Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
CHAPTER 3
Communication and Self-Concept, Continued…
Interplay
Section 4
PRESENTING THE SELF:
COMMUNICATION AS IDENTITY
MANAGEMENT
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Identity Management

Identity management,
defined:

The communication
strategies people use to
influence how others view
them.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Public and Private Selves

Perceived self, defined:


The person you believe
yourself to be in moments
of honest self-reflection.
Unlikely to reveal this self
to another person.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Public and Private Selves


Presenting self, defined:
 An image (socially
approved) we want to
present to others
“Facework” (Sociologist Erving
Goffman)


The nonverbal ways we act to
maintain our own presenting
images and the image of others
How does Goffman’s concept
of “face” relate to the
presenting self?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management

We strive to construct
multiple identities
 What
are some different
contexts or situations in which
you may construct different
identities?
 Explain whether or not a
person can present different
identities simultaneously.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management

Identity management is
collaborative


“Process theater” in which
we improvise scenes
where our character
reacts with others.
What happens when
someone rejects or does
not collaborate with our
identity management
attempts?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management

Identity management can
be deliberate or
unconscious


What situations would
require deliberate
identity management?
We unconsciously act in
small public
performances, making a
particular facial
expression or using a
particular tone of voice.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management

People differ in their
degrees of identity
management

What are advantages to
being a high self-monitor?
Drawbacks?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Interplay
Section 5
WHY MANAGE IMPRESSIONS?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Why Manage Impressions?

Social rules

Personal goals

Relational goals

It is impossible not to
create impressions
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
How Do We Manage Impressions?

Face-to-face impression
management

Manner



Appearance


Words
Nonverbal actions
Personal items people use to
shape an image
 Clothing
 Hairstyle
 Personal affects
Setting

Physical items people use to
influence how others view them



“Artifacts” decorate the
space we live in
Automobiles
Artwork
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Identity Management in
Mediated Communication

Mediated communication



“One of the interesting things
about the Internet is the
opportunity it offers people
to present themselves in a
variety of different ways.”
In mediated identity
management, how do the
factors of manner,
appearance, and setting
change?
How do these changes make
it easier or more difficult to
manage identity?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Identity Management and Honesty




People sometimes
misrepresent themselves
to gain the trust of
others.
What are examples of
ethical or honest
identity management?
Not only one honest
way to behave in every
circumstance.
Impression management
involves deciding which
face—which part of
yourself—to reveal.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Interplay
END OF SECTION
CHAPTER CONTINUES
IN PART THREE
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.