1. Verderber, Verderber, Sellnow © 2011 Cengage Learning COMM 2011 Chapter 2 Perceptions of Self and Others

2. © 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcomes LO1Discuss the perception process LO2 Examine self-perceptions and how they affect communication LO3 Describe how self-esteem is developed and maintained LO4 Discuss how we present ourselves to others LO5 Discuss how we perceive others

3. © 2011 Cengage Learning LO1 Discuss the perception process

4. © 2011 Cengage Learning Perception The process of selectively attending to information and assigning meaning to it. LO 1

5. © 2011 Cengage Learning Attention and Selection Choice of sensory stimuli depends on: Needs Interests Expectations LO 1

6. © 2011 Cengage Learning A Sensory Test of Expectation LO 1

7. © 2011 Cengage Learning Organization of Stimuli Our brains arrange stimuli so that they make sense according to: Simplicity Pattern LO 1

8. © 2011 Cengage Learning Interpretation of Stimuli As the brain selects and organizes information, it also interprets the information by assigning meaning to it. LO 1

9. © 2011 Cengage Learning LO2 Examine self-perceptions and how they affect communication

10. © 2011 Cengage Learning Forming and Maintaining a Self- Concept Interpretation of personal experiences Reactions and responses of others Ideal self-concept – what we would like to be LO 2

11. © 2011 Cengage Learning LO3 Describe how self-esteem is developed and maintained

12. © 2011 Cengage Learning Culture and Self-Perceptions A person’s culture has a strong influence on the self-perception process. Individualistic cultures emphasize the self and personal achievement. Collectivist cultures emphasize groups and social norms. LO 3

13. © 2011 Cengage Learning Gender and Self-Perceptions Men and women may be socialized to view themselves differently, and to value who they are based on cultural expectations of gender. LO 3

14. © 2011 Cengage Learning Changing Self-Perception Improving your self-perception will improve how you interact with others, and improving your interaction with others will improve your self-perception. LO 3

15. © 2011 Cengage Learning Incongruence The gap between our inaccurate self-perceptions and reality. Magnified through: Self-fulfilling prophecies Filtering messages Media images LO 3

16. © 2011 Cengage Learning Media and “Ideal” Types LO 3 Before TV was widely introduced in Fiji, only 3% of girls reported being unhappy with their body image. Three years after the introduction of TV, that figure rose to 15%, and 74% of girls thought they were too fat.

17. © 2011 Cengage Learning Effects of Self-Perceptions Self-perceptions moderate how we talk to ourselves. Self-perceptions influence how we talk about ourselves with others. Self-perceptions affect communication apprehension LO 3

18. © 2011 Cengage Learning LO4 Discuss how we present ourselves to others

19. © 2011 Cengage Learning Presenting Self to Others When we interact with others, most of us mask some of who we really think we are so that we can meet others’ expectations. LO 4

20. © 2011 Cengage Learning Self-Monitoring An internal process of being aware of yourself and how you come across to others. We are most likely to self- monitor in new relationships or unfamiliar situations. LO 4

21. © 2011 Cengage Learning Social Construction of Self Role – pattern of learned behavior that meets perceived demands of a particular context. LO 4 Sister Granddaughter Waitress Mother

22. © 2011 Cengage Learning LO5 Discuss how we perceive others

23. © 2011 Cengage Learning Uncertainty Reduction The process of monitoring the social environment to learn more about self and others. LO 5

24. © 2011 Cengage Learning Observing Others Our first impressions are usually based on: –How people look –How people act. – Implicit personality theories – assumptions about how characteristics and traits are related to each other. LO 5

25. © 2011 Cengage Learning Stereotypes “a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, used to describe or distinguish a group.” Prejudice – “a rigid attitude that is based on group membership and predisposes and individual to feel, think, or act in a negative way toward another person or group.” Discrimination – involves a negative action towards a group or individual based on stereotype and prejudice. LO 5

26. © 2011 Cengage Learning Emotional State Our emotions … Cause us to engage in selective perceptions Affect our attributions LO 5

27. © 2011 Cengage Learning Perceiving Others’ Messages Context: –We can interpret the content and intent of the speaker based on context. Shared language: –Participants in communication may not have identical perceptions of specific words, visual images, or nonverbal cues. LO 5

28. © 2011 Cengage Learning Improving Social Perceptions Question the accuracy of your perceptions. Seek more information to verify perceptions. Realize that your perceptions of a person will change over time. Use the skill of perception checking. LO 5

29. © 2011 Cengage Learning Perception Check A message that reflects your understanding of the meaning of another person’s nonverbal behavior. LO 5

30. © 2011 Cengage Learning Examples of Perception Check LO 5 From the sound of your voice, I get the sense that you’re mad. You look like you’re in a state of shock. What’s up? Are you crying because this book reminds you of your dog?