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Understanding the psychological motives behind microblogging
Lin Qiu1, Angela K-y Leung, Jun Hao Ho
1Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. linqiu@ntu.edu.sg
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|June 15, 2010
Summary
People don't use microblogging for social connection. However, highly extraverted individuals may use it to cope with existential anxiety, according to this study.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Media Studies
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Microblogging platforms are widely used for communication and information sharing.
- Understanding the underlying psychological drivers of microblogging behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological motives behind microblogging.
- To examine the relationship between social exclusion, existential anxiety, and microblogging tendencies.
Main Methods:
- Two empirical studies were conducted.
- Participants' microblogging tendencies were assessed in relation to social exclusion and existential anxiety.
Main Results:
- Microblogging was not utilized to fulfill needs for social connection or affiliation.
- Highly extraverted individuals demonstrated a tendency to use microblogging as a coping mechanism for existential anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Microblogging serves different psychological functions than initially hypothesized.
- Extraversion moderates the use of microblogging for emotional regulation, specifically in relation to existential concerns.
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