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Self-posed behaviors of females and males in photographs

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Abstract

In a previous study, Ragan (1982) found systematic sex differences in the poses of persons photographed by professional photographers. In this study, 34 female and 34 male subjects posed themselves for a confederate, allegedly a photography student, who took the photographs from which data were drawn to assess sex differences in self-posed photographs. A MANOVA revealed overall significance with females smiling, canting, and orientating away from the camera more than males. An ANOVA produced significant sex differences for only the smiling data. Results are discussed in terms of Goffman's (1976) suggestion that photographers introduce their distortions into photographs and in terms of Duval and Wicklund's theory of objective self-awareness (1972).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Relations Department, University of Oklahoma, 601 Elm, Room 703, 73019, Norman, Oklahoma

    Janet Mills

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  1. Janet Mills
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The author gratefully acknowledges the photographic assistance of Pam Bugg, Clay Langley, Jim Hamilton, and Susan Moore.

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Mills, J. Self-posed behaviors of females and males in photographs. Sex Roles 10, 633–637 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287270

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287270

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