A group of psychologists proposed an article that contextualizes a research study about the behavioural experience of young women on the notion of selfies, linked between posting selfies in relation to body image. The participants in this study were “eighteen"women aged 19-22 years...” in a United Kingdom University, interviewed by psychology students (20). The study was designed as a semi-structured interview for in-depth research by asking participants open-ended questions about their selfie experience. The student reveals that “Women’s appraisals of their bodies changed as a result of online interactions with other women on social media.
Women objectified their own and other women’s bodies in selfies, and social comparisons with hypothetical “ideal” bodies influenced how they evaluated their own own bodies” (21-22). The main themes that these interviews revealed were “...the “ideal” body, identity management, and body exposure” (22). Other sub-themes analyzed were guidelines in selfie-taking: posting too many selfies is seen as vanity, individual selfies are preferred over group selfies, facial shots are preferred to body shots, body shots should be covered, selfie’s should show people at their best, and sexualized selfies are unacceptable (22).
The key element of selfie posting is the social comparison of the number of “likes” on social media reflects physical attractiveness (22). Participants in the study talked about “amazing bodies” and wanting “to be like that” suggests social comparison and resulting feelings of body inadequacy” (22). An interesting finding in the study is that one woman “...wanted was not a more traditionally feminine body shape (such as more hourglass-shaped figure or larger breasts), but a flat stomach (“washboard abs”)...,” which can still negatively affect women’s bodies for not meeting that body standard (23). The interviewees also talked about “...comparing their bodies to selfies of their peers and selfies of celebrities...the ideal body, ideal face, perfect hair...” (23).
Another interesting reveal in this article is the comparison of the participants “...using Tumblr overwhelmingly felt empowered...by media images of celebrities...,” while those who used Instagram and Facebook reported a loss of confidence in their own bodies, suggesting that different platforms may permit different expressions of the self...” (23). In comparison to those who “...were less influenced by selfies of celebrities and expressed a more positive body image said they were aware of how celebrities manipulated their selfies to present an “ideal look’” (23). In addition to a positive body image, some have revealed that social media has “...boosted their confidence about their appearance, so long as others posted positive and supportive comments” (24).
In terms of posting selfies that show their best features, “Women were often more negative about their bodies than their faces, so sometimes avoided showing their bodies through taking a close-up that showed only the face...,” as well as an “...opportunity to check for perceived flaws...’” (24). Focusing more attention on the face than body, the participants revealed that the selfies that they posted on social media were exposed to photo-editing tools to hide their flaws to present themselves in the best angle that shows a “...disconnect between women’s identity as portrayed in selfies and their “real” offline identities” (26).
The idea of “...self-presentation is a social process and not simply an individual accomplishment...trying to ensure that their behaviour was in line with perceived social expectations for posting selfies” (26-27). Moving into selfies directed towards body exposure, participants mentioned that a way to get flooded with “likes” would be posting the “...sexually explicit selfie” that is frequently associated with women than men to gain attention’” (27). An interesting double-standard with this type of selfie for women is that are “...expected to present as “sexy” self-display, yet face “slut-shaming’” (27).
Since the participants in this study have not posted any sexualised images, “...there is relatively little research on adults who voluntarily put their nude, or underwear, selfies online” (28). The paradox of the selfie is that women can control their decision to edit and post selfies, they are technically “...not completely free to post any selfie they chose...” because of the “...notions of the ‘ideal’ self and body” (29). Even though “...taking and posting selfies might be viewed as enjoyable normative social activities...it was clear that social and peer-group pressures had a direct influence on participants’ decisions to take selfies, and the number of selfies posted online” (29).
Grogan, Sarah, Leonie Rothery, Jenny Cole, and Matthew Hall. “Posting Selfies and Body Image in Young Adult Women: The Selfie Paradox.”