Intimidatory assertive self-presentation in selfie posting is greater in females than males
Keywords:
selfie posting, social media, assertive self-presentation, reward sensitivity, intimidation behaviour, female aggressionAbstract
The current study examined whether assertive self-presentation strategies, demonstrated in ‘real-world’ situations, were related to selfie and non-selfie postings on social media. It examined whether such relationships were associated with differential reward motivations, and whether these relationships were the same for females and males. 118 participants (17-66 years), took part using an online survey. Assertive self-presentational strategies were associated with selfie, but not non-selfie, posting for females, but not males. Females high in intimidation as a self-presentation strategy were most likely to post selfies on social media sites. For males, there was a negative relationship between selfie posting and punishment avoidance. Self-presentational strategies did not predict posting of non-selfies. This suggests that aggressive personality factors, such as anti-social personality or narcissism, both of which have been associated with selfie posting, may drive some selfie-posting behaviour for females, a suggestion that relates to recent studies of selfie behaviour in young females.
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