ABSTRACT
Human interaction is a quest for meaning. We look anxiously to others to determine whether we have communicated our intended meaning. We are concerned that we may have communicated unintended meanings that will negatively affect the image we wish to project. If we are skilled in the art of impression management, we may cultivate a certain look or sound that is designed to control the judgments that people make about us. Politicians in the 2008 presidential campaign turned to nonverbal consultants to make sure they have a positive voice and use of gestures in their speeches. Duke lacrosse players in their court battle maintained a conservatively dressed image to counter the serious nature of the charges filed against them. Oftentimes, George W. Bush has been seen on his Texas ranch wearing a cowboy hat to help him better seem to relate to common people.
