Self-Concept
Self-Concept vs. Self-Esteem
• Self-Concept = “The
relatively stable set of
perceptions you hold
of yourself.”
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Physical appearance
Skills
Social roles
Personality
Emotional state
• Self-Esteem = How
you feel about your
self-concept.
– Good or bad
evaluations
– High and Low SelfEsteem
Development of the Self-Concept
• Reflected Appraisal “I see me how I think
you see me.”
• Social Comparison –
How do you measure
up?
– Superior or Inferior?
– Same or Different
From Others?
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
“Occur when a person’s expectations of an event and her or his
subsequent behavior based on those expectations make the outcome
more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true.”
Two Types:
• Self-imposed prophecies
• Others’ expectations (that are communicated to us)
Characteristics of the SelfConcept
•The Self-Concept is Subjective:
•May be unrealistically favorable, or unrealistically negative
•Obsolete information
•Distorted feedback
•Myth of perfection
•High self-esteem may be viewed as being conceited
•A Healthy Self-Concept is Flexible
•The Self-Concept Resists Change
•Appraisals from someone we see as competent to offer it
•Appraisal must be highly personal
•Appraisal must be reasonable, compared to our current self-concept
•Consistent and numerous appraisals are more persuasive
So how do you change your selfconcept?
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Have Realistic Expectations
Have a Realistic Perception of Yourself
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Be Willing to Change
Attain Skills to Change
– Books
– Advice (friends, experts, counselors)
– Observe others
Identity Management
Self-Presentation
How do we use communication strategies to
influence how others see us? How do we
want others to see us?
The Private (“Perceived”) Self
- How we see ourselves
The Public (“Presenting”) Self
- How we want to appear to others
Characteristics of Identity
Management
• We Construct Multiple Identities/Roles
• Identity Management is Collaborative
• Impression Management Can Be Intentional or Unconscious
• Some People Self-Monitor (Manage their Identities) More than
Others
Why do we even worry about
Identity Management?
• Social Rules
• To Accomplish Personal Goals
• To Be Accepted/To Maintain Relationships
• Since we cannot not communicate, we
might as well choose what kind of
impression we want to make.
How do we manage impressions?
• “In vivo”
– Manner
– Physical Appearance
– Setting
• Mediated Communication
– Provides less of an
impression
– Allows the impression to be
more carefully managed
But are we being honest when
we’re managing impressions?
• May be honest or dishonest
• It depends on the context
• Identity management:
• ISN’T choosing whether to be honest or
dishonest
• IS choosing which side of yourself to
reveal (since we are all complex, multifaceted people)