The Selfie’s Place in Society

By Annie Brebner

The selfie is a cultural marker of our generation.

Source: BimAdewunmi, The Rise and Rise of the Selfie

Photo: “Mr. and Mrs. Apple” Photoking (“flickr)

“I hear that word imagining myspace style

angles, duck faces, peace signs and dirty mirrors.”- Christine Erickson

Source: Christine Erickson, Social Psychology of the Selfie

Photo: bfishadow (flickr)

The selfie

allows a

person to be in control of

their own

image.

Source: Christine Erickson, Social

Psychology of the Selfie

Photo: Self Portraits! (flickr)

One can even mask their own identity…

Photo: ArcheiaMuriel (flickr)

Many are hesitant to take

and share photos of

themselves, for fear of

looking vain.

Source: Chrsitine Erickson, The Social Psychology of the Selfie

Photo: NVinacco (flickr)

The selfie can be seen as narcissistic …

A way of showing off…Source: Jillian McHugh, „Selfies‟ Just as much

for the Insecure as the Showoffs

Photo: Bate Furniture (tumblr)

…or it can be a way of sharing your

present life.

Source: Jillian

McHugh, „Selfies‟ just as

for the insecure as the

show-offs

Photo: AshishLohorung

(flickr)

In fact, ¼ of women admit they no longer think it’s

strange to upload photos of themselves.

Source: Jillian McHugh, ‘Selfies’ just as much for the insecure as the show-offsPhoto: GoodNCrazy (flickr)

3“Where can I find the selfie?”

Source: Christine Erickson, Social Psychology of the Selfie (Top sources of the selfie)

Photo: JessfChen (blogspot)

Facebookand Instagram help NORMALISE

the idea of self presentation.

Source: Jillian McHugh, „Selfies‟ just as much for the insecure as the show-offs

Photo: “AP” (salon.com)

Selfies on Instagram allow us to connect with people from all

over the world…

Even celebrities like Justin Bieber post selfies!

BimAdewunmi, The rise and rise of the selfie

The most popular forum for sharing images

is still 93% through Facebook.

This is because Facebook offers better privacy settings.

Source: Jillian McHugh, „Selfies‟

Just as much for the insecure as

the show-offs

Photo: Vince Welter (flickr)

Privacy still plays a large role in the way we interact over social media…

People don‟t want their pictures to spread outside of their

circle of comfort

Source: Jillian McHugh, „Selfies‟ just as for the insecure as the show-offs

Photo: Byflickr (flickr)

It is arguable that the distinction between private and public…

No longer exists…

Source: Jillian McHugh, ‘Selfies’ Much for the Insecure as for the Show OffsPhoto: Byflickr (fickr)

Responses to the images we post of ourselves on

social media sites can greatly influence our self-

esteem.

Source:Christine Erickson, Social Psychology of the Selfie

Source: Ron Bennetts (flickr)

The chance of being SCRUTINIZED is greater

because, online, people are granted ANONYMITY.

Source :Chrstine Erickson, Social Psychology of the SelfiePhoto: generationssafe.com

So…

Why do we still post photos of ourselves?

Photo: DjKing (flickr)

Because, in a world ruled by social media,

we want to be ACCEPTED by our peers.

Photo: John K. (flickr)

The selfie encourages

SOCIAL COMPARISON

Source: Chrstine Erickson, Social Psychology of the SelfiePhoto: skinnypictures (flickr)

How do YOU fit in to all of this?

What does the selfie’s place in our society mean to you?

Photo: D. Mych (flickr))