The study titled “Applying explainable artificial intelligence methods to models for diagnosing personal traits and cognitive abilities by social network data,” authored by Anastasia S. Panfilova and Denis Yu. Turdakov, embarks on a pioneering investigation with a sample of 1,358 users from VK (Vkontakte), the largest Russian online social networking service. This research harnesses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including integrated gradients, partial dependence plots, and Shapley values, to interpret social media behavior and extrapolate psychological profiles based on the Big Five personality traits and cognitive abilities. By analyzing 753,252 posts and reposts from VK users, the study aims to unveil the complex relationships between users’ online interactions and their underlying psychological characteristics. This innovative approach not only seeks to deepen our understanding of the digital footprints left by social media users but also explores the potential of explainable AI in providing nuanced insights into human behavior and cognition as reflected through social media data, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the intersection of psychology, computer science, and social media analytics. Here are some key findings in the study:
Extraversion
- Social Engagement Metrics: Extroverted individuals tend to have higher social engagement metrics (likes, comments, friend counts).
- Positive Emotional Tone: They are more likely to share content that has a positive emotional tone.
Agreeableness
- Empathetic Interaction with Content: Users high in Agreeableness engage with content in a way that emphasizes empathy, particularly noticeable in their approach to religious content.
- Preference for Community-Building Content: Their interactions on social media often reflect a desire for harmony and positive social relationships.
Neuroticism
- Engagement with Provocative Content: Individuals with higher levels of Neuroticism may show a trend towards engaging with or reacting to more controversial or emotionally charged content.
- Emotional Expression: Their social media behavior may serve as an outlet for emotional expression, possibly reflecting the emotional volatility associated with high Neuroticism.
These findings illustrate how different aspects of personality, as defined by the OCEAN model, manifest in social media behavior, from the types of content users engage with to their social interactions and emotional expressions online.
