The unprecedented popularity of the social networking site Facebook raises a number of important questions
regarding the impact it has on sociality. However, as Facebook is a very recent social phenomenon,
there is a distinct lack of psychological theory relating to its use. While research has begun to identify the
types of people who use Facebook, this line of investigation has been limited to student populations. The
current study aimed to investigate how personality influences usage or non-usage of Facebook. The sample
consisted of 1324 self-selected Australian Internet users (1158 Facebook users and 166 Facebook nonusers),
between the ages of 18 and 44. Participants were required to complete an online questionnaire
package comprising the Big Five Inventory (BFI), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory – 29-item version
(NPI-29), the Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale (RCBS), and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale
for Adults – Short version (SELSA-S). Facebook users also completed a Facebook usage questionnaire. The
results showed that Facebook users tend to be more extraverted and narcissistic, but less conscientious
and socially lonely, than nonusers. Furthermore, frequency of Facebook use and preferences for specific
features were also shown to vary as a result of certain characteristics, such as neuroticism, loneliness,
shyness and narcissism. It is hoped that research in this area continues, and leads to the development
of theory regarding the implications and gratifications of Facebook use.