selffocus

Selffocus is a polyvalent term used in psychology, media studies, and technology to describe attention directed toward the self. There is no single authoritative definition, and the term's meaning varies with context.

In psychology, selffocus often refers to self-focused attention—the tendency to monitor one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can support self-regulation and learning when adaptive, but excessive self-focus is linked to rumination and negative affect in some disorders.

In digital culture, selffocus is associated with self-presentation and identity construction on social platforms. It encompasses practices such as posting personal content, curating a personal brand, and seeking social feedback, which can influence mood and perceived social belonging.

In imaging technology, selffocus is occasionally used as a marketing or shorthand term for autofocus features that emphasize tracking a subject's face. The established technical term for this is autofocus or face-detection autofocus; selffocus is not standardized in optical engineering.

Scholars have debated the implications of selffocus, noting both potential benefits for self-understanding and risks of narcissism or dependency on external validation. Definitions and implications continue to evolve as digital media and cognitive science converge.