What Facebook reveals about the real you

WANT to know a potential partner’s real personality – then take a look at their Facebook photos.

A study has found that images posted on the social networking site can reveal a lot about people.

According to researchers from the University of the West of Scotland, if someone’s social media page is devoted to flashy holidays photos and the latest gadgets, they are more likely to be in love with themselves.

Shy people rarely take selfies, while lonely social media users tend to upload images of pets or their cooking.

Socially awkward individuals post almost any picture in an attempt to draw attention to themselves.

Facebook, with more than 2.2billion users, is the most popular social networking site in the world. About a third of humanity logs in at least once a month.

But its dark side has been highlighted, with fears over misuse of private informa tion and some high users reporting mental health problems.

The research, led by psychologist Graham Scott, questioned around 260 people – from teenagers to people in their 70s – about their Facebook habits.

The group filled out a personality profile which assessed four traits – shyness, loneliness, social anxiety and narcissism.

There were 11 categories of pictures including family, significant-other, friends, pets, selfies, parties, travel and food. According to the research: ‘Narcissistic individuals posted more photos of their possessions and experiences, probably in an attempt to gain recognition.

‘Socially anxious individuals are keen to be connected with others, but may use social media as a substitute for real life.’

But the authors, writing in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, said Facebook can help some people.

They said: ‘Socially anxious individuals find it easier to communicate in online settings, and are more comfortable (than) in face-to-face settings.’