1. Perceiving the Self and Others
Chapter 2

2. Perception
A cognitive process through which we interpret our experiences and come to our own unique understandings; its role in the communication process is crucial

3. Communication Processing
Means by which we gather, organize and evaluate the information we receive
Selecting information
Different conclusions
Perceptions are organized into existing memory bases called schemas

4. Schemas
Mental structures that put together related bits of information
As we receive information, we must make sense of it
Chunks of information form patterns
Help you understand how things work or anticipate how they should proceed

5. Challenges with Schema and Perception
Mindlessness
Less critical processor of information; autopilot
Perks and drawbacks associated with mindlessness
Selective perception
Succumbing to perception (biased)
Active and critical
Undue influence
Attribute greater credibility than is due

6. Attributions: interpreting Perceptions
Attributions: personal characteristics used to explain behavior
Fundamental attribution error: overemphasize the internal and underemphasize the external
Self-serving bias: success comes from internal factors, failure comes from external factors
Interaction appearance theory: people change their attributions of someone with interaction
Self-Serving Bias

7. Improving Perceptions
Verify your perceptions
Don’t jump to conclusions
Be thoughtful when you seek explanations
Resist the natural tendency to fall back on the most obvious explanation
Look beyond first impressions
Delay judgment!

8. Perception in a Diverse World
The Cultural Context
Effective communication in today’s world requires an appreciation for diversity
How your unique background affects your perceptions
Perceptual Barriers
Successful intercultural communication requires mindfulness
Mutual understanding brings cooperation

9. Perceptual Barriers Cultural Myopia
When individuals fail to consider other cultural perspectives by being blinded by their own circumstances
Nearsightedness grounded in the belief that one’s own culture is appropriate and relevant in all situations to all people
Most dangerous when the dominant group is unaware or insensitive towards the needs/values of others

10. Perceptual Barriers Stereotyping Prejudice
Fitting individuals into an existing schema without adjusting that schema appropriately
An impression of a group of people that is set; when you meet an individual from this group, you apply your set of perceptions of the entire group to that individual
Prejudice
Deep seeded unkindness and ill will towards a group, based on negative stereotypes and feelings of superiority
Prejudice

11. Cognition: Perceiving ourselves
We must understand our own identity and project it
Come in a name (or nickname)
How we perceive ourselves and how we want others to perceive us
3 major influences on our cognitions (thoughts about ourselves
Self-concept
Self-esteem
Self-efficacy

12. Self-Concept Your awareness and understanding of who you are
Interpreted and influenced by your thoughts, actions, abilities, values, goals, and ideals
Developed by thinking about your strengths and weaknesses, observing your behavior in a wide variety of situations, witnessing your own reactions to situations, and watching others’ reactions to you
Behavior AND cognition make a communicator

13. Self-Concept Incredible power to shape communication with others
Apprehension in certain communication situations
Willingness to interact with others
How you approach someone with a request
The reverse is also true: when you interact with them, you get impressions from them that reveal how they evaluate you as a person and as a communicator

14. Self-Concept Direct Evidence Indirect Evidence
Compliments, insults, support, negative remarks
Indirect Evidence
Innuendo, gossip, subtle non-verbal cues, lack of communication
Social Comparison theory
Compare to ourselves to others as we develop our ideas about ourselves
Can influences how we think about ourselves and what we are willing to do to close the unavoidable gap

15. Self-Esteem How you feel about yourself in a particular situation
Set of attitudes that people hold about their own emotions, thoughts, abilities, skills, behavior, and beliefs that fluctuate according to the situation or context
Closely associated with self-concept: must know yourself in order to have attitudes about yourself
Many researches believe self-concept forms first, then self-esteem

16. Self-Esteem High self-esteem usually associated with confidence
Individuals are better able to incorporate their successes into their self-concept
Research shows people with high self-esteem are more confident in their interpersonal relationships too
Research suggests low self esteem caused by inaccurate information about themselves or mistrust in the knowledge they do possess

17. Self-Efficacy
Ability to predict actual success from self- concept and self-esteem; guides your choice of communication situations
Avoid situations where self-efficacy may be low
Based on (in)ability to make a good impression, people choose computer mediated communication over face-to- face interactions
High levels of self-efficacy can lead to overconfidence; need to maintain some uncertainty

18. Self-Efficacy Interpreting events Self-fulfilling prophecy
How we cope with failure and success
Do the feelings snowball and build upon each other?
Or rather, are you less emotionally affected?
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Prediction that causes an individual to alter their behavior in a way that makes the prediction more likely to occur
Can be positive or negative

19. Assessing our Perceptions of Self
As a communicator, you are constantly assessing your competence level for strengths and weaknesses
Evaluate your expectations, execution, and outcomes in three ways
Self-actualization
Self-adequacy
Self-denigration

20. Self-actualization Self-adequacy Self-denigration
Feelings or thoughts you get when you know that you have negotiated a communication situation as well as possible
Most positive evaluation you can make about your competence level
Self-adequacy
Assess your communication performance as sufficient or acceptable; not stellar, but good enough
Can lead to self-improvement; not always necessary
Self-denigration
Criticizing or attacking yourself
Unnecessary and unwarranted and prevents real improvement

21. Behavior: managing our Identities
You define yourself internally and make decisions about how to share your internal view with others
Manifested through verbal/nonverbal behaviors
Cognition and behavior play roles in the way you perceive others and the way others perceive you
Aspects of ourselves we want to share and other aspects we would rather keep private

23. Self-Presentation
Intentional communication designed to show elements of self for strategic purposes
Focus on self-presentation when your social identity is being evaluated
Comes in many forms: face-to-face, , text message, or via social networking sites
Preference may exist
Asynchronous channels ( , text message, cards) are preferred when you are unsure of the reaction your will get when you present yourself

24. Self-Presentation
Self-monitoring: ability to watch your environment and others in it for cues as to how to present yourself in a particular situation
High self-monitors always try to portray themselves as the “right person in the right place at the right time”
Low self-monitors communicate according to their deep- seated values or beliefs
Find the right balance of self-monitoring
High self monitors will drive themselves crazy by focusing on every little thing that they do

25. Self-Disclosure
Revealing yourself to others by sharing information about yourself
It must be important, not easily known by others, and must be voluntary
A tool for confirming our self-concept or improving our self esteem
It is a tactic often used to obtain reassurance or comfort from a trusted friend
Sensitivity level