1. Self Concepts

2. On a scrap piece of paper, describe yourself.
Not turning this is – give them about 5 minutes. Talk through-out about how they answered this question.

3. Take-Away Points 5 aspects of self 3 types of communicator styles
Main concepts
If I gave you an example of what someone wrote to describe themselves, be able to tell me which of the 5 aspects it would be classified as
3 types of communicator styles
Darnell & Brockriede’s 3 Communication Styles
If I gave you an example of how someone was communicating, could you identify which style it was and the characteristics that fit with that style?
Attachment Styles
What is attachment theory? What are the 4 types and the outcomes?
Norton’s 10 Communication Styles
Know the general concept
Don’t need to memorize the 10 styles

4. There are 5 Different Ways to “Define” Self
Self as narrative
Self as cognitive schema
Self as behavioral indicators
Self as relational achievement
Self as internal dialogue

5. 1) Self as narrative is life in a story format, in which we are the main character.
Turn to partner and discuss the last part
Self concept is fashioned as a narrative
We are the main character
Complicated and ongoing
Organize all of our information in story format
Creating order out of chaos

6. Self-narratives are shaped and reshaped in our telling of our story to others.

7. Health or illness narratives are one example of self as narrative.
Health/illness narratives
How do people redefine themselves when they are chronically ill?
How does illness play a role in one’s self concept?
Illness treatment?
Photo Credit: Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada,
Photo Credit: Breast Cancer photo project, storyboardlife.com

8. How many people used a narrative to describe themselves?

9. 2) Self as cognitive schema is the schemas that organize and guide the processing of self-related information.

10. Pick out two words that you would use to describe yourself.
Funny
Optimistic
Loveable
Crazy
Giving
Partier
Hardcore
Dedicated
Dynamic
Caring
Friendly
Calm
Outgoing
Kind
Spontaneous
Ridiculous
Loyal
Pessimistic
Trustworthy
Silly
Smart
Fun

11. Pick out two words that are NEUTRAL in describing yourself.
Funny
Optimistic
Loveable
Crazy
Giving
Partier
Hardcore
Dedicated
Dynamic
Caring
Friendly
Calm
Outgoing
Kind
Spontaneous
Ridiculous
Loyal
Pessimistic
Trustworthy
Silly
Smart
Fun

12. Think of at least one experience that goes with each of the first two words. Can you think of an experience that goes with the second two words?

13. 2) A life script is a relatively fixed way of thinking about the self and relating to others.
How does life script fit within the concept of self-schema?

14. 2) Self-handicapping strategy is an action or choice that prevents the person from being responsible for failure.
Externalize Failure
Internalize Success

15. Discussion Question
Self handicapping is a process when people create excuses ahead of time to prevent failure, in what type of instances do you feel people use self handicapping the most?
Can you think of a time where
you used self-handicapping?

16. 2) One critique of the self as schema perspective is that interaction is not taken into account.

17. 3) Self as behavioral indicators is a reflexive relationship between the way we act and who we are.
Self-Perception Theory, Looking Glass Theory
Self-Understanding
Communication
and Behavior
My example: when my class told me I say “dude” a lot
Self-perception theory
We observe behavior and then
infer what kind of person we are
Friends can point out behavior
Looking glass concept!

18. Note: You may still have one view of yourself.
4) Self as relational self is when you describe yourself differently based on with whom you are interacting.
Note: You may still have one view of yourself.

19. Discussion Question
William James stated that every person “has as many different social selves as there are distinct groups of person about whose opinions he cares”. Do you agree?
Do we really have different selves or are they just different parts of one personality?

20. 5) Self as internal dialogue is system of selves that engage in dialogue and can help shape identity.

21. When do you talk to yourself? How does this influence your self image?

22. Take-Away Points Vocab: Life script, self-handicapping strategy
5 aspects of self
Main concepts
If I gave you an example of what someone wrote to describe themselves, be able to tell me which of the 5 aspects it would be classified as
Darnell & Brockriede’s 3 Communication Styles
If I gave you an example of how someone was communicating, could you identify which style it was and the characteristics that fit with that style?
Attachment Styles
What is attachment theory? What are the 4 types and the outcomes?
Norton’s 10 Communication Styles
Know the general concept
Don’t need to memorize the 10 styles

23. Darnell & Brockriede’s Communication Style
Noble Self
Rhetorical Reflector
Rhetorical Sensitive

24. Noble Self Self-schema = consistency Values consistency above all else
I am me and I’m going to act like it
Accurate representation of self takes precedence over social appropriateness
Loudness
“Well it’s true, isn’t it?”

25. Rhetorical Reflector Self-schema = appropriate to situation
Present a self that fits the situation
Lack consistency
Tells people what they want to hear

26. Rhetorical Sensitive More complex self-schema
Noble Self and Rhetorical Reflector
Single Self……..New Self to Every Situation
Overly Consistent……..Overly Appropriate
No Regard for Other……..Tries to Placate Other
Thinks about communication before, during, and after interaction
Realizes there are times when it’s best not to communicate an idea
Seen as highly competent

27. Can you switch between these types of selves?

28. How do these concepts of self influence communication?
Discussion
How do these three categories link to other things that we’ve talked about in class?
How do these concepts of self influence communication?

29. Attachment Theory Care-giver’s treatment of infants
Can be positive or negative
Influences infants’ image of self
Influence infants’ image of others
The images of self and others determine an infant’s attachment style
Attachment style develops at infancy
Continues to develop throughout life
Influences people’s actions as adults

30. Attachment Styles Negative Self-Image Positive Self-Image Secure Style
Positive Other-Image
Secure Style
Highly sociable behavior
Comfortable with intimacy
Comfortable with autonomy
Preoccupied Style
Highly dependent on others
Seeks person who makes them feel good; can become too clingy
Negative Other-Image
Dismissing Style
Denys need for attachment/relationships
Values autonomy
Spends energy on impersonal things (e.g., work)
Fearful Style
Dependent on others for acceptance
Lacks trust in others
Likely to avoid social situations and close relationships

31. Norton’s Communicator Styles
10 different communicator styles
From these styles make a “communicator profile”
Combination of styles
Dominant style in a certain situation

32. Take-Away Points
Vocab: Life script, self-handicapping strategy (recognize example)
5 aspects of self
Main concepts
If I gave you an example of what someone wrote to describe themselves, be able to tell me which of the 5 aspects it would be classified as
Darnell & Brockriede’s 3 Communication Styles
If I gave you an example of how someone was communicating, could you identify which style it was and the characteristics that fit with that style?
Attachment Styles
What is attachment theory? What are the 4 types and the outcomes?
Norton’s 10 Communication Styles
Know the general concept
Don’t need to memorize the 10 styles