second lecture_communication and identity

8/8/2019 Second Lecture_Communication and Identity

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Communication and Identity:

Creating and Presenting the Self

Chapter Summary

Communication and the Self-Concept

Biological and Social Roots of the Self

Characteristics of the Self-Concept

Influences on Identity

Presenting the Self

Public and Private

Characteristics of Identity Management

Chapter TwoChapter Two


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Communication and the

Self-Concept

The Self-Concept

A relatively stable set of perceptions you hold aboutyourself

Not only your physical self but your emotional states, talents,

likes, dislikes, values roles, etc.

Self-esteemPart of your self-concept

Involves evaluation of self worth


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Self-Concept

The Self-ConceptPeople who feel good about themselves will havepositive expectations about how they communicate.

FIGURE 2.1

The Relationship between Self-Esteem and Communication Behavior

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Self-Concept

Biology and the Self

PersonalityTends to be stable throughout your life

To a large degree is part of our genetic makeup

Biology accounts for: extroversion, shyness, assertiveness,verbal aggression and willingness to communicate.


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Self-Concept

Socialization and the Self-Concept

Reflected AppraisalEach of us develops a self-concept that reflects the way webelieve others see us.

Children are not born with a sense of identity.

Positive and negative evaluations become the mirror by whichwe know ourselves.

Anyone whose opinion you value can leave an imprint.


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Self-Concept

Socialization and the Self-Concept

Social ComparisonEvaluating ourselves in terms of how we compare to others

We decide if we are Superior or InferiorAttractive or Ugly, Success or Failure, Intelligent or Stupid

These comparisons positively or negatively affect our self-

concept.

Social comparison can be dangerous.

Reference groups play an important role.


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Self-Concept


The self-concept can be subjective.

A distorted self-evaluation occurs for several reasons:Obsolete Information

Distorted Feedback

Emphasis on Perfection

Social Expectations

Self-esteem may be based on inaccurate thinking.


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Self-Concept


Cognitive ConservatismThe tendency to seek and attend information that conforms with

an existing self-concept.

The self-concept is resistant to change.

Inaccurate self-concepts can lead to self-delusion and lack ofgrowth.

Inaccuracies are hard to maintain and lead to defensiveness.

Communicators are reluctant to downgrade a favorable image.


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Self-Concept

Culture, Gender and Identity

CultureIndividualistic vs. Collectivistic

Self-concept is influenced by culture.

Different culturally influenced self-concepts can clash.

In collective societies, there tends to be a higher degree of

communication.


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Self-Concept

Culture, Gender and Identity

Sex and genderBeing male or female shapes the way people communicate with

you.

Pronouns with genderBoys - focus is on size, strength and activity

Girls - focus is on beauty and sweetnessWhat happens when they switch?

Self-esteem is influenced by gender.


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Self-Concept

The Self-fulfilling ProphecyThe self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a persons expectation of an

event, and their subsequent behavior based on those expectations,

make the event more likely to occur.

The Four Stages

Holding an expectationBehaving in accordance with that expectation

The expectation coming to pass

Reinforcing the original expectation


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Self-Concept

Types of Self-fulfilling Prophecies

Self-imposed propheciesYour own expectations influence your behavior.

Thinking that you will fail

Im going to screw this up. or Its not going to work.

Prophecies imposed by othersOthers expectations influence your behavior.

All opinions you value can cause this prophecy.

Pygmalion in the Classroom


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Self-Concept

Changing your Self-concept

Have a realistic perception of yourself.

Have realistic expectations.

Have the will to change.

Have the skill to change.


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Communication as Identity

Management

Public and Private Selves

Identity ManagementEach of us has a multitude of identities.

Perceived Self (private self)A reflection of the self-concept

Presenting Self (public self)The way we want others to view us


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Management


We strive to create multiple identities:Helping friend, joking office mate, loving child

Identity ManagementCan be deliberate or unconscious

Is collaborativeVaries by situation

People differ in their degree of identity management.


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Management

Why we Manage Identities

To start and manage relationshipsYou may appear charming or confident even if youre not.

To gain compliance of othersHow do you dress when you go to work or to traffic court?

To save others faceYou mask your discomfort to save anothers feelings.


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Management

How do we Manage Identities

Face-to-face impression managementManner consists of words and non-verbal actions.

Doctors will change their impression management depending

on which part of the examination they may be doing.

Appearance shapes impression:

Clothing, Tattoos, Jewelry, etc.

Setting also influences how others may view us.


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Management

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)Slight limitations over other communication

channels

More control over managing your identity

CMC also gives individuals the ability to

broadcast their identity in a way traditional

communication cant:

MySpace, FaceBook and Friendster


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Management

Identity Management and Honesty

Some manage identity dishonestly:Misrepresenting yourself to date

Job applicants who lie about academic records

Salespeople who pretend to be dedicated to customer service

Managing identity does not make you a liar.Although seemingly manipulative, it is authentic communication.

Can you imagine notmanaging your identities?


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Communication and Identity:

Creating and Presenting the Self

Chapter Summary

Communication and the Self-ConceptBiological and Social Roots of the Self


Influences on Identity

Presenting the Self

Public and Private


second lecture_communication and identity

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