Fostering socio-informational behaviors online: The interactive effect of openness to experience and extraversion

Behavioral manifestations of personality have been well-researched in offline contexts, but less so in online contexts. To illuminate the behavioral markers linked to personality in online contexts, we use Facebook profiles to test the idea that open people are more likely to engage in socio-informational behaviors on social media (e.g., joining common-interest groups, posting statuses, “liking” things, listing events on one's profile) when they are also extraverted. Based on data from a large sample of Facebook users (N=115,873), we found that open, extraverted people more frequently displayed certain behaviors (e.g., “liking” thing, listing events) capable of obtaining or disseminating information, and posted statuses containing expressive and active social language. Research implications and future directions are discussed. •Examined personality predictors of socio-informational behaviors on Facebook.•Openness predicts events listed, statuses posted, things liked, and groups joined.•Interactive effect of openness and extraversion predicts more events listed.•Some evidence for behavioral markers of personality in online contexts.•Personality should be considered in identifying online opinion leaders.