Transcript Chapter 2 - room303ipc

Chapter 2
Summary of Concepts
Positive-Negative cycles of
self-esteem (evaluations of self worth)
Positive
thoughts
“I did
well!”
High selfesteem
Desirable
behavior
Positive
thoughts
“I can do
it!”
Positive-Negative cycles of
self-esteem (evaluations of self worth)
Negative thoughts “I
failed again”
Low selfesteem
Undesirable
behavior
Negative
thoughts “I can’t
do it!”
“Who you are” is determined through
BIOLOGICAL and SOCIAL roots
• Part of “who you are” is genetic, inherited
traits. (biological)
• Part of “who you are” has developed through
your interactions with others. (socially)
Influences on self-concept:
(#1) Reflected Appraisal
• Our self concept is based on how we THINK
others see us.
• Does this mean it’s accurate?
• Imagine getting scolded by a teacher…
– “Everyone thinks I’m a dolt!”
– “Most people are feeling sympathetic to me”
– “That girl over there thinks I’m cool for ‘taking one
for the team’”
Influences on self-concept:
(#2) Significant Others
•
•
•
•
•
People whose opinions we especially value
Family members
Friends
Teachers
An acquaintance who left an imprint
Influences on self-concept:
(#3) Social Comparison
Am
I…
Superior?
Inferior?
Alike?
Different?
Influences on self-concept:
(#4) Reference Groups
• Which groups do we choose to compare
ourselves to?
• What significance do we attach to the
reference groups?
After Age 30…
• Self-concept doesn’t change much without a
conscious effort.
Characteristics of self-concept:
(#1) Self-concept is subjective
• “Subjective” means “based on personal
feelings rather than facts”
• Distortions
– Obsolete information (no longer true)
– Distorted feedback (“bad” information)
– Perfection (unrealistic comparison)
Characteristics of self-concept:
(#2) Self-concept resists change
• “Cognitive conservatism” means paying
attention to information that reinforces our
current belief.
• We seek out people who reinforce our
perception of ourselves. (People with low
self-esteem are likely to interact with those
who view them unfavorably.)
Culture and Identity
• America is a highly individualistic culture.
• China is a collective culture (people gain
identity by belonging to a group)
• In Chinese, the word “I” is similar to the word
“selfish.”
• In some societies reticence (quietness) is
valued.
Gender and Identity
• Who would you be if you were of the opposite
sex?
Gender and Identity
• Society’s expectations of gender roles can
impact self-esteem
• “Little girls are more likely to be reinforced for
acting ‘sweet’ than are little boys.” (p. 58)
• My son is sensitive and introspective. Society
has not always rewarded this.
Self-fulfilling Prophecy and
Communication
Holding an
expectation (for
yourself or for others)
Behaving in
accordance with that
expectation
Reinforcing the
original expectation
The expectation
coming to pass
Self-fulfilling Prophecy and
Communication
Expecting to be
ignored at lunch
You think of
yourself as
unlikeable
Staring at your
tray, not talking to
anyone.
You are ignored!
Self-fulfilling Prophecy and
Communication
Expecting to be
included at lunch
Looking up,
smiling, starting a
conversation
You think of
yourself as liked
You are included!
Self-fulfilling Prophecy and
Communication
Expecting to have
difficulty talking to
Mr. Croghan
You think of
yourself as unable
to communicate
successfully with
authorities
Scowling, rolling
your eyes, thinking
negatively
Tense, difficult
discussion
Self-fulfilling Prophecy and
Communication
Expecting your
classmates to like
you
You think of
yourself as likeable
and successful
among your
classmates
Offering help,
smiling, inviting
them to join you
Classmates
respond well to you
Self-fulfilling Prophecy and
Communication – Write your own!
Expecting…
Expectation
reinforced…
Behaving…
Expectation
comes to pass…
CHANGING YOUR SELF-CONCEPT!
• 1) Have REALISTIC PERCEPTION
– HAVE you been receiving “prickly” or “fuzzy”
messages?
– Consider homemakers who return to college
(p.61)
– HAVE you received excessively negative feedback?
