[Compensatory self-enhancement as a strategy for the multiple audience problem].
This study examined how people can handle the multiple audience problem of self-presentation (Fleming, 1994), when faced with two or more audiences while simultaneously wanting each audience to form or maintain a different impression of the presenter. In the laboratory, female participants had a brief conversation with either an opposite-sex (male) or a same-sex (female) confederate. The results showed that when no one else observed the conversation, the participants presented themselves as physically attractive to the opposite-sex more than to the same-sex audience. On the other hand, when another same-sex individual was observing the conversation, the participants presented themselves to the opposite-sex audience as less physically attractive but more socially desirable and friendly. The importance of this compensatory self-enhancement strategy in the multiple-audience situation is discussed.
Kasagi
Yuu
Y
Graduate School of Human Science, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan. yuukasagi.suvvy@hotmail.co.jp
Daibo
Ikuo
I
D000293:Adolescent; D003142:Communication; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012928:Social Desirability; D055815:Young Adult