Article
An empirical investigation of the effects of gender and quantity of search results on web-based impression formation
Journal of Information Technology Research
(2013)
Abstract
The ease and convenience of Web-based search engines has fundamentally changed information gathering and use and given rise to tangible and significant effects in the way we form impressions of others. This study explores how the quantity of relevant search engine results affects individuals’ selection of potential partners in a team project scenario. Experimental data reveals a distinct bias favoring potential partners associated with many results as compared to those with few results, even when the results are devoid of meaningful individuating value, assuming the proportion of social media occurrences is held constant. By contrast, there was no evidence of effect from gender stereotyping as would be expected due to social categorization tendencies in contexts that provide minimal discriminating information such as the experimental scenario. Indeed there was only minimal evidence of gender effect in interaction with the result quantity factor, further highlighting the relative predominance of the latter. Findings help underscore the value of managing one’s online identity and hold implications for professionals, academics and individuals concerned with how the Web affects the way we form impressions of others.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.4018/jitr.2013010103
Citation Information
Leslie J Albert, Timothy R. Hill and Tatyana Rozenblum. "An empirical investigation of the effects of gender and quantity of search results on web-based impression formation" Journal of Information Technology Research Vol. 6 Iss. 1 (2013) ISSN: 1938-7857 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/leslie_albert/14/