Self-presentation as a function of perceived closeness and trust with romantic partners, friends, and acquaintances

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Self-presentation represents behaviors used in establishing an identity with others; such behaviors may differ across various interpersonal relationships. The current article presents two studies examining differences in self-presentation to acquaintances, friends, and romantic partners among college students in relationships. Study 1 was an experiment, and Study 2 utilized a within-subject design. Results showed that individuals engaged in more self-presentation in more established types of relationships. Additionally, both closeness and trust served as moderators, such that those lower in closeness/trust reported more self-presentation in more established types of relationships than in less established types of relationships. At higher levels of closeness/trust, the results were somewhat inconsistent, with Study 1 finding no differences between relationship types and Study 2 finding more self-presentation to romantic partners than to friends and acquaintances. These results are among the first to suggest that individuals engage in differing levels of self-presentation, depending on the type of relationship and the extent to which they feel close to and trust the person.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Social Psychology
Volume156
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)630-647
Number of pages18
ISSN0022-4545
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2016
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Taylor & Francis.

    Research areas

  • Closeness, interpersonal relationships, self-presentation, trust

ID: 347752262