Communication and the Self Prof. Tamara Arrington COM 252 University of Kentucky

Your Professor’s Self-Concept http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=white+and+nerdy&aq=0&oq=white+and

Our Self-Concept Begins to develop at about 6 or 7 months Almost totally a product of social interaction – through reflected appraisal and social comparison

Elements of the Self-Concept Social Roles Physical Characteristics Intellectual Characteristics Attitudes Social Characteristics Personality Characteristics Material Charactersitics Values Skills and Accomplishments Emotional States Talents Beliefs Likes/Dislikes Health Friendships Mating Relationship(s)

2 Theories Reflected Appraisal – perceptions of the judgements of those around us Judgements of significant others are especially salient. Social Comparison – evaluating ourselves in terms of how we compare to others We use reference groups as a basis of comparison.

The Looking-Glass Self Charles Horton Cooley (1912) Labeled this “reflected appraisal” “Each to each a looking glass, reflects the other that doth pass.”

What Makes An Appraisal Important? Someone we see as competent offers it The appraisal is seen as highly personal It is reasonable in light of what we believe about ourselves The appraisals are consistent and numerous

Cooley’s 3 Elements of the Self-Concept How we think we appear to the other person How we think that person judges our appearance How we feel about ourselves in reaction to the other’s perception of us. Each individual develops a self-concept that matches the way they believe others see them.

Characteristics of the Self-Concept It is subjective (based on perception) A healthy self-concept is flexible The self-concept resists change (believed to be set well by age 30)

Changing Your Self-Concept Have a realistic perception of yourself Have the will to change Have the skill to change Recognize the power of self-fulfilling prophecies

Self-Esteem Is the part of the self-concept that evaluates self-worth Is how you feel about those qualities in your self-concept Is relatively stable across the lifespan

Persons With High (+) Self-Esteem Hamachek (1982) Are likely to think well of others Expect to be accepted by others Evaluate their own performance more favorably Perform well while being watched – do not fear other’s reactions Work harder for people who demand high standards of performance Feel comfortable with others whom they view as superior Are able to defend themselves against negative comments

Persons With Low (-) Self-Esteem Hamachek (1982) Are likely to disapprove of others Expect to be rejected by others Evaluate their own performance less favorably Perform poorly while being watched Work harder for undemanding, less critical people Feel threatened by people they view as superior in some way Sensitive to possible negative reactions Have difficulty defending themselves Are more easily influenced

William James (1890) The Empirical Self The material self The social self The spiritual self

George Herbert Mead 1863-1931 “Mind, Self, & Society” (1934)                                                                                              George Herbert Mead 1863-1931 “Mind, Self, & Society” (1934) The self emerges from social interactions. In this process, the individual takes on the role of the “other” and internalizes the attitudes s/he perceives in both real and imagined others.

George Herbert Mead 1863-1931 Components of the Self: The I The Me                                                                                              George Herbert Mead 1863-1931 Components of the Self: The I The Me The Generalized Other

Erving M. Goffman (1922-1982) Identity management Public & private selves The perceived self and the presenting self Face - the socially approved identity Facework – the ways in which we act to maintain “face” We maintain “front” and “back regions”. “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” (1967)

Characteristics of Identity Management We strive to construct multiple identities Identity management is collaborative (with an “audience”) Can be deliberate or unconscious People differ in their degree of identity management

How Do We Manage Impressions? In face-to-face interactions In mediated communication Emoticons, avatars

I’m So Much Cooler Online http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GcVnhNjWV0