Question

1. Do people adjust their role performance and presentation of the self to affect the opinion of others? Would you say that we have different “social selves” that we present in different settings? How does this relate to the concepts of impression management and/or the looking-glass self? Provide examples in your explanation.

Answer 1

To answer the first question I would say absolutely yes. I can use myself as an example, when I am at work I act differently than when I am at home. I interact differently with my peers than I do with my husband and children. There is a level of professionalism that I must display in the workplace and there is a good example that I want to set for my kids. The definition of those types of behavior is very different however. This is driven by what is considered socially acceptable for a family setting versus a work setting. Especially in the military, these are very different. The opinion of those that are around me drives my behavior.

Different social selves are also something that I have witnessed as well as done myself. I would refer to the examples listed above and add that there are also social selves that we present to friends and family. There may be social settings where profanity is acceptable to some and other situations where it would absolutely be frowned upon. Think of this like a social more. A group of adult men may describe things very crudely but if there were children or women present in the same scenario I imagine that most would change the way they talk. Similarly, at social gatherings where people do not know each other very well, there is usually a different type of behavior displayed. Children are told to ‘be on your best behavior’ when they are in church or school for example. This is different than when they are just playing outside with friends. The amount of tolerated deviant behavior may still be the same but children playing outside would likely not be expected to be quiet or sit still.

I would say that I agree with most of what was in the lesson pertaining to the looking glass self. I have two young boys, one 2 and one 5, and I have seen these stages in them. I do think however that my two year old has already developed quite a personality which is different from his older brother. I would somewhat disagree with the age ranges described in the preparatory stage and the play stage. I think it is safe to say that no two children are alike. I know that is definitely the case in my household.

I do see examples of impression management in my children as well as my students. There are things that do not need to be said but are understood among a group that interacts. In a brick and mortar classroom, for example, students will quickly become accustomed to norms like raising a hand to speak or sitting in a certain place. The volume of voice and respect for others are two more things I have seen take place. If the instructor makes fun of some of the students the students will, in turn, make fun of each other. If the instructor is extremely professional and ‘dry’ the class will most likely behave in the same manner. I find this to be a fun and challenging balance to achieve as an instructor. The class needs to be comfortable and enjoyable while at the same time fair and professional. It is very easy to see the difference in the amount a student will learn, as well as contribute when they are in a comfortable environment versus a rigid one.