Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
CHAPTER 3A
Communication and the Self
Communication and the Self-Concept
Self-concept, defined:
A relatively stable set of
perceptions you hold of
yourself.
Imagine a special mirror
that reflect physical
features and allow you to
view other aspects of
yourself.
Reflection is your selfconcept.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Communication and Self-Esteem
Self-esteem, defined:
Part of the self-concept that
involves evaluations of selfworth.
How does high or low selfesteem affect communication
behavior?
What do the authors mean
by: “Although self-esteem
has obvious benefits, it
doesn’t guarantee
interpersonal success”?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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How the Self-Concept Develops
Reflected appraisal, defined:
A mirroring of the judgments of
those around you.
“Significant others” are
people whose evaluations are
especially influential.
How is the self-concept formed
through reflected appraisal?
What are some potential
pitfalls of reflected appraisal?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Social Comparison
Social comparison, defined:
Evaluating ourselves in terms
of how we compare with
others.
Reference groups
People we use to evaluate our
own characteristics.
How can social comparison
give a person an overly
positive or overly negative
self-concept?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
The Self-Concept is Subjective
We inflate and/or
underestimate our selfperception.
How may an
individual’s selfperception be
influenced by:
obsolete information?
distorted feedback?
the myth of perfection?
social expectations?
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Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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A Healthy Self-Concept is Flexible
Why must our selfconcept change in
order to stay
realistic?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
The Self-Concept Resists Change
Why do we resist
revision of our selfperception?
Cognitive conservatism,
defined:
Seeking information that
conforms to an existing
self-concept.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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The Self-Fulfilling
Prophecy and Communication
Self-fulfilling prophecy, defined:
When a person expectations of an event, and her or high
subsequent behavior based on those expectations, make the
outcome more likely to occur than would otherwise have true.
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
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Types of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Type #1: Self-imposed
Your own expectations influence your
behavior.
Research:
“Communicators who believed they
were incompetent proved less likely
than others to pursue rewarding
relationships and more likely to
sabotage their existing relationships.”
Type #2: When a person’s
expectations govern another’s actions,
whether positive or negative.
“Pygmalion” effect = positive
“Golem” effect = negative
Observer must communicate their
belief for the prediction to have an
effect.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Changing Your Self-Concept
Have realistic expectations.
Have a realistic perception of
yourself.
Have the will to change.
Have the skill to change.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
CHAPTER 3B
Communication and Self-Concept, Continued…
Identity Management
Identity management,
defined:
The communication
strategies people use to
influence how others view
them.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Public and Private Selves
Perceived self, defined:
The person you believe
yourself to be in moments
of honest self-reflection.
Unlikely to reveal this self
to another person.
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Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Public and Private Selves
Presenting self, defined:
An image (socially
approved) we want to
present to others
“Facework” (Sociologist Erving
Goffman)
The nonverbal ways we act to
maintain our own presenting
images and the image of others
How does Goffman’s concept
of “face” relate to the
presenting self?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management
We strive to construct
multiple identities
What are some different
contexts or situations in which
you may construct different
identities?
Explain whether or not a
person can present different
identities simultaneously.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management
Identity management is
collaborative
“Process theater” in which
we improvise scenes
where our character
reacts with others.
What happens when
someone rejects or does
not collaborate with our
identity management
attempts?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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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.
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Characteristics of Identity Management
People differ in their
degrees of identity
management
What are advantages to
being a high self-monitor?
Drawbacks?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Why Manage Impressions?
Social rules
Personal goals
Relational goals
It is impossible not to
create impressions
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How Do We Manage Impressions?
Face-to-face impression
management
Manner
Words
Nonverbal actions
Appearance
Personal items people use to
shape an image
Clothing
Hairstyle
Personal affects
Setting
Physical items people use to
influence how others view them
“Artifacts” decorate the
space we live in
Automobiles
Artwork
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Identity Management in
Mediated Communication
Mediated communication
“One of the interesting things
about the Internet is the
opportunity it offers people
to present themselves in a
variety of different 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?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Identity Management and Honesty
People sometimes
misrepresent themselves
to gain the trust of
others.
What are examples of
ethical or honest
identity management?
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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Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Choosing What to Reveal
Self-disclosure
Every verbal or nonverbal
behavior we engage in is
self-revealing
Distinguishing factors of
self-disclosure:
Honesty
Depth
Availability of information
Context of sharing
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Models of Self-Disclosure
Degrees of Self-Disclosure: The Social Penetration Model
(Altman and Taylor)
Two dimensions:
Breadth of information volunteered
Depth of information volunteered
Altman and Taylor: “the development of a relationship as a
progression from the periphery … to its center. Process
occurs over time.”
Types of information revealed:
Clichés—ritualized, stock responses to social situations
Facts
Opinions
Feelings
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Models of Self-Disclosure
Note from Ellen: I would insert the
graphic of this model here…
LL1
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
9
Slide 27
LL1
graphic needed
Laura Lawrie, 12/16/2011
Awareness of Self-Disclosure:
The Johari Window Model
Johari Window (Luft and Ingham)
Frame contains 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, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Models of Self-Disclosure
Note from Ellen: I would insert the
graphic of this model here…
LL2
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Benefits of Self-Disclosure
Catharsis
Self-clarification
Self-validation
Reciprocity
Impression formation
Relationship maintenance
and enhancement
Moral obligation
Social influence
Self-defense
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
10
Slide 29
LL2
needs graphic
Laura Lawrie, 12/16/2011
Risks of Self-Disclosure
Rejection
Negative impression
Decrease in relational
satisfaction
Loss of influence
Loss of control
Hurt the other person
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Alternatives to Self-Disclosure
Silence
Lying
Benevolent lies, unmalicious
Told for the benefit of the
recipient
Equivocation
Equivocal language: Two
or more plausible meanings
Used for face-saving
Can save a speaker from
being caught lying
Hinting
Face-saving
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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The Ethics of Evasion
Provides a way to manage
difficult situations
There are times 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?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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