Self-Presentation

Self-presentation strategies are conscious efforts to shape someone's perception or impression of you. What does this mean? I think all of us at one time or another has utilized this strategy of self-presentation, going on a job interview, a first date, your first day on a new job, or your first day in school. You want to make a good impression, so you'll practice what you'll say, or how you'll act, or what you'll wear. All of this ties into self-presentation strategies.

There are two types of self-presentation strategies, strategic and expressive. Strategic self presentation is deliberate efforts to shape other people's impressions in order to achieve an ulterior goal. Strategic self-presentation is used in business type environments. Expressive self-presentations are usually used in casual settings, such as with family and friends, and are used to convey the important aspects of our self-concepts.

There are seven common self-presentation strategies. The first is self-promotion. This strategy has been used by all of us. If not everyday, then you have at least used this when interviewing for a job. Self-promotion can be defined as an attempt to convey positive information about yourself, either through behavior or telling of one's positive assets. However, I think when utilizing this strategy, you must be careful not to come off conceited. In order to do this, you must confess a few shortcomings, as well as your good qualities. Something I'm sure all of us have a problem doing. When someone asked me how I am doing in school, I am quick to point out my 4.0 average. However, to some, I'm sure this makes me look a little conceited, so I also try to mention that it isn't always easy to maintain this average. I do work hard for it.

The second strategy is exemplification. Doing this is designed to bring out assessments of integrity and moral worthiness. However, this can make you seem hypocritical as well. Politicians, who tell you they are moral, yet tell a lie in their next breath, the Reverend Jimmy Swaggert telling you not to sin, while he sins time and time again, and then begs for forgiveness, or managers that tell you to be on time everyday, yet they walk in 15 or 20 minutes late everyday. If you're going to use this strategy, you have to be willing to make sacrifices to be true to what you are trying to express.

The third strategy is modesty. This is definitely a hard strategy to accomplish, but I think to be a well-rounded person, you need to have modesty. It is a must that you strike the right balance of modesty, too much and you look non-assertive, too little, and you come off arrogant.

Intimidation is another strategy. Intimidation is not a good quality to have in the business world. Being able to intimidate people into doing things makes you a bully, not a leader. However, in certain situations, such as football or boxing, it is imperative to have this. It is also a good idea for parents to