Ever wondered why everyone seems to be taking so many selfies? We have an intriguing answer for you.
Joshua Sariñana is a neuroscientist, photographer and blogger. Today, he shares some thoughts on selfies and their modern implications.
With the introduction of the smartphone and front-facing cameras, the selfie, or self-portrait, has become an incredibly popular phenomenon with millions of photos taken every day. But why do we take selfies? Blogger and neuroscientist Joshua Sariñana explains in this guest post.
The selfie dates back to 10th century England when St. Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, created a self-portrait of himself worshiping Jesus – that’s 1,200 years before the modern camera was invented. Today, the self-portrait is simply the selfie, and instead of elaborate paintings or long-exposure film, a selfie happens with a mobile phone and goes global in an instant via social media.
Western philosophy is based on the idea of thinking about thinking, which is basically the human consciousness that sets us apart from other species. French thinker Rene Descartes started to explore the idea that we could be aware of our own existence, and became famous for the phrase “je pense, donc je suis,” or “I think, therefore I am.”
In the 1930s, fellow French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, noted that we, as conscious beings, are heavily aware of the unpredictable future. This causes great anxiety about uncertainty, and the very state of being alive and “conscious” makes us anxious because we can’t control the future—and then perhaps nothing else as well.
The selfie may be only pixel deep, but it is a way for us to preserve our sense of self. Selfies are, in a way, their own mirrors: they show our image for the world to see as we want to be seen, and they safeguard against the fear of losing control of our minds and lives.
Selfies, as it turns out, are one of our natural instincts to reduce anxiety.
What do you think? Are selfies essential to our well-being, or are selfies at the risk of becoming devalued and silly?
Want to read more from Joshua? Check out his website and for images, his EyeEm profile.
Selfies are, in a way, their own mirrors: they show our image for the world to see as we want to be seen, and they safeguard against the fear of losing control of our minds and lives. Selfies, as it turns out, are one of our natural instincts to reduce anxiety.
Selfies are a great way for people to record important moments, experiences, and feelings, much like journaling. Looking back on these photos in the future might stir up memories, nostalgia, and a sense of one's own past. In this way, selfies contribute visually to the continuing narrative of a person's life.
Many selfies are intended to present a flattering image of the person, especially to friends whom the photographer expects to be supportive. Those selfies would be taken on trips, during activities that are considered interesting or as a group selfie with interesting or attractive people.
People often take selfies for self-expression, to preserve memories, to share experiences with others, and to control how they are perceived online. It's a way to connect, communicate, and sometimes to boost one's self-esteem through social feedback. Selfies can help one feel more confident and good about themselves.
Too Many Selfies May Create an Impression of Narcissism
Often, however, someone who posts too many selfies can have low self-esteem. According to one study, men who post a lot of selfies may be suffering from narcissism, but this is not as true for women.
Licensed counselor Roxanne Pratt, with Arbor Counseling, says selfies can be fun, sometimes, but at “other times it may be the person seeking validation from the outside”. She believes taking too many selfies could be an expression of an individual's self-esteem issues.
Females as well as individuals with high extraversion and agreeableness engage in selfie-posting and selfie-editing more frequently while neurotic individuals tend to avoid engaging this behavior. Individuals tend to post selfies most commonly for communication followed by attention-seeking purpose.
According to the author, the APA defined “selfitis” as “the obsessive-compulsive desire to take photos of one's self and post them on social media as a way to make up for the lack of self-esteem and to fill a gap in intimacy.” The article broke down three levels of the disorder, including borderline selfitis, acute ...
While selfies may seem harmless enough, and many times they are, they can have negative consequences for teens in combination with social media. These can include diminished self-esteem, distorted body image, and behavior that may have harmful effects.
Because you are used to seeing yourself from front (like in the mirror) and you are used to that look. But when people take photos of you they may take it from any direction. We tend to make ourselves look best from front. So you may look not your best in other people's pictures.
One term for someone who frequently takes selfies is "selfie enthusiast" or "selfie addict." "Selfie queen" is another word used to characterize someone who frequently snaps selfies.
The act of taking selfies, as revealed by research, can sometimes be a manifestation of complex emotional states, where individuals seek affirmation and connection in the digital realm.
After analyzing their survey results and interviews, researchers identified three categories of selfie-takers: communicators, autobiographers and self-publicists.
For me personally, I don't tend to post a lot of selfies on social media because I'm quite introverted and I don't really enjoy being in the spotlight. However, I know there are plenty of other introverted people out there who love taking and sharing selfies, so it really varies from person to person.
It's all about that feel-good feeling. However, what drives an average person to take a risk for a selfie is dopamine, said Dr Alloway. "When we see a 'like' or a positive comment on our feed or post, there's a huge dopamine rush and that's a feel-good hormone."
Women were found to post more selfies than men. A small amount of the frequent posters were narcissists, but most of these women post a lot because of low self-esteem. These women base their self-worth on their appearance. They post selfies for validation from their friends and peers.
One term for someone who frequently takes selfies is "selfie enthusiast" or "selfie addict." "Selfie queen" is another word used to characterize someone who frequently snaps selfies.
Pictures have a way of solidifying our personal experiences, and stories from our point of view. Pictures provide a platform for our individual and unique perceptions of an experience.
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