Perceiving the Self and Others Chapter 2 Perceiving the Self and Others

Perception A cognitive process through which we interpret our experiences and come to our own unique understandings

Communication Processing Gathering, organizing, & evaluating information Goes beyond senses Involves personal factors

The Perception Process Selecting Organizing Interpreting

Schemas: Organizing Perceptions Mental structures that put together related bits of information Help you understand how things work and how they should proceed Evolve and change over time

Challenges with Schemas Mindlessness “Uh huh… what?” Selective perception We evaluate based on our schemas Undue influence Do men always know more about sports than women?

Attributions: Interpreting Perceptions Using personal characteristics to explain others’ behavior when they don’t fit into our schemas Emma: “I’m heading over to Mark’s place to help him study for our midterm. He has really been struggling this semester.” Caleb: “Well, he was never really a rocket scientist.”

Attributions Cont. Interaction appearance theory Have you ever found someone more attractive after getting to know them? Fundamental Attribution Error Attributing cause to internal factors for others Opposite for ourselves

Improving Your Perceptions Verify your perceptions Be thoughtful when seeking explanations Look beyond first impressions

Schema & Perception Exercise

Perception in a Diverse World Culture affects how we perceive ourselves & others *Remember, culture isn’t just limited to race and/or ethnicity

Perceptual Barriers The narrow perspective Stereotyping Prejudice (Cultural myopia) Stereotyping Applying your already existing schema Prejudice Based on negative stereotypes – rooted in unkindness and ill will

Discussion – “And you?” What is your opinion on Bill O’Reilly’s comments? Is it insensitive to wish someone “Merry Christmas” if one is not sure that the individual celebrates the holiday? Should salespeople avoid messages about religion entirely? How might your religious beliefs (or lack of beliefs) affect your perceptions on the issue?

Removing Perceptual Barriers Be mindful Consider multiple identities and co-cultures Expand your perspective Deconstruct your schemas

Cognition: Perceiving Ourselves Self-concept Self-esteem Self-efficacy

Self-Concept Who you think you are Influenced by thoughts, actions, abilities, values, goals, ideas… Influences how you communicate Comes from how others communicate with you Direct & indirect evidence Getting compliments vs. overhearing gossip Social comparison theory E.G. Women in magazine ads

Self-Esteem A set of attitudes you hold about your own emotions, thoughts, abilities, skills, behavior, and beliefs. How you feel about yourself in a particular situation Linked to Self-Concept: Must know yourself to have attitudes about self.

Self-Efficacy Ability to predict actual success based on yourself-concept and self-esteem Self-Efficacy determines the actual choices you will make Affects your ability to cope with failure and success Can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies “I can’t do this” often leads to less effort, and actual failure.

Assessing Our Perceptions of Self Self-Actualization The feelings & thoughts you get when you know you have negotiated a communication situation as well as you possibly could Leads to sense of satisfaction & fulfillment

Assessing Our Perceptions of Self Self-Adequacy Assessing your communication competence as sufficient or acceptable Can lead to contentment or self-improvement

Assessing Our Perceptions of Self Self-Denigration A negative assessment about a communication experience. Self-criticism Often unwarranted. Often occurs when communicators place undue importance on weaknesses

Behavior: Managing Our Identities Self-presentation Intentional communication designed to show elements of self for strategic purposes Occurs through various channels Requires self-monitoring

Behavior: Managing Our Identities Self-disclosure Revealing yourself to others by sharing personal information Must not be information easily known to others Sharing must be voluntary

Behavior: Managing Our Identities

Technology: Managing the Self Online Self-presentation can be more controlled Make conscious choices about what to reveal to others Allows for experimentation with identity

Chip Kidd