3- Communication and the Self 1. Understanding the Self: Self-Concept 2. Valuing the Self: Self-Esteem 3. Presenting the Self: Image Management 4. Communicating the Self: Self-Disclosure

Reflection Who are you? How do you see yourself? How do others see you?

Self-Concept Composed of those stable ideas over the course of life/ how you believe you are most of the time Self-Concept or “Identity” is multifaceted, partly subjective, and enduring but changeable

Multifaceted Multiple Selves- smaller selves that represent only one aspect of who a person is physical or social categories (woman, American) skills or interests (painter, artistic) Relationships/ roles (mother, student) evaluations (outgoing)

Big 5 Personality Traits 1. openness 2. conscientiousness 3. extroversion 4. agreeableness 5. neuroticism How would you describe yourself according to the Big 5 Personality Traits? Is this good or bad?

Partly Subjective Based on impressions of ourselves rather than facts. Facts: race, physical traits, age, profession Impressions: intelligence, talents, personality traits, individuality, attractiveness Is your self-concept more positive or negative? Self-Esteem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DdM-4siaQw

Social Behavior High Self-Esteem Low Self-Esteem more outgoing/ confident more aggressive more sexually active initiate/ end relationships antisocial/ social anxiety loneliness/ depression substitute interpersonal relationships w/ media

Culture and Self-Esteem High Self-Esteem (In order): African Americans, Non-Hispanic Caucasians, Hispanic, Native American, Asian Discrimination and Stigma aside: 1. value at what they excel, 2. attribute problems to prejudices in society rather than own behavior, 3. compare themselves with others in own group

Enduring but Changeable Self-Concept is developed over a lifetime and affected by factors Personality and Biology (the way you tend to think and act) > where we grew up, how we were raised, biological genes and traits Culture and Gender Roles (the groups we belong) > emphasis on tendencies of roles Reflected Appraisal (beliefs concerning what others think) > positive and negative messages Social Comparison (comparing oneself to others) > reference groups or peers

Awareness and Management Self-Monitoring Positives Negatives think of how the way we look or sound affects others manage an impression make others feel at ease more intuitive about others feelings hard to relax and live in the moment/ “over- thinkers” Seen as less genuine and trustworthy

Awareness and Management Self-Fulfilling Prophecy A situation in which a prediction causes people to act and communicate in ways that make the prediction come true Expectations lead you to act in a certain way that alters the communication Example: Shy Co-worker/ Bad kid/ “Boys will be boys”

Seeing Ourselves and Others High Self-Esteem Low Self-Esteem happier (individualistic) recognize and manage emotions (emotional intelligence) more negative more judgmental more prejudices predictor of suicide

Performance Performance is limited to social and emotional areas No support that self-esteem benefits academic performance or job performance Building self-esteem can lead to unsupported confidence

Activity Perception- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o U0uNGUxdyo

Presenting the Self: Image Management Image- the way one wishes to be seen or perceived by others Image Management- the process of projecting one’s desired public image

Managing Image Collaborative- A life story based on self-concept influenced by others Multiple Identities- The role exhibited in the context of others: friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances. (Invisible Medical Conditions) Complex- Competing goals/ creating narratives to preserve image

Managing Face Face- desired pubic image facework- behaviors used to project desired image face needs- components of desired image (fellowship, autonomy, and competence) fellowship face- need to feel liked and accepted autonomy- need to avoid feeling imposed upon by others competence- need to be respected and viewed as competent and intelligent face- threatening act- any behavior that threatens one or more face needs

Self-Disclosure Benefits Risks enhances relationships and trust reciprocity emotional release assistance to others rejection obligating others hurting others violating others privacy/ gossip

Breadth and Depth: Social Penetration Theory (The Onion)

The 4-Part Self Open- known to both Hidden- known to self Blind- known to others but not self Unknown- known to neither the self or others

Disclosing Online hyperpersonal- more personal in nature than if face-to-face Can be liberating or damaging Text trail postcyberdisclosure- regret or distress about info that they or others posted