Does Facebook Magnify or Mitigate Threats to Belonging?

Abstract

Abstract. Previous research has yielded mixed findings regarding the interpersonal causes and consequences of Facebook use. The current research examines the role of belonging needs in motivating Facebook use and the protective value of Facebook following exclusion. In four studies we: manipulated exclusion and observed participants’ behavioral preferences (Study 1); measured participants’ belonging needs and their Facebook use (Study 2); and manipulated exclusion, exposed participants to either their Facebook photos/pages or control photos/pages, and measured need satisfaction and aggression (Studies 3–4). We found that exclusion motivated computer-mediated communication, and belonging needs predicted Facebook use. Also, exposure to Facebook protected excluded individuals’ social needs and mitigated aggressive behavior. Altogether, these studies suggest that Facebook is a powerful tool that allows individuals to reaffirm their social bonds.

Slumdog romance: Facebook love and digital privacy at the margins

“…Friending strangers seems like one of the many Internet myths that got dismissed as platform practices played out and matured. Most Facebook studies in the West have revealed that online networks are mostly an extension of existing social networks, including weak social ties ( Boyd and Marwick, 2014 ; Knowles et al, 2015 ; Lee et al, 2012 ; Manago et al, 2012 ). Yet, recent studies focusing on marginalized youth beyond the West have revealed that Facebook becomes an aspirational geography where disadvantaged youth seek to connect and expand their networks well beyond their limited social capital.…”

Coping with or Buffering Against the Negative Impact of Social Exclusion on Basic Needs: A Review of Strategies

“…In contrast to the subtle reminder of Facebook used by Knausenberger et al (2015), Knowles, Haycock, and Shaikh (2015) investigated the moderating effect of actually using Facebook on restoring need satisfaction and aggressive behavior. In one study, social Reducing the Effects of Social Exclusion 5 inclusion versus exclusion was manipulated by watching a human face that either looked at the participant or averted eye gaze by looking left or right (Wirth, Sacco, Hugenberg, & Williams, 2010).…”

Role of Problematic Internet Use, Sense of Belonging and Social Appearance Anxiety in Facebook Use Intensity of University Students

“…In this research, a significant and negative relationship is found between university students' Facebook use intensity and sense of belonging. Knowles, Haycock, and Shaikh (2015), too find belonging needs predicted Facebook use in their research. Meeting sense of belonging need enables features like self-esteem, self-confidence etc.…”