Personality traits and psychological motivations predicting selfie posting behaviors on social networking sites

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2016.11.006Get rights and content

Highlights

  • This study examined the psychological predictors of selfie posting behaviors on SNSs.

  • Narcissism predicted greater levels of posting solo selfies and editing selfies.

  • Extraversion and agreeableness were predictors of posting group selfies.

  • The need for popularity predicted posting both solo and group selfies.

  • The need to belong was not associated with any of the selfie behaviors.

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between narcissism, the Big 5 personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience), the need for popularity, the need to belong, and various types of selfie posting behaviors—posting solo selfies, selfies with a group, and editing selfies. Results of the survey (N = 260) indicated that after controlling for overall social media use and demographic factors (i.e., age, gender), narcissism significantly predicted the frequency of posting solo selfies and editing selfies. Age moderated the relationship between narcissism and the frequency of posting group selfies. Posting group selfies was predicted by extraversion and agreeableness and the need for popularity. The need for popularity also predicted the frequency of posting solo selfies, but not of selfie editing. Furthermore, findings revealed that gender moderated the relationship between the need for popularity and posting solo selfies, such that the need for popularity predicted posting solo selfies among men, but not among women. The need to belong was not associated with any of the selfie behaviors. Interpretations and implications of these findings are discussed.

Introduction

Social networking sites (SNSs) provide individuals with an ideal venue for self-presentation (Zhao et al., 2008). These media platforms offer users the ability to present themselves in a more selective and desirable manner by enhancing their profiles (Manago et al., 2008, Zhao et al., 2008). One of the most important components of self-presentation on SNSs is the use of photographic images and particularly of “selfies.” Taking and posting self-photographs has quickly become an integral part of people’s lives. It is reported that the number of selfies posted on SNSs has increased over 900 times from 2012 (Souza et al., 2015), and especially, selfies permeate young adults’ lives; more than the half of millennials post and share their selfies on SNSs (Pew Research Center, 2014a).

This pervasiveness of selfie activities raises questions regarding the psychological factors that might drive such unique form of self-presentation. Scholars have recently examined the psychological meaning of selfie posting by focusing specifically on trait predictors. For example, several studies suggested that narcissism significantly predicted selfie posting frequency (Fox and Rooney, 2015, Halpern et al., 2016, Sorokowski et al., 2015, Weiser, 2015). However, given that selfies are used to display individual identity as well as social relationships, there might be other potentially important psychological factors that could explain various types of selfie behaviors. Since individuals’ preference and use of certain media platforms are likely to be influenced by not only their personality traits but also their psychological needs (Oliver and Krakowiak, 2009, Rubin, 2009), it is important to consider various personality traits and motivations to better understand what makes people post selfies on SNSs. Moreover, demographic variables may influence selfie behaviors. Previous studies have documented that there were gender and age differences in selfie posting frequency and its relationships with trait predictors (Sorokowska et al., 2016, Sorokowski et al., 2015, Weiser, 2015). Accordingly, it is necessary to examine the role of demographic factors in predicting selfie activities in order to fully address this new social phenomenon.

This study aims to examine the psychological determinants of selfie behaviors. First, we examine whether personality traits, involving the Big Five traits and narcissism, would be associated with different types of selfie behaviors (i.e., solo selfies, group selfies, and editing selfies). We also investigate whether the psychological needs—the need for popularity, the need to belong—would be significantly associated with these behaviors. In addition, we explore the ways in which demographic factors might influence the relationships between these characteristics and selfie behaviors.

Section snippets

Selfies and self-presentation on SNSs

In 2013, the Oxford English Dictionary officially added the term “selfie” and defined it as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website” (Oxford English Dictionary, 2013). Although self-portraits existed in the past, the practice of frequently taking photographs of oneself has emerged and developed with the advent of the smartphone and the proliferation of SNSs. This “self-portrait of the digital age” has

Respondents

A total of participants (N = 260) completed the online survey. Of these participants, 137 were males (52.7%), and 123 were females (47.3%). Their ages ranged from 18 to 65 (M = 35.24, SD = 11.32). The majority of them identified themselves as Caucasians (76.2%), 8.5% as African American, 6.5% as Hispanic/Latino, 5.8% as Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.8% as Native American, 0.8% as Middle Eastern, and 1.5% as other racial groups.

Sampling procedure

Data were collected using an online survey. The survey was constructed using a

Results

As earlier studies have found gender differences in selfie behaviors, the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was conducted to identify potential differences in male and female participants’ selfie posting (solo and with a group) and selfie editing. Inconsistent with prior studies, there were no significant gender differences in participants’ selfie behaviors.

To test the relationships between age and selfie behaviors, correlational analyses were conducted. As participants’ age increased,

Discussion

This study explored the psychological determinants of selfie behaviors on SNSs. As these social media platforms provide an optimal venue for selective and positive self-presentation (Zhao et al., 2008), we examined what drives individuals to perform such self-presentation through visual images—specifically through self-photographic images, and how the demographic factors, personality traits, and psychological needs could predict these unique forms of behaviors.

As proposed by earlier studies,

Conclusion

This study found that selfie behaviors are associated with various personality traits and psychological needs. Although selfie posting is commonly viewed as a form of narcissistic behavior, the results of this study suggest that a range of interpersonal motivations as well as egocentric traits underlie individuals’ selfie activities. These results add to our existing understanding of these relationships by determining that personality traits and psychological factors elicit different kinds of

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