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Dissertation_Ruonan Zhang_Final0713.pdf (2.28 MB)

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Beyond Narcissism: Developing a Comprehensive Model of Motivations for Selfie-Taking and Selfie-Posting on Social Media

Zhang, Ruonan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1558521422150505

Abstract Details

, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Media and Communication.
As a new and prevalent image genre, selfies have gained both media and academic attentions in recent years. Some associate selfies with intentions to show off and excessive fondness of selves. Some view them as a handy tool for digital communication. This dissertation is designed to investigate the motivations behind people’s selfie-taking and selfie-posting behaviors on social media. By incorporating Self-Affirmation Theory and Uses and Gratifications Theory, the examined motivations of this research for taking and posting individual selfies and group selfies include: narcissism, extraversion, affirming self-worth, need for preservations, need for communication, need for entertainment, and need for popularity. Through Structural Equation Modeling analysis of online survey data (N = 539), models revealed that need for preservation, need for entertainment, and need for popularity mediated the influence of aspects of narcissism and extraversion on variables selfie-related behaviors. In addition, affirmation on different aspects of self-worth were found as important predictors and mediators across all models predicting the taking and posting of individual and group selfies. This finding supported the conceptualization of selfies as self-affirming digital tools for people to gain positive psychological gratification and the strength to combat stresses in lives. The study also revealed that the frequency selfie-taking and posting and the number of selfies taken and posted on social media are two important dimensions of selfie-related behaviors that deserves separate attention in examinations. Finally, the study revealed that people have different motivations in determining taking and posting individual selfies and group selfies. Theoretical significance is discussed as the study applies and extends Self-Affirmation Theory and Uses and Gratification Theory into the study of prevalent and growing selfie phenomenon. For college students, selfie-posting on social media is an important compensatory behavior for people lacking family support or not having high academic performance. Methodological contributions and practical implementations are also discussed for future research on selfies and self-affirming social media behaviors, public education on positive functions of social media and selfies, and potential application on social media public relations and advertising campaigns. The limitation of the research is also discussed followed by suggestions for future research.
Louisa Ha, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Salim Elwazani, Ph.D. (Other)
Frederick Busselle , Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Ilyoung Ju, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
167 p.
Communication; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Social Psychology; Social Research
Selfie; Group selfie; Self-Affirmation Theory; Uses and Gratifications

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zhang, R. (2019). Beyond Narcissism: Developing a Comprehensive Model of Motivations for Selfie-Taking and Selfie-Posting on Social Media [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1558521422150505

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhang, Ruonan. Beyond Narcissism: Developing a Comprehensive Model of Motivations for Selfie-Taking and Selfie-Posting on Social Media. 2019. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1558521422150505.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhang, Ruonan. "Beyond Narcissism: Developing a Comprehensive Model of Motivations for Selfie-Taking and Selfie-Posting on Social Media." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1558521422150505

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1558521422150505
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.