The communication of sexual identity-images in a self-presentational context
Abstract
Two studies examined the communication of sexual identities in a self-presentational context. The results from the first study suggest that people explicitly hold the general perception that expressing particular sexual beliefs/attitudes may actually represent a means to convey a favorable (or unfavorable) sexual identity-image to others. With the second study the aim was to examine how people may share information concerning their sexual identities to communicate a desirable impression to others and how accountability concerns may serve to impact such self-presentational efforts. Following prior research, high and low accountability conditions were manipulated with the use of an expected interaction with either a friend or a stranger. The findings indicated that in a self-presentational situation people conveyed a more moderately reserved sexual identity-image when they expected to interact with a stranger (i.e., low accountability) compared to a friend (i.e., high accountability). Conversely, in a non self-presentational situation sexual identity-images did not differ as a function of accountability conditions. Moreover, people's accountability concerns mediated the influence of the self-presentation x accountability interaction on sexual identities. These findings extend the literature on self-presentation, providing a more nuanced view of the qualities of people's self-presentation efforts, and to the best of our knowledge are the first to illustrate how people may convey their sexual identities for self-presentational purposes.
Degree
M.A.
Advisors
Tyler, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Communication
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