Selfies Essay

The way we view ourselves as individuals can shape how we handle certain situations in our lives. “For instance, individuals tend to globally overvalue their positive traits, considering themselves more attractive than the average person (Horton, 2003), and as more attractive than others see them”. (Epley & Whitchurch, 2008)” (Re & Rule, 2016). Meaning most individuals tend to think highly of themselves and focus on their definite “positive traits” more than anything else. By focusing on these traits it is easier for one to only see the characteristics that tend to make them look better to themselves. A person’s outlook on how they perceive themselves can either ignite positive or negative feelings, and depending on the situation and experiences

These pictures give users a certain “self-control” that they are able to use to their advantage when posting them on social media. “Alicke (1985) found that the pictures brought out the self-favorable characteristics optimizing ones likeness to the better features of their self” (Re & Rule, 2016). By using selfies it gives the users confidence in how they look and how others will perceive them. In comparison to the models and the seventeen year old teenager described earlier in my paper, selfies typically help to hide the features that one might feel they lack giving them a better perception of how they feel. Selfies include “selfie filters,” or digital photo enhancement tools” to help improve the picture in making what they feel will look better to others and themselves” (Re & Rule).These filters typically “blind” others in seeing things as if they really are not. Meaning the pictures used with these “phot enhancements” are not the real person. The pictures are modified to help fit what would be considered to be a more physically attractive look. Those who participate in taking selfies and using these filters can also be possibly subject to harsh criticism in the end though. “If selfies are to help shape ones biases to be more likeable, than selfie-takers may exaggerate how positively their selfies are recognized. This creates possibly a blind spot where others view those filtered selfies as less likeable”(Re & Rule,2016). Basically, those who use these filters and enhancements are more likely to have others perceive their photos as less attractive, because of the amount of what could be described as cover ups they have used toward their photos. This idea may be the case of some because with all these filters those on the outside looking in may feel one is trying to cover up who they really are physically. These filters though are mostly used for