Analyzing the effects of personality traits on motivations for using social media

Social media is an Internet-based application built on the technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. This computer mediated communication mediums allow individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, view and traverse their list of connections within the system. Individuals use this medium to share thoughts, ideas, experiments, information, and experiences. Therefore, individuals can generate and exchange content via social media. In recent years, more and more individuals have adopted and used social media applications more rapidly, due to the widespread use of the internet-connected smart phones. Thus, why usage level of social media has grown rapidly and what specific factors motivate individuals to use these applications has become an important research subject.  This study focuses on the motivations of individuals for using social media in accordance with personality traits. The study examines the relationships between Five Factor Personality Traits and motivations for using social media. The analysis results reveal that personality traits have important effects on motivations for using social media. Especially, extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness dimensions have statistically significant effects on all motivations for using social media.