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At some point, most of us have ignored a friend to look at our phone instead, even if we think it’s rude. In fact, research from the University of Georgia finds most people consider this act of phone snubbing, known as “phubbing,” is rude, but plenty of people still do it all the time. So why do we tune out the friends we’re face-to-face with in favor of staring at a smartphone? A new study finds mental health and certain personality traits play a big part.
The research reveals that overall, depressed people are more likely to phub friends often. And those with social anxiety, who may prefer online social interactions over in-person hangouts, also seem to phub more often. Study authors say personality traits, like neuroticism, may also influence phone users to ignore friends in face-to-face settings. Another part of the phubbing problem is that people are really sensitive to their phone’s notifications, so they’re checking it at every buzz or sound, both consciously and unconsciously.
But on the flip side, the study finds that folks who are more agreeable are less likely to ignore their friends in social settings. Those with an agreeable personality tend to be polite, cooperative and they’re actually more likely to completely turn off their phones when out with friends. “They have a high tendency to maintain social harmony while avoiding arguments that can ruin their relationships,” study authors explain.
HT: University of Georgia