Table 9.
Overview of the Discrepancy behavioural archetype.
| Discrepancy Behavioural Archetype | ||
| Internal Characteristics | Description | |
| Identity | Discrepancy users use one or more items of information that identify them, e.g., real name, picture, location data, work place, and email, in online interactions | |
| Avoidant online attachment style | Discrepancy users are unwilling to form close bonds with people they engage with on social media and find it difficult to trust those they meet online | |
| Categorise themselves | Discrepancy users believe that they are special and contrast their own situation with their contacts’ situations by comparing profiles and activities | |
| Disturbance and lost concentration | The Discrepancy user finds that handling numerous interactions online simultaneously leads to a loss of concentration and so prefers to focus one interaction at a time | |
| Different from reality | The Discrepancy user behaves very differently online and in the real world | |
| Examples of Usage and Associated Emotions (Positive and Negative) | Emotion Example | |
| Positive usage experiences | Social media are an accessible facilitator of pleasure and entertainment activities | Joy |
| Social media are helpful for communicating with relatives and friends, including sharing information, resulting in a sustained feeling of connectedness and presence | Happiness, joy | |
| Negative usage experiences | Frequent online engagement, accompanied by a lack of self-awareness and concentration | Regret, anger |
| The fear of missing out on certain events, news, opportunities or interactions | Worry, fear, nervousness |
|
| Failing to receive sufficient or timely responses from peers | Sadness | |
| Psychological States | Usage Experiences | |
| Boredom | Arises when their interaction is passive and unconscious | |
| Anxiety | Provoked by spending longer than intended on social media or being unable to check one’s profile | |
| Loss of interest | Caused by the disapproval of others’ content and interactions, or because the content remains unchanged or becomes repetitive | |
| Loneliness | They categorise themselves, which can result in feelings of isolation, particularly if contacts have not been active online | |