title: Self-presentation as a function of perceived closeness and trust with romantic partners, friends, and acquaintances.
abstract: Self-presentation represents behaviors used in establishing an identity with others; such behaviors may differ across various interpersonal relationships. The current article presents two studies examining differences in self-presentation to acquaintances, friends, and romantic partners among college students in relationships. Study 1 was an experiment, and Study 2 utilized a within-subject design. Results showed that individuals engaged in more self-presentation in more established types of relationships. Additionally, both closeness and trust served as moderators, such that those lower in closeness/trust reported more self-presentation in more established types of relationships than in less established types of relationships. At higher levels of closeness/trust, the results were somewhat inconsistent, with Study 1 finding no differences between relationship types and Study 2 finding more self-presentation to romantic partners than to friends and acquaintances. These results are among the first to suggest that individuals engage in differing levels of self-presentation, depending on the type of relationship and the extent to which they feel close to and trust the person.
authors.affiliation: a Fairleigh Dickinson University.
authors.forename: Camilla S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Øverup
authors.affiliation: b University of Houston.
authors.forename: Clayton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neighbors
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Closeness; interpersonal relationships; self-presentation; trust