Individual Differences in Selfie Taking, Photo Manipulation and Filter Use Amongst Young Adults

Abstract

With over 3.5 billion people accessing social networking sites, selfie taking and sharing has become a widespread practise among social media users. It is crucial to understand the motivations underpinning how people interact with selfies and how our individual differences may influence the relationship with selfie taking, selfie sharing and photo manipulation. Using young adults aged between 18 and 30 years old (n = 104), this study explored the potential relationship between participants individual differences (Gender, Self-esteem, Narcissism, Personality, Attachment) and selfie related behaviours. Findings showed that women are more likely to share photos of themselves online and use beauty filters compared to men. Moreover, results showed that lower levels of self-esteem appear to correlate with more frequented filter use. Multiple regression analysis also demonstrated a significant positive relationship between Narcissism and two subscales of the Photo Manipulation Scale (PMS) (Cosmetic and Structural) whilst Agreeableness was found to be positively correlated with the Cosmetic component of the PMS. These findings highlight the popularity and pervasiveness of selfies in modern day society and the impact that selfie related behaviour has on social media users' behaviours and attitudes. Considerations surrounding the negative impact of selfie editing and filter use should be further investigated in future studies.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Supervisor	Martin Graff (Supervisor) & L Workman (Supervisor)