Self-promotion vs. Self-handicapping

 

In the case of these students we have self-promoters (Joe and Ned) and self-handicappers (Jill and Paula). Joe and Ned both use the Impression management technique of self enhancement which involves egocentric views towards themselves. Jill and Paula are using supplication which involves modesty toward themselves and ingratiation which involves flattery towards others.

 

In terms of energy usage we believe that the techniques Jill and Paula are using would require more energy, in particular mental energy, than those techniques used by Ned and Joe. Giacalone & Rosenfeld (2013) describes a study that Baumestier & Hutton (1987) conducted. Here they observed the behaviours of individuals who were instructed to display either modesty or self-promotion towards others.

 

Some people were not instructed to behave in any particular way. The results found that when people present themselves in a modest way, they have little recollection of their own individual behaviour as well as the behaviour of others during social interactions (Giacalone & Rosenfeld, 2013). Individuals either displaying self-promotion or acting naturally had a mostly correct memory of their social interactions with others.

Giacalone & Rosenfeld (2013) believe this is because individuals find it hard to portray themselves in a modest way. Therefore using more mental energy for managing the impression of others while at the same time not paying much attention to what’s actually going on in any particular situation (Giacalone & Rosenfeld, 2013).