In our increasingly digital society, selfies have become a ubiquitous form of personal expression, serving as visual narratives that represent various facets of our identities. Let’s explore the significance of selfies in revealing personal, psychological, and social aspects of our lives.
A selfie is a self-portrait photograph typically taken with a smartphone. The term ‘selfie’ was first popularized in the early 21st century, and by 2013, the word was officially included in the Oxford English Dictionary, affirming its widespread usage and social significance (Oxford Languages, 2013).
The selfie phenomenon aligns with the development of the “quantified self” movement, where individuals use technology to track and measure various aspects of their lives, often sharing this information publicly (Swan, 2013). Through selfies, we present ourselves to the world, offering glimpses into our lifestyles, preferences, and moods, providing us with a way to construct and control our personal image (Tiidenberg, 2018).
Selfies, as an act of self-portrayal, can be a form of self-expression and self-exploration. According to Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center, taking selfies can help people gain self-confidence, enhance their mood, and create a narrative about their lives. They can make people feel connected in a globally distributed digital world (Rutledge, 2013). Selfies capture our present moments, offering an archive of our experiences and our changes over time.
Psychological studies suggest that the ways we portray ourselves in selfies can be reflective of our personalities. For instance, a study by Qiu, Lu, Yang, Qu, and Zhu (2015) identified certain patterns linking selfie behaviors with personality traits. The researchers found that people with higher levels of neuroticism were more likely to take selfies from a lower angle, while those who were more conscientious tended to hold the camera at a higher angle. The study also indicated that people who are more open to experiences are more likely to show positive emotions in their selfies.
The context of the selfie also provides meaningful insight. The locations, props, or people featured in our selfies offer a glimpse into our interests, values, and social connections. For instance, a selfie taken in a gym might suggest a commitment to fitness and health, while a selfie taken at a protest march could signal political engagement (Tiidenberg, 2018).
Furthermore, the cultural context in which selfies are produced and shared also matters. Cultural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall argues that individuals form their identities within the frameworks of cultural norms and expectations (Hall, 1996). Hence, the choices we make when taking and sharing selfies – such as how we pose, what we wear, and how we edit the photos – are not only personal decisions but are also influenced by societal norms and expectations.
Our interactions with selfies are not limited to creating and sharing them; we also consume selfies posted by others. Studies suggest that we form perceptions about others based on their selfies. For instance, a study by Sorokowska et al. (2016) found that people perceived men who posted selfies frequently as less likable and more narcissistic. Such perceptions highlight how our interpretations of selfies are shaped by societal attitudes and norms.
Self-Expression and Identity Construction
One primary reason for the frequent posting of self-photos online is the need for self-expression and identity construction (Seidman, 2013). It allows individuals to curate their desired personas, highlighting the aspects they deem important or appealing. This can range from their physical appearance, lifestyle, to their values and beliefs. The social identity theory by Tajfel and Turner (1979) proposes that people strive to maintain a positive self-image, which can be manifested in online practices like posting flattering selfies.
Validation and Self-Esteem
Psychological research also suggests a correlation between posting selfies and the need for social validation (Chua & Chang, 2016). As per the sociometer theory by Leary (1999), self-esteem is a gauge of social acceptance. The likes, comments, and shares received from posting photos online serve as positive reinforcement, potentially boosting the person’s self-esteem. However, over-reliance on external validation can be detrimental to mental health, creating a sense of insecurity and dissatisfaction when the engagement doesn’t meet expectations (Burrow & Rainone, 2017).
Narcissism
Frequent posting of selfies can also be associated with higher levels of narcissism (Sorokowska et al., 2020). Narcissistic individuals tend to seek admiration and often use social media to gain attention (Campbell & Miller, 2011). This isn’t to imply that every person posting selfies online is narcissistic, but there is a statistical correlation between the frequency of posting and narcissistic traits.
Impression Management and Authenticity
The act of posting self-photos online is closely tied to impression management, the process through which individuals try to control or influence other people’s perceptions of them (Goffman, 1956). On social media platforms, this often involves carefully selecting and editing photos to present an idealized self. However, the authenticity of such presentations can be questioned as they often represent a skewed version of reality (Reilly & Hynan, 2014).
In conclusion, selfies offer a rich, complex, and multifaceted insight into our personal and social identities. They are more than mere photographs; they are visual narratives that reflect our moods, preferences, values, social contexts, and even our personalities. As we continue to evolve in a digital age, our understanding and interpretation of selfies will also change, further enriching their significance as a form of self-expression and identity construction.
References:
- Hall, S. (1996). Introduction: Who needs identity? In S. Hall, & P. Du Gay (Eds.), Questions of cultural identity (pp. 1-17). London: Sage.
- Oxford Languages. (2013). Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year 2013. Oxford University Press.
- Qiu, L., Lu, J., Yang, S., Qu, W., & Zhu, T. (2015). What does your selfie say about you? Computers in Human Behavior, 52, 443-449.
- Rutledge, P. B. (2013). The Psychology and Benefits of Selfies. Psychology Today.
- Sorokowska, A., Oleszkiewicz, A., Frackowiak, T., Pisanski, K., Chmiel, A., & Sorokowski, P. (2016). Selfies and personality: Who posts self-portrait photographs? Personality and Individual Differences, 90, 119-123.
- Swan, M. (2013). The quantified self: Fundamental disruption in big data science and biological discovery. Big Data, 1(2), 85-99.
- Tiidenberg, K. (2018). Selfies: Why We Love (and Hate) Them. Emerald Publishing.
- Seidman, G. (2013). Self-presentation and belonging on Facebook: How personality influences social media use and motivations. Personality and Individual Differences, 54(3), 402–407.
- Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An Integrative Theory of Intergroup Conflict. The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations, 33(47), 74.
- Chua, T. H. H., & Chang, L. (2016). Follow me and like my beautiful selfies: Singapore teenage girls’ engagement in self-presentation and peer comparison on social media. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 190–197.
- Leary, M. R. (1999). Making sense of self-esteem. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 8(1), 32–35.
- Burrow, A. L., & Rainone, N. (2017). How many likes did I get?: Purpose moderates links between positive social media feedback and self-esteem. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 69, 232–236.
- Sorokowska, A., Oleszkiewicz, A., Frackowiak, T., Pisanski, K., Chmiel, A., & Sorokowski, P. (2020). Selfies and personality: Who posts self-portrait photographs?. Personality and Individual Differences, 101, 155–163.
- Campbell, W. K., & Miller, J. D. (2011). The handbook of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder: Theoretical approaches, empirical findings, and treatments. Hoboken, NJ, US: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- Goffman, E. (1956). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Edinburgh, UK: University of Edinburgh.
- Reilly, A., & Hynan, A. (2014). Unmasking the ‘selfie’: The (in)authenticity of online self-presentation. Journal of Media Practice, 15(1), 81–96.
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