Self-presentation and interacting with others

Expressing and detecting emotion

Self-presentation and interacting with others involve the ways in which we manage the image we project to the world, as well as the methods we use to both express and recognize emotion.

The role of gender in the expression and detection of emotion

• Within this domain, the role of gender is critical in shaping how emotion is expressed and detected. Women are traditionally expected to display friendliness, passivity, and nurturing behaviors; consequently, when they act in ways that are perceived as unfriendly, overly assertive, or neglectful, they may be socially penalized for deviating from prescribed gender roles.

• Research has demonstrated that although female job applicants who engage in self-promotion might be seen as competent, they are also likely to encounter disapproval and be less frequently hired, since such behavior violates societal expectations for modesty in communication and conduct.

• In contrast, men are typically socialized to be direct, confident, and willing to lead, which reduces the expectation that they should be sensitive to the emotional cues of others. Additionally, boys are often discouraged from displaying vulnerability—such as crying or other forms of emotional expression—a tendency that frequently persists into adulthood.

Culture’s role in displaying emotion

Cultural influences also play a significant role in the expression and perception of emotion.

• In individualistic cultures, there is an emphasis on the expression of personal emotions such as pride and anger, and individuals are encouraged to seek recognition and promote themselves.
• Conversely, in collectivist cultures, the focus is on regulating and sometimes concealing individual emotions while fostering collective sentiments like friendliness, hospitality, humility, and even feelings of shame when appropriate.

Impression management

When it comes to the presentation of self, individuals engage in various strategies aimed at influencing how others perceive them.

• Impression management is the deliberate adjustment of behavior to create a favorable image.
• One common tactic is self-disclosure, where personal information is shared—ranging from simple introductions like “Hi, I’m John, Sarah’s friend from work” to more intimate revelations, such as expressing dissatisfaction in a relationship and suggesting counseling.
• Another strategy is exemplification, where one endeavors to present oneself in the best possible light, often tailored to the context, such as during a first date.
• Ingratiation involves engaging in flattery or “sucking up,” such as complimenting an interviewer on the interest of their research, even if the praise is not entirely sincere.
• Managing appearance is also crucial; this includes choosing clothing that reflects the desired image—dressing for the job you aspire to, ensuring personal grooming standards are met, keeping children well-presented, maintaining a tidy home environment, or driving a vehicle that signals the appropriate status or income level.
• Supplication is another tactic, involving the act of requesting help in a manner that forges a connection and makes others feel appreciated, regardless of whether assistance is genuinely needed.
• Alter-casting refers to the process of persuading someone to adopt a specific behavior by stressing that such behavior is appropriate for their role, as might occur when a teenager is reminded that they are mature enough to handle their own laundry, or when a clergyman is encouraged to take a public stance on community issues.

The dramaturgical approach to self-presentation distinguishes between how we perform for others and how we behave when we are not under observation.

The concept of the front stage captures the way we consciously choose to present ourselves in public settings.

The back stage reflects the more relaxed and genuine behavior we exhibit when we are alone or with close acquaintances.

Communication in self-presentation

Effective communication is a vital component of self-presentation, encompassing both verbal communication, which involves the use of words in speech or writing, and nonverbal communication, which relies on facial expressions, tone of voice, and various bodily movements. In particular, body language plays a significant role in conveying emotional states; research indicates that we are highly sensitive to the emotional cues expressed through our posture, gestures, and movements, often without being fully aware of these signals.

It is not only humans who engage in such complex forms of communication; animal signals also involve both vocalizations and physical gestures. Many species use loud roars or howls to assert dominance or ward off rivals, while birds such as peacocks display their vibrant tails or wings to attract mates. Similarly, bees perform intricate dances to indicate the location of food sources, and ants leave chemical trails of pheromones to guide other members of their colony to sustenance.