Self-Praise And Self-Denigration By Jordanian On Social Medi

Self-praise and self-denigration by Jordanian on social media

Implementing Spencer’s Rapport Management Theory (RMT) rooted in politeness theory, this study explores the dynamics of self-praise and self-denigration among Jordanians on social media. The social media landscape has transformed communication styles, encouraging users to craft their self-presentation strategically. In Jordanian culture, characterized by collectivism, high-context communication, and an emphasis on social harmony, self-presentation strategies such as self-praise and self-denigration serve significant social functions. Understanding these behaviors through the lens of RMT offers insights into how Jordanians manage their rapport and navigate social expectations in digital spaces.

Self-praise refers to the act of highlighting one's positive qualities, achievements, or attributes to gain social approval, enhance self-esteem, or assert social status. Conversely, self-denigration involves intentionally downplaying one's qualities or expressing modesty, often to gain favor, display humility, or adhere to cultural norms of politeness. While these behaviors might be viewed as contradictory from Western perspectives — where self-promotion is often encouraged — in Jordanian society, both acts serve as tools to maintain social harmony and rapport. The digital sphere amplifies their visibility, leading to unique patterns of interaction that merit scholarly attention.

Previous research indicates that self-presentation on social media is influenced by cultural norms and societal expectations. In collectivist societies like Jordan, maintaining harmony and face-saving are vital. Consequently, Jordanians tend to employ self-denigration as a form of politeness to avoid arrogance or offending others, aligning with the cultural value of humility. Simultaneously, strategic self-praise is used judiciously to cultivate social capital without appearing boastful. The balance between these behaviors reflects an intricate navigation of social norms, which Spencer’s RMT aptly explains through its focus on rapport management strategies such as favor reciprocation, tact, and modesty.

Spencer’s RMT posits that individuals engage in language behaviors to manage their social relationships actively. In online contexts, these strategies extend into digital communication, where verbal and visual cues convey politeness, humility, and self-promotion. For Jordanians, social media becomes a platform for performing these rapport management tactics, blending traditional cultural values with the affordances of digital communication. For example, Jordanians might post achievements with self-deprecating comments or convey humility while subtly indicating their success, thus balancing self-praise with modesty to adhere to cultural expectations.

One significant aspect of social media self-presentation is the need to negotiate social identities in a manner that preserves relational harmony. Studies have shown that Jordanian social norms favor indirect communication, especially when discussing personal achievements or shortcomings. Such indirectness aligns with RMT's tactic of tact, which seeks to minimize potential face threats. Thus, Jordanians on social media are likely to craft their messages to appear humble or self-critical, avoiding overt arrogance or self-promotion that may threaten social rapport.

Furthermore, the role of gender in self-presentation behaviors warrants exploration. In Jordanian society, gender norms influence communication styles; women may employ more self-denigration to conform to expectations of modesty, while men might engage more in self-praise to assert dominance or status. Social media provides a space where these gendered strategies are visibly enacted and negotiated, influenced by cultural standards yet also shaped by the digital environment's immediacy and reach.

Recent studies focusing on Middle Eastern social media users reveal a nuanced approach to self-presentation, where self-praise and self-denigration coexist as complementary strategies rather than oppositional behaviors. This hybridity reflects the complex interplay of cultural norms, individual agency, and technological affordances. The application of Spencer’s RMT supports understanding these behaviors by emphasizing how users actively manage their social bonds, reputation, and face through strategic communication practices.

In terms of methodology, analyzing social media content through qualitative discourse analysis can reveal patterns of rapport management strategies employed by Jordanians. Identifying linguistic markers of politeness, humility, and self-promotion, alongside contextual cues, provides a rich understanding of how these behaviors serve relational goals. Additionally, interviews or surveys could gather insights into users' perceptions of their self-presentation strategies and the social value they associate with self-praise and self-denigration.

This literature review underscores that self-praise and self-denigration among Jordanians on social media are deeply embedded in cultural values and social norms, mediated through rapport management strategies. The integration of Spencer's RMT offers a compelling framework to interpret these behaviors, highlighting the active, strategic nature of online self-presentation aimed at maintaining social harmony and relational rapport in a culturally specific context.

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