Autophotographic Identities of Young Adults: With Special Reference to Alcohol, Athletics, Achievement, Religion, and Work

This study examined the identities projected in autobiographical photo essays by college students answering the question "Who are you?" Five key identities-self-as-drinker, self-as-athlete, self-as-achiever, religious self, and working self-were correlated with parallel self-report measures and their correlates were studied. Results validated the photo-based identities, particularly self-as-drinker, and suggested that such criteria as college grades, orientation to college (Clark-Trow subcultures), and personality traits can be inferred from photo essays. I argue that the autophotographic method affords rich insights as an assessment method and has heuristic value as a point of departure for therapeutic conversation.