Impression management in daily life: an experience sampling test for the expression of impression management as interpersonally oriented self-control

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1198891
• Publication Date: 2023-08-28T15:13:10Z
• Authors: Liad Uziel; Tomer Schmidt-Barad
• Keywords: impression management; interpersonally oriented self-control; self-control; aloneness; agreeableness; Psychology; social presence; General Psychology; BF1-990

Impression management (IM) scales (often called lie or social desirability scales) have long been applied as validity scales in assessment processes. Recent developments have indicated that these scales measure a substantive personality predisposition and not response bias, but the nature of the disposition is disputable. According to the ‘interpersonally oriented self-control’ approach, IM is associated with high self-control exerted mainly in public social contexts to facilitate adaptation. Supported in laboratory settings, this approach has not been tested in real-life dynamics. In the present experience sampling study, participants reported 3 times a day (10 days) about their social condition (alone/'with others’) and their level of self-control. Results revealed that IM was associated with stronger self-control when with other people than when alone. Comparable reactions to public social context were not found for self-deception enhancement, trait self-control, or agreeableness, marking this a unique aspect of IM. The findings further stress the need to reconsider the use of IM scales for validity purposes in assessment processes.