Self in Interpersonal
Communication
Chapter 2
Self-Concept = how you view
yourself or your self image
How the self-concept is
developed:
Reflected Appraisal- we match the
way we believe others see us.
Communication and the SelfConcept
• Significant Others-messages
from people we value impact
our self-concept
• Social Comparison-evaluating
ourselves in terms of how we
compare with others (Reference
groups)
Characteristics of the self-concept
• The self-concept is subjective
• Distorted feedback- negative
feedback
• Obsolete information-Past failures
effect present circumstances
Cont’d.
• Self Verification-Seeking
Confirmation
• Perfection
• Social Expectations
The Self Concept…
• Resists Change
– Cognitive Conservatism-to seek and
attend to information that conforms to
an existing self concept. (obsolete
information)
• Influences Identity
– Culture
– Ethnicity
– Sex & Gender
A stable set of perceptions
that you hold of yourself
•
•
•
•
Others’ Images of You
Social Comparisons
Cultural Teachings
Your Own Interpretations &
Experiences
Self-Esteem = own evaluation of
worth
A. Attack Your SelfDestructive
Beliefs
Think highly
of others
B. Engage in SelfAffirmation
C. Seek Out
Nourishing People
Positive
thoughts
High
selfesteem
Evaluate
their
behaviors
with positive
regard
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Self-fulfilling prophecy- occurs when a
persons expectations of an event make
the event more likely to occur
• Self-imposed
• Imposed by others
Presenting the Self
• Identity Management- the communication
strategies that people use to influence how
other view them.
• Perceived self- the person you believe
yourself to be in moments of honest
reflection
• Presenting self-the way you want others to
view you
• Ideal self- the person you desire to be
Identity Management
• We Strive to construct multiple identities
• Identity Management is Collaborative
• Can be deliberate or unconscious
• Varies by situation
• People differ in their degree of identity
management