Perspective Taking and Social Capital: Moderating Effects of Social Networking Sites Use and Gender

In this study we sought to examine whether social networking sites (SNSs) users’ perspective taking impacts their offline bonding social capital and how SNSs use and gender moderate this relationship. Data were collected in two phrases from Renren users in China. With sample 1 (N=176), we conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to test the validity and reliability of relevant scales. We then conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to confirm the structure of scales with sample 2(N=192). Results of moderated regression analysis based on sample 2 show that 1) the density of one’s SNSs use negatively moderates the relationship between perspective taking and offline bonding social capital; 2) the size of one’s SNSs use positively moderates the relationship between perspective taking and offline bonding social capital; and 3) for male users, the relationship between perspective taking and offline bonding social capital is stronger than female users. Future research directions and possible implica...