Impression Management
Impression management is the process of influencing how people one interacts with perceive a specific subject. It can be accomplished consciously and unconsciously (“Impression management: Developing your self-presentation skills,” 2022). For example, person A might have a negative opinion about person B. Because of their negative opinion, when person A talks with person C, they often mention the mistakes B makes or other qualities they dislike about B.
This process can be described as impression management. In my life, I have used impression management to make people more likely to think of things I am invested in from a favorable perspective. For example, when I recommended a book to my friend, I spent a lot of time discussing one of my favorite characters.
In the process, I highlighted many of their positive qualities and the added value they bring to the narrative, while omitting some of the less attractive aspects of their depiction. My intention was not to intentionally deceive anybody, but to highlight the most important aspects of a character to me. I did it to make them like the character as well.
Social Tuning
Social tuning is the process of adopting beliefs and attitudes from other people without one’s express intention. The process can occur in casual conversation or when people live together for an extended period. Growing up in the company of my grandmothers, I adopted many of their views on various topics, including society and politics.
At the time, I could not critically examine how my relatives’ views affected my beliefs, nor provide any considerable critique of their ways of thinking. As a result, I adopted their points of view and considered them correct. When I grew older, I reflected on my beliefs and how they fit within my understanding of the world.
As a result, I developed more refined perspectives on issues that interest me. Social tuning most often occurs in individuals who spend a lot of time together or when a person has a significant social presence over others. Things are different in text communication and other types of interaction people have.
In particular, the internet and social media may present individuals with their own form of social conditioning, where people perceive and adopt widespread opinions as truth. It often happened to me, as well. I stumble upon a friend’s post on social media about some psychological theory or scientific experiment and accept it as part of my belief system. This process is often accompanied by discovering the truth later and feeling embarrassed.
Social Comparisons
Social comparisons are a process of changing one’s attitude about oneself through comparing oneself to others. In some cases, it can be helpful to consider the actions and thoughts of other people and then turn inward, reflecting on oneself. I found the process of drawing social comparisons especially helpful.
I have two friends who differ from each other in many ways. They can be seen as opposites in terms of character, attitude, and conversation style. I see both admirable and condemnable qualities and often compare myself to them. With one friend, this includes seeing how their selfish behaviors mirror mine and electing to devote more time to improving myself. In another, it is a process of considering different life perspectives, views, and opinions, opening my mind to various possible ideas. In addition, I also weigh the validity of my choices against the judgments of these two people, which sometimes helps me make better choices.
Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation refer to the different drivers that motivate people when choosing how to lead their lives. Intrinsic motivation originates from within; it is based on the individual’s desires. Extrinsic motivation, then, is reliant on the needs of other people and society around oneself. Generally, it is accepted that intrinsic motivation is more stable, sustainable, and conducive to personal growth. However, not all actions a person takes in life can be motivated exclusively by intrinsic factors. The restraints of society demand certain things of individuals, whether they may be invested in them or not.
I combine both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in my art. I enjoy creating art at my own pace, specifically motivated by a desire to express myself or improve my skills. At the same time, there are days when I want to seek validation from my friends or earn money, which motivates me to create art for these reasons. In this way, the different types of motivation help me engage in a specific practice.
Nonverbal Communication Improvement
To improve impression management and self-presentation during nonverbal communication, it can be helpful to actively choose the tone of one’s written speech and take the time to review any message before sending it. This way, a person can make sure their tone is well-established and they come across correctly. Additionally, they need to consider how they present subjects in conversation, as this helps identify potential bias.
References
Impression management: Developing your self-presentation skills. (2022). BetterUp: The People Experience Platform. Web.