Who are you? Describe one of the following with a few words: Your current moods or feelings Your current appearance Your current strong beliefs Your current social roles

Chapter 3 Connecting Self and Communication Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Understanding Self-Concept Our self-concept is our perceived self. It consists of two components: Self-image, a person’s mental picture of him- or herself Self-esteem, a person’s feelings and attitudes toward him- or herself Self-concept and perception are closely related.

Figure 3.1: The Self-Concept Self-concept is determined by our experiences and communication with others, the roles and values we have selected for ourselves, our perception of how we think others see us, and how we evaluate ourselves.

Self-Concept as a Process Constantly changing Self perceptions and perceptions others have of us change from Time to time Situation to situation Person to person

Justin the Ken Doll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZG4CtXjoY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuKAslyzCMI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHnWY_RkCAQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGVrLuMIbdc What steps can you take to help others improve their self-concept? How do we use impression management techniques to create a positive image of ourselves?

Development of Self-Concept Sensing our environment Parental Communication Others’ communication Photo courtesy of Marilyn Shaw Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Development of Self-Concept Values Attitudes Beliefs Broad-based ideals, relatively long-lasting Example: Competent communication makes a successful life. Feelings or positions about ourselves, others, ideas, or objects Example: Competent communicators are more successful. Convictions in the truth of something that lacks absolute truth Example: Competent communication will make one successful. Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Understanding Self-Concept Communication and Self-Concept Communication affects our self-concept. Our perceptions of how others respond to us affect our self-concept. Self-concept affects how we behave. According to social psychologist John W. Kinch, our behavior is directly related to how others react to our behavior. The personal-social identity continuum identifies the two ways the self can be categorized: at a personal level and at a social identity level.

Figure 3.2: Kinch’s Model of the Connection between Self-Concept and Communication Kinch illustrates the relationship between self-concept and communication. Our self-concept is based on our communication with others. Source: J. Kinch, “A Formalized Theory of the Self-Concept,” American Journal of Sociology 68 (January 1963): 481–486. University of Chicago Press. Reprinted by permission.

Culture and Self-Concept Facework: ways we act to maintain our own presenting image and the images of others Individualistic orientation: tendency to stress personal goals and achievements over group goals and achievements Collectivistic orientation: group goals over individual goals

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Impression Management Above-Average effect Impression Management Perceived self Presenting self Facework Photo from ch 3 page 77 The New Yorker Collection 1993 Peter Steiner from cartoonbank.com. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gender and Self-Concept Gender is a crucial element in our personal and social identity. Sex and Gender Terms are often used interchangeably. Gender refers to socially constructed behaviors that are learned. Sex is defined in biological terms.

Gender and Self-Concept Gender Stereotypes Stereotypes and narrowly defined role expectations are still accepted by many in Western culture and even more so in certain other cultures. Gender Expectations Sex differences in communication result from gender expectations. Despite some strides toward equality of the sexes, many cultures still have a cultural bias toward masculinity.

Gender and Self-Concept https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkTb3Y1CDcA Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Improving Self Decide what you would like to change or improve about yourself. Describe why you feel the way you do about yourself. Make a commitment to improve or change. Set reasonable goals for yourself. Decide on the specific actions you are going to take. Associate with positive people whenever possible.

Social Media and Self-Concept Our attitude toward online communication also influences our self-concept. This orientation toward social media is called online communication attitude. Researchers have identified five attitudes that shape how we approach communication through social media: Online self-disclosure Online social connection Convenience Online Communication Apprehension Miscommunication

Social Media and Self-Concept Online Self-Disclosure Online self-disclosure is the degree to which an individual self-regulates what he or she reveals about him- or herself using social media. Online Social Connection Online social connection is the belief that online communication enables social contact.

Social Media and Self-Concept Convenience Convenience is the ease with which people connect with others through social media. Online Apprehension Online communication apprehension is anxiety and nervousness associated with communicating through social media.

Social Media and Self-Concept Miscommunication Miscommunication is the understanding that social media may naturally inhibit the clarity of communication.

Catfish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QjESEPl hCg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x16L6NP z0qI&list=PL1nRUSjRCX63NYyextTs5X5GL8g7xF En_ (the reveal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODJR3H1 yx9s (celebrity) What is a catfish? What are the dangers of catfishing? What did you learn from this episode of Catfish?

Social Media and Your Real Identity? Jot down what you believe your Facebook page communicates about you. Then show your page to a classmate who knows little, if anything about you and ask this classmate to describe your social identity or image on the basis of what he or she sees on your page. Ask the following: How would you describe me? What did you specifically see on my FB page that brought you to that conclusion?

Group Project Work Time Get into your groups. Project 1: Identify your issue Identify at least 5 failed solutions Identify 3 feasible solutions Project 2: Call/contact the organization and setup a time to volunteer. Identify what date and time your group will volunteer. All groups must turn in a sheet of notebook paper addressing these areas before leaving. Also, I must speak with all group members when turning in assignment.

Quiz 3

Next Time Chapter 4