It is exactly that. You clearly detailed what there is to say about the 'like' button. I also believe it has to do with ones personal attachment style and personality. I believe it is an unconscious effort than a conscious one. When little human contact is involved, you need another way to make up for it. Here comes social media sites like FB. Some people also want a 'dislike' button. I think it will be the worse idea ever. Imagine what a 'dislike' button can do to you. That will reveal more about you than what you previously 'like'.
But that's the thing I don't get with the obsession of the 'like' button. I think the majority of users just do it out of practice and autonomity behavior that is as simple as driving a car. I think when our family members post a photo of themselves, it makes sense to 'like' it. Is family. Or when a team posts a huge win against a divisional opponent. That makes sense as well. I think for the most part these short examples are exactly what you should do, after all, family is blood and our sports teams are like family. But what about for our friends? Is it really a nice ego boost? Does it really boost your self-confidence? Research has shown that anonimonity behavior makes us live outside the rules. Even though our names may be shown or our profiles, we don't need to show any contact with the person if we can see a post from the comfort of our home. We will be safe, free from getting in trouble...unless of course, verbal disagreement literally ticks you off. Then I think is safe to say that FB has taken your life than driving your car. Then that will be detrimental.
I can make some educated guesses how a simple 'like' can give you a social reward. Like more friends on the site or more reliability from those who consistently like your posts. Then it would be an intrinsic reward, right? I mean, you are feeling good and are not getting some monetary reward. Unless, of course, you get a date, then the reward would be, technically, social. But is there such a thing as a social reward on FB? Or on the internet for that matter? Unless of course when you buy something off Amazon, but that will be an intrinsic reward, and of course: external rewards we hate, but we gotta work.
I question such a thing. But I'll keep an eye out on your post and read what you have to say about it.