Selfies And Social Media Analysis

Selfies are photographs individuals take of themselves, usually on a technological device, and have become an almost fundamental part of multiple societies around the world. Selfies are usually posted on social media websites such as Instagram or Twitter, where other users can like or favourite the photo. This essay will look at the posting of selfies on social media as it has been claimed to be a major contributing factor of narcissistic qualities within millennials. This claim however, is very flawed and does not take into consideration many factors surrounding the posting of selfies on social media. Selfies are linked heavily with feminist ideology and are a useful tool in empowering individuals.
‘Narcissism and Social Networking Sites: …show more content…
Social learning theory suggests that majority of learning occurs by observing other individual’s behaviour. Social learning theory believe that by observing how others behave, individuals can form a ‘guide’ on how to act in the future. Social learning theory also takes human cognition into consideration when forming the basis of their assumptions (Severin & Tankard, 2001). Losh (2015) found that many celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé, have influenced the microcelebrity selfie genre on Instagram. Applied under social learning theory, the behaviour of these celebrities have been observed by their numerous followers and as a result their behaviour has been imitated. Losh (2015) also argues that selfies a way of resisting against the commodification of one’s own body and that the posting of selfies can also be a way of confronting one’s low self-esteem. The study argues that the context behind the selfie is also vitally important. Selfies can be used to report weight loss, stages of chemotherapy and many other major life changing events. Losh (2015) also argues that selfies give agency to individuals as they are given the freedom to present themselves however they choose to. This is especially important in regards to young females who are constantly being seen through a ‘male gaze’ by society. Selfies allow young women to choose how they are being seen by …show more content…
This is due to gratification theory simply seeing media as a way to satisfy one’s desires, it does not seek to understand the cultural or personal contexts behind the selfies themselves. Selfies, applied under gratification theory, are simply a way to achieving the desire of peer approval and determining social status. The interpretative approach of this study may have also contributed to the limitations it possesses, as the interpretative approach does not take into consideration the wide array of complex human experiences. Losh (2015) applied social learning theory to their study and was able to conclude that many genres of selfie culture are inspired by celebrities. The study’s interpretative approach also provided them with insight as to what the contexts behind selfies may be and whether they could constitute to being narcissistic. Wickel (2015) provided a clear analysis using statistics, however the results found that the majority of selfie posters possess narcissistic qualities and painted them in a negative light. In comparison, Losh (2015) provided a meaningful analysis of the variety of reasons behind selfie posting, while also providing many examples of the positive effects selfies can have for individuals. It is possible that selfies may cause a degree of narcissism within individuals. However the benefits that selfies provide outweigh