Chapter 2: Communication And Identity Flashcards
The relatively stable set of perceptions individuals hold about themselves
Self-concept
Such as your emotional states, talents, likes, dislikes, values, and roles. How you describe yourself
The part of the self-concept that involves evaluations of self-worth
Self-esteem
Characteristic ways that you think and behave across a variety of situations
Personality
Research suggests that personality is actually part of our genetic make up, for example extroversion, shyness, assertiveness
The theory that a person’s self-concept matches the way the person believes others regard him or her
Reflected appraisal
A way in which other people shape our self-concept
Can be positive or negative
For example if people like you and say you did something good, you’ll believe that
A person whose opinion is important enough to affect one’s self-concept strongly
Significant other
Evaluation of oneself in terms of or by comparison to others
Social comparison
A way in which other people shape our self-concept
Feelings of superiority or inferiority depend on who we are comparing ourselves with. For example, young women who regularly compare themselves with ultrathin models develop negative appraisals of their own bodies
Groups against which we compare ourselves, thereby influencing our self-concept and self-esteem
Reference groups
What are two characteristics of the self-concept?
The self-concept is subjective:
Therefore, can be distorted. People can have positive use of themselves, or negative if they view themselves more harshly than the objective facts warrant.
Reasons for distorted evaluations: obsolete information or clinging to past failures; distorted feedback; perfection; social expectations
The self-concept resists change:
We have a tendency to cling to an existing self-concept, even when evidence shows that it is outdated. The tendency to seek and attend to information that conforms to an existing self-concept is called cognitive conservatism
The tendency to seek and attend to information that conforms to an existing self-concept
Cognitive conservatism
A prediction or expectation of an event that makes the outcome more likely to occur than would otherwise have been the case
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Refers to the notion of making predictions about future behaviours and feelings and then acting according to these predictions
Occurs when your own expectations influence your behaviour
Self-imposed prophecies
Communicators who believe they are incompetent are less likely to pursue rewarding relationships and more likely to sabotage their existing relationships. Those who perceives themselves as capable do better academically
Occurs when your actions may be governed by the expectations that others have of you
Other-imposed prophecy
For example, if a teacher communicates to a student that they think they’re bright, the child accepts that evaluation and changes their self-concept to include it
What are four suggestions for changing your self-concept?
Have a realistic perception of yourself – for example, by seeking out supportive people who will acknowledge your assets as well as your liabilities
Have realistic expectations – work on not expecting perfection
Have the will to change – you can change if you make an effort
Have the skill to change – seek advice, for example from books, from the Internet, and from instructors, counselors, other experts, and friends. Observe models
The communication strategies people use to influence how others view them
Identity management
The person you believe yourself to be in moments of honest self-examination. It may be identical to or different from the presenting and ideal selves
Perceived self
A reflection of the self-concept. Can call the perceived self “private“ because you are unlikely to reveal all of it to another person
