Personality Correlates of Privacy

Summary Personality correlates of privacy preferences for 70 undergraduates were obtained through use of a semantic differential measure of self-esteem and other-esteem and an inventory which assessed cycloid disposition, rhathymia, thinking introversion, and cooperativeness. Pearson product moment correlations indicated that privacy choices tended to be associated with personality characteristics. Subjects low in self-esteem were more likely to be reserved and to seek solitude and anonymity. Those who esteemed others less were more prone to seek solitude, intimacy with friends, and intimacy with family. Emotional stability was not associated with any type of privacy. Those who were happy-go-lucky tended to not select isolation, solitude, intimacy with family, and anonymity. Introspective individuals were likely to be reserved but less likely to choose isolation and intimacy with family. Finally, those tolerant of self and others tended to prefer anonymity.