We all tend to want to be perceived in the best light possible – at least sometimes. After reviewing our lectures, you have learned that our desire to control how others view us and what information they have about us is called impression management. Stemming from the value and meaning we place on image and perception (basic principles of symbolic interactionism), impression management can be engaged in extensively or minimally depending on the value we see in certain persons’ perceptions of us and even our possessions.
To get us talking about this for the discussion board, your prompt is:
You are spending a quiet day at home after a busy week. This is the first day in a while you’ve gotten a chance to relax, even though you’re behind on your house chores. Someone whose views you hold highly and you care what they think arrives.
Consider the above situation. Jot down some notes on how you would feel about the man seeing you on a relaxed day. Are you in cozy house clothes? Is your place a mess? Do you care? Now, consider this:
You are spending a quiet day at home after a busy week. This is the first day in a while you’ve gotten a chance to relax, even though you’re behind on your house chores. Someone who you do not care what they think arrives.
Now jot down some notes on how you feel about this person seeing you and your place as is.
Summarize your conclusions and write a response relating to symbolic interactionism.Why does one person provoke stronger feelings about your impression? Why does one person not lead you to control your image?In your response, be sure to make clear connections to various SI concepts: impression management, dramaturgy, meaning, symbol, or any others you see appropriate.