Psychology of online social networking



Psychological aspects of online social networking are a relatively new area of research - or at least research is some way behind popularity and ubiquity of online social networking behaviours and their associated impacts on people's lives.

Possible research questions

 * 1) What are users' main motivations for using online social networking services? To what extent are these motivations satisfied? Does the match between motivations and satisfactions predict usage and retention? (Based on Clary and Snyder's functional approach to volunteerism motivation)
 * 2) What are "effective" and "ineffective" uses of online social networking? (i.e., how does use of online social networking services help or hinder people's lives?)
 * 3) How can effective uses be fostered and latter uses minimised?
 * 4) How stressful or beneficial do people find use of online social networking services to be?
 * 5) What coping functions does online social networking provide?
 * 6) How effective is online social networking as a coping method for dealing with different types of hassles and stress?
 * 7) How do people envisage their "ideal" online social networking environment and usage?
 * 8) What is the role of personality in prosocial and antisocial behaviour in online social networking?
 * 9) What are users' most and least favourable aspects of their online social network usage?
 * 10) What is the effect of online social networking on high school student relationships?
 * 11) To what extent does online social networking use increase or decrease social anxiety (and why)?
 * 12) To what extent does online social networking affect shyness?
 * 13) What is the effect of individuals' use of online social networking public and private self-awareness?