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Sociology at University: Social Research Into the “selfie” phenomenon

The current research aimed to contribute to knowledge on the selfie by collating existing evidence and bringing in new findings on specific issues, which drew on interviews with ten students from the University of York.  The focus was predominantly on definitions and perceptions of selfies, and the motivations behind them, which were informed by personal experiences.

 

It was shown that the examination of the selfie cannot be separated from the technology upon which it relies.  It has emerged, for example, as both a product and a cause of the development of technology.  The findings indicated that the roles that the selfie performs are considered to be valuable by those who engage with it.  The current research found, for instance, that the selfie provided not just a form of communication, but also a form of self-expression and method of documenting personal and travel experiences.  This finding seemed to diverge from existing knowledge around the selfie which tends to focus upon the self and identity and thus the current research underlined its practical uses.

 

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It was also shown that whilst the selfie is a new phenomenon, the ideas underpinning it are consistent with sociological explanations relating to self-presentation, identity and performance.  The work of both Mead (1913) and Goffman (1974) has been significant when examining the selfie in specific relation to its suggested performative nature and its contribution to the identity of individuals.  The responses have provided information to suggest that people construct an online identity which often differs to their real life identity.

 

The current research has highlighted how the selfie is perceived differently by different parts of society, with narcissistic, negative, media portrayals on first reflection, appearing to represent the dominant perception of the concept.  Further exploration, however, provided evidence to the contrary.  The majority of the respondents in the current research, for instance, provided positive perspectives and recognition of the value of selfies.  In addition it was shown that issues of communication, sharing and surveillance were particularly significant in discussions with respondents, and it was possible to draw on sociological concepts around observation and surveillance when exploring these.

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Current research has provided important insights into the selfie but it is also revealed areas where further research would be beneficial for improving knowledge and understanding of the selfie.  One issue for instance where findings were limited, but which is considered to be of concern by the researcher, was the issue of the risks associated with sharing private images on public platforms.  Certain findings from the current research also implied that the media representations of the selfie could impact upon the opinions of the respondents.  Further research might provide additional evidence for this suggestion, whether to deny or confirm its effect.

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Additional research might also explore opinions around the diversity of images provided on social media, in terms of gender, ethnicity and perhaps impairment.  Finally, with the speed of the developments occurring in relation to the selfie in terms of technology, gadgets, literature and research, new issues and areas of investigation are emerging all the time.  Even during the final stages of writing this dissertation, a new application was being promoted which has been solely created to take selfies for the purpose of social interaction (Lawler, 2015).  As such, research into the selfie needs to be ongoing and as fast-paced as the developments emerging in relation to it.

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