Question

MCAT Psychology Tutorial: Self-Presentation, Expression, & Communication

Answer 1

\({\bf{Self-Presentation:}}\) behavior that expresses information about oneself to others
- impression management theory: individuals and groups take actions to influence how they are perceived by others

Functions of self-presentation:
- meet basic needs
- build self-esteem and self-identity
- assign a role to oneself to facilitate social interaction

- dramaturgical approach: self-presentation is like a theater where individuals put on a performance and are validated by conforming to their role
> front-stage self: the image one presents to the world, is carefully constructed
> back-stage self: the image one presents when not required to "perform", more relaxed and authentic

\({\bf{Expression:}}\) the way one shows emotions and interprets emotions of otherse
- display rule: cultural beliefs dictating what emotions are appropriate to display, where to display them, and how to display them
> collectivist cultures may value humility/shame to preserve the image of a group
> individualistic cultures may value independence and stronger emotional displays, esp. negative emotions
> different expectations on how the genders express emotions
- women are expected to be more positive, helpful, smiling, emotional, etc.
- men are expected to be more guarded and less emotionally perceptive

- emblems: nonverbal gestures/expressions
> the same emblem may carry very different meanings in different cultures (ex. some cultures value eye contact as a sign of attention/respect while others may see that as confrontational or rurde)

\({\bf{Communication:}}\) can be verbal (language) or nonverbal (gestures, expressions, posture, tone, etc.)
- nonverbal communication is a better indicator of mood, status, health, etc.
- certain facial expressions (like those associated with happiness, sadness, anger) are universal across cultures, or even those who cannot see
- not exclusive to humans (communication in animals is less complex but still has an important role in social behavior and survival)

Answer 2

Anyway, that's the end of my tutorial, I hope it was a helpful resource. Source material is the 2nd Edition Barron's Prep book for the new MCAT