Not everyone here with the same purpose, but I agree on the merit part, merit is something everyone wants but some may also spend time here for other bitcoin related or service related activities. Some are here to learn about the crypto space, learning has no limit, and this forum serves that purpose very well.
I agree with you in the basis of merit as a morale booster as you named it because for every merit I receive, there is always a huge joy in my heart certifying that I'm doing a good job.
Exactly, merit motivates members to keep going on good direction, OP might have called it as "immune booster", instead merit is a Moral Booster.