Lurking but not participating in chat rooms is a common aspect of internet psychology, because lurkers visit but don't make comments in forums or web site discussions.
Specifically, lurking in chat rooms is defined as "the tendency of internet surfers to loiter in chat rooms, forums, and website discussions instead of actively participating." (Chat room psychology isn't a technological term, and neither is lurker psychology. It's not a psychological disorder either -- not yet, anyway!)
Chat room psychology may be the next big trend in internet psychology. Soon – if there's not already – there may be chat room psychology research grants to study the effects of loitering on discussion forums.
Here's why lurkers visit but don't participate in chat rooms, forums, or web site discussions.
The Answers Are Too Obvious
Lurkers don't participate in chat rooms or web site forums if a question is already answered authoritatively. Then, there's no need to answer it again or even discuss the topic. Or, lurkers in chat rooms may not feel qualified to answer specific questions. For example, "Should I leave my boyfriend?" may be too difficult and vague to answer. "Should I leave my abusive, cheating, lying, stealing, alcoholic, incarcerated boyfriend?" seems too obvious (the answer to that is "yes" by the way!).
Fear of Ridicule
Lurkers may fear ridicule, teasing, or humiliation by other commenters on the web site forum or chat room. People sometimes post rude and insensitive remarks, which encourages surfers to lurk but not actively participate.
Boring Topics
Sometimes lurkers in chat rooms just aren't all that excited about the topics.
Lack of Self-Confidence
It's possible that lurkers don't have the self-confidence or self-esteem to share their opinion or knowledge. Lurkers are self-conscious about making their presence known; they'd rather just watch the interaction between others - like watching a play or being a voyeur.
Voyeurism
If you're a voyeur, you get sexual pleasure from watching other people. Most psychologists/psychiatrists classify it as psychological disorder. Lurkers may not make comments in chat rooms, forums, or web site discussions as a type of voyeurism (which isn't necessarily a psychological disorder).
Other Reasons Lurkers Don't Make Comments or Participate in Chat Rooms:
- overbearing or arrogant posters (they're off-putting)
- slow typists (takes too long to write)
- lack of time (even for fast typists)
- past disappointments
- bad experiences
- goofy or thoughtless answers from others
- concern about grammar or spelling mistakes
These are valid and fair reasons to lurk in chat rooms, but it's more fun to participate – like with everything else in life! Getting involved is an adventure that can change your perspective, habits, and attitudes. Lurking in chat rooms, forums, or web site discussions isn't as rewarding as actually participating.
If you found Visiting But Not Participating in Chat Rooms interesting, try Internet Addiction or Online Dating.
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
Join the Conversation