Chapter 3 the self concept and communication Flashcards
Define self concept
How we perceive ourselves
What do communication scholars argue about self concept?
It is formed
Sustained
And changed by our interactions with others
What 5 traits influence self concept?
Extroverted vs introverted Agreeable vs antagonistic Open vs not open Conscientious vs undirected Neurotic vs stable
What do the five traits of social concept include
Sociability Spontaneity Selflessness Independence Curiosity Vulnerability Carelessness
What influences the development of self talk of self concept
Our culture
Relationships
Gender
Our own self talk
What was the theory of symbolic interactionism developed by
George Herbert mead
What is symbolic interactionism
Our view of self is shaped by those we communicate with
What two processes influence the theory of symbolic interactionism?
The Pygmalion effect
Social comparison
Define Pygmalion effect
It illustrates the way our significant others (ppl who r important to us) influence our self concept
What is an example of Pygmalion effect
Teacher communicated to their students that a select few were high achievers, but their grades didn’t differ than the other kids in the class. Instead, the kids performed well in higher levels because the teacher keeps telling them that they were high achievers
Define social comparison
When we compare ourselves to others
Example of social comparison
Comparing our athletic ability or relational success to others
Asking classmates about their score on a test
Comparing your B to others A =negative self perception
Comparing your B to another’s C= positive self perception
Where is social comparison determinant of self perception
Western cultures
Why is it important to study self concept?
It affects how we communicate with others
Healthy self concepts can result in a realistic acknowledgement of our strengths and weaknesses= we can accept praise and defend viewpoints even when opposed by others
What can unhealthy self concepts result in?
Exaggerated and unrealistic perceptions of our strengths and weaknesses
What can knowledge about self concept and interpersonal communication do?
It can motivate us to communicate in a competent manner
What can increase our motivation to communicate
Creating realistic goal statements designed to improve our self concept
Is our self concept formed in an instant?
Can it change in an instant
No
What must we do to make an effective goal statements?
Set realistic goals for ourselves and not mentally beat ourselves up if we don’t meet them
An example of an unrealistic goal
I will be a confident communicator in all situations and will never let me nerves get the best of me
An example of a realistic goal
I will gain confidence and learn how to manage my anxiety so I can contribute to discussions in my comm class
How do we tend to perceive ourselves
Subjectively and often in a more negative light than is warranted
What is one method to contend with our subjective self concept?
Create a mental inventory of our strengths and talents
What did Martin Seligman argue?
Talents are nonmoral characteristics that are usually innate and automatic
Examples of talents
Perfect pitch
Athletic ability
Examples of strengths
Moral traits such as integrity, vapor, kindness, and originality
Difference between talents and strengths
Talents=nonmoral (we don’t choose these)
Strengths=moral (we choose these)(involve choices about acquisition and enhancement)
What are the characteristics and components of the self concept
Self image and self esteem
It’s multidimensional nature
The relationship between self-concept and self disclosure
And it’s subjective nature
What does the “self concept” figure illustrate
The idea that aspects of our self concept can be organized according to our beliefs and evaluations about ourselves and the contexts that influence us
What is our self concept affected by
The characteristics we believe we possess and how we evaluate these characteristics
What is our self concept made of
Self image and self esteem
Define self image
A descriptive term it refers to the characteristics we believe we possess
Example of self image
If I describe myself as a student who does volunteer work
How others see me too
What do we use other people’s comments for
Our self perceptions, and they reinforce it change the perception of what and who we are
Example of reinforcing someone comments to check our self perceptions
We might think of ourselves as selfless and generous but it may change when a coworker talks about the volunteering organizations they are a part of
Define self esteem
It’s evaluative and it depends on that we perceive to be worthwhile and valuable
How does self esteem go beyond our self image
It includes the value or importance we place on our perceived characteristics
Example of self esteem
If you get a fee gutter balls while bowling then your bowling ability is poor
An example of positive self esteem
I may believe that I am a sensitive and kind person and that sensitivity and kindness are valuable and worthwhile characteristics to possess
According to “perceived as multidimensional” what can self concept be simultaneously perceived as?
Mental
Physical
And private
Public
What could our physical self include
Perceptions of our body and how physically attractive we think we are
Perceptions of ourself that we do not disclose to others (we perceive others to be overly cynical or unemotional
Aspects of ourselves we desire other to perceive
What is self disclosure related to
Self perceptions
What is an example of self disclosure related to self perceptions
Some info we tell some friends and family but not all
What can influence how we perceive ourselves
Their reactions
What is the Jahori Window
A model that illustrates self disclosure, self awareness, and how we relate to others.
What are the four areas of the Johari Window
Open
Blind
Unknown
Hidden
What is the open quadrant in the Johari window
Example?
Includes information about ourselves that we and others know
Ex- how old we are or what we do as a living
What is the kind quadrant in the Johari Window
Example?
Information about ourselves that we don’t know it others do
Ex- has anyone ever pointed out a habit in which we were unaware
What is the hidden quadrant in the Johari Window
Example?
