INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION Unit 3 Seminar Self-concept and communication

SELF CONCEPT The relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of yourself. SELF ESTEEM The part of the self-concept that involves evaluations of self-worth.

Self-concept Values – refers to your relatively permanent ideas of what is good or bad, worthwhile or not. Beliefs – what you think is true based on logic. Attitudes – refer to more specific application of your values. How you act. Feeling – emotional responses to things such as events, people, places or situations

Public Public-private Private Self-disclosure This is the process of sharing personal information or feelings with others. This process is often difficult. This process can take place in three settings. Public Public-private Private Factors that influence self-disclosure include 1. The place 2. The person or group

Communication behavior People change their communication in direct response to the situation, place and people. Situation – with the Dean, in trouble Place – in class, after school, at Mass, People – teachers, parents, friends

For discussion What do you remember being told as a child that still influences your behavior today in a negative way? In a positive way?

BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ROOTS OF THE SELF Biology 1. Personality Socialization 1. Reflected Appraisal Significant Others 2. Social Comparison Reference Groups

CHARACTERISTICS OF SELF-CONCEPT The self-concept is subjective. Obsolete information Distorted feedback Myth of perfection Social expectations The self-concept resists change. Cognitive conservatism

INFLUENCES ON IDENTITY Culture Sex and Gender

For discussion How are your identity and social views defined, sustained, and reinforced by the cultures within which you immerse your life?

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY Occurs when a person’s expectations of an event and her/his subsequent behavior based on those expectations make the outcome more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true. Two types: self-imposed others-imposed

Changing your self-concept Have a realistic perception of yourself. Have realistic expectations. Have the will to change. Have the skill to change.

IDENTITY MANAGEMENT The communication strategies people use to influence how others view them. PERCEIVED SELF: the person you believe yourself to be in moments of honest self-examination PRESENTING SELF: the way we want others to view us

For discussion What is a strong value, belief, or attitude you have that you learned from your family while growing up?

CHARACTERISTICS OF IDENTITY MANAGEMENT We strive to construct multiple identities. Identity management is collaborative. Identity management can be deliberate or unconscious. Identity management varies by situation. People differ in their degree of identity management.

For discussion How might you benefit from changing your self-concept?

HOW DO WE MANAGE IMPRESSIONS? WHY MANAGE IDENTITIES? To start & manage relationships; adhere to social rules To gain compliance of others; accomplish personal goals To save others’ face HOW DO WE MANAGE IMPRESSIONS? Face-to-face: manner, appearance, setting Mediated: choices to include and exclude

For discussion What are some general world views that you hold? Where did you learn them?