Looking Out/Looking In

Eleventh Edition

Chapter Two: Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Ronald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II, and Neil Towne

Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Who Are You?

Moods and Feelings
Appearance

Intellectual Capacity
Strong Beliefs

Social Traits
Talents

Social Roles
Physical Condition

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Communication and Self-Concept

Relatively Stable Set of Self-Perceptions
Not All Aspects Equally Important Self-Esteem and Self-Worth

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Communication and Self-Esteem

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Communication and Self-Esteem

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Question:
Self-esteem: a. is the same as self-concept b. is not related to how we feel about ourselves c. is part of the self-concept that involves evaluations of self-worth d. does not influence expectations or communication behavior
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Big Five Personality Traits

Extraverted Introverted Sociable Reserved Fun-loving Sober Talkative Quiet Spontaneous Self-Controlled Agreeable Antagonistic Courteous Rude Selfless Selfish Trusting Suspicious Cooperative Uncooperative

Open Not Open Imaginative Unimaginative Independent Conforming Curious Incurious Broad Narrow Interests Interests

Neurotic Stable Worried Calm Vulnerable Hardy Self-pitying Self-satisfied Impatient Patient

Conscientious Undirected Careful Careless Reliable Undependable Persevering Lax Ambitious Aimless
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Big Five Personality Traits

Extraverted Introverted Sociable Reserved Fun-loving Sober Talkative Quiet Spontaneous Self-Controlled Agreeable Antagonistic Courteous Rude Selfless Selfish Trusting Suspicious Cooperative Uncooperative

Open Not Open Imaginative Unimaginative Independent Conforming Curious Incurious Broad Narrow Interests Interests

Neurotic Stable Worried Calm Vulnerable Hardy Self-pitying Self-satisfied Impatient Patient

Conscientious Undirected Careful Careless Reliable Undependable Persevering Lax Ambitious Aimless
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Big Five Personality Traits

Extraverted Introverted Sociable Reserved Fun-loving Sober Talkative Quiet Spontaneous Self-Controlled Agreeable Antagonistic Courteous Rude Selfless Selfish Trusting Suspicious Cooperative Uncooperative

Open Not Open Imaginative Unimaginative Independent Conforming Curious Incurious Broad Narrow Interests Interests

Neurotic Stable Worried Calm Vulnerable Hardy Self-pitying Self-satisfied Impatient Patient

Conscientious Undirected Careful Careless Reliable Undependable Persevering Lax Ambitious Aimless
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Big Five Personality Traits

Extraverted Introverted Sociable Reserved Fun-loving Sober Talkative Quiet Spontaneous Self-Controlled Agreeable Antagonistic Courteous Rude Selfless Selfish Trusting Suspicious Cooperative Uncooperative

Open Not Open Imaginative Unimaginative Independent Conforming Curious Incurious Broad Narrow Interests Interests

Neurotic Stable Worried Calm Vulnerable Hardy Self-pitying Self-satisfied Impatient Patient

Conscientious Undirected Careful Careless Reliable Undependable Persevering Lax Ambitious Aimless
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Big Five Personality Traits

Extraverted Introverted Sociable Reserved Fun-loving Sober Talkative Quiet Spontaneous Self-Controlled Agreeable Antagonistic Courteous Rude Selfless Selfish Trusting Suspicious Cooperative Uncooperative

Open Not Open Imaginative Unimaginative Independent Conforming Curious Incurious Broad Narrow Interests Interests

Neurotic Stable Worried Calm Vulnerable Hardy Self-pitying Self-satisfied Impatient Patient

Conscientious Undirected Careful Careless Reliable Undependable Persevering Lax Ambitious Aimless
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Biological and Social Roots of Self

Biology and the Self
Traits a Matter of Degree Considerable Control Over Communication Self-Concept Determines How You Feel About the Way You Relate to Others
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Socialization and Self-Concept

Reflected Appraisal
Messages from Significant Others Social Comparison Reference Group
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Characteristics of the Self-Concept

Self-Concept is Subjective
Self-Concept Can Be Distorted
Obsolete Information
Distorted Feedback Emphasis on Perfection Social Expectations
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Characteristics of the Self-Concept

Self-Concept Resists Change
Cognitive Conservatism

Problems Arise When

We Cling to Outmoded Negative Self-Perceptions

There is Self-Delusion and Lack of Growth

We Become Defensive
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Question:
An unrealistic and distorted self-concept can be caused by: a. obsolete information b. distorted feedback c. societal emphasis on perfection d. all of the above

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Influences on Identity
Sex and Gender
Ethnicity Culture
Individualistic Collectivistic
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Individual

vs. Collective Cultures

People belong to extended families or in-groups; we or group orientation
Person should take care of extended family before self Emphasis on belonging to very few permanent ingroups with strong influence
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Self is separate, unique individual; should be independent, selfsufficient Individual should take care of self and immediate family Many flexible group memberships; friends based on shared interests and activities
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Individual

vs. Collective Cultures

Reward for contribution to group goals and wellbeing; cooperation with in-group; group decisions valued; credit and blame shared High value on duty, order, tradition, age, group security, status, and hