Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping

Given that a person’s outward presentation can affect how others perceive them, someone might attempt to control the impressions that another person forms about them.

For example, behind closed doors, an individual may lounge around, eat junk food, and binge-watch her favorite episodes. Conversely, when she steps into the public spotlight, she always parades around as a health-conscious athlete.

Such dramatic maneuvering, or impression management, is called self-presentation—the notion that people present themselves in the way they want others to see them. Relevant to the act is face—the public image that one wants others to believe.

Now, the degree to which people alter their interactions can vary through a process of self-monitoring—the tendency for someone to monitor their own behavior to fit the demands of the situation at hand.

For instance, one person, such as the health-conscious athlete, would be a high self-monitor. She changes her behavior according to the current condition.

On the other hand, a low self-monitor, in this case, her old boyfriend, is more likely to stick with his own preferences and dispositions, with minimal regard for what others think.

Over time, people can’t always live up to their favored public self. For example, perhaps a few colleagues ask her to join their competitive running club. To protect her desired self from public embarrassment—she’s never actually run a marathon before—she strategically “sprains” her ankle rather than trying and possibly failing to finish.

This setback is self-handicapping—the tendency to engage in self-defeating behaviors to have an excuse ready in case of potential failure or poor performance.

Needless to say, the widespread use of social media can also make it much easier to portray a particular face—one that may not be completely authentic and accurate—especially when physical features and appearances are at stake.