Revealing images as Facebook profile pictures: Influences of demographics and relationship status

Abstract

In this study, we examined the impact of demographics and relationship status on posting a revealing picture of oneself as a profile picture on Facebook. We randomly sampled and coded 1,000 profiles of Israeli Facebook users ranging in age between 18 and 61 years. Over 40% of the profiles showed at least 1 picture of the user dressed in a skimpy outfit. Results of a multiple logistic regression model indicated that younger age, a lower level of education, and not being engaged in a committed romantic relationship were significant predictors of the posting of these pictures. Further, gender alone was not a significant predictor, but the interaction of gender and level of education was. Specifically, women with a high-schoollevel education posted revealing pictures of themselves more often than did men with a similar level of education. We analyzed our results in light of Goffman's theory of self-presentation.

Perceiving education from Facebook profile pictures

“…Gray et al (2011) and Daniels and Zurbriggen (2016) identified that persons dressed in a revealing or sexually provocative way on photos are assessed to be less competent by observers. Corresponding to that, Hetsroni and Guldin (2017) found that people with lower education tend to use revealing pictures of themselves as a Facebook profile picture more often. In line with the common stereotype, studies “have consistently found that people who wear glasses are judged as being more intelligent” (Leder et al, 2011: 213).…”

Are memes selfish? How Internet memes reflect crisis–Covid-19 pandemic in Israel

“…Facebook, considered the most popular social medium in the current decade (Brailovskaia and Bierhoff, 2020), is emblematic of the social media era. Research indicates that demographic factors such as age, race, gender, education, personality and frequency of Internet use predict the extent of Facebook use (Brailovskaia and Bierhoff, 2020) and the manner in which it is used (Hestroni and Guldin, 2017). Specifically, younger, more highly educated men are more likely to use Facebook (Brailovskaia and Bierhoff, 2020; Baumer et al ., 2019), and users' age, education and gender predict their level of profile photo disclosure (Hetsroni and Guldin, 2017).…”