It turns out there's actual science behind who’s most likely to chase a life of likes, followers, and sponsored content.
In a new study from researchers at Poland’s University of Wrocław and Oxford University, scientists have pinpointed three key personality traits that make teens more inclined to want to become influencers — and the results honestly make a lot of sense.
The research, published in the journal Telematics and Informatics at ScienceDirect, focused on a group of nearly 800 teenagers, aged 16 and 17, split between Poland and the UK.
Participants were asked about their career ambitions and also completed personality tests measuring the so-called “Big Five” traits; openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism; along with questions gauging how dramatic (or “histrionic”) they tend to be.
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The findings were that the teens most drawn to influencer careers were more likely to be extraverted, narcissistic, and histrionic — basically, outgoing, self-centred, and not shy about putting on a bit of a show.
This tracks with what we already know about the influencer economy; it rewards visibility, confidence, and the ability to grab attention fast. Whether it’s daily vlogs, product hauls, or emotional story times, being camera-ready and endlessly expressive is part of the job description.
The researchers even drew comparisons between aspiring influencers and theatre kids. The drive for attention and recognition shown in these traits mirrors the same energy often found in drama students. This might explain why so many of them end up chasing influencer fame.
The findings also highlight a shift in career aspirations among Gen Z. A Lego-sponsored survey, reported by CNBC back in 2019, found that one in three children in the US, UK, and China said they wanted to be influencers, compared to just 11% who wanted to be astronauts.
While influencer life can seem glamorous on the surface, it’s far from guaranteed success. The study acknowledges that it focused on those who aspire to influencer status, not necessarily those who’ve made it big.
It’s likely the first study of its kind to explore the psychological traits linked to influencer ambition. Although it’s worth noting that success in the field is far from guaranteed.
The drive for attention and recognition shown in these traits mirrors the same energy often found in drama students. This might explain why so many of them end up chasing influencer fame.
So, while personality might give some a head start, breaking through in the online world still takes more than just being loud and likeable. But if you’re dramatic, outgoing, and love a bit of the spotlight — you potentially just might have what it takes.