Guys Who Post a Lot of Selfies Show Signs of Psychopathy

It’s no secret that social media has become a breeding ground for self-expression, but what if your selfie habit could reveal something deeper about your personality?

According to a study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University, men who frequently post selfies might be displaying more than just confidence—they could be showing signs of narcissism and even psychopathy.

In an age where social media presence often defines personal branding, this study sheds light on how the seemingly harmless act of taking and sharing selfies may correlate with deeper personality traits.

The research, which analyzed the social media behavior of 800 men between the ages of 18 and 40, found a striking link between excessive selfie-taking and narcissistic, psychopathic, and self-objectifying tendencies.

The Science Behind Selfie Syndrome

Led by communications researcher Jesse Fox, the study explored how often these men took selfies, whether they edited them before posting, and how much time they spent on social networking sites (SNSs).

Participants also completed personality assessments measuring traits associated with antisocial behavior, narcissism, and self-objectification—a measure of how much individuals prioritize their own appearance.

The findings were eye-opening:

Men who frequently posted and edited selfies scored higher on narcissism and self-objectification.
Those who posted selfies without editing them displayed higher levels of psychopathy.
Time spent on social media was linked to elevated levels of self-objectification and narcissism.

Fox explained the connection, stating, “That makes sense because psychopathy is characterized by impulsivity.

They are going to snap the photos and put them online right away.

They want to see themselves.

They don’t want to spend time editing.”

While narcissism and self-objectification align with the idea of curating a perfect online persona, the link between psychopathy and unfiltered selfies suggests a pattern of impulsivity—people with these traits may not feel the need to carefully edit their images before posting.

But Here’s the Plot Twist…

Conventional wisdom suggests that obsessing over selfies is purely a narcissistic trait, but this research challenges that assumption.

In fact, the study found that men who display psychopathic traits might actually benefit from their reckless social media behavior.

A 2008 study (Walther et al.) cited in the research discovered that men who shared social media posts alluding to excessive drinking and promiscuous behavior were perceived as more attractive than those who presented themselves as the “life of the party.”

In other words, impulsivity on social media could actually work as an advantage when it comes to attracting potential partners.

This contradicts the common belief that carefully curated online personas are always the most effective.

Instead, it suggests that for some men, an unfiltered and impulsive approach—whether conscious or not—can actually enhance their appeal.

Should You Be Concerned?

Before you start side-eyeing every man with a selfie addiction, it’s important to note that the study didn’t find these traits at clinical levels—meaning most of these men do not have full-blown personality disorders.

Fox reassured that while the numbers were elevated compared to the average population, they still fell within a “normal” range.

So, while excessive selfie-taking may hint at certain personality tendencies, it doesn’t mean your selfie-loving boyfriend or best friend is necessarily a narcissist or psychopath.

What’s Next?

Following the intriguing findings, the research team is planning a follow-up study on women to further examine how personality traits manifest through online behavior.

Given the rise of influencer culture and the increasing emphasis on digital self-presentation, understanding these patterns could offer valuable insights into the evolving nature of social media psychology.