Understanding the Psychological Motives Behind Microblogging

Lin QIU, Nanyang Technological University
Angela K.-Y. LEUNG, Singapore Management University
Jun Hao HO, Nanyang Technological University
Qi Min YEUNG, Nanyang Technological University
Kevin Joseph FRANCIS, Nanyang Technological University
Pei Fen CHUA, Nanyang Technological University

Abstract

This research aims to understand the psychological motives behind microblogging. We conducted two studies to investigate if social exclusion and existential anxiety would lead to a high tendency to microblog. Our results show that participants did not use microblogging to satisfy their needs for social connection and affiliation, but highly extraverted participants did use it to relieve their existential anxiety.