Chapter 3 Perceiving the Self and Others Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 1 Chapter Outcomes (1 of 2) • • • Describe how our personal perspective on the world influences our communication Explain how we use and misuse schemas when communicating with others Define the attributions we use to explain behavior Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 2 Chapter Outcomes (2 of 2) • • • Describe cultural differences that influence perception Identify how our self-concept—who we think we are— influences communication Describe how our cognitions about ourselves and our behavior affect our communication with others Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 3 Perception A cognitive process through which we interpret our experiences and come to our own unique understandings Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 4 Communication Processing • • Gathering, organizing, and evaluating the information we receive Also involves our basic senses, along with personal factors Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 5 The Perception Process • • • • Selecting information Organizing perceptions Interpreting perceptions Improving perceptions Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 6 Schemas: Organizing Perceptions • Schemas – – – Mental structures that put together related bits of information Help us understand how things work or should work Evolve and change over time (interaction appearance theory) Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 7 Challenges with Schemas and Perception (1 of 2) • Mindlessness – Passive information processing versus mindfulness • Selective perception – Receiving only the information we want Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 8 Challenges with Schemas and Perception (2 of 2) • Distorted perception – Distorting events based on vivid information Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 9 Attributions: Interpreting Your Perceptions • Attributions: Judgments used to explain behaviors – Fundamental attribution error: Overemphasizing internal causes and underestimating external causes of behaviors – Self-serving bias: Attributing personal success to internal factors Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 10 Improving Your Perceptions • • • • • Be thoughtful when seeking explanations. Consider the perspective of the other. Look beyond first impressions. Question your assumptions. Consider the channel(s) being used. Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 11 Perception in a Diverse World Culture affects how we perceive ourselves and others. Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 12 The Cultural Context • Made up of variables that make our perceptions unique – Diversity • Effective and appropriate communication involves understanding and appreciating perceptions (both your own and others’) Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 13 Perceptual Barriers (1 of 2) • Narrow perspective – • Problematic when members of a society are unaware of, or insensitive toward, the needs and values of others Stereotyping – – Fitting others into an existing schema without adjusting the schema appropriately May be positive, negative, or neutral Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 14 Perceptual Barriers (2 of 2) • Prejudice – – Feelings of unkindness and ill will toward particular groups based on preconceived notions Usually based on negative stereotypes and feelings of superiority over those groups Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 15 Cognition About Ourselves • • • Self-concept Self-esteem Self-efficacy Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 16 Self-Concept: Who You Think You Are • • • Influenced by thoughts, actions, abilities, values, goals, and ideals Influences how you communicate with others Reinforced by how others communicate with you based on – – Direct and indirect evidence Social comparison theory Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 17 Self-Esteem: How You Feel About Yourself • • A set of attitudes you hold about your own emotions, thoughts, abilities, skills, behavior, and beliefs Linked to self-concept: You must know yourself to have attitudes about your self. Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 18 Assessing Our Perceptions of Self (1 of 3) • Self-actualization – – Feelings and thoughts resulting from successfully negotiating a communication situation Can lead to fulfillment and satisfaction Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 19 Assessing Our Perceptions of Self (2 of 3) • Self-adequacy – – Assessing your communication competence as sufficient or acceptable Can lead to contentment or self-improvement Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 20 Assessing Our Perceptions of Self (3 of 3) • Self-denigration – – A negative assessment (self-criticism) about a communication experience Often occurs when communicators place undue importance on their weaknesses, preventing improvement Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 21 Self-Efficacy: Assessing Your Own Abilities • • • Ability to predict actual success based on your selfconcept and self-esteem Affects your ability to interpret events and cope with failure and success Inaccurate self-efficacy can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 22 Behavior: Managing Our Identities (1 of 3) • Self-presentation – – – Intentional communication designed to show elements of self for strategic purposes Occurs through various channels Requires self-monitoring Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 23 Behavior: Managing Our Identities (2 of 3) • • Self-disclosure – Voluntarily revealing yourself to others by sharing personal information – Must not be information easily known to others Managing feedback – – Deals with how you handle both positive and negative comments Sensitivity level is an important factor. Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 24 Behavior: Managing Our Identities (3 of 3) Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 25 Technology: Managing the Self and Perceptions • • • • Self-presentation can be more controlled online than in person. Make conscious choices about what to reveal to others. Others may create perceptions about you based upon what you reveal. Media platforms allow you to show yourself to the best advantage with different audiences. Copyright © 2018 Bedford/St. Martin’s. All rights reserved. 26
