# 21. Visual + Symbolic Manipulation ## 21.5 Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 21.5.3. Impression management In social psychology, impression management is a conscious or unconscious process by which people attempt to influence the perceptions of other people about a person, object or event, including themselves. They do this by regulating and controlling information in social interactions. It is often used to mean "self-presentation", in which a person tries to influence the perception of their own image. The notion of impression management also refers to the efforts of professional communication and public relations departments to mould a company or organisation's public image. Such behaviour is in the credo of the conman who spends considerable energy creating a false impression in the eyes of his potential victims. For the same reasons, impression management is high on the list of priorities for any politician or community leader attempting to appeal to the public. The process is ripe for manipulation because it invites the alteration of an impression of personal or corporate image in order to deliver an alternative impression.