The Self and Human Communication
What is the Self?
•Of course it’s a word.
-Invented by John Locke for capitalism
Thus, a symbol of something?
•Of what?
*The discussion that follows assumes you will or have read the text. We will
take this material much further. In fact, into areas that may challenge your
deepest thoughts about who you think you are.
Some Questions to Explore Concerning Self
A general guiding question is:
•Does language use the self or visa versa?
Some related questions:
•What is your true self? Ex. Little Danny
•Does it change? Ex. My moves
•Does society determine self?—The Asche study
The Asche Study—1956
Classroom of 30 students all of which are aware of the
study except one:
X
A
B
C
One simple question: Which line, A, B, or C, is most nearly the same length as X?
The Results of the Asche Study
What did the average American sophomore respond?
60%? or 45%? or 30%?
When the same study was conducted in Japan, what were
the results?
What did Asche conclude:
He said, “Reality is the function of other peoples
perception?
Some More Questions
•What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Intrapersonal Communication
•Is this concept of self a valid one given the transactional
model?
•So, how would you define yourself?
•Is that who you really are or does your description change
given certain influences?
ex. Student returning from Grass Range
•So then, what is self-image?
Final Comments on Self and the World or Sea of
Communication
1. Perhaps, given the discussion in this unit, the self
according to a communication perspective (building
on the transactional model of communication, is a
negotiated essence. In other words, an interplay (a
negotiated understanding) between three messages we
receive all the time everyday:
-How I communicate myself. (How I see myself)
-How others communicate about me. (How others see me)
-And finally, and perhaps most importantly, how I
think others are communicating about me. (How I think others see me)
2. Perhaps there are many selves in each of us?
3. What about awareness as self untouched by language?
What Good is all of This?
Maybe it says we can change, are free to change. That
seems a blessing, doesn’t it?