Why do we friend the people we do
Felling connected in social media
Why do we have the need to feel connected on social media. Some say it is a narcissistic need to have people like and want us. For many this may be true but there is also another theory for feeling connected. Mallows hierarchy of needs explains this very well.
As we can see one need that we as humans is love and belonging. One way that we can achieve this in social media is by having a lot of friends and followers and it makes us feel safe and wanted.
Homophily
The definition of homophily is a theory that people of the same social class, belief base and have the same attitudes will gravitate to each other (homophily n.d.). This theory makes since in that we as humans feel more comfortable with those that have the same view point as us and therefor will gravitate towards those people. In today’s society with the diverseness of the human race we are encouraged to have multiple people that we are friends with and encouraged for equality. We may still have that core group of people that we gravitate to.
Platform algorithms
Platform algorithms are an ever-increasing way for social media to connect us. For example, if you search something on google and it is connected to your social media you will see ads for that product and be able to share them with others. Likewise, if your friend likes something it pops up on your timeline or page. Also if your friend is tagged in a post by one of their friends it can show up on your time line as well. This can connect people that may not know each other and create a new group of friends and acquittances.
References
homophily. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved July 28 2017 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/homophily