Why do people ask questions and pick?

Question

that they think they don't know the answer and pick the answer that satisfys them not the most plausible answer it really annoys me (although i do it myself.) I simply want to know why?

Answer 1

It seems to be a product of the fact that people answer a question in a different way to what the Questioner wanted. For example a recent question was asked "what causes bad memory". the questioner clearly was interested in a medical or scientific explanation. Instead everybody who answered, and without exception, made a joke by saying things like "I used to know the answer but I can not remember it" or something similar.

Another recent question in "Trivia" was asked twice by Monica  B "When prior to 2006 did Christmas Eve fall on a Sunday". Everybody who answered without exception  

got it wrong but some of the wrong answerers looked "plausible". But not one YA Member was able to tell her what she wanted to know which was "1995, 1989, , 1978 and 1967".  So that is surely why those who get 10 points for an alleged "Best Answer" sometimes should not have got any?

Answer 2

for the same reason that conservatives read conservative media and liberals read liberal media. We seek validation of what we already believe.

Answer 3

Some people are looking to be amused, not just for the correct answer.  Plus, there are questions on here that are purely subjective (no "right" answer).  The Best Answer, in most cases, depends on the mood the person who asked the question.  Is the questioner looking for the most intelligent answer?  Funniest answer?  Shortest answer? An answer that does the thinking for them?  As I said, the Best Answer is up to the questioner's mood.

What I don't understand is why people say "10 points for the best answer".  It's a given that Best Answer gets 10 points.  So why run that point into the ground?

Answer 4

Thank-You for asking this...I sit back and laugh at some of the answers to questions that are picked as the best answer when most of the time they couldn't be more off base..people just like to be agreed with even if it is wrong! It is human nature I suppose. Great Question...have a STAR!

Answer 5

I suppose because it is their choice. If an answer is the "most satisfying" to them then it is the one they like the most.

Answer 6

Many times this game is played unfairly, and sorry to ruin your picture of it, but many times people pick their friends' answers, even though there are many other better answers....

That's why so many people have a lot of contacts, so they just vote for each other.

Answer 7

(although i do it myself.)

....so why do you do it?

Answer 8

Nothing better to do, maybe?