Supporting Identity

To manage the impressions that people have of us, I believe is a process depending on first impressions, or in other words, impression formation. Going off of the sociology textbook by David M. Newman, impression formation is when we form an immediate impression based on observable cues such as age, ascribed status characteristics such as race and gender, individual attributes such as physical appearance, and verbal and nonverbal expressions. For example, since I'm part of a football team, one way to manage our impressions of others is that we have to be able to uphold a strong and positive image so other teams wont look down on us. Although we have a disadvantage compared to other teams since we are younger and have less experience, when we are on the field competing with another team if we play fair with other teams and those older then us, then we would be more respected. This situation can be engaged to impression management since we present ourselves in a favorable way to the public so we can get more positive judgments. However, if we played with unsportsmanlike conduct then other teams would look down on us and disrespect us, in conclusion to negative judgments. Below are pictures of my team and another team. Between the two pictures, my group has younger girls who are still in high school with less experience compared to the other team who has older girls with more experience.

My Team and I

An opponent Team

In addition, when meeting a new guy or girl, if you ever go out on a date, you wouldn't randomly fart in front of your date because it would be rude and embarrassing. Although we all know that its natural, impression management would limit you to do such things if you wanted a positive feedback from that person, in other words, if you wanted a second date. Below is something I found a bit amusing and quite funny!