Look close, his pants are unbuttoned.
A recent study confirms what we already knew: the Facebook profile is an incredible representation of a person’s personality. Don’t you just love science! “People who are narcissistic use Facebook in a self-promoting way” says Laura Buffardi, a doctoral student in psychology who co-authored the study with associate professor W. Keith Campbell. This study eludes to the fact that based on certain content of a person’s profile, it can be determined whether there is a greater chance that he or she is narcissistic. Lets break down the Facebook profile to see where it becomes sooooo obvious that a person is narcissistic.
42,938 Wall Posts
According to the experts the wall is a great place to determine if someone is a cocky SOB. Their wall will be littered with thousands of posts ranging from “hey, nice tripod last night” to “you didn’t wear matching socks today.” The narcissist may even, brace yourself, commit one of the 5 cardinal sins of Facebook: write on his own wall. This type of personality tends to want to self promote, and what better way to do so then to write on your own wall, weirdo.
4.236 Friends
Oh yea I met them that one time at that place with the thing. No you didn’t. There is no way you know that many people on an ‘friend ‘level. Friends used to be someone who would pick you up when you were down but now, according to Facebook, they are just people who you met once in the line for the bathroom at The Rennaisance Fair in 2003 . According to the study, “this is consistent with how narcissists behave in the real-world, with numerous yet shallow relationships.”
Profile Pic
Say cheese. That profile picture could give away your narcissistic tendencies. Its science baby, “Narcissists are also more likely to choose glamorous, self-promoting pictures for their main profile photos, while others are more likely to use snapshots.” So next time you want to put up that picture of you gettin’ your swell on at the gym or playing that steamy game of beach volleyball with Mitch Buchannon, just know that Laura Buffardi is on to you.
All you narcissists beware, Campbell says,”[They] might initially be seen as charming, but they end up using people for their own advantage…they hurt the people around them and they hurt themselves in the long run.” So don’t hurt yourself. You’re more transparent then Saran wrap. And not that cool kind of Saran wrap that is blue or pink, I’m talkin’ the original clear kind.
Am I narcissistic for having 500 friends? Are you… adamf@collegeprowler.com
(Article courtesy of http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922135231.htm)
(Photo courtest of http://i28.tinypic.com/)
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
i wish i had more narcissitic qualities. they sound like true ballers.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Facebook isn’t the only indicator of narcissism, BALLER.
SO funny, Adam. I think myspace might be even worse for narcissistic people…well, that or wanna be porn stars.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:40 am
So the picture of me posing at the edge of the pool in a speedo, soaking wet and flexing-that’s narcissistic?
September 24th, 2008 at 5:22 am
So true. The facebook world is a narcissistic one. It does make it easier to weed out “facebook friends” from real ones though. Side thought: Imagine if you could check stats for your profile page.. See who’s been looking.. how many times.. for how long..
September 26th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Jay, I am sure facebook will eventually implement it…I was worried it was not invasive enough…