When Dr. Brian Butler, et al, surveyed about 3000 listserv members about who does what work in a community, their found they correlate to the benefits individuals get from the community. This knowledge can be a big help to Community Managers.
Five findings that struck me and what they may prescribe-
Owners spent more time creating content than reading it. Knowing this a CM should be aware of this potential blind spot and be sure to keep up with what the community is saying.
Nice study done by B Irwin shows that having a partner that exercises with you at the same time, even if online, is significantly better than going it alone. (Like twice as better!!)
This is a big win for why one would want to schedule simultaneous events. Also, if I have members that want/need to do more on an individual task, it is great to know I can bring in an online partner and get some well known group dynamics going.
Another aspect of this paper is that having a stronger online partner can help motivate the other.
Aerobic Exercise Is Promoted when Individual Performance Affects the Group: A Test of the Kohler Motivation Gain Effect B Irwin Annals of Behavioral Medicine Volume 17 / 1995 – Volume 43 / 2012 Link to paper Link to article.
S Chellappan took a bit of a different tact when he looked at internet usage via network stats, then compared that to where his users fell on a depressive scale. He found that there were different patterns for those ranked higher in depression. 1
The paper interpreted the stats as showing depressed students had:
Just finished up How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie as it is recommended for Community Managers by Richard Millington. Nicely brought into the open and formalized much of what I have intuitively felt. Also admired the teaching technique with the stories first. I’m keeping Dale’s 80 year old list handy as a reminder in this new world.
Lynne Kelly, et al, recently tackled the question whether online sharing is being more about openness or narcissism.
Key takeaways for me:
Persons with an unrealistically large number of friends may be using the platform for reasons of narcissism. (It is a key tell that they maybe more of a drain on the community than an asset.) 1, 2
Those who accept strangers as friends may exhibit more detrimental tendencies such as seeking social support but not giving it, manipulation, and self aggrandizement. 2
Those who share may not be bragging but looking for bonding. (Knowing this may change one’s perspective about certain members of the community, until one has a chance to verify.) 1
1. While “Narcissism or Openness?: College Students’ Use of Facebook and Twitter” is behind a paywall, Lynne Kelly gives some details to the New York Times.
2. “Narcissism on Facebook: Self-promotional and Anti-social Behavior” by Christopher Carpenter has a nice write up and links.
