Antecedents of and Engagement in Impression Management Tactics Among College Students

Abstract

Despite professor's attempts to treat all students objectively, anecdotal evidence suggests that disparate treatment of students is not uncommon in academe. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which college students engage in impression management (IM) tactics and to identify antecedent variables to engagement in such behaviors. One hundred one undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university completed a self-administered, modified version of Wayne and Ferris' (1990) IM instrument to assess the extent to which they engage in various types of IM tactics. Based on Leary and Kowalski's (1990) theoretical model of impression motivation, antecedent variables related to students 'engagement in IM were examined. Using correlations and regression analyses, antecedent variables employed in predicting student's impression management engagement included the importance of being known, the degree of publicity and contact with their instructor, the desire to be liked, and students' perceptions of a discrepant image. Students reported engaging most often in self-focused IM tactics such as presenting themselves as friendly persons. Results of correlations of students' engagement in three types of IM with antecedent variables, as well as regression analyses of the antecedent variables on the types of IM are presented and discussed. Students' use of IM tactics and the conditions under which students are likely to use IM are valuable in exploring the effects of such engagement and in providing instructors with information about their students that may help them treat all students equitably.