Why do we REALLY tweet? The psychology of tweeting!

What are the real, closeted reasons behind the act of “tweeting”? Why would someone spend hours tweeting to complete strangers he/she has never met before and will probably never meet in person? What needs does tweeting fulfill? Do we really think of the psychology behind our tweeting habits?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Model

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Model

Here are some of the main reasons behind the act of tweeting based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Model:

  • Meeting new people from different backgrounds and various locations around the world.
  • Establishing connections with others, grow friendships, build relationships and maybe even find love (or at least talk about it to many others who might be feeling the same!).
  • Building on self-confidence through interacting with tweeps who continuously praise your tweets, personality, knowledge and/or looks.
  • Earning respect from your Twitter peers by providing them with valuable content, tips and links.
  • Developing and spreading your creativity in an open and receptive Twitter atmosphere.
  • Learning new skills related to problem-solving, enhancing interpersonal competencies and improving overall communication habits.
  • Winning products, through sweepstakes and promotions, that have the ability to make you feel “important” and “unique” such as the Macbook Pro.
  • Feeling with others on a deeper level through spreading the news about humanitarian causes, environmental problems, economical issues or political debates, and eventually making a difference.
  • Achieving fame through proposing ideas that will become trending topics or uncovering site hacks and problems.

Now that I have listed the psychological needs behind using Twitter, which need would you say Twitter satisfies for you? And do you think there are other needs that Twitter fulfills?
