| As of April 2019, 69% of adults use social networking sites (SNSs), with 91% of adults under 30
years of age using at least one SNS (Pew Research Center, 2019). The present study explored the
accuracy of judgments of personality traits, political ideology, and political party affiliation made
based on viewing two popular SNSs: Instagram and Twitter. 268 judges viewed profiles and
provided ratings of SNS profiles of 150 targets. The main hypothesis, which stated that judges
would achieve significant accuracy on both SNSs, was supported, although Instagram profiles
provided for higher levels of accuracy. Five exploratory research questions were also examined.
Differences between SNSs emerged when examining individual traits, and judgements of
political ideology were significantly accurate. The ways in which we use SNSs to form accurate
judgements of the personalities and politics of others is important when considering the roles
these platforms play in our daily lives.
Key Words: personality judgement, judgement accuracy, social media, Instagram, Twitter,
political ideology |