Why Do Self-Centered People Use Social Media? New Study Reveals It’s Not About Ego
Friday, November 1, 2024.
Scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, you might assume that all those meticulously curated selfies and life updates come from a place of ego.
But a new study published in the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science reveals a twist in this assumption: self-centered folks use social media more out of a fear of missing out (FOMO) than a desire to boost their self-image.
In fact, they are more motivated by a sense of vulnerability than by confidence.
This fresh perspective challenges the stereotype of self-centered social media users as simply seeking attention.
Instead, the research suggests they are actually seeking reassurance—trying to fill an emotional gap rather than flaunting their lives.
The Surprising Role of FOMO in Social Media Use Among Self-Centered Folks
In psychological terms, self-centeredness is often associated with a high degree of independence and self-focus. Traditional theories like self-construal theory suggest that people with highly independent, self-centered personalities are less affected by FOMO.
After all, why would someone who prioritizes their own needs care about what others are doing?
However, this study flips that assumption on its head, revealing that self-centered folks may, in fact, be more susceptible to FOMO than previously thought.
The research found that social media, instead of serving as a stage for these individuals to display their achievements, becomes a tool to combat feelings of insecurity and social exclusion.
As study co-author James A. Roberts from Baylor University put it, “I’ve always been skeptical that self-centered people truly feel superior. This study suggests that what drives their social media use might be inherent feelings of inadequacy or fear of missing out.”
Breaking Down the Study: How Researchers Uncovered FOMO’s Influence
To explore this complex relationship between self-centeredness, FOMO, and social media, researchers conducted three interconnected studies, each with a unique approach to measuring and even manipulating self-centeredness. Here’s a breakdown of the methods:
Study 1 surveyed 199 adults in the U.S. to examine their self-centeredness, FOMO levels, and social media habits.
Self-centeredness was assessed using questions that gauged how often participants focused on themselves in conversations. For FOMO, they answered questions like, “I fear my friends have more rewarding experiences than me.” Lastly, social media use was measured based on the time spent on platforms and their level of engagement.
The findings revealed a clear link: self-centered folks spent more time on social media, but FOMO fully explained this connection. Once FOMO was accounted for, the direct relationship between self-centeredness and social media use faded, suggesting that fear of missing out—not self-centeredness—was the driving factor.
Study 2 took a more experimental approach by “priming” participants to feel self-centered.
Researchers recruited 241 adults and split them into two groups. One group was asked to recall a recent time they behaved selfishly, while the other group reflected on a typical day. Following this exercise, all participants completed the same FOMO and social media use questionnaires from Study 1.
The results mirrored those of Study 1. Those primed to feel self-centered reported higher levels of FOMO, which, in turn, led them to spend more time on social media. It wasn’t self-centeredness alone; it was self-centeredness combined with FOMO that prompted them to engage more online.
Study 3 tested the impact of FOMO directly. In this study, 102 adults reflected on their level of self-centeredness and were then either prompted with a FOMO-inducing scenario (imagine friends having fun without you) or asked to envision a content, FOMO-free scenario.
For those primed with FOMO, the link between self-centeredness and social media use disappeared—confirming that FOMO isn’t just a side effect but a critical driver of social media habits for the self-centered.
FOMO, Not Self-Centeredness, Drives Social Media Habits
The study reveals that FOMO is the real motivator behind social media use among self-centered folks. While the self-centered do use social media more often, it’s not their self-focus that drives them online; it’s the fear of being left out.
In other words, they aren’t posting selfies and updates to show off—they’re trying to connect and feel included.
Roberts emphasizes the importance of this finding, saying, “This research upends our assumptions about self-centered social media users. It’s not simply an ego boost they’re after—it’s a way to feel less alone, to reassure themselves they’re part of the social loop.”
Implications: Are Self-Centered Social Media Users Really Just Insecure?
These results point to a significant takeaway: social media use among self-centered individuals may stem more from insecurity than arrogance. Rather than serving as a platform solely for self-promotion, social media becomes a tool for self-centered users to manage social anxieties, especially their fears of missing out.
This shift in perspective has broader implications for understanding the psychology of social media. If many users are driven by FOMO rather than ego, it could mean that social media addiction or overuse is more closely tied to deeper vulnerabilities.
Roberts highlights that “FOMO-driven social media behaviors reflect a need for connection and validation. It’s not vanity—it’s a response to the pervasive insecurities we all feel, to different extents.”
The study also reflects a broader trend in social media research: understanding how different types of online content, like short-form videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels, might worsen FOMO and exacerbate anxiety. These platforms are uniquely structured to fuel FOMO by presenting curated snapshots of others’ lives, intensifying the fear of being left out.
Limitations and Future Research: Beyond the Pandemic’s Effect on FOMO
As insightful as these findings are, the study isn’t without its limitations. Data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation and restricted social interactions likely heightened FOMO for many people.
It’s possible that pandemic-era FOMO influenced these findings more than typical circumstances would. Additionally, self-reported data is inherently prone to biases, as people may answer questions in ways that reflect well on them.
To address these limitations, future studies could look at social media use in a post-pandemic context, compare different age groups, or even incorporate more objective measures of social media engagement, such as tracking time spent on specific apps.
Researchers could also explore other psychological factors that may intersect with FOMO, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, or fear of social rejection.
Roberts concludes, “Much of what drives us to social media, especially among the self-centered, is rooted in insecurities. The majority of social media research shows negative impacts on well-being, but we’re beginning to see that FOMO might be the real driver behind problematic usage.”
Understanding Social Media Use as a Response to FOMO and Insecurity
In sum, this study, titled “Me, Myself, and I: Self-Centeredness, FOMO, and Social Media Use,” co-authored by Meredith E. David and James A. Roberts, sheds new light on the real motivations behind self-centered social media use.
Rather than simply seeking validation, self-centered people on social media may actually be driven by an underlying fear of missing out and a need for reassurance. This reveals a vulnerability behind what might look like mere self-promotion.
As social media continues to shape how we connect and communicate, understanding the psychological drivers behind it can foster more empathy toward heavy users and help address the insecurities that lead to excessive social media use.
So, next time you scroll past a selfie or a status update, remember: it might just be FOMO at work.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
David, M. E., & Roberts, J. A. (2024). Me, myself, and I: Self-centeredness, FOMO, and social media use. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science.