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Related Concept Videos

Strategies of Self-Presentation I: Strategic Self-Presentation01:12

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Strategic self-presentation refers to individuals' intentional efforts to influence how others perceive them. This process is employed in various social and professional settings, such as job interviews, dating, politics, and legal contexts, where individuals seek to shape impressions to gain social or material advantages. While people generally present themselves in ways that align with their authentic characteristics, external factors, such as cognitive load, can hinder their ability to...
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Self-presentation is a fundamental aspect of social interaction, shaping both how others perceive individuals and how they view themselves. This dynamic process influences behaviors in various social settings, often leading people to adjust their appearance, speech, and demeanor to align with their desired identity. While self-presentation can be deliberate or unconscious, it plays a critical role in interpersonal relationships and self-perception.Forms of Self-PresentationSelf-presentation can...
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Self-verification is a fundamental psychological drive wherein individuals seek affirmation of their self-concept from others, striving for consistency between their internal self-view and external perceptions. This drive operates even when the self-concept is negative, influencing interpersonal behavior and feedback preferences in complex and often counterintuitive ways. Unlike the self-enhancement motive, which seeks positive evaluations, self-verification prioritizes coherence and...
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Self-monitoring is a central construct in understanding individual differences in self-presentation strategies across social contexts. It refers to how individuals observe, regulate, and control their expressive behavior and self-presentation following situational cues. Self-monitoring reflects a person's sensitivity to social appropriateness and willingness to adapt behavior to fit varying interpersonal demands.High vs. Low Self-Monitoring IndividualsIndividuals high in self-monitoring are...
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Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
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Humblebragging: A distinct-and ineffective-self-presentation strategy.

Ovul Sezer1, Francesca Gino2, Michael I Norton3

  • 1Department of Organizational Behavior, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|September 19, 2017
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This summary is machine-generated.

Humblebragging, a mix of bragging with complaints or humility, is a common but ineffective self-presentation strategy. It backfires by reducing likability and perceived competence, failing to achieve desired social impressions.

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Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Communication Studies

Background:

  • Self-presentation is crucial for social interactions and outcomes.
  • Humblebragging, a subtle form of self-praise, is prevalent but understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To empirically investigate humblebragging as a distinct self-presentation strategy.
  • To assess the effectiveness of humblebragging compared to direct bragging and complaining.

Main Methods:

  • Nine studies were conducted, including a diary study and a field experiment.
  • Participants' perceptions of humblebragging and its effects on likability, competence, and generosity were measured.

Main Results:

  • Humblebragging, both complaint-based and humility-based, is less effective than straightforward bragging.
  • Humblebragging reduces liking, perceived competence, compliance, and financial generosity.
  • Despite being common, humblebragging is perceived as insincere and backfires.

Conclusions:

  • Humblebragging fails to achieve the dual goals of eliciting sympathy and impressing others.
  • The perceived insincerity of humblebragging undermines its effectiveness in social contexts.
  • Individuals should opt for direct self-presentation over humblebragging for better social outcomes.