Types of image

What is an image and what is it like? There are many different definitions of the term "image". If we summarize all existing points of view, then we can characterize it as an image created for a person, team or business object, used for personal or commercial purposes. In essence, this is the most beneficial, accurately selected information that should be conveyed to others. Let's take a look at the main approaches to image classification.

An individual image, as the name suggests, is the reputation of an individual. It can be judged in several ways. For example, in appearance - clothes, make-up, haircut, accessories, the degree of neatness, that is, according to his habit. This component of the image is called overall.

The image of a person carries a lot of information. So, a torn off button, a dirty shirt collar and unkempt nails indicate an absent-minded and sloppy person. An earthy complexion indicates bad habits or health problems. Excessive makeup betrays a vulgar, promiscuous person.

A person whose appearance is impeccable is always perceived better, and she also feels more confident. Most of us experience serious discomfort if we are forced to appear in public in used clothes, with a dirty head or skin imperfections.Everyone knows the wisdom "they meet by their clothes", and this is 100% true, therefore, a personal habitual image is important for the formation of the attitude of others.

The environmental image is an opinion about a person, which is created on the basis of an assessment of his living environment and communication. This includes a whole range of factors:

• people with whom a person communicates;
• dwelling;
• office / cabinet;
• Personal car.

It should be noted that the habitat does not necessarily depend on the person himself, however, it significantly affects his reputation.

A verbal image is an assessment of a person based on what a person says or how he writes. Oral and written speech are one of the stable characteristics of a person. The manner of expressing one's thoughts, voice, vocabulary and grammatical structure used can either create an attractive image of a person, or completely destroy it, charm the interlocutor, or, conversely, turn away. Pronunciation directly indicates a person's social affiliation. It's no secret that a communicative image is of tremendous importance in a business environment - usually those who speak better become leaders.

According to facial expressions, gestures, as well as posture, speech intonations and personal distance, a kinetic image is formed. Metal - in this case, assessments and judgments are made on the basis of an analysis of the principles of a person, his morality, beliefs and worldview, they can make a person both pleasant for communication and, on the contrary, uninteresting. Background - this includes what others (acquaintances, relatives, colleagues or the media) say about a particular character. Image on the Internet - here we mean the assessment of a person's activity on the Web, what he forgives, what pictures and photos he uploads, how he comments. Nowadays, the Internet has become an integral part of the life of a modern person, therefore it is a full-fledged and significant source of interesting information about people.

Corporate image is the reputation of an organization, which is the totality of the perception of a firm by many people. Usually, the impression of a company is formed in the process of personal contacts of people with one or another enterprise, from media reports, as well as gossip and rumors circulating in society. The corporate image is formed on the basis of an analysis of the internal, external and entrepreneurial qualities of the organization.

The external image consists of several components:

• brand image and products;
• understanding people about the characteristics of the offered products and services;
• characteristics of the main consumers of goods, their social status and financial position.

The internal component of the corporate image reflects the level of culture of the enterprise as a whole, it includes:

• assessment of the actions and competence of management personnel;
• the visual image of the company - involves an assessment of the office, interior, branding and dress code of employees.

The image of a company does not exist by itself, it is closely related to what is happening both within the company and far beyond its boundaries.... The activities of any enterprise and, accordingly, its image in the eyes of ordinary consumers can be influenced by the regulatory framework in the country, as well as business partners (suppliers, buyers, creditors). It would be correct to say that corporate image does not exist on its own - it "works" in conjunction with the opinions of people who are associated with the enterprise.

Researchers of the image identify 3 main approaches to the classification of its varieties: functional, as well as contextual and comparative. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.

The functional approach assumes several possible varieties of the image.

• Mirror - this kind of image, which is characterized by our own ideas about ourselves. In this case, the person seems to look in the mirror and talks about his merits and demerits, characteristic features. Usually, this option assumes positive judgments, since it is common for people to put dignity to the fore in a personal assessment, an unfavorable opinion from the outside is practically not perceived. Such an image can determine leadership traits, ideas about certain specialties, professions.
• Current image - this option is the opposite of the mirror one and assumes an outside opinion. It is in this area that promotion, advertising and PR are widely used - a lack of information, misunderstandings and personal prejudices often form a reputation lower than real actions and deeds. The current image does not always shape the view of the audience as a whole; it can be the opinions of journalists, clients, students or voters. One of the most important tasks in this case is the formation of not so much a positive image as a correct and adequate one.
• Desired image. Everything is clear here - this is the reputation we strive for. Such a halo is especially relevant for individuals, as well as for newly created structures. Usually, at the beginning of their activity, few people know about them, therefore the desired image in this situation appears as qualitatively possible.

The contextual approach to assessing the image assumes that it is systemic in nature, taking into account the conditions for its implementation, while its individual components should not conflict with each other. It is a systematic assessment of reputation that allows one visible characteristic to evoke associations with accompanying traits. It should be understood that the task of gaining universal recognition in this case is far from obligatory.

Comparative image involves comparing two or more image characteristics. For example, when assessing the professionalism of a teacher, the quality of teaching, student feedback, a proven learning outcome in the form of the results of Olympiads, exams, conferences and other scientific events can be considered. According to the estimate a person makes a decision for himself to go to a particular teacher or choose the option of independent study of the issue.

There are several other classifications of the image. So, depending on the emotional coloring, there are two types of reputation.

• Positive - in this case, a person or a company is perceived in a favorable way, it is to achieve such an image that all advertising activity of any company is directed.
• Negative - quite often it becomes a consequence of the activity of competitors who resort to "black" PR. This is often done implicitly and indirectly using “covert coercion” technology.

Depending on the direction of advertising activities, the following types are distinguished.

• Perceived image - this is how a person or company is seen by others, while people may not even guess how they are treated and how they are actually responded to.
• Required - this applies to a greater extent to the business sphere, when some specialties require quite certain image characteristics.For example, these include the royal crown, judicial gown and military uniform - they are included in the list of symbols required to fulfill specific social and service roles.

Depending on the principle of the formation of the image, we will single out such variants of the image.

• Spontaneous - the one that developed naturally. It can have both positive and negative connotations.
• Purposeful - takes place when a reputation is created artificially in order to form a favorable or negative attitude towards a particular subject.

Depending on the characteristics of perception:

• rational image - it is focused on a narrow circle of people competent in a particular area;
• emotional - designed for a wide range of people.

This is especially true in business and political technology, although the opinion of others is often of key importance in building personal relationships.

For the types of image that form personal attractiveness, see the video below.