Social Networking and Impression Management: Self-Presentation in the Digital Age, edited by Carolyn Cunningham, offers critical inquiry into how identity is constructed, deconstructed, performed, and perceived on social networking sites (SNSs), such as Facebook, and LinkedIn. The presentation of identity is key to success or failure in the Information Age, especially because SNSs are becoming the dominant form of communication among Internet users. The architecture of SNSs provide opportunities to ask questions such as who am I; what matters to me; and, how do I want others to perceive me? Original research studies in this collection utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods to study a range of issues related to identity management on SNSs including authenticity, professional uses of SNSs, LGBTQ identities, and psychological and cultural impacts. Together, the contributors to this volume draw on current research in the field and offer new theoretical frameworks and research methods to further the conversation on impression management and SNSs, making this text essential for both students and scholars of social media.
Introduction, Carolyn Cunningham Part 1. Impression Management Strategies Chapter 1. Comparing Identity Management Strategies Across Social Media Platforms, Jeffrey H. Kuznekoff Chapter 2. Looking the Part and Staying True : Balancing Impression Managment on Facebook, Judith Rosenbaum, Benjamin Johnson, Peter Stepman, and Koos Nuijten Chapter 3. Face-Off: Different Ways Identity is Privileged Through Facebook, Daniel C. Davis, Jessica A. Tougas, Margaeux B. Lippman, and Timothy W. Morris Part 2. Identity in Professional Contexts Chapter 4. Compressed Crystals: A Metaphor for Mediated Identity Expression, Bree McEwan and Jennifer J. Mease Chapter 5. Branding as Social Discourse: Identity Construction on Social and Professional Networking Sites, Corey Jay Liberman Chapter 6. Like Us on Facebook and Follow Us on Twitter: Corporate Identity Management Across Social Media Platforms, Binod Sundararajan and Malavika Sundararajan Part 3. Managing Intersectionality Chapter 7. Virtual Closets: Strategic Identity Construction and Social Media, Bruce E. Drushel Chapter 8. The Performative Possibilities of Social Media: Antoine Johnson, Amber Johnson Chapter 9. Using Social Media to Develop a Transgender Identity in a Virtual Community, Sara Green-Hamann and John C. Sherblom Part 4. The Light and Dark Side of Impression Management Chapter 10. Face Threatening Messages and Attraction in Social Networking Sites: Reconciling Strategic Self-Presentation with Negative Online Perceptions, Nicholas Brody and Jorge Pena Chapter 11. Psychological Benefits and Costs: A Self-Affirmation Framework for Understanding the Effects of Facebook Self-Presentation, Catalina Toma Chapter 12. What You Can Really Know about Someone from Their Facebook Profile (And Where You Should Look to Find Out), Jeffrey A. Hall and Natalie Pennington
