Abstract
The context of work offers both a strong motivation and a good opportunity to present the self as favourably as possible. A range of social stigmas such as certain medical conditions, a mental illness, homosexuality, or a lower class social background may threaten that positive self-presentation. However, members of stigmatised social groups can choose to actively manage the impression they make by hiding those social stigmas which are not readily visible to others. Although this self-presentational strategy is intended to avoid negative expectations from others, and is even expected to optimise performance at work, there are different ways in which it may backfire against those who use it. Based on a review of empirical research in this area, we examine the social psychological mechanisms involved, and conclude that attempts to be positively evaluated at work by hiding a stigmatised social identity are likely to undermine well-being and cause people to feel socially excluded and perform sub-optimally. (Netherlands Journal of Psychology, 62, 51-57.)
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*Social and Organisational Psychology, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden. E-mail: Barreto@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Submitted 24 March 2006; revision accepted 8 June 2006.
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Ellemers, N., Barreto, M. Social identity and self-presentation at work: how attempts to hide a stigmatised identity affect emotional well-being, social inclusion and performance. NEJP 62, 51–57 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03061051
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03061051