“Let Me Take a Selfie” Exploring the Psychological Effects of Posting and Viewing Selfies and Groupies on Social Media

• In Event: Processing Social Information

Abstract

Taking selfies/groupies and posting selfies/groupies to social media has become a popular phenomenon nowadays. This study aimed to examine the psychological effects of posting/viewing selfies/groupies on social media by conducting a survey (N = 275). Results indicated the more frequently one viewed selfies posted by others, the lower his/her self-esteem. The more frequently one viewed groupies of others, the higher his/her self-esteem. It is also found that frequent groupie-viewing behavior positively associated with life satisfaction whereas frequent selfie-viewing behavior negatively associated with life satisfaction. In addition, people who are in higher need for popularity are more likely to be affected by selfie viewing behavior in terms of life satisfaction and self-esteem compared with people who are in lower need for popularity.

Authors

• Ruoxu Wang, The Pennsylvania State University

• Fan Yang, Pennsylvania State University

• Michel M. Haigh