Download - Second Lecture_Communication and Identity
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Communication and Identity:
Creating and Presenting the Self
Chapter Summary
Communication and the Self-Concept
Biological and Social Roots of the Self
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
Influences on Identity
Presenting the Self
Public and Private
Characteristics of Identity Management
Chapter TwoChapter Two
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
The Self-Concept
A relatively stable set of perceptions you hold aboutyourself
Not only your physical self but your emotional states, talents,
likes, dislikes, values roles, etc.
Self-esteemPart of your self-concept
Involves evaluation of self worth
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
The Self-ConceptPeople who feel good about themselves will havepositive expectations about how they communicate.
FIGURE 2.1
The Relationship between Self-Esteem and Communication Behavior
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Biology and the Self
PersonalityTends to be stable throughout your life
To a large degree is part of our genetic makeup
Biology accounts for: extroversion, shyness, assertiveness,verbal aggression and willingness to communicate.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Socialization and the Self-Concept
Reflected AppraisalEach of us develops a self-concept that reflects the way webelieve others see us.
Children are not born with a sense of identity.
Positive and negative evaluations become the mirror by whichwe know ourselves.
Anyone whose opinion you value can leave an imprint.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Socialization and the Self-Concept
Social ComparisonEvaluating ourselves in terms of how we compare to others
We decide if we are Superior or InferiorAttractive or Ugly, Success or Failure, Intelligent or Stupid
These comparisons positively or negatively affect our self-
concept.
Social comparison can be dangerous.
Reference groups play an important role.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
The self-concept can be subjective.
A distorted self-evaluation occurs for several reasons:Obsolete Information
Distorted Feedback
Emphasis on Perfection
Social Expectations
Self-esteem may be based on inaccurate thinking.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
Cognitive ConservatismThe tendency to seek and attend information that conforms with
an existing self-concept.
The self-concept is resistant to change.
Inaccurate self-concepts can lead to self-delusion and lack ofgrowth.
Inaccuracies are hard to maintain and lead to defensiveness.
Communicators are reluctant to downgrade a favorable image.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Culture, Gender and Identity
CultureIndividualistic vs. Collectivistic
Self-concept is influenced by culture.
Different culturally influenced self-concepts can clash.
In collective societies, there tends to be a higher degree of
communication.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Culture, Gender and Identity
Sex and genderBeing male or female shapes the way people communicate with
you.
Pronouns with genderBoys - focus is on size, strength and activity
Girls - focus is on beauty and sweetnessWhat happens when they switch?
Self-esteem is influenced by gender.
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
The Self-fulfilling ProphecyThe self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a persons expectation of an
event, and their subsequent behavior based on those expectations,
make the event more likely to occur.
The Four Stages
Holding an expectationBehaving in accordance with that expectation
The expectation coming to pass
Reinforcing the original expectation
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Types of Self-fulfilling Prophecies
Self-imposed propheciesYour own expectations influence your behavior.
Thinking that you will fail
Im going to screw this up. or Its not going to work.
Prophecies imposed by othersOthers expectations influence your behavior.
All opinions you value can cause this prophecy.
Pygmalion in the Classroom
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Communication and the
Self-Concept
Changing your Self-concept
Have a realistic perception of yourself.
Have realistic expectations.
Have the will to change.
Have the skill to change.
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Communication as Identity
Management
Public and Private Selves
Identity ManagementEach of us has a multitude of identities.
Perceived Self (private self)A reflection of the self-concept
Presenting Self (public self)The way we want others to view us
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Communication as Identity
Management
Characteristics of Identity Management
We strive to create multiple identities:Helping friend, joking office mate, loving child
Identity ManagementCan be deliberate or unconscious
Is collaborativeVaries by situation
People differ in their degree of identity management.
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Communication as Identity
Management
Why we Manage Identities
To start and manage relationshipsYou may appear charming or confident even if youre not.
To gain compliance of othersHow do you dress when you go to work or to traffic court?
To save others faceYou mask your discomfort to save anothers feelings.
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Communication as Identity
Management
How do we Manage Identities
Face-to-face impression managementManner consists of words and non-verbal actions.
Doctors will change their impression management depending
on which part of the examination they may be doing.
Appearance shapes impression:
Clothing, Tattoos, Jewelry, etc.
Setting also influences how others may view us.
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Communication as Identity
Management
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)Slight limitations over other communication
channels
More control over managing your identity
CMC also gives individuals the ability to
broadcast their identity in a way traditional
communication cant:
MySpace, FaceBook and Friendster
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Communication as Identity
Management
Identity Management and Honesty
Some manage identity dishonestly:Misrepresenting yourself to date
Job applicants who lie about academic records
Salespeople who pretend to be dedicated to customer service
Managing identity does not make you a liar.Although seemingly manipulative, it is authentic communication.
Can you imagine notmanaging your identities?
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Communication and Identity:
Creating and Presenting the Self
Chapter Summary
Communication and the Self-ConceptBiological and Social Roots of the Self
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
Influences on Identity
Presenting the Self
Public and Private
Characteristics of Identity Management