Seeing yourself through selfies: a distorted perception ?

© Vinicius Wiesehofer/Pexels

The explosion of the phenomenon is dizzying: between 2012 and 2014, the number of selfies has increased by 900, according to this 2015 study, published in ACM Digital Library. A galloping popularization, which can be linked to many factors, such as the explosion of social networks that promote instant sharing, and a form of digital narcissism mixed with a need to belong.

However, this practice has become, for some, the equivalent of a daily distorting mirror, slyly modifying our relationship with ourselves, to the point of sometimes creating real perceptual disorders.

The technical trap of the selfie: when optics distort the reality

The distortion of our image by selfies is not trivial and is explained first by implacable technical constraints. The wide-angle lens of our smartphones, essential for making beautifulselfies, generates a barrel distortion that significantly distorts our features. It is a type of optical distortion well known in the world of photography that gives the impression that the straight lines of an image are curved inwards.

The closer the lens is, the more the elements of the face seem to move away from each other: the nose appears more prominent, the ears smaller, the chin wider. This perspective distortion is particularly pronounced at the edges of the frame, where the light must travel a more complex path to the sensor.

Unlike professional photographers who can use more flattering telephoto lenses and maintain an appropriate distance from their subject, we are prisoners of the physical limitations of our arms and the lenses on our phones. As you can see in the image below, the difference is more than visible.

Comparison of a shot taken with a 24mm lens, similar to the one found on smartphone cameras, and a 50mm lens, often referred to as the “standard” by photographers. © Stan Horaczek

From automatic retouching to body dysmorphia: the excesses of a social practice

Beyond optical distortions, the digital processing of selfies adds an additional layer of reality alteration. Many applications automatically apply filters that refine the face, smooth the skin, enlarge the eyes or whiten the teeth, sometimes without our knowledge. We are thinking in particular of Snapchat, full of mechanisms of this kind, Instagram and its AR (augmented reality) filters that automatically beautify selfies or TikTok which also offers automatic filters.

However, these systematic manipulations of our image are not without consequences on the social fabric. The Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an American professional organization that brings together surgeons specialized in cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery, reports alarming figures. Cosmetic surgery requests inspired by filtered selfies have increased from 42% in 2015 to 72% in 2019. That's a 71.43% increase in five measly years!

Another worrying fact reported by experts: the emergence of a new form of body dysmorphic disorder, version 3.0. According to the MSD definition, body dysmorphic disorder is “characterized by a preoccupation with perceived defects in physical appearance that are not apparent or appear slight to other people.” This new disorder, some specialists have found a name for it: ” Snapchat Dysmorphia “.

Users, too accustomed to seeing a retouched version of themselves, are victims of a growing dissatisfaction with their natural appearance. Social networks, such as Snapchat in this case (even if it is not the only one), also encourage social comparison, encouraging individuals to always want to compare themselves to others and to their idealized representations. This constant search for likes and positive comments reinforces the idea that physical appearance is the key to social validation and therefore finds in retouched selfies a particularly fertile ground.

The psychological impact of this daily practice is all the more insidious because it is long-term: by dint of seeing ourselves mainly through these distorted images, we end up integrating them as our main visual reference, to the detriment of the most faithful reflection. That of the traditional mirror, which will never lie to you. The latter is undoubtedly your most valuable ally to reconnect with your true body image.

• Selfies distort our perception of ourselves due to the optical constraints of smartphones and automatic filters in applications.
• This image distortion amplifies personal dissatisfaction and has led to a dramatic increase in requests for cosmetic surgery related to selfies in the United States.
• Continued exposure to retouched images fuels disorders and reinforces social pressure based on appearance.

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