People sometimes even make self-presentations only for themselves. A young man at a party might suddenly think about his parents and change his behavior from rambunctious to reserved. Yet self-presentation extends beyond audiences that are physically present to imagined audiences, and these imagined audiences can have distinct effects on behavior. Self-presentation is more likely to be conscious when the presenter depends on the audience for some reward, expects to interact with the audience in the future, wants something from the audience, or values the audience’s approval. Self-presentation is often directed to external audiences such as friends, lovers, employers, teachers, children, and even strangers. This internalization process is most likely to occur when people make a public commitment to the self-image, when the behavior is at least somewhat consistent with their self-image, and when they receive positive feedback or other rewards for presenting the self-image. For example, a man may initially present an image of being a good student without believing it to be genuine, but after attending all his classes for several weeks, visiting the professor during office hours, and asking questions during class, he may come to see himself as truly being a good student. Even if people present a self-image that they know to be false, they may begin to internalize the self-image and thereby eventually come to believe the self-presĮntation. However, the various appearances are all genuine. The gem likely appears differently depending on the angle at which it is viewed. The self is much like a gem with multiple facets. Rather, they represent different aspects of the self. This is not to say that these different images are false. A man likely presents different aspects of himself to his close friends than he does to his elderly grandmother, and a woman may present a different image to her spouse than she does to her employer. Self-presentations can vary as a function of the audience people present different aspects of themselves to different audiences or under different conditions. These behaviors, although perhaps not done consciously or with self-presentation in mind, nevertheless convey an image of the self to others.Īlthough people have the ability to present images that are false, self-presentations are often genuine they reflect an attempt by the person to have others perceive him or her accurately, or at least consistent with how the person perceives himself or herself. Likewise, she may automatically hold the door open for an acquaintance or buy a cup of coffee for a friend. For example, chatting with her roommates and cleaning up after breakfast may be habitual behaviors that are done with little conscious thought. Although some aspects of these self-presentations may be deliberate and conscious, other aspects are not. That night, she might go to a party or dancing with friends, presenting the image of being fun and easygoing. Later that day, she calls her parents and tells them about her classes and other activities (although likely leaving out information about some activities), presenting the image of being a loving and responsible daughter. During classes, she responds to her professor’s questions and carefully takes notes, presenting the image of being a good student. When she starts her day at her apartment, she chats with her roommates and cleans up after breakfast, thereby presenting the image of being a good friend and responsible roommate. For example, a woman may interact with many people during the day and may make different impressions on each person. Although some aspects of self-presentation are deliberate and effortful (and at times deceitful), other aspects are automatic and done with little or no conscious thought. However, researchers now think of self-presentation more broadly as a pervasive aspect of life. Self-Presentation History and Modern UsageĮarly work on impression management focused on its manipulative, inauthentic uses that might typify a used car salesperson who lies to sell a car, or someone at a job interview who embellishes accomplishments to get a job. Self-presentation refers specifically to information about the self. Impression management refers to the controlled presentation of information about all sorts of things, including information about other people or events. Self-presentation is part of a broader set of behaviors called impression management. It involves expressing oneself and behaving in ways that create a desired impression. Self-presentation refers to how people attempt to present themselves to control or shape how others (called the audience) view them. Home » Social Psychology » Self » Self-Presentation
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