying three narcissism-related needs (1. need for attention and admiration, 2. need for self-disclosure and self-presentation, and 3. need for self-esteem) are investigated for face-to-face communication and communication on social networking sites measured by newly developed scales. The goal is to see whether or not narcissistic individuals seek out online social interactions because these needs can be better met on social networking sites than in face-toface communication. A questionnaire survey among German students (N = 886) revealed significant relations between trait narcissism and usage of social networking sites. Regressions analyses and t-tests show that narcissistic individuals use social networking sites more often and intensively, however, when it comes to satisfying typical narcissistic needs, face-to-face communication is rated as being more suitable to meet the needs for attention and admiration as well as self-disclosure and self-presentation. Results indicate that online social networking is not particularly rewarding for narcissistic individuals, yet another much appreciated means of narcissistic behavior.Positive Zusammenhänge zwischen Online Social Networking und narzisstischen Verhaltensaspekten wurden vielfach in der Forschungsliteratur berichtet. Es bleibt jedoch unklar, weshalb narzisstische Personen Social Networking Sites wie Facebook häufiger und intensiver nutzen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht subklinischen Narzissmus (durch das Narcissistic Personality Inventory) sowie typische Bedürfnisse narzisstischer Personen auf Social Networking Sites. Mit Hilfe neu entwickelter Skalen wird getestet, ob die drei typisch narzisstischen Bedürfnisse (1. Need for Attention / Admiration, 2. Need for Self-Disclosure / Self-Presentation, 3. Need for Self-Esteem) offline in Face-to-Face-Kommunikation oder online auf Social Networking Sites besser befriedigt werden können. Hierdurch soll die Frage beantwortet werden, ob narzisstische Personen eine Präferenz für Online Social Networking entwickeln, da sie dort ihre typisch narzisstischen Bedürfnisse besser befriedigen können. Eine Fragebogenerhebung unter 886 deutschen Studenten bestätigt korrelative Zusammenhänge zwischen Narzissmus und der Nutzung von Social Networking Sites. Regressionsanalysen und t-Tests zeigen, dass narzisstische Personen Social Networking Sites häufiger und intensiver nutzen. Für die Befriedigung von typisch narzisstischen Bedürfnissen (1. Need for Attention / Admiration, 2. Need for Self-Disclosure / Self-Presentation) wird jedoch Face-to-Face-Kommunikation präferiert. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Online Social Networking im Vergleich zu Face-to-Face-Kommunikation nicht sonderlich lohnend für narzisstische Personen ist, sondern lediglich eine zusätzliche Möglichkeit narzisstischer Selbstdarstellung und Bedürfnisbefriedigung darstellt

Understanding and supporting block play: video observation research on preschoolers’ block play to identify features associated with the development of abstract thinking

This article reports on a study conducted to investigate the development of abstract thinking in preschool children (ages from 3 years to 4 years old) in a nursery school in England. Adopting a social influence approach, the researcher engaged in 'close listening' to document children's ideas expressed in various representations through video observation. The aim was to identify behaviours connected with features of the functional dependency relationship – a cognitive function that connects symbolic representations with abstract thinking. The article presents three episodes to demonstrate three dominating features, which are i) child/child sharing of thinking and adult and child sharing of thinking; ii) pause for reflection; and iii) satisfaction as a result of self-directed play. These features were identified as signs of learning, and were highlighted as phenomena that can help practitioners to understand the value of quality play and so provide adequate time and space for young children and plan for a meaningful learning environment. The study has also revealed the importance of block play in promoting abstract thinking. Keywords: abstract thinking; functional dependency relationship; social influence approach; block play; preschool; video observation; qualitative researc

Plasma and CSF pharmacokinetics of meropenem in neonates and young infants: results from the NeoMero studies.

Background: Sepsis and bacterial meningitis are major causes of mortality and morbidity in neonates and infants. Meropenem, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is not licensed for use in neonates and infants below 3 months of age and sufficient information on its plasma and CSF disposition and dosing in neonates and infants is lacking. Objectives: To determine plasma and CSF pharmacokinetics of meropenem in neonates and young infants and the link between pharmacokinetics and clinical outcomes in babies with late-onset sepsis (LOS). Methods: Data were collected in two recently conducted studies, i.e. NeoMero-1 (neonatal LOS) and NeoMero-2 (neonatal meningitis). Optimally timed plasma samples (n = 401) from 167 patients and opportunistic CSF samples (n = 78) from 56 patients were analysed. Results: A one-compartment model with allometric scaling and fixed maturation gave adequate fit to both plasma and CSF data; the CL and volume (standardized to 70 kg) were 16.7 (95% CI 14.7, 18.9) L/h and 38.6 (95% CI 34.9, 43.4) L, respectively. CSF penetration was low (8%), but rose with increasing CSF protein, with 40% penetration predicted at a protein concentration of 6 g/L. Increased infusion time improved plasma target attainment, but lowered CSF concentrations. For 24 patients with culture-proven Gram-negative LOS, pharmacodynamic target attainment was similar regardless of the test-of-cure visit outcome. Conclusions: Simulations showed that longer infusions increase plasma PTA but decrease CSF PTA. CSF penetration is worsened with long infusions so increasing dose frequency to achieve therapeutic targets should be considered

All-sky Medium Energy Gamma-ray Observatory: Exploring the Extreme Multimessenger Universe

The All-sky Medium Energy Gamma-ray Observatory (AMEGO) is a probe class mission concept that will provide essential contributions to multimessenger astrophysics in the late 2020s and beyond. AMEGO combines high sensitivity in the 200 keV to 10 GeV energy range with a wide field of view, good spectral resolution, and polarization sensitivity. Therefore, AMEGO is key in the study of multimessenger astrophysical objects that have unique signatures in the gamma-ray regime, such as neutron star mergers, supernovae, and flaring active galactic nuclei. The order-of-magnitude improvement compared to previous MeV missions also enables discoveries of a wide range of phenomena whose energy output peaks in the relatively unexplored medium-energy gamma-ray band

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Are we the same online? The expression of the five factor personality traits on the computer and the Internet

The article distinguishes between different perspectives of contemporary research on personality and Internet usage. An open question concerns how personality is expressed on the Internet. Although some authors postulate a structural change of personality on the Internet, the precondition of cross-situational consistency rather speaks for just a different, situation-dependent expression of personality on the Internet. This study provides an initial empirical approach to the question of whether the five factor personality traits – exemplary for the whole personality of a person – express differently on the computer and on the Internet. Therefore, the five factors of 122 student participants were measured by the NEO-FFI. In a second step, the same subjects completed a modified version of the NEO-FFI, in which all items refer to computer-mediated communication. Results indicate that with regard to four of the five factors, the absolute influence of personality on behavior and experience decreases in favor of situational impact. In the case of neuroticism, a different effect occurred. On the computer and the Internet participants report higher emotional stability than in the offline world

Public connection through media consumption: between oversocialization and de-socialization?

This article reviews the ongoing contribution of Personal Influence to our understanding of media' social consequences from the perspective of recent research (the London School of Economics “Public Connection” project, 2003-2006, conducted by the authors and Sonia Livingstone) into the extent to which shared habits of media consumption help sustain, or not, U.K. citizens' orientation to a public world. As well as reviewing specific findings of the Public Connection project that intersect with themes of Personal Influence(particularly on citizens' networks of social interaction and the available discursive contexts in which they can put their mediated knowledge of the public world to use), the article reviews the methodological similarities and differences between this recent project and that of Katz and Lazarsfeld. The result, the authors conclude, is to confirm the continued salience of the questions about the social embeddedness of media influences that Katz and Lazarsfeld posed