Self-Presentation and Social Media

Topic 5.5: Self-Presentation (Impression Management)

Agenda

1. Self-presentation

2. Self-concept

3. Validation

4. High and low self-monitors

5. Impression management

6. The role of social media

7. Mental health implications

8. Ethical concerns related to social media

Self-Presentation

• Definition: Self-presentation refers to the efforts we make to shape how others, the audience, perceive us. This involves behaving or expressing ourselves in ways that create a desired impression.

• It is an element of impression management, which is the conscious control over others’ perceptions of us.

Functions of Self-Presentation

1. Facilitates Social Interaction:

   • Example: Smiling and using polite language when meeting someone new can make conversations smoother and more comfortable.

2. Social or Material Rewards:

   • Example: Sharing leadership achievements on LinkedIn enhances visibility among recruiters, potentially leading to job opportunities.

3. Reinforces Personal Identity:

   • Example: Regularly posting about environmental causes expresses and reinforces an identity as an eco-conscious individual.

Self-Presentation on Social Media

• Goals: Achieving more likes, positive comments, and peer approval.

• Characteristics:

  • Easier to self-promote online than face-to-face due to limited cues (e.g., body language).

  • Individuals often highlight positive traits while hiding flaws for a more appealing image.

Self-Concept

• Definition: Self-concept represents our private sense of self, encompassing who we are and what defines us. It differs from social identity, which is how we believe others perceive us.

Components of Self-Concept

1. Ideal Self:

   • Represents the person one aspires to be, including personal aspirations, goals, and dreams.

2. Self-Image:

   • How one perceives oneself, which includes physical traits, personality, and social roles.

3. Self-Worth (Self-Esteem):

   • Refers to how much one values oneself, influenced by external feedback, comparisons, and societal roles.

Congruence vs Incongruence

• Congruent Person:

  • Feels balanced, authentic, and has high self-esteem.

  • Example Statements: "I want to be a confident leader." "I communicate well with my team."

• Incongruent Person:

  • Experiences inner conflict, anxiety, or low self-worth.

  • Example Statements: "I don’t think I’m good enough." "I am often shy and avoid speaking up."

Validation

• Definition: Validation refers to the confirmation or reinforcement of an individual’s self-image, beliefs, or identity, primarily through social feedback (likes, comments, reactions).

• Curation of Online Image:

  • Users often curate their online presence to show their best selves, engaging in 'highlight reels' that focus on ideal beauty and success.

• Research Insights:

  • Wilcox & Stephen (2012) found that social media can enhance self-esteem through positive feedback.

• Potential Negative Outcomes:

  • A lack of validation can lead individuals to feel rejected and doubtful of their self-worth, reinforcing negative self-concepts.

  • Overreliance on validation can contribute to issues like narcissism, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

High and Low Self-Monitors

High Self-Monitor (HSM)

• Characteristics:

  • Constantly adjusts behavior to fit various social situations.

  • Prioritizes fitting in and being accepted, guided more by social cues than internal beliefs.

  • Likely to behave differently around different social groups.

  • Uses social media strategically to shape image and gain validation, often having multiple accounts and high engagement levels.

  • Example Behavior: May pretend to enjoy a topic solely to impress others.

Low Self-Monitor (LSM)

• Characteristics:

  • Stays true to personal beliefs, even at the risk of standing out.

  • Behavior is guided by internal values instead of social pressure.

  • Values authenticity and consistency, often having deeper but fewer friendships with minimal social media engagement.

  • Example Behavior: Will express personal opinions even if they are unpopular.

Impression Management

• Definition: Impression management refers to the process of controlling how others perceive us; it is deeply intertwined with self-presentation.

• Goals:

  • Achieve acceptance by peers.

  • Gain social media approval.

  • Succeed in various social situations.

• Strategies:

  • Selectively post, like, or comment on social media to construct an ideal identity.

  • Avoid interaction that may convey the wrong message, reinforcing self-concept and identity.

• Importance:

  • Validates and reinforces our self-concept.

  • Shapes interactions online and offline, balancing authenticity with social acceptance.

Goffman’s Contribution

• Theatrical Metaphor: Goffman conceptualizes social interactions as performances on a stage, where self-presentation serves as a front-stage performance to control audience reactions.

• His work laid the groundwork for empirical research in social psychology, differing from traditional observational styles.

First Impressions

Primacy Effect

• Definition: A phenomenon where initial information carries more weight than subsequent information.

• Impact: Once a first impression is formed, new information is often filtered through the initial perception.

• Evidence: Asch’s 1946 study demonstrated that positive traits introduced first led to more favorable evaluations.

Recency Effect

• Definition: A phenomenon where the most recent information has greater influence over impression formation than earlier details.

• Impact: Recent interactions or information tend to overshadow previous impressions.

• Evidence: Studies show that when negative traits are followed by positive ones, the overall evaluation leans negative and vice versa.

When are Effects Effective?

Conditions Favoring Primacy Effect

• Quick and successive information presentation.

• Low motivation to engage deeply with the content.

• Matching first information with pre-existing beliefs.

• Absence of delays in decision-making.

Conditions Favoring Recency Effect

• Time gaps between pieces of information.

• Distractions while processing earlier information.

• Timely decisions following the last message presented (e.g., during interviews).

Schema

• Definition: An internal template of knowledge that helps us organize, interpret, and anticipate expectations in various situations.

• Characteristics: Provides a fast and efficient method for processing information but can be flawed or resistant to change.

Social Media

• Opportunities:

  • While often criticized for negative impacts, social media offers areas for growth, learning, and connection.

  • Promoting Prosocial Behavior:

    • Wright & Li (2011) highlight a positive correlation between social media use and prosocial behaviors such as helping, cooperation, and altruism.

    • Mares & Woodard (2005): Media can foster kindness as well as aggression.

    • Online gaming promotes teamwork and collaboration, preparing individuals for future workplaces.

Strengthening Relationships

• Social media can enhance existing friendships and aid in maintaining connections, particularly for rural or isolated youth.

• Exposure to new social norms aids in vicarious learning, broadening perspectives and appropriate behaviors.

Identity Exploration

• Social networks act as a platform for safe self-expression, allowing young individuals to explore personal identities and cultural expressions.

• Peer feedback contributes to understanding social norms and aids acceptance in identity formation with less adult supervision.

Mental Health

• Increasing engagement across three or more social media platforms correlates positively with:

  • Higher levels of anxiety.

  • Increased risk of diagnosed depression.

• Statistical Insights:

  • 97% of teens (aged 13-17) have at least one social media account.

  • Teens with anxiety spend, on average, 89 minutes more on social media each week than their peers.

• Beauty and Success Standards:

  • Social media promotes unrealistic standards through curated images, leading to low self-esteem and body image issues.

  • Consequences: Potential for risky health behaviors such as extreme dieting.

• Use Patterns:

  • Passive use (just lurking) correlates with lower well-being.

  • Active engagement (posting, commenting) is linked to better mental health outcomes.

Ethical Concerns with Social Media

• A summary of ethical concerns includes:

  • Informed Consent: Ensuring individuals are aware of and agree to data usage.

  • Privacy: Addressing the need for personal data protection.

  • Risk of Harm: Minimizing potential negative outcomes for users.

  • Voluntary Participation: Guarantees that participation is not coerced.

  • Anonymity: Protecting identity in data sharing.

  • Proposals for addressing these concerns need to be discussed and implemented accordingly.