Feeling ambivalent while using instant messaging: a value-motive-experience framework comparing maximizers and social groomers

Abstract

Adopting a person-centered approach, this article identifies different types of instant messaging (IM) users based on their underlying usage motives (social, hedonistic, and utilitarian) as maximizers, social groomers, entertainment seekers, or minimalists. It also explores users’ value priorities as determinants of this classification. Focusing on the social experiences of two types of users who actively employ IM for social purposes (maximizers and social groomers), this study extends the stimulation hypothesis. Whereas stimulation effects emerge for social groomers, whose social experiences on IM are overwhelmingly positive, they do not arise for maximizers, whose IM social experiences are more ambivalent. Maximizers’ more ambivalent social experiences significantly predict lower relationship satisfaction.