THEORETICAL BASIS OF STUDYING THE SELFIE PHENOMENON IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Abstract

The article presents the results of the analysis of the scientific source base regarding the history of the selfie phenomenon and its content, as well as scientific approaches to its study. It is emphasized that the mentioned phenomenon has been chosen as a subject of study by both domestic and foreign researchers more than once. By the concept of "selfie", scientists understand a photograph taken by the subject of himself, together with a certain person (or animal) or a group of persons using a camera, at arm's length (or through a mirror), as a rule, at the moment of an emotionally significant event or situations, and presented for review in the conditions of the Internet space for the purpose of self-presentation and self-knowledge, by means of obtaining a social opinion (evaluation) about oneself. It is noted that the spread of the selfie phenomenon is gaining momentum and there are enough reasons for this (visual communications; the endless evolution of narcissism; man as a media; the desire for self-editing; the humanization of technology, etc.). The following methods serve as a diagnostic toolkit for the study of the mentioned phenomenon: multidimensional selfassessment questionnaire (S. Pantileev); test-questionnaire for determining the level of self-esteem (S. Kovalev); narcissism assessment test (F.-W. Deneke and B. Hilgenstock, adapted by N. Zalutska, A. Vuks); methods "Diagnostics of personal egocentrism" (N. Fetiskin, G. Manuylov, V. Kozlov) and others. The author presents the views of the scientific community on the selfie phenomenon and its impact on the mental health of an individual. It was determined that along with positive moments (receiving pleasant memories, additional attention from other people, positive self-perception and creativity in information transmission, self-development, self-presentation, expanding the circle of communication), researchers single out a number of negative moments (withdrawal from the real world, superficial perception of reality, escape from loneliness, etc.). Unfortunately, scientists state, recently such negative phenomena as selfie addiction, cyberbullying, liking have become widespread, but at the same time they note that the moderate use of selfies can give a person a chance in his development as a person, a specialist, and excessive enthusiasm can become the cause of many health problems.