User behavior

At work, we abuse this word. But I am really interested to find out the motives behind following behavior:

• When people post something in a public forum for help, are they complaining or are they REALLY seeking help? Is this an elaborate form of "get it out of your system"? Does it also tell about "how perfect I am"?
• When people generalize is it because they hate that quality in themselves?
• When people communicate, is it the need to show "I know" or is it "I want you to know that I know"?
• When people proactively take initiative, that they are the most "irritated" by it or because they want to show that they are?

I read a lot of self-help books - is that because these people want to help or they want help?

If you think these questions are simple, think some more. Maybe I am the guy who is confused :)