Investigating trait antecedents of normative and deceptive Like-seeking on Instagram

Wallace, Elaine ; Buil, Isabel (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: On Instagram, individuals proactively seek Likes for posts, as the number of Likes received is a social currency, signalling popularity and status. However, digital status-seeking behaviours, such as Like-seeking, are also associated with negative outcomes including health-risk behaviours. Yet little is known about traits that drive Like-seeking. Proposing Like-seeking as a form of conspicuous consumption, we investigate materialism, vulnerable narcissism, and self-monitoring-traits associated with conspicuous consumption-as antecedents of Like-seeking on Instagram, distinguishing between normative Like-seeking and deceptive Like-seeking. We explore the mediating role of Instagram intensity in the relationship between these traits and the two forms of Like-seeking. Using a cross-sectional non-experimental design, data from a sample of 436 Instagram users in the United States were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results show that the traits are directly associated with deceptive Like-seeking. Findings reveal new insights into users' Instagram intensity as a mediating variable between materialism and self-monitoring, and both Like-seeking behaviours.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2023.112175

Año: 2023

Publicado en: Personality and Individual Differences 208 (2023), 112175 [6 pp.]
ISSN: 0191-8869

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S54-20R-GENERES Group

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Comerci.Investig.Mercados (Dpto. Direc.Mark.Inves.Mercad.)