Info that we know it others do not
Ex- a secret I’ve never told someone
Can be anything- punched a sibling, thinking Beethoven composed the best classical music
What is the unknown quadrant in the Johari Window
Example?
Unknown info that neither is or anyone else knows about
Will the unknown quadrant always exist?
Yes, because we’ll never completely know ourselves
How can we not know something about ourselves, and how can other people not know as well (referring to the unknown quadrant)
Hypnosis
Dream analysis
Our traits are layer in our subconscious as well
CAN your self concept be distorted and incorrect (referring to the “based on subjective information” on pg 72
Yes
What is the “face” we present to others?
Face- related to our perceived selfconcept but also involves how we want others to perceive us and our worth
What is facts also called
Impression management
Identity management
What are impression management and identity management
Behaviors we enact to influence others to perceive us in certain ways
What is a bother aspect or “face”
Searching a name on the internet
This is a part of the hiring process in some employees
What can happen if face is proven wrong?
You can feel shame or embarrassed
How can we save face?
Making use of favework
Define face work
Face saving communication
How can we use facework?
Overlooking a face threatening act- such as glossing over a mistake or acting as if it didn’t happen to minimize the extent of embarrassment or annoyance
RESPONDING with humor
Offering an apology to admit blame and seek atonement
Communicating an explanation to minimize responsibility or to justify the behavior
Engaging in physical remediation
What’s an example of responding with humor? (Referencing the facework idea)
Laughter - releases nervous tension and demonstrates that an offense isn’t that serious
“This would make a great scene in a romance/horror/adventure flick!”
Example of “communication an explanation
I didn’t mean it!
Example of engaging in physical remediation
Adjusting clothing or cleaning a spill
An example of saving face if your classmate has toilet paper stuck to their shoe
“Like this has never happened to any of you before!”
“Don’t expect this kind of excitement every day!” (Humor)
“I’m sorry for the disruption” (apology)
“My shoes were probably wet and I walked past the restroom and probably tracked it.” (Explanation)
Putting the toilet paper in the trash (physical remediation)
Summarize self concept
It includes our self image and self esteem because those influence how we comm w others
This multidimensional concept is influenced by self disclosure, is subjective, and is the basis of the face we present to others.
Self concept is also affected by culture, relationship context, gender, and individual (all the concepts)
What influences our image of who we are with regards to the culture context
Dominant and co cultures
Example of dominant filters impacting self concept
Us- individualist- can’t understand how other cultures don’t think of themselves
India- vice versa
Japan- self concept is created I. Terms of group membership and interaction
Example of co culture in self concept
Ethnic identity- based on common traditions, values, origins, and history.
Includes knowledge of belonging to a particular group and the shared experiences of its members
Ex- LGBT
Example of how friends and family can change self concept?
Using words like creative and bright= good
Monster and stupid= bad
Define self efficacy
The belief in our ability to manage prospective situations
Where is self efficacy used
Relationship context- coworkers
When does our knowledge of self concept begin (age wise?)
4-7 years
What characteristics do women mention more of?
Generosity
Sensitivity
And having care and concern for others when asked to describe themselves
What do men mention when they talk about characteristics
Ambition
Energy
Power
Control
Can men and women concepts intertwine
Yup
Do men and women possess an equal sense of self worth based on their relational group memberships
Yes
Therefore it is best to think of gender self concepts as a degree rather than polar opposites
Define self fulfilling prophecies (individual context)
The expectations we have and the predictions we make for ourselves
When are self fulfilling prophecies evident?
When we behave in ways that reinforce our self perceptions and self expectations and they can make a predicted outcome of an event
Look at the cyclical nature of self fulfilling prophecies on page 79
Do et
What does the cyclical nature of self fulfilling prophecies do?
Reinforce the self concept, affect behavior, and can influence how others perceive us.
Define inner critic (in individual context)
Produces intrapersonal comm messages such as “I’ve failed at this before and I’ll fail at it again”
What does our inner critic Focus on? What does it ignore?
What isn’t finished and ignores what we’ve accomplished
Over all, what two things fall under the individual context?
Self fulfilling prophecies
Inner critic
What do people try to do when their face is threatened?
Go into defensive reactions
Are defensive reactions appropriate or effective
NO
What can a defensive reaction lead to?
Communicating disrespect
Disconfirmation
Promote heated arguments
Cause conversation partners to ignore relational problems and potential solutions
What four things fall under defensive reactions
Sarcasm and aggression
Excuses
Avoidance
Denial
What are examples of nondefensive reaction skills
Asking open ended questions
Guessing about specifics
Agreeing with the truth
Agreeing to disagree
Before we use non defensive reactions, what must we do first?
Notice we are being defensive
What are symptoms that follow being defensive?
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
What can along open ended questions do?
Helps us understand our conversation partner
What can guessing about specifics do?
Enables our conversation partner to communicate an in depth response and examine her or his assumptions
What is an example of agreeing to disagree?
Why do you listen to that stuff? It’s terrible.
Me- I respect your opinion, but I like alternative music
