Social Influence Assessment: A Window into Your Flattery Skills

1. What Are Social Influence and Impression Management?

In everyday work and social life, we gain recognition not only by “doing things” but also by “showing ourselves,” which shapes how others see us. This deliberate process of shaping others' impressions of us is called impression management.

Among these strategies, “flattery” or “ingratiation” is a common form of impression management. It refers to raising your likability or status in others' eyes through praise, compliance, and displays of humility. It is not necessarily negative; used in moderation at work, it can help build relationships and gain resources and support.

2. Theoretical Basis: Jones and Pittman's Impression Management Model

The American social psychologists Edward E. Jones and Thaddeus S. Pittman proposed a systematic theory of impression management, dividing interpersonal influence strategies into five major categories:

• Ingratiation: making others like you through praise, help, and compliance
• Self-Promotion: displaying ability and achievements so others see you as capable
• Intimidation: using threats or a tough stance to make others feel awe
• Exemplification: showing sacrifice and dedication so others see you as dependable
• Supplication: appearing helpless to gain others' sympathy and help

This test focuses on your tendency to use and your flexibility with the ingratiation strategy, helping you understand your workplace social style and how to use influence more healthily.

3. The Five Assessment Dimensions of This Test

Drawing on Jones and Pittman's theory and real workplace scenarios, this test assesses your social influence strategies across five dimensions:

• Praise and affirmation tendency: Are you in the habit of getting closer to people through sincere praise?
• Compliance and cooperativeness: When opinions differ, do you tend to agree first and then speak up?
• Self-presentation awareness: Do you deliberately showcase your strengths and value?
• Relational sensitivity: Are you good at sensing others' preferences and emotions and going with the flow?
• Strategic flexibility: Do you adjust how you express yourself depending on the person and the setting?

4. Purpose of the Test and Who It's For

This test is for people who want to better understand their influence style in the workplace and in social life, especially:

• Young people who have just entered the workplace and want to fit into a team faster
• Those in sales, PR, management, and other roles that require frequent interpersonal interaction
• People who want to improve their communication skills and reduce interpersonal friction
• Those interested in psychology and organizational behavior

5. How Scoring Works

This test has 20 questions, each scored 1–5, from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” Based on your scores across the five dimensions, the system determines your social influence type and offers targeted communication and development suggestions.