A picture is worth a thousand words: A content analysis of Facebook profile photographs

This research examines identity construction and gender roles in social networking sites by studying and comparing the profile photographs of male and female Facebook users. Specifically, the number of photos in the profile album and the content of the main profile picture are studied by coding specific pictures, and determining if the content and amount of profile pictures differ significantly by gender. Participants include male and female Facebook users between the ages of 18 and 23 who are currently enrolled in a college or university. Profile pictures tended to be inactive, posed, appropriate, and only including the subject. The content and amount of Facebook profile photographs also did not significantly vary by gender. Implications of these findings, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.

[1]  L. Tidwell,et al.  Computer-Mediated Communication Effects on Disclosure, Impressions, and Interpersonal Evaluations: Getting to Know One Another a Bit at a Time , 2002 .

[2]  A. Eagly,et al.  Social role theory of sex differences and similarities: A current appraisal. , 2000 .

[3]  Thomas Eckes,et al.  The developmental social psychology of gender , 2000 .

[4]  N. Sussman,et al.  Sex and power: gender differences in computer-mediated interactions , 2000 .

[5]  Lauren M Reichart,et al.  Face-ism on Facebook: An Analysis of Self-Inflicted Face-ism in Online Profile Pictures , 2009 .

[6]  K. Dindia,et al.  Sex Differences and Similarities in Communication , 2009 .

[7]  L. R. Smith,et al.  International Faces: An Analysis of Self-Inflicted Face-ism in Online Profile Pictures , 2012 .

[8]  Jason Martin,et al.  Identity construction on Facebook: Digital empowerment in anchored relationships , 2008, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[9]  Sonja Utz,et al.  Show me your friends and I will tell you what type of person you are: How one's profile, number of friends, and type of friends influence impression formation on social network sites , 2010, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[10]  Daniel J. Canary,et al.  Is there any reason to research sex differences in communication , 1993 .

[11]  Sandra L. Calvert,et al.  College students' social networking experiences on Facebook , 2009 .

[12]  Judith A. Hall.  Nonverbal sex differences : communication accuracy and expressive style , 1984 .

[13]  Cliff Lampe,et al.  The Benefits of Facebook "Friends: " Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites , 2007, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[14]  Jeffrey T. Hancock,et al.  Putting Your Best Face Forward: The Accuracy of Online Dating Photographs , 2009 .

[15]  Gustavo S. Mesch,et al.  Are Norms of Disclosure of Online and Offline Personal Information Associated with the Disclosure of Personal Information Online , 2010 .

[16]  J. Arnett,et al.  Are college students adults? Their conceptions of the transition to adulthood , 1994 .

[17]  Kerk F. Kee,et al.  Is There Social Capital in a Social Network Site?: Facebook Use and College Students’ Life Satisfaction, Trust, and Participation 1 , 2009 .

[18]  Rosanna E. Guadagno,et al.  Even in virtual environments women shop and men build: A social role perspective on Second Life , 2011, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[19]  Stephanie Tom Tong,et al.  The Role of Friends’ Appearance and Behavior on Evaluations of Individuals on Facebook: Are We Known by the Company We Keep? , 2008 .

[20]  Zachary T. Smith,et al.  Alcohol, Sex and Illegal Activities: An Analysis of Selected Facebook Central Photos in Fifty States. , 2006 .

[21]  Gail A. Cole-Avent,et al.  An introduction to technologies commonly used by college students , 2008 .

[22]  A. Eagly.  Sex differences in social behavior : a social-role interpretation , 1987 .

[23]  Jinguang Zhang,et al.  Self-Enhancement on a Self-Categorization Leash: Evidence for a Dual-Process Model of First- and Third-Person Perceptions , 2010 .

[24]  Anabel Quan-Haase,et al.  Information revelation and internet privacy concerns on social network sites: a case study of facebook , 2009, C&T.

[25]  Dhavan V. Shah,et al.  Personality Strength and Social Capital , 2000, Commun. Res..

[26]  Chareen Snelson,et al.  Image and video disclosure of substance use on social media websites , 2010, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[27]  Khe Foon Hew,et al.  Students' and teachers' use of Facebook , 2011, Comput. Hum. Behav..