JOURNAL ARTICLE

Impression Management and Expectations of Political Cynicism.

Published In: Public Opinion Quarterly, 2024, v. 88, n. 2. P. 419 1 of 3
Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Style, Hillary K 3 of 3

Abstract

The article investigates the relationship between political cynicism—the belief that politicians are primarily self-interested—and impression management, the practice of shaping one's self-presentation to appear knowledgeable. Through three survey experiments, the research finds that while political cynicism is not broadly socially desirable, individuals often express cynical views to signal political knowledge and avoid appearing uninformed. The studies show that lower cynicism is associated with seeming less knowledgeable, suggesting that cynicism functions as a social cue for political awareness rather than normative approval. These findings have implications for understanding how perceptions of cynicism influence political discourse and the potential for cynicism to be used strategically in shaping public impressions.

Additional Information

Source:Public Opinion Quarterly. 2024/06, Vol. 88, Issue 2, p419
Document Type:Article
Subject Area:Health and Medicine
Publication Date:2024
ISSN:0033-362X
DOI:10.1093/poq/nfae006
Accession Number:177516866
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