Short answer
When designing user research protocols or user-facing features, do not assume significant personality differences based on a user's choice of iOS or Android operating system.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- PLoS ONE (2017)
- Method
- Quantitative, cross-sectional survey research with comparative analysis.
- Sample
- Study 1: 1,081 participants; Study 2: 2,438 participants.
- Evidence
- Small to negligible effect
Empirical research indicates that differences in personality between users of major smartphone operating systems (like iOS and Android) are minimal and often disappear when accounting for demographic factors. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in PLoS ONE. Using Quantitative, cross-sectional survey research with comparative analysis. with Study 1: 1,081 participants; Study 2: 2,438 participants., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing user research protocols or user-facing features, do not assume significant personality differences based on a user's choice of iOS or Android operating system.
Smartphone OS choice shows negligible impact on user personality traits
Empirical research indicates that differences in personality between users of major smartphone operating systems (like iOS and Android) are minimal and often disappear when accounting for demographic factors.
PLoS ONE · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Very few statistically significant differences in personality traits were found between users of different operating systems.
- 02Where differences were found, they were of small to negligible effect size.
- 03Most observed differences disappeared after controlling for sociodemographic variables.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing user research protocols or user-facing features, do not assume significant personality differences based on a user's choice of iOS or Android operating system.
How to apply
When planning user testing for a new application, recruit participants from both iOS and Android platforms without concern for potential personality-based selection bias. Analyze user data from diverse OS users collectively, unless specific OS-related features are being tested.
Project actions
- 01When choosing participants for your design project, don't worry too much about whether they use iOS or Android; their personality is unlikely to be affected by it.
- 02If you are conducting user research, you can likely combine data from users of different operating systems without worrying about personality differences skewing your results.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Large sample sizes across two studies.
- +Inclusion of multiple, well-established personality measures.
Limitations
The research focused on broad personality traits and may not capture specific cognitive styles or user preferences that could be influenced by OS design.
Reliability & validity
The study likely employed validated personality scales, contributing to internal reliability. The large, multinational sample in Study 1 and the substantial German sample in Study 2 enhance external validity, suggesting the findings may generalize to broader populations.
Think critically
While personality differences are negligible, could specific OS design philosophies (e.g., simplicity vs. customization) indirectly influence user behaviour or task performance in ways not captured by broad personality traits?
Design Principles
"User interface and experience design should prioritize universal usability and accessibility, as core user psychological profiles are largely consistent across major platform choices."
This finding is crucial for design practice, particularly in app development and user research. It suggests that designers can largely avoid user selection bias based on operating system when recruiting participants for studies or when designing features, as personality is unlikely to be a significant differentiating factor.
What This Means for Your Design
It doesn't really matter if someone uses an iPhone or an Android phone when it comes to their personality – they are pretty much the same.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study to justify the broad recruitment of participants for user testing, stating that operating system choice does not significantly correlate with key personality traits relevant to user behaviour.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
In the context of user selection for this design project, operating system choice was not considered a significant factor for potential bias. Research by Götz, Stieger, and Reips (2017) indicates that differences in personality traits between users of major smartphone operating systems, such as iOS and Android, are negligible and often disappear when controlling for sociodemographic variables. Therefore, participants were recruited without regard to their device's operating system, ensuring a broader and more representative user sample.
Source
PLoS ONE
Users of the main smartphone operating systems (iOS, Android) differ only little in personality
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about smartphone os choice shows negligible impact on user personality traits?
- When designing user research protocols or user-facing features, do not assume significant personality differences based on a user's choice of iOS or Android operating system. Evidence: PLoS ONE (2017).
- Why does "Smartphone OS choice shows negligible impact on user personality traits" matter for design?
- This finding is crucial for design practice, particularly in app development and user research. It suggests that designers can largely avoid user selection bias based on operating system when recruiting participants for studies or when designing features, as personality is unlikely to be a significant differentiating factor.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing user research protocols or user-facing features, do not assume significant personality differences based on a user's choice of iOS or Android operating system.
- What were the main findings?
- Very few statistically significant differences in personality traits were found between users of different operating systems.. Where differences were found, they were of small to negligible effect size.. Most observed differences disappeared after controlling for sociodemographic variables.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative, cross-sectional survey research with comparative analysis. with Study 1: 1,081 participants; Study 2: 2,438 participants..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Small to negligible effect, based on a 2017 journal from PLoS ONE.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When planning user testing for a new application, recruit participants from both iOS and Android platforms without concern for potential personality-based selection bias. Analyze user data from diverse OS users collectively, unless specific OS-related features are being tested.
- What are the limitations?
- The studies relied on self-reported personality traits and did not account for nuanced usage patterns within an operating system or the influence of specific app ecosystems.