Chapter 3: The Self and Self Presentation

The Self

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGv1Nay2z-U

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What is the Self?

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Who Am I?

Our answers reflect:

– Self-schema

– Self-concept

– Thoughts about ourselves

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The Nature & Origin of Self

Symbolic Interaction Theory– Self is active– Self is passive

William I. James & George H. Mead:– Active aspect of the self is the

I.– Object of self-action is the me.

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Steps in the Origin of Self

1. Self-Differentiation

2. Role Taking

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Self-Differentiation

Distinguish our faces and bodies from others

–Not born with this ability

–Acquire very quickly•18 to 24 months•Baby in bath

– http://vimeo.com/2654937

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Role Taking

Imagine self from position of another person

View self and situation from that person’s perspective

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The Looking Glass Self

• Charles Horton Cooley

-Significant others- As child interacts with others, the number of significant others increases

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Stages in the Development of Self Mead (1934) identified

two sequential stages

1.Play Stage

2.Game Stage

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Stages in Developing the Self

#1 Play Stage- –Young children imitate other people

–Father–Mail carrier–Doctor…

#1 Play Stage

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Stages in Developing the Self

#2 Game Stage–– Complex activities– Playing house or school– Team sports

– Imagine viewpoints of several others at the same time

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#2 Game Stage

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The Game Stage: Baseball

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The Generalized Other

- View of attitudes & expectations held by members of organized groups

We imagine what a group expects of us– Taking role of generalized

other

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The Self We Know

1. Specific identities2. Reactions of others3. Varies with situation

Example: Communicate over internet- Create identity- May have multiple identities

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Identities

Meanings attached to self

–Linked to social roles

–Membership in groups

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Role Identities

Self in specific roles

Develop a different view of who we are –an identity

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Adoption of a Social Identity

Involves socialization into the group of which the role is a part–Agents of socialization

–Anticipatory socialization

Social Identities in Groups

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Situated Self

Self-concepts distinctive to the setting and

Relevant to activities

Situated Self

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Identities: The Self We Enact

Enact behaviors that

Evoke responses to

Confirm particular identities

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Hierarchy of Identities Importance of an identity varies

from situation to situation – Organize identities into a

hierarchy – According to their salience

Importance of identity (salience)– More situations as opportunities

to enact identity

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Effects of Self-awareness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA2cDV4K9jg

Focusing on our own:–Appearance–Actions–Thoughts

Effects of Self-awareness Things that increase self-

awareness–Mirrors–Pictures–Voice recording–Video clip

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Assessing Self-Esteem

Overall self-esteem–All identities

Role Specific self-esteem–Individual identities

Self-esteem

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Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale

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Sources of Self-Esteem

Three sources:1. Family Experiences:

– Acceptance– Discipline

2. Performance Feedback:– Effectiveness of our actions

3. Social Comparison:– Successes and failures with those of

others

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Self Presentation

Varies situation to situation: (Examples)

– To parents, as good son or daughter

– To friends, as “cool“ and “with it”

– At a bar, as old enough to be served drinks

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Self-Disclosure Sharing our identity (s) with

another

Usually bilateral or reciprocal The “norm of reciprocity”

– Sharing too much intimate information often weakens the relationship

– May lead to disliking

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Tactical Impression Management

Conscious, goal-directed activity to control information

To influence impressions

Expression of emotions may be appropriate or inappropriate. – For example:– Service workers must conceal anger or

fear– Surgeon expressing fear before

operating on your child

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Managing Appearances

Impression an individual makes depends not only on clothes, makeup, and grooming

But also on props in the environment

Managing Appearances Irving Goffman draws parallel between theater’s front and back stages & the regions we use in managing appearances.

– Front Region – – Accessible to outsiders – Normative expectations

– Back Region –– Settings inaccessible to outsiders where – one violates front region performances.

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Ineffective Self-Presentations & Spoiled Identities

Some recover when their identity is challenged

Others have a permanently spoiled identity

– Ex President Richard Nixon– Designer Martha Stewart

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Cooling-Out and Saving Face

Gently persuading a person whose performance is unsuitable to accept a less desirable, though still reasonable, alternative identity.– Example: Switching from pre-med to

psychology

Often causes identity degradation Offender becomes a non-person; One who can not be trusted to perform

in the original role