Impression Management in Socially Anxious Young People: A Phenomenological Investigation

Monday, 12 October 2026 at 15:15

Egenis seminar (hybrid) with Dr Lucienne Spencer (university of Oxford)

Event details

As part of the Wellcome Trust funded ‘Social Emotions’ project, we have been conducting a phenomenological study to better understand the experience of ‘impression management’ in socially anxious young people. Impression Management can be broadly understood as closely monitoring and adapting one’s behaviour to cope with anxiety-inducing social situations. This may include rehearsing sentences and planning discussion topics in advance of a conversation, carefully controlling facial expressions and gestures, wearing make-up to conceal blushing and censoring what one says.

This talk will present some of the findings from the study, exploring experiences of impression management in socially anxious young people across the core themes of intersubjectivity, embodiment, affectivity, agency and sense of the authentic self.

Date and time: Monday 12 October 2026, 15:15-17:00 GMT

Venue: Byrne House

Online: via Zoom

Free to attend. Please register HERE

Organiser

Egenis, Centre for the Study of Life Sciences

Location

Susan Kelly Seminar Room, Byrne House, Streatham Campus