Communication & Identity
Chapter 2
Communication & the Self
Self-concept > stable perceptions about yourself
Self-esteem > evaluation of self-worth
High self- esteem
Think well of others
Expect to be accepted
Enables positive behaviors &
interactions Doesn’t
guarantee interpersonal
success
Communication & the Self Cont.
Low self- esteem
Disapprove of others
Expect rejection
Evaluate performance own less favorably Poor
performance when watched Feel
threatened by superior Not defend
self against negative comments
Self-esteem and Communication Behavior
Figure 2.1
Communication & Self Cont.
Biological & social roots of the self
Biological traits
Willingness communicate to
Extroversion
Shyness Assertiveness
Verbal aggression
Personality – part of our genetic makeup.
- Is flexible, dynamic, & shaped by experience
Communication & Self Cont.
Socialization & self-concept > messages from others shape how we regard ourselves.
Significant other – individuals who hold a prominent position in our life and can affect our self-concept.
Ego-boosters & ego-busters – people or messages that can positively or negatively influence our self-concept.
Reflected appraisal – develop self-concept that reflects the way we believe others see us.
- continues in life especially from significant others.
- strong during adolescence
Crucial factor - inclusion in or exclusion from peer groups
Communication & Self Cont.
Social Comparison – evaluating self as compared with others.
Two types
Comparison to reference groups
Superior or
Inferior
Same or
different
Communication & Self Cont.
Characteristics of self-concept – distorted evaluations can occur
Distortions
Obsolete information
Distorted feedback
Emphasis on perfection Social
expectations
Communication & Self Cont.
Self-concept resists change
• Seek & attend to information that conforms to existing self-concept
• Most, reluctant to downgrade favorable impressions of self
Cognitive
conservatism
• Realistic perceptions of self
• Realistic expectations
• The will to change
• The skill to change
Suggestions for positive
self-image
Communication & Self Cont.
Culture – shapes our self-concept
- Individualistic – strong I orientation
- Collectivistic – maintaining harmony
- Co-cultural identity - degree of identity to co-culture
Communication & Self Cont.
Sex & gender
Sex – biological Gender - learned
- Male or female shapes others’ communication & our sense of self
Self-esteem influenced by gender
Sense of self > shaped by our communication with people &
contexts
Communication & Self Cont.
Self-fulfilling Prophecy – a person’s expectations and subsequent behavior make an event more likely to occur. [Pygmalion in the classroom] FOUR STAGES
Holding an expectation (self or others)
Behaving according to
expectation
Expectation comes to pass Reinforcing
original expectation
Communication & Self Cont.
Types of self-fulfilling prophecies
• I have to get an “A” in my class.
• I’m bad at math.
• I’m unpopular.
Self-
imposed
• Powerful force in shaping self-concept and behavior
• Must communicate belief
• I know how smart you are so you must get an “A”
Imposed
by others
Section 2
Communication as Identity Management
Public & Private Selves
Identity management – communication strategies used to influence how others view us.
Perceived self – reflection of self-concept
Presenting self – how we want others to view us > Face
Communication & Identity Cont.
Characteristics of Identity Management
Construct multiple identities
management is ID collaborative management ID
can be deliberate or
unconscious
Communication & Identity Cont.
Reasons for management ID
Start &
manage relationships
Gain compliance
Save self or others’ face Explore new
identities
Communication & Identity Cont.
Face – to – face identity management Three ways
Manner Words &
nonverbal actions
Setting
Physical items we use to influence others Appearance
Personal items we use to shape
image
Communication & Identity Cont.
Online impression management Advantage over f-t-f due to missing information.
1. More control over managing impressions
2. Allows demographic change – age, sex, etc.
3. Viewing online presence as third party can be valuable - Reputation management
Communication & Identity Cont.
Identity management and honesty
A. Managing impressions doesn’t make you a liar
B. Each of us has a collection of faces
C. Choosing best face for the situation = competent communicator
Self-disclosure in Relationships
Self-disclosure – process of deliberately revealing information about oneself
a) Must be deliberate
b) Must be significant
c) Not known by others
Self-disclosure Cont.
Models of self-disclosure Altman & Taylor – Social Penetration
Breadth – wide range of information
Depth – amount, significance, and privacy of the information
Metaphor => Onion
Self-disclosure Cont.
Models of self-disclosure Luft & Ingham – Johari Window
Part I – open area > known to all Part II – blind area > unknown to us
Part III – Hidden area > known to us only
Part IV – Unknown area > unknown to all will develop through interactions
Open Blind
Hidden Unknown
Known to self Not known to self
Known to others
Not known to others
Self-disclosure Cont.
Benefits & risks of self-disclosure
Privacy management – choices made to reveal or conceal information about self
Benefits
Catharsis
Reciprocity
Self- clarification Self-
validation Social
influence
Self-disclosure Cont.
Risks
Rejection
Negative impression
Decrease in relational satisfaction Loss of
influence Hurting the
other person
Self-disclosure Cont.
Guidelines for self- disclosure
Importance of other
person
Amount &
type
Reasonable risk
Constructive effect Reciprocal
Moral obligation
Self-disclosure Cont.
Alternatives to self- disclosure
Silence
Lying
Benevolent lie Equivocating
(be vague) Hinting
Ethics of evasion:
Best interest at heart?
Best way to behave?
