Identity Management Theory

Chapter 9

Identity management theory (IMT)

IMT is akin to cultural identity theory, and both share ontological bases regarding “actors” meanings, interpretations and the rules governing their behavior. Communication competence requires the ability of individuals to successfully negotiate mutually acceptable identities in interaction. This theory states that 1) competence entails effective management of relational as well as cultural identities; 2) face is the communicative reflection of people’s relational and cultural identities and thus effective identity management requires competent facework. IMT attempts to explain how cultural identities are negotiated through development of an interpersonal relationship. IMT is based on a particular view of competence. Competence requires both appropriate and effective behavior that is mutually satisfying to the participants in a relationships.

Cultural identities are presented in all types of relationships – intracultural, intercultural and interpersonal. IMT defines intercultural communication as occurring when people’s cultural identities are experienced as salient and distinct, whereas intercultural communication occurs when people’s cultural identities are similar. What is cultural identity? It is focal element in intercultural communication and serves as a framework for understanding one’s self and the surrounding worls. Identity is formed through mechanisms such as self categorization into social groups and social roles like a husband, wife, teacher, student and so on. It may be related to nationality, ethnicity, region, sex, sexuality, age or generation, occupation, common hobby, experience, including drug use and street violence.

Each person's socially situated identity is referred to as his or her face. Normally, one cooperates in supporting the face of another to ensure that the other supports one‘s own face. There are two distinct face that people possess: positive face refers to the desire for acceptance...