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Writer's pictureJo Sutherst

Final Major Project: Me, Myselfie, and I

“‘Self-presentation’ is the attempt to control images of oneself through selective self-disclosure before real or imagined audiences [27]. This goal-directed behaviour generates a particular and strategic image of oneself to others, and thereby influences how audiences perceive and treat individuals.”

– (Yue et al 2017)


In their paper, Yue et al discuss the links and relationships that exist between traditional and new media. They consider the impact of creating and sharing selfies online, as well as how selfies are used for the maintenance of relationships.


“Selfies are defined as images of oneself, taken by oneself. During the process of selfie-taking, individuals can observe their images, adjust their poses and facial expressions, to obtain a desirable image. Simultaneously, individuals have many options when choosing image-editing software designed to help enhance the quality and appeal of these digital images. Editing software enables individuals to easily and quickly improve the visual characteristics of the image subject, and the overall composition.”

– (Yue et al 2017)


Selfies, as Yue et al explain, have specific dimensions and aesthetics. Composition is all important. They have been linked to issues surrounding self-worth, insecurity, and life satisfaction, with some individuals linking their self-esteem to how they appear to others.


“Selfies often contain unique cues or characteristics that users can add that are not associated with traditional, unedited digital images including duckface, pressed lips, emotional positivity, face visibility, public/private location sharing, and a range of other editing features. Recently, specific studies explored the link between selfie posting behaviour with certain personality traits, like narcissism, extraversion, and self-esteem”

– (Yue et al 2017)


Through their research, Yue et al consider that social comparison of ourselves to others is based on inaccurate and idealised information presented to us about other people. Through selfie sharing on social media, we are led to believe that other people are happier and more successful in their lives than we are. This causes us to be envious of them; our subjectivity is lowered and our wellbeing affected as a consequence.


“As individuals engage in generally non-directed self-disclosure via social media and digital image sharing, they may consequently become the target of criticism, which in turn could affect their perceived self-worth and general life satisfaction.”

– (Yue et al 2017)


Yue et al speculated at the end of their paper, that the ability to edit and enhance a selfie which leads to more positive feedback on social media enhances and improves satisfaction about their relationships and themselves.

REFERENCE

Yue, Z., Toh, Z., and Stefanone, M.A. 2017. “Me, Myselfie, and I: Individual and Platform Differences in Selfie Taking and Sharing Behaviour”. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Social Media & Society. Toronto, ON, Canada, 2017. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3097286.3097310 [accessed 1 June 2018]. New York: ACM.


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