What is one result of practicing impression management?

Practicing impression management primarily involves the strategic effort one puts into shaping how they are perceived by others. This is often done to foster a more favorable view, enhancing one’s social or professional standing. By carefully curating behaviors, appearances, and verbal communication, individuals aim to create a specific image that aligns with their desired identity or goals, which directly correlates to the manipulation of perceptions for a more favorable outcome.

This concept is central to social psychology and points to the understanding that individuals often modify their actions based on the social context and the audience present. These tactics can include adjusting communication styles, emphasizing particular traits, or even altering non-verbal cues to align with the expectations or desires of others. Hence, the outcome of effective impression management usually revolves around improving how one is viewed, thus making the choice focused on manipulating perceptions not only relevant but also accurate in describing the broader implications of this behavior.

In contrast, creating an accurate representation of oneself would not align with the essence of impression management, which is about influencing perceptions rather than reflecting authenticity. Additionally, while practicing impression management can indeed lead to anxiety in social situations, that is a possible byproduct rather than its primary goal. Likewise, encouraging honest interactions runs counter to the very nature of impression management