impression management

Question 1

what is impression management

Answer 1

Attempt by the individual to control the views of other
members of the group through socially acceptable
behaviour, even if they do not habitually express such
behaviour (Leary, 1995)

refers to how people adjust their eating behavior to create a specific impression on others. For example, individuals might eat less to appear disciplined, health-conscious, or more attractive, especially in situations where they want to be perceived positively, like on a date or in mixed-gender settings. This behavior is shaped by societal norms and the desire to fit others’ expectations about appropriate eating.

Question 2

trying to be seen in a good light

Answer 2

• Vartanian et al., 2007; 2015.- constructing an ideal self
• Consumption stereotypes
  ▫ Healthier diets: rated as more feminine, moral, as
  having a smaller body size, and being less fun.
  ▫ Smaller meals → femininity, physical attractiveness,
  leaner, neatness.
  ▫ Meat, masculinity and morality
• Lipschitz & Herman (2010) Threat to masculine identity →increased intake of meat
• White & Dahl (2006) =Males motivated to avoid feminine foods
• Type and amount of food selected (Young et al., 2009)
• Role for relative consumption (Leone, Herman & Pliner
  (2008).

These are mostly lab based studies- ecological validity

links to Hetherington study as women ate less

Question 3

the why of impression management

Answer 3

1. Eating with strangers
   ▫ Possible explanation for reduced social facilitation
   with strangers
2. Job interviews
   ▫ Can/does our food intake convey personal
   characteristics that could be relevant to job
   performance?
3. Romantic relationships
   ▫ First date foods (Amiraian & Sobal, 2009)- Women often named feminine foods (considered appropriate for females) as dating foods, but men were not more likely to name masculine foods (considered appropriate for males) as dating foods. Neat and easy-to-eat foods were often named as dating foods, while pungent foods and foods causing bad breath were named as not dating foods.

Question 4

moderators of social facliation

Answer 4

Ruddock et al., 2019
* Systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 studies
* We eat more when we are with friends (29%-48%
larger compared to eating alone).
* Moderating factors may indicate impression
management
▫ Weight status, gender and food types.
▫ E.g., women eating smaller portions in front of men
(regardless of familiarity)
▫ Overweight people eat smaller portions when eating
with others compared to alone.

Question 5

how do social facuiliation and impression managment impact eating?

Answer 5

social faciliation increases intake, whilst impression management seems to moderate intake

social faciliation may be a result of distraction and a consequence of time extension

But impression management plays an important role especially when etaing with strangers

limited exploration of the contexts that can elicit impression management or wether or not these efforts are actually effective

Question 6

young 2009

Answer 6

Young’s study highlights the significant influence of social context on women’s food choices in university cafeterias. Women tended to select lower-calorie foods when eating with men or in mixed-gender groups, particularly as the number of men in the group increased, likely reflecting societal pressures and cultural norms that associate smaller portions with femininity and attractiveness. Conversely, when dining with other women, their choices leaned toward higher-calorie foods, suggesting a relaxation of these constraints in all-female settings. Young attributes these patterns to the pervasive influence of the diet industry and societal ideals that promote slimness as a standard of female beauty. Interestingly, men’s food choices appeared unaffected by the gender or number of their dining companions, underscoring a gendered disparity in how social dynamics influence eating behaviors.

Question 7

(Leone, Herman & Pliner
(2008).

Answer 7

This study explores how people’s impressions of others are influenced by food intake. Participants preferred dining companions who ate more than they did, finding their own eating more appropriate in comparison. However, both participants and observers rated individuals who ate less as having greater self-control. These findings suggest that impressions vary based on perspective: active participants favor those who make their own behavior seem moderate, while observers value self-control over quantity consumed

The study shows that people like others who eat more than they do because it makes their own eating seem normal. But people also think those who eat less have better self-control. Basically, what people think about others’ eating depends on whether they’re eating too or just watching.