Data Analyses
A multiple regression was used to explore how the predictor variables Machiavellianism and Narcissism
influenced the outcome variable Facebook Surveillance. A summary of the multiple regression output is shown
in Table 2.
Variable Unstandardised B
(standard error) Standardised Beta t
Machiavellianism 0.350 0.285 4.640
Narcissism 0.318 0.265 4.325
Table 2: A table to show the results of the multiple regression of Machiavellianism and Narcissism on Facebook
Surveillance
A significant multiple regression was found (F(2, 227) = 25.529, p < 0.001) with an R2 value of 0.184. These
results suggest that both Machiavellianism and Narcissism are significant predictors of Facebook Surveillance.
Discussion
It was hypothesised that the two Dark Triad characteristics observed would influence Facebook Surveillance.
The results of the study conducted found that Machiavellianism and Narcissism are both significant factors of
Facebook Surveillance. Therefore, supporting the idea that both Machiavellian and Narcissistic characteristics
are both factors that influence Facebook Surveillance.
The findings of this study support the idea of McCain and Campbells research when they found a positive
relationship between grandiose Narcissism and number of friends on social media (McCain & Campbell, 2018).
This is suggested as since one of the characteristics of grandiose narcissism is comparing yourself to others,
this increase in Facebook friends may allow them more opportunities for comparison as they would have a
greater number of profiles to access. Therefore, this increase in access to other people’s profiles would result
in an increase of the participants score on the Facebook Surveillance scale. Hence, further supporting the idea
that characteristics of the Dark Triad such as grandiose Narcissism may influence Facebook Surveillance.
One of the potential explanations for these findings is due to the nature of the two Dark Triad characteristics
that were explored. For example, in the case of Narcissism, the characteristic of comparing yourself to others
may cause individuals to look at other people’s profiles as a means of comparing themselves. As a result, the
individuals use of Facebook to compare themselves to other people’s profiles would therefore explain their
increase in score on the Facebook Surveillance scale.
This explanation could also help to explain why this increase was shown in those with Machiavellian
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