Social Media Goes to the Movies: Fear of Missing Out, Social Capital, and Social Motivations of Cinema Attendance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of participation in social media networks on theatrical movie attendance, with particular attention paid to the fear-of-missing-out (FoMO) and social media social capital. Using an online survey (N = 472), it was determined that the direct social utility of the theatrical experience was a better predictor of theatrical attendance than social media FoMO or social capital. However, both bridging social capital and FoMO were predictors of the post-viewing social media sharing of the film experience, with bridging social capital best predicting social media sharing. Furthermore, FoMO did not moderate the relation between bridging social capital and social media sharing, suggesting these traits exert influence on social media behaviors independently. While participation in social networks did not influence theatrical movie attendance, it was an important predictor of social media conversations after viewing, with the opportunity to maintain and build bridging social capital exerting the greatest influence on social media sharing.

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Notes on contributors

Alec C. Tefertiller

Alec C. Tefertiller (Ph.D., University of Oregon, 2017) is an assistant professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University. His research interests include new media technology, streaming entertainment media, and social media.

Lindsey Conlin Maxwell

Lindsey Conlin Maxwell (Ph.D., University of Alabama, 2015) is an assistant professor in the School of Communication at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her research interests include entertainment and news media effects.

David L. Morris

David L. Morris II (Ph.D., University of Oregon, 2018) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of South Carolina Aiken. His research interests include visual communication, science communication, technology, pop culture, video games, and Esports.