I see. To summarize, when someone likes your social media post, especially if it’s someone you don’t know well, it can trigger positive feelings for several reasons:
1. Biochemical: It leads to the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin which activate the reward center in your brain and are linked to pleasure, social bonding, and happiness. This can create a rush of excitement, a warm chest feeling, relaxation, etc.
2. Motor expression: The positive emotions often manifest physically through smiling, laughing, uplifted posture, etc. You may feel energized and motivated to respond.
3. Imagination: Even though it’s an online interaction, you visualize the person liking your post and imagine the positive social exchange. This amplifies the emotional impact and can stimulate further creativity and engagement.
4. Validation: The like signifies that someone accepted, acknowledged or approved of your thoughts, feelings or experiences shared in that post. This recognition and acceptance feels good and reinforces what you expressed.
5. Desire to reciprocate: You may feel an urge to reciprocate the positive feeling, e.g. by saying thanks or giving a virtual hug. This is due to biochemical and social factors.
So in summary, the emotional reaction to a like on social media stems from a combination of biological mechanisms, motor expressions, imagination, a need for validation and the desire to reciprocate. The end result is an overall positive feeling and greater motivation for future social engagement.