Self-Presentation

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Self-presentation by definition is “the process by which people monitor and control the impressions others form of them in social situations (Leary & Kowalski, 1990). In essence, this is impression management in which we are able to omit or present aspects of the self in order to make a desired impression. Self-presentation may be a an issue that leads to risky behaviors, sport choice, anxiety, and self-handicapping.

Research has shown that self-presentation affects athletes in many ways. Research of sources of stress during competition showed that the most frequent source of stress was significant others, competitive anxiety, and social-evaluation and self-presentation (James, & Collins, 1997). The largest stressor reported was stress from a significant other where ninety percent of participants reported that at least one individual caused stress. Social-evaluation and self-presentation were also found to be a stressor in 65% of people involved in the study. That many athletes feel the need to meet others expectations, prove their worth or fear being criticized due to socially determined goals.

Prior research has also shown that athletes may participate in self-presentational process which relate to health-damaging behaviors. These behaviors may contain drug abuse, not wearing proper safety equipment, and failing to seek medical attention when needed (Ginis, & Leary, 2004). Only limited research has been completed with regard to desired impression and health risk behaviors. Undependable evidence does support that there is such a relationship between risking ones health in order to promote a desired self-impression. Research has also found that athletes find a favorable image with regard to playing hurt, or “playing through th...

... middle of paper ...

... positive fashion such as stressing the idea being in shape in order to perform to the best of your ability for themselves, teammates, and the coaches. However, it must also be made aware that when injury occurs that practicing through it without making others aware is a negative situation.

Works Cited

Sadalla, E, Linder, D, & Jenkins, B. (1988). Sport preference:. JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY,, 10, 214-222.

Ferrand, C, Tetard, S, & Fontayne, P. (2006). Self-handicapping in rock climbing: a qualitative approach. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SPORT PSYCHOLOGY,, 18, 271-280.

Ginis, K, & Leary, M. (2004). Self-presentational processes in health-damaging behavior. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SPORT PSYCHOLOGY,, 16, 59-74.

James, B, & Collins, D. (1997). Self-presentational sources of competitive stress during performance. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 19, 17-35.

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