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9. How has Impression Management evolved since the advent of social media?

Audley Liepina

Impression Management, also known as self-presentation, refers to the process by which individuals attempt to control and shape the impressions others have of them. The advent of social media has revolutionized the way we present ourselves to others, and as a result, has significantly impacted Impression Management.

Before the age of social media, Impression Management was primarily limited to in-person interactions, such as job interviews or social gatherings. However, social media has provided individuals with the opportunity to curate and control their online persona, allowing them to present themselves in a way that is more favorable than their true selves. This has resulted in the development of social media personas or identities, which are often designed to elicit admiration, validation, or attention from others.

Furthermore, social media has also facilitated the creation of multiple personas or identities by individuals, allowing them to experiment with different personas and see which ones garner the most attention and followers. This has resulted in the development of a culture of self-promotion, wherein individuals are incentivized to present themselves as exceptional and unique to stand out from the crowd.

However, the increased access to personal information and the ease of communication through social media has also led to an increased level of scrutiny and judgment from others. The fear of negative evaluations from others can result in individuals expending a significant amount of effort on crafting their online image, which can lead to them feeling pressured and overly self-conscious.

In conclusion, social media has significantly impacted Impression Management, by providing individuals with the opportunity to curate and control their online persona. This has resulted in the development of social media personas or identities, a culture of self-promotion, and increased levels of scrutiny from others. However, questions remain as to whether the development of social media personas is beneficial or detrimental to individuals' mental health and social interactions.

What effect does the development of social media personas have on individuals' self-esteem and self-worth? Can the culture of self-promotion lead to a perpetuation of unrealistic expectations and standards? Does the increased level of scrutiny and judgment from others through social media have a negative impact on individuals' psychological well-being? These are all questions that require further research and exploration.