Sex differences in online selfie posting behaviors predict histrionic personality scores among men but not women. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sorokowski, Piotr; Sorokowska, Agnieszka; Frackowiak, Tomasz; Karwowski, Maciej; Rusicka, Irmina; Oleszkiewicz, Anna
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 59(2016)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 373
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Selfie -- Histrionic personality disorder -- Social network sites -- Self-promoting behaviors; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.02.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: The common usage and novelty of social media is reflected in the emergence of many new psychological phenomena. Here, we explored the relationship between number of uploaded selfies (a self-portrait photograph of oneself) and individual personality differences that are likely to be related with self-promoting behavior, i.e., histrionic personality. A total of 748 people (355 women and 393 men) completed a self-assessment questionnaire on histrionic personality, self-assessed physical and interpersonal attractiveness, and reported the numbers of three types of selfies (selfies alone, selfies with a group, and selfies with a romantic partner) posted within the last month to any type of social media. We found that females posted more own and group selfies (but not selfies with a partner) than did males. Relationships between histrionic personality and the number of selfies were statistically significant only for men. We discuss our results in the context of social media related gender differences and self-presentation. Highlights: We ran the study with a pooled sample of 748 Polish men and women aged 17–47 years. Correlation between aggregated number of selfies and HPD was robust. Histrionic personality and the number of selfies was related only in men. Selfies may manifest of maladaptive patterns of personality among men.