4 types of Facebook users exist: Which one are you?
People have their own social media styles, but it turns out, there are definite patterns in Facebook user behaviour. According to one recent estimate, the average Facebook user spends 35 minutes a day on the platform, which makes for a whole lot of daily and monthly minutes. In a recently published study, a trio of Brigham Young University communications professors explores why.
“What is it about this social-media platform that has taken over the world?” asked lead author Tom Robinson. “Why are people so willing to put their lives on display? Nobody has ever really asked the question, ‘Why do you like this?'” Based on subject responses, the research team identified four categories of Facebook users: relationship builders, town criers, selfies and window shoppers.
Relationship builders post, respond to others’ posts and use additional Facebook features primarily in an attempt to fortify relationships that exist beyond their virtual world. “They use it as an extension of their real life, with their family and real-life friends,” Robinson said. People in this group identified strongly with such statements as “Facebook helps me to express love to my family and lets my family express love to me.”
Town criers, on the other hand, experience a much …read more
