Capturing is often attractive to new players when they become unsure about a position. I think this is because it gives a sense of control over the situation as the opponent must (almost always) recapture.
In a sense, it's to delay the difficult decision for another move.
The main reason is probably that it's more satisfying than leaving tension on the board. And weaker players don't usually understand the concept that very few piece exchanges are truly equal. It almost always favors one side slightly more than the other, even when the material traded is equal.
At your level around 1100 or below it's common, but at higher levels it's not. I'm below 1600 and even my opponents do not trade unless they have good reason.
In the beginning game I can understand the want to just sacrifice a piece to its equal. I have never understood that however everybody's play style is different. Why do people give up their pieces when there are smarter moves to be taken?