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Growing tired of the endless Bernie memes or Trump posts on your Facebook feed?
A set of studies have found the reason why your social media connections feel the need to post their views.
The Huffington Post reports that a Harvard study found that sharing personal beliefs or feelings on social media works as a release for people because it rewards them for letting something out rather than keeping it in. "Expressing beliefs that are important to you functions as a self-affirmation," psychology professor Joshua Hart of Union College told The Huffington Post. "It reminds you of the values that are central to your identity, and this gives you a psychological boost."
A study by the Pew Research Center found that the people posting their opinions on social media are "less likely to share their opinions in face-to-face settings" because people are more likely to feel safer giving out their retorts when behind a computer screen rather than in person. "They're expressing themselves in a forum where they're likely to get a reaction, whether it's the one they want or not," Hart told The Huffington Post.
Hart said most people who post are also looking for the approval of others and “become more confident in their beliefs” when more people like, retweet or comment on the post. The Huffington Post said that there is not very much difference between Republicans, Democrats and independents regarding the number of posts with the leading posts on your own feed most likely factoring in based on your location.
Read more at The Huffington Post.
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