Research Shows There Are 3 Different Types of Selfie Takers
We may live in a selfie-obsessed world, but new research says that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re self-obsessed. (Oh, thank God.) It’s hard not blame narcissism for the selfie phenomena, but a study performed at Brigham Young University found that the motivation of the selfie taker is a bit more complex than we thought.
Selfie shamers listen up, because there’s more to posting a self-portrait than a big ego. Forty-six people were surveyed and asked to rank statements about why one would take a selfie in order from most to least aligned with their personal behaviors. The findings, published in Visual Communication Quarterly journal, placed selfie-takers in three categories: communicators, autobiographers and self-publicists.
Scroll down to discover which type you are.
Communicators
Communicators like to spark a conversation. “They’re all about two-way communication,” explained co-author Maureen Elinzano. Politics, ethics, civic duty, a new pizza flavor — as long as you got something to say and want to hear what others have to say, your selfie game falls here.
Zoe Kravitz used a selfie to encourage others to vote and share her thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump. Singer Alicia Keys has recently been pulling double duty as an image activist and posting selfies as part of her no makeup movement.
Autobiographers
Motivation for these selfie-takers comes from wanting to record key events in their lives and preserve significant memories. They want others to see their photos but aren’t necessarily seeking feedback. Lifestyle blogger Hannah Bronfman regularly shares workout inspiration, and Ciara is chronicling her pregnancy with Russell Wilson on Instagram — both are perfect examples.
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Self-Publicists
Contrary to popular belief, self-publicists are the smallest of the three groups. “[They] are the people who love documenting their entire lives,” said coauthor Harper Anderson. “And in documenting and sharing their lives, they’re hoping to present themselves and their stories in a positive light.” Insta-famous celebs like Karrueche and Kylie Jenner are definitely culprits of this!
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