Exploring the antecedents and consumer behavioral consequences of “Feeling of Missing Out (FOMO)”

Abstract

Today, we are more aware of the several alternative activities happening around us than ever before. We have access to real-time information about what is going on—events to see, places to visit, conversations to follow, gatherings to attend, etc. Especially through digital tools and social media, we are frequently reminded of the existing experiences. Yet, we often lack the resources to participate in all. As a result, we are likely to experience an aversive affective state, a feeling of missing out on the unattended experiences. Despite the extensive managerial press on FOMO (e.g., Herman 2012; JWT 2012), scarce empirical work exists (Alt 2015; Przybylski et al. 2013). In this paper, we elaborate on the meaning of FOMO in a nomological web of constructs, explore its antecedents (i.e., when and how it occurs), and link FOMO to consumer behavior.