When people ask a question do they want a correct answer or just confirmation of already assumed knowledge?

All of the above. Many questions here are asked for as many reasons as you can think of and more.

Some want to hear opinions on a subject, others clarification, some just ask stuff they don't want to research themselves. Some people troll for laughs, some ask questions for homework.

And as far as answers that are chosen, each reason is based purely on a case by case scenario. Some are chosen simply for laughs.

There's many more examples, those are just from the top of my head for the moment.

Depends on the individual asker, obviously.

In your case, you seem to be making a statement rather than genuinely asking a question.

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You think that this is an "attack" on your question? All I'm saying is that you're using this question to assert what you think, which you obviously are, but I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing. There's a reason I said you're making a statement, rather than "looking for confirmation," but I don't think you're asking this question because you're unsure about anything.

I don't think that asking people to expand or contribute to an idea you already hold to be true is bad way to use this forum at all. Some people ask questions because they don't know the answer, some people ask questions that they just want to see other people answer.

The way you're using the question isn't the same as asking a factually-based question and then ignoring the facts of course, but I don't think using a question to make a statement necessarily means you're not also looking for answers.

people do sometimes ask questions to be answered. and there are also others who just want confirmation of what they already know. that is the beauty of this site, it gives you an opportunity to gain as well as confirm already-gained knowledge.

Nice. Wow...that's pretty damn good.

I would suppose that most people are fishing for agreement, but don't want to be honest about it, and veil their seeking of acceptance in a question.

Generally confirmation.

Occasionally they want different perspectives.

The point to this forum is killing time for people that are bored. It's entertainment.

I usually ask questions to see if anyone has an answer that could be correct.

Things take time.

We ask, and we choose.

The process of assimilation is not always instantaneous.

Good point. But technically, this question is doing the same thing.

Just want to show their brilliance actually. And if you get sarcastic or contradict they get into a snit.

You are right, Bob.