The Image as Language: The Creation and the Use of the Visual Message by Young University Students in Their Communicative Social Activity

Abstract

Visual language, taken from the creation and reception of image perspectives, is ever-present in mediatized societies. With an interest in knowing what the experience of this is, a study is carried out in a university context, in the Faculty of Education at the University of Murcia, with the participation of 321 young students. The main objective of this study is to delve into the visual message, as a universal language in its productive and interpretative aspects, within a context marked by technology and the large-scale creation and use of images. The investigation is carried out by starting with a typical target performance, an individual, objective questionnaire which included three dimensions: the use of photographs, the use of graphic images, and the level of reflection and veracity of the image. A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) is carried out, which gives rise to a new conceptual organization after the Oblimin rotation based on the underlying variables. The data shows significant differences depending on the educational interests, a steady decrease in the use of images as ages increase, as well as less use of the image as a language among participants who are men. Men also make fewer requests for permission and transfer of permission, which are for the use of their own image by third parties. There is also evidence of a greater social value given to the image by women, as well as greater reflection and questioning of the message over the thirties, also by women.