A Daily Moment of Scroll
Imagine sitting on your couch, scrolling through Instagram after a long day. Each post you see is a mix of dazzling images and engaging videos, pulling you deeper into a seemingly endless feed. As you swipe, you can’t help but feel a rush of excitement with every new post, each one more captivating than the last.
The Psychological Mechanism of Novelty Seeking
This behavior can be traced back to the psychological mechanism known as novelty seeking, which originally existed as a survival tool. In prehistoric times, discovering new resources or environments meant better chances of survival and reproduction. This innate drive for novelty kept our ancestors alert, curious, and adaptable.
However, modern platforms like Instagram have exploited this mechanism. The algorithm is designed to prioritize new and trending content, ensuring that users are constantly presented with fresh stimuli. This creates a feedback loop where the more you engage with novel content, the more the algorithm shows you, reinforcing the behavior.
Consider a scenario where you find yourself captivated by a viral challenge. You participate, post your own rendition, and watch as likes and comments pour in. The thrill of novelty fuels your desire to create and share even more, often at the expense of depth or authenticity.
Novelty feels exhilarating, but the constant cycle of fresh content is ultimately driven by an algorithm designed to keep you scrolling.
This is why the urge to seek new experiences online is predictable: it stems from an ancient survival instinct amplified by modern technology.