Zero Likes – Symbolic interactions and need satisfaction online

The paper looks at the symbolic interactions on social networking sites, such as Likes on Facebook, and their role in users' sense of social in- or exclusion. In an online experiment, users of Facebook were asked to write a possible status update and then received note about the numbers of hypo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inComputers in human behavior Vol. 80; pp. 97 - 102
Main Authors Reich, Sabine, Schneider, Frank M., Heling, Leonie
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018
Elsevier Science Ltd
Subjects
Exclusion
Influence
Likes
Multivariate analysis
Need threat
Online ostracism
Social media
Social networks
Studies
Need threat
Online ostracism
Likes
Social media
Exclusion
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Summary:The paper looks at the symbolic interactions on social networking sites, such as Likes on Facebook, and their role in users' sense of social in- or exclusion. In an online experiment, users of Facebook were asked to write a possible status update and then received note about the numbers of hypothetical Likes they received (zero, two, or thirty) and who (close friends or acquaintances) pressed the Like button. Multivariate analysis of variances showed that belongingness and self-esteem needs are threatened when people do not receive Likes. In contrast, more Likes seem to satisfy these needs better. The influence of who gives the Likes is minor compared to the sheer number of Likes. •Likes are a form of symbolic interaction within social networking sites (SNS).•Zero Likes on SNS threaten fundamental needs and affect.•Likes from close friends (vs. acquaintances) best satisfy fundamental needs.
ISSN:0747-5632
1873-7692
DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2017.10.043