Journal of Psychosocial Research

Vol. 15, No. 1, 2020, 25-33

DOI No. : https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2020.15.01.2

The Relationship between Editing Pictures of Oneself, Body

Image and Self-Discrepancy
Rhea Mankotia and Mareena Susan Wesley

ABSTRACT
Research has demonstrated that social media negatively impacts various aspects
of self, but how editing pictures of oneself (EPO) can affect the same is yet to be
understood. The aim of the current study was to examine whether there is a
relationship between EPO, body image and self-discrepancy, that is, the
discrepancy between actual, ought and ideal self. For this purpose, 106 women
aged between 17 to 25 years were recruited into the study, who answered a survey
about how much they edited their pictures before posting them online. They also
completed the Body Image States Scale and the Selves Questionnaire. Results
revealed that there was a significant relationship between actual-ought and actual-
ideal self. A weak correlation was found between EPO and body image, and body
image and actual-ought self. The study indicates that excessively EPO is negatively
associated with body image. Implications of the findings and suggestions for
future research are discussed.

Keywords: Editing pictures of oneself, Photo editing software, Actual self, Real
self, Ought self, Ideal self, Body image, Self-discrepancy.

INTRODUCTION
The advent of social media in the mid-2000s was perceived as a boon because it facilitated
easy and instant communication between friends and family. Over time, the focus of
social media platforms shifted from staying connected with friends and family, and
users became more concerned with issues of self-presentation on social media and
there was an increased preoccupation with how others came to perceive them. This
purpose is achieved by uploading content, such as images, opinions, etc. that would
help generate ‘likes’, or approval from the visitors.

Corresponding author. Email : mankotiarhea@gmail.com, mareena.wesley@christuniversity.inlame.edu.in

ISSN 0973-5410 print/ISSN 0976-3937 online
©2020 Dr. H. L. Kaila
http//www.printspublications.com