Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026
12:55
Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
Published on: September 27, 2020
8.9K
The Relationship Between Self-Concept and Online Self-Presentation in Adults
Nicole Strimbu1, Michael O'Connell1
1School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|December 4, 2019
Summary
Young adults with lower self-concept clarity show greater differences between their offline and online selves. This indicates self-concept significantly predicts online self-presentation, especially in the digital age.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Media Studies
- Digital Communication
Background:
- Self-presentation traditionally studied in face-to-face interactions.
- Social media platforms enable greater control over personal content presentation.
- Online self-presentation is a crucial aspect of modern communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine self-concept as a predictor of online self-presentation in young adults.
- To expand upon previous research conducted with adolescents.
- To investigate the role of self-concept clarity in shaping online personas.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 230 young adults (aged 18-35).
- Utilized the Self-Concept Clarity Scale and Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS).
- Performed factor analysis on the POSS and correlation analyses.
Main Results:
- The 'Ideal Self' factor in POSS was distributed among 'Multiple Selves,' 'Consistent Self,' and 'Online Presentation Preference' in young adults.
- A positive correlation was found between age and self-concept.
- Lower self-concept clarity predicted greater discrepancies between offline and online selves, even when controlling for age.
Conclusions:
- Self-concept is a significant predictor of online self-presentation.
- Young adults with lower self-concept clarity are more prone to online-offline self discrepancies.
- The concept of an 'ideal self' evolves during young adulthood.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Self-Presentation
245
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...
245
01:19Self-Concept
1.3K
Self-concept is the cognitive and emotional understanding individuals hold about their identity. It evolves through various developmental stages, beginning in infancy and maturing as children grow. This concept influences how individuals perceive their abilities, interact with others, and manage challenges throughout life.
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
1.3K
01:20Understanding Self-Concept
164
The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those...
164
01:12Strategies of Self-Presentation I: Strategic Self-Presentation
167
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...
167
01:17Strategies of Self-Presentation II: Self-Verification
139
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...
139
01:30Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
144
Since the early 2000s, computer-mediated communication (CMC) has grown rapidly, playing a crucial role in self-development. A key distinction between CMC and real-life interactions is the lack of a physically present partner. This absence makes non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and paralinguistic signals unavailable in CMC platforms like email, instant messaging, or social media. The lack of these cues can create ambiguity and complicate how feedback is interpreted.The...
144