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Interpersonal Communication and the Self
Chapter 3 Interpersonal Communication and the Self
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Communication and the Self-Concept
Relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of yourself Self-esteem: Part of the self-concept that involves evaluations of self-worth How does high or low self-esteem affect communication behavior?
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How the Self-Concept Develops
Reflected appraisal: A mirroring of the judgments of those around you “Significant others”: People whose evaluations are especially influential How is the self-concept formed through reflected appraisal? What are some potential pitfalls of reflected appraisal?
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How the Self-Concept Develops
Social comparison: Evaluating selves in terms of how we compare with others Reference groups: People against whom we evaluate our own characteristics
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Characteristics of the Self-Concept
The self-concept is subjective We inflate and/or underestimate our self-perception Why? obsolete information distorted feedback the myth of perfection social expectations
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Characteristics of the Self-Concept
A healthy self-concept is flexible The self-concept resists change Cognitive conservatism: Seeking information that conforms to an existing self-concept
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Changing Our Self-Concept
Four requirements: Trusting an appraisal by someone we see as competent to offer it Appraisal must be perceived as highly personal Appraisal must be reasonable in light of what we believe about ourselves Appraisal must be consistent and numerous
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The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Communication
When a person’s expectations of an event and his or her subsequent behavior based on those expectations make the outcome more likely to occur than would otherwise have been the case. Four stages: Holding an expectation (for yourself or for others) Behaving in accordance with that expectation The expectation coming to pass Reinforcing the original expectation
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Types of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Self-imposed prophecies Our expectations influence our behavior “Communicators who believed they were incompetent proved less likely than others to pursue rewarding relationships and more likely to sabotage their existing relationships.” When one person’s expectations govern another’s actions, whether positive or negative Observer must communicate their belief for the prediction to have an effect
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Identity Management The communication strategies people use to influence how others view them We strive to construct multiple identities What are some different contexts or situations in which you may construct different identities?
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Public and Private Selves
Perceived self: The person you believe yourself to be in moments of honest self-reflection Presenting self: The way we want to appear to others “Facework”: Verbal & nonverbal ways we act In order to maintain our presenting image & the image of others
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Characteristics of Identity Management
We strive to construct multiple identities. Identity management is collaborative. We improvise scenes where our character reacts with others.
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Characteristics of Identity Management
Identity management can be deliberate or unconscious. What situations would require deliberate identity management? We unconsciously act in small public performances Making a particular facial expression or using a particular tone of voice.
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Face-to-Face Impression Management
Manner Words Nonverbal actions Appearance Personal items people use to shape an image Setting Physical items we use to influence how others view us What are some examples of the above that you can think of
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Impression Management in Social Media
The Internet Offers opportunity to present self in a variety of ways. In mediated identity management, how do the factors of manner, appearance, and setting change? How do these changes make it easier or more difficult to manage identity? Here’s a video depicting online deception. This is an ABC news clip depicting “catfishing,” or online dating scams.
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Identity Management and Honesty
People sometimes misrepresent themselves to gain the trust of others. Deception in cyberspace is common. There is not only one honest way to behave in every circumstance. Impression management involves deciding which face (which part of yourself) to reveal.
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Disclosing the Self Self-disclosure: Factors of self-disclosure:
Information about us that is purposefully communicated to others Factors of self-disclosure: Honesty Depth Availability of information Context of sharing Video Clip Every verbal or nonverbal behavior we engage in is self-revealing
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Models of Self-Disclosure
Degrees of Self-Disclosure: The Social Penetration Model Two dimensions: Breadth of information shared Depth of information shared Development of a relationship moves from the outer of the model to its center Types of information revealed: Clichés—ritualized, stock responses Facts Opinions Feelings
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Models of Self-Disclosure
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Awareness of Self-Disclosure: The Johari Window Model
Likes, dislikes, goals, secrets, needs. Part 1: Open area; information of which both you and the other person are aware. Part 2: Blind area; information of which you are unaware, but the other person knows. Part 3: Hidden area; information that you know, but aren’t willing to reveal to others. Part 4: Unknown area: information unknown to you and others. Interplay, Eleventh Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor Copyright © 2010 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Models of Self-Disclosure
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Benefits and Risks of Self-Disclosure
Catharsis – (Emotional Relief) Self-clarification Self-validation Reciprocity Impression formation Relationship maintenance & enhancement Moral obligation
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Benefits and Risks of Self-Disclosure
Rejection Negative impression Decrease in relational satisfaction Loss of influence Loss of control Hurt the other person
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Guidelines for Self Disclosure
Is the other person important to you? Is the risk of disclosing reasonable? Is the self-disclosure appropriate? Is the disclosure reciprocated? Will the effect be constructive?
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Alternatives to Self-Disclosure
Silence Lying Benevolent lies - not malicious Equivocation Equivocal language: Two or more plausible meanings Hinting Seeks to get desired response from other person
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The Ethics of Evasion A way to manage difficult situations
When honesty is the right approach Even when painful Consider: Are the effects of a lie worth the deception? Is the indirect message in the interest of the receiver? Is evasion the only way to behave? How would others respond if they knew what you were really thinking/feeling?
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