Identifying the mental patterns of students in applying the Impression Management tactics by Q method

The main purpose of this research is to identify the prominent behaviors of impression management of students in the academic setting and classify students based on their mental patterns in applying impression management behaviors and tactics and describe and interpret each pattern. In this study by using the Q methodology, first the behaviors involved in impression management in the educational setting were identified and the mental patterns of different students based on the priorities of the application of their impression management tactics was identified and described. This research is practical based on purpose. It is also exploratory in the nature of research and descriptive-survey in terms of data collection. The data of this research are mixed (combined or quantitative-qualitative). The qualitative part of this research was carried out through unstructured interviews with purposeful sampling in order to provide a space for discourse and Q sample design; 62 statements and 33 items Received. The quantitative part of this study was performed to identify and categorize mental patterns using Q-factor analysis. The results of this study indicated that there are five main mental patterns in the application of illustration management tactics called hyperactives, oblivious, law-abidings, opportunistics, and clevers among the students studied. These five groups covered about 85% of the total variance. improving the students' impressiom behaviors, teaching and promoting culture among students is one of the methods such as programs and socio-cultural events with the aim of reducing violent and hostile behaviors and creating a happy atmosphere in the university.