The Selfie Study: Archetypes and Motivations in Modern Self-Photography

Abstract

Photographic self-portraits have existed since the mid-19th century, but the emergence of digital photography and social media as tools that facilitate rapid visual communication have contributed to a surge of self-photographs, or selfies, and the practice has become a ubiquitous part of today's culture. This exploratory research employed a Q-method analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively identify what archetypal motivations exist among individuals who take and share selfies. The findings largely validated past scholarship on the uses and gratifications of photography, new media, and visual rhetoric individually, but also identified that the motivation to take and share selfies is a complex balance of preservation, communication, and entertainment for most individuals who engage in the practice.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Steven Holiday

Steven Holiday is a doctoral student at the Texas Tech University College of Media & Communication and a practicing professional in the field of marketing and advertising. He received his master's degree from Brigham Young University. E-mail: [email protected]

Matthew J. Lewis

Matthew J. Lewis is a master's student in the School of Communications at Brigham Young University.

Rachel Nielsen

Rachel Nielsen is a freelance writer and editor. She received her master's degree from the Brigham Young University School of Communications.

Harper D Anderson

Harper D Anderson is a doctoral student at the Texas Tech University College of Media & Communication. He received his master's degree from Brigham Young University.

Maureen Elinzano

Maureen Elinzano is a master's student in the School of Communications at Brigham Young University.