CHANGING YOUR SELF-CONCEPT!
• 2) Have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
– Remember the stages of learning a new skill!
– It takes practice to analyze the factors influencing
your self-concept.
– It takes practice to use POSITIVE self-fulfilling
prophecy.
– It takes effort to surround yourself with people
who will help you change your self-concept.
CHANGING YOUR SELF-CONCEPT!
• 3) Have the WILL to change!
– Activity (page 63) Reevaluating Your “Cant’s”
Think of 3 “can’ts” in your communication:
I can’t ask __________ for help.
I can’t tell _____________ how I feel.
I can’t express ____________very well.
CHANGING YOUR SELF-CONCEPT!
• 3) Have the WILL to change!
– Activity (page 63) Reevaluating Your “Cant’s”
Consider replacing “can’t” with “won’t”:
I won’t ask __________ for help.
I won’t tell _____________ how I feel.
I won’t express ____________very well.
Does that change the way you look at “can’t?
CHANGING YOUR SELF-CONCEPT!
• 3) Have the SKILL to change!
– SEEK knowledge (like this class)
– Observe models (people who handle themselves
in ways you would like to master)
– Become a careful observer; adapt successful
behavior to fit your style
– Don’t give up easily!
Presenting the Self: Communication as
Identity Management
•IM? “Communication
strategies that people
use to influence how
others view them.”
Presenting the Self:
Public and Private Selves
•“Perceived self” is the
person we believe
ourselves to be in
moments of honest
examination.
Presenting the Self:
Public and Private Selves
•“Presenting self” is a
public image—the way
we want others to view
us. (Dan on cell phone example.)
Presenting the Self:
Characteristics of IM
• We strive to construct multiple
identities.
–This is an element of
communication competence.
–Language will reflect your
choice of presenting yourself.
Presenting the Self:
Characteristics of IM
•IM is collaborative
(involving others)
–Our “identity” is created
through interactions
with others
Presenting the Self:
Characteristics of IM
•IM can be deliberate or
unconscious
–Job interviews
–Self at home
Presenting the Self:
Characteristics of IM
•IM varies by situation
–First days of school
–Getting to know
someone
Presenting the Self:
WHY MANAGE IDENTITIES?
•To start and maintain
relationships
–“Best side” vs. “Phony”
Presenting the Self:
WHY MANAGE IDENTITIES?
• To gain compliance of
others
–To get others to behave
(respond to us) in certain
ways
–Dress for success (?)
Presenting the Self:
WHY MANAGE IDENTITIES?
•To save face of others
–Politeness
–Restrain impulses that
might make others
uncomfortable
Presenting the Self:
HOW DO WE MANAGE IDENTITIES?
• Face-to-face Impression
Management
–Manner (words and nonverbal
actions)
–Appearance (what you “announce”
through dress and personal items)
–Setting (car, home, locker)
• Professor at college example
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management in CMC
• CMC offers more control
than face-to-face
impression management
–Instant Messaging
–Broadcasting
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management in CMC
• Because CMC offers more
control than face-to-face
impression management
–Easy to present false self
–Preferred when selfpresentation is threatened
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management & HONESTY
•Managing identities
does not make you a liar.
•We are always making
decisions about our
presentation.
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management & HONESTY
•Each of us has a “cast of
characters”
•There are multiple
HONEST ways to
respond to situations.
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management & HONESTY
Someone says something unkind
about your friend. What are
possible HONEST ways to
respond? Which identity does
your response promote?
As a calm
peacemaker
As an angry
fighter
As a loyal friend
As a brave
non-fighter
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management & HONESTY
Your teacher embarrasses
you in class. What are
possible HONEST ways to
respond? Which identity
does your response
promote?
With anger With humor
Privately after
class
With silent
acceptance
With a
polite
statement
of your
feelings
Presenting the Self:
Identity Management & HONESTY
You don’t agree with your
boss. What are some
possible HONEST responses?
What “identity” does each
response promote?
Saying
nothing;
choosing not
to respond.
Politely stating
your
disagreement.
Rolling your
eyes; later telling
a friend about it.
Stating your
disagreement
forcefully.