Self-presentation can be defined as the process of controlling how others perceive us (cf. Leary, 2007). In other words, self-presentation encompasses all the messages we “send” to our surroundings through our actions, behaviors, and non-verbal cues, with the aim of conveying a specific image of ourselves.
These messages can be of two types:
- Verbal
- Non-verbal
Non-verbal communication can further be divided into:
- Facial expressions
- Gestures
- Posture and attire
- Context
This division is well illustrated by the diagram below:
Some techniques of self-presentation include:
- Basking in reflected glory
- Self-description
- Expressing attitudes
- Public attributions
- Memory and forgetting
- Non-verbal behaviors
- Shaping one’s environment
Bibliography:
Leary M. (2007) Making an Impression on Others – On the Art of Self-presentation. Gdańsk: GWP