Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

As a fundamental interpersonal process, impression management is an important concept in any communication context. Impression management refers to the process of editing, packaging, and communicating information to control one's own images as perceived by other people. Studies have shown that people use impression management to influence others, and that it eventually affects the overall quality of one's life. Even when people have no direct reason to influence others' behaviors, people are motivated to impression-manage for the following two reasons. First, impression management influences their own self-esteem and reduces negative emotions. Second, it enables people to construct and maintain their private identities. Impression management has been used to define diverse interpersonal communication phenomena, including encounters between strangers, job interviews, friend relationships, romantic relationships, and doctor–patient relationships. The term “impression management” is commonly used interchangeably with → “ self-presentation ,” although some studies differentiate between the two with regard to intended goal direction and authenticity. While impression management focuses on goal-directed social activity to enhance one's own image and power, self-presentation focuses on self-relevant or authentic presentation ( Leary & Kowalski 1990 ). The origin of scientific interest ... log in or subscribe to read full text