Personality predictors of “selfie-taking” behavior among college and school going students

Abstract

Aim: The study aims to identify significant personality predictors of selfie-taking behavior among college and school-going students. Methods: The sample size consists of 50 boys and 50 girls (n = 100) between the age range of 16–23 years from various schools and colleges of Delhi NCR. The tools used in the study were Cattell's 16 Personality Factors and Selfitis Behavior Scale. Results: The results of the study depicted a positive correlation of selfitis behavior with perfectionism and sensitivity. However, self-reliance, reasoning, and emotional stability showed a negative correlation with selfitis behavior. Furthermore, the results of the study showed that girls have more selfitis behavior as compared to boys and the college group have more selfitis behavior than that of the school group. ANOVA and linear regression were used to analyze data. Conclusion: Social media is the strongest tool of communication nowadays. “Selfies” are a growing social networking technique for self-disclosure. Use of social media is focusing on the physical aspect and allowing posting and amending pictures that are creating concerns about body image, poor self-esteem, loneliness, and depression among students. The overall results suggest that while selfies provide individuals with the potential of enhancing self-disclosure, they also demonstrate some risky and unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, predicting personality traits could be considered an effective variable to sensitize them before the deterioration of their mental health.

Keywords

• personality traits
• selfie
• social media
• students