Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
CHAPTER 3
Communication and the Self
Interplay
Section 1
COMMUNICATION AND
THE SELF-CONCEPT
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Communication and the Self-Concept

Self-concept, defined:

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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.
How the Self-Concept Develops

Reflected appraisal, defined:

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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.
Interplay
Section 2
CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE 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:



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obsolete information?
distorted feedback?
the myth of perfection?
social expectations?
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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:

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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.
Interplay
Section 3
THE SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY AND
COMMUNICATION
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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

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Your own expectations influence your
behavior.
Research:

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“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.
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“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.
Interplay
END OF SECTION
CHAPTER CONTINUES
IN PART TWO
Interplay, 12th Edition, Adler/Rosenfeld/Proctor
Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc.