Which best describes impression management?

• A. The human tendency to negatively judge others' cultures, behaviors, and beliefs against our own values
• B. Self-awareness and reflection leading to behavior change
• C. Deliver and motivated self-preservation that includes the process of protection and attribution
• D. Strategic communication with peers

Answer: (C)

Impression management is about controlling how others perceive you in social situations. It involves presenting yourself in ways that shape others’ interpretations of your actions, traits, and intentions, with the aim of protecting your reputation and aligning others’ impressions with how you want to be seen. This includes choosing what to reveal or hide, how to behave, and how to attribute your actions so that the impression you project is favorable or socially appropriate. It’s a deliberate, strategic process of self-presentation across different settings and audiences.

The other descriptions don’t capture that broad, intentional shaping of others’ views. For example, judging others against your own values is about bias, not managing your image. Personal growth through self-awareness is about changing yourself, not influencing how others view you. Strategic communication with peers is part of impression management, but impression management covers more—how you present yourself in various contexts to protect your self-image and control attributions about you.