Using photographs in psychology research on appearance: An exploration of bisexual women’s appearance and visual identity

Hayfield, Nikki; Clarke, Victoria

Abstract

Recently there has been an increased interest in visual methodologies within psychology, and this paper reports on the use of photographs within semi-structured qualitative interviews with self-identified bisexual women.

The key aim of using a photo methodology was to empower the women to be more involved in the interview process, and to provide a focus for discussion. Within these interviews, the women were asked a range of questions about their appearance, with the broad aim of exploring bisexual women’s (lack of) visual identity. We envisaged that a visual methodology would correspond well in the exploration of visual identity, and anticipated that the women’s visual worlds could be brought to life through their photographs (for example, of clothes, social spaces, or of theirs and others’ appearance).


The photographs enabled some more participant led interviews, which corresponded well with our feminist approach, which was chosen because of the potential it holds to reclaim, validate, legitimise and name (bisexual) women’s experience. This paper reports on the practical aspects of using photographs within a research project, and reflects upon the ways in which photographs enhanced (and restricted) the research.

Citation

Hayfield, N., & Clarke, V. (2011, July). Using photographs in psychology research on appearance: An exploration of bisexual women’s appearance and visual identity. Paper presented at The British Psychological Society Psychology of Women Section (POWS) Conference, Windsor

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: The British Psychological Society Psychology of Women Section (POWS) Conference
• Conference Location: Windsor
• Start Date: Jul 13, 2011
• End Date: Jul 15, 2011
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/968920
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : The British Psychological Society Psychology of Women Section (POWS) Conference