Do social networking sites show "the real you" or someone else?

Recent research by University of Texas social psychologist Dr. Sam Gosling says that people on many social sites, particularly on Facebook, portray themselves accurately. Most Facebook users do not portray a more idealized version of themselves, which can be a common practice on social sites, particularly dating sites. Gosling interviewed hundreds of Facebook users in the US and in Germany.

For more information on Gosling's research, check his Website. He's written a book discussing other ways to show "the real you" in Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You.