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Photo Sharing in the Arab Gulf: Expressing the Collective and Autonomous Selves
Proceedings of the 2017 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW '17) (2017)
  • Norah Abokhodair, University of Washington
  • Adam Hodges
  • Sarah Vieweg, Qatar Computing Research Institute
Abstract
Current research demonstrates that when people engage in social photo sharing, they are mindful of how audiences perceive and interact with their photos. We extend this vein of inquiry to focus on photo sharing in the context of the Arab Gulf. We provide insight into how this activity is practiced in a region governed by strict adherence to cultural norms and Islamic traditions that dictate how to “appropriately” share content in digital settings. In particular, we look at the relationship between photo sharing and its effects on self-presentation. To understand how Saudi and Qatari participants represent themselves through photo sharing applications, we conducted 42 interviews. Our results reveal that Arab Gulf users engage in photo sharing practices that construct a collective self, distinct from an autonomous self. This collective self often trumps the autonomous self in shaping photo sharing practices. 
Keywords
  • social media,
  • Arab Gulf,
  • identity,
  • photo sharing
Publication Date
2017
DOI
10.1145/2998181.2998338
Citation Information
Norah Abokhodair, Adam Hodges and Sarah Vieweg. "Photo Sharing in the Arab Gulf: Expressing the Collective and Autonomous Selves" Proceedings of the 2017 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW '17) (2017) p. 696 - 711
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/adamhodges/68/