Shared and Distinct Selfie Motivations between China and the U.S. and the Distinguishing Influence of Nationality and Cultural Dimensions

ABSTRACT

Research on selfies frequently focuses on motivational antecedents to the practice. To date, however, little scholarship has examined national and cultural differences in selfie motivations. The present study undertakes an identification and exploration of selfie motivations across nationalities by surveying 350 individuals from both China and the United States (the U.S.) who engage in the practice of taking and sharing selfies. Through factor analysis, analyses of variance, and moderation analysis, this study identifies both unique and shared cross-national motivations between China and U.S. individuals, examines how the identified mutual motivations differ between countries, and investigates how the cultural dimensions of individualism and collectivism influence selfie motivations. Implications for a modern, global selfie culture are discussed as well as what the identified results may indicate about cultural dimensions within a contemporary digital culture.

KEYWORDS:

• Cross-cultural communication
• self-representation
• social media
• selfie motivations
• uses and gratifications
• cultural dimensions

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Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17475759.2024.2368921)

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yuanwei Lyu

Yuanwei Lyu (Ph.D. Candidate, University of Alabama) is a Doctoral Candidate in the College of Communication and Information Science at the University of Alabama. Her research focuses on selfies explores how cultural dimensions influence selfie-related behaviors, and how types and practices of selfies are indicative of larger cultural shifts in today’s digital society.

Steven Holiday

Steven Holiday (Ph.D., Texas Tech University) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama. His research on selfies examines the impetus behind both individual and commercial use of selfies and how these forces effectively shape and define consumer culture.