The Role of Social Goals as a Social Cognitive Variable in the Information Behavior

Information behavior is the function of individuals after feeling the need for information. In the framework of social cognition, a person performs a certain information behavior. Understanding the variables of social cognition and their role will lead to the promotion of information behavior of individuals and society and the achievement of an information society. This study aimed to investigate the role of social goals (SG) as a social cognitive variable in the information behavior (IB).

This descriptive survey used a researcher-made questionnaire on a sample of post graduate students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (384 participants). For questionnaire’s validity, the experts’ opinions and factor analysis were used and Cronbach’s alpha was applied for its reliability (amounted to 0.74)

The rate of user’s SG in the IB was more than average. The field of study had no role in the SG associated with the IB of users, but educational level and gender had a role in this regard. Among the components of social goals, social concern had the lowest score and was less than average.

The results showed that the average of social goals in information behavior was higher than average. Also, the subjects' field of study was not effective in the degree of social goals in their information behavior, and there was no significant difference between the scores of the four subjects (humanities, basic sciences, engineering and agricultural sciences).