By Rajdeep Jheeta
COUPLES WHO take frequent “selfies” are self-obsessed and may have problems in their relationships, according to experts in Leeds.
An on-going study in the US is researching the potential damage that the trend of self portrait photographs usually taken on smartphones might be having on relationships.
The team from the Boston University has so far found that the more selfies couples take, the more likely they will view their relationships as lower quality.
Psychology student Raspreet Sahota, 20, from Leeds Beckett University, said: “Couples taking pictures probably seek the admiration and compliments of others to make them feel better about their relationship.”
She added that couples are probably not aware of this which is why they are taking so many pictures of themselves and posting them online.
Bal Uppal, photography director at Uppal Media, Leeds, said: “It is annoying when people bring their phones out at weddings, there has been a shift in the last five to 10 years.
“I don’t understand the whole selfie craze. People bring their selfie sticks out and it becomes frustrating. I’ve had people getting in the way of my professional shoots, ruining the shots. It is not a great thing.
“I think it does make people narcissistic, there is definitely some psychological issue on how long it takes someone to choose a selfie, and how many they take.”
The Boston University team is still doing further studies about the topic, focusing more on the psychological effects of taking selfies.
Primary school teacher Simran Sembi, 22, from Leicester said: “I think there must be a balance. In the media culture we now live in, selfies are almost second nature and if you see people take them, you don’t think twice as you might’ve done a few years ago.”
However, student Maisy Farren, 19, of London, said: “I feel like selfies are really important for feeling confident in your body and loving yourself and that helps in a relationship.”