The role of communication apprehension, expression of the true self, and fear of negative evaluation in relation to instagram and selfie use.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between trait communication apprehension (CA), fear of negative evaluation (FNE), and the use of selfies and Instagram; and whether the ability to present one's true self online draws anxious people to use Instagram more often. In addition, this study attempted to provide some insight on the expression of the true self through selfies on Instagram. A self-report questionnaire was completed by (N=119) Instagram users online. The results indicated that CA decreased selfies use directly, and indirectly through the ability to express true self. That is, people with higher trait CA perceive themselves as having lower levels of ability to express true self through selfies, which in turn, they were less likely to take, post, or tweak selfies. The results involving FNE and Instagram use were less consistent. More research is certainly needed to investigate other possible explanations for Instagram and selfies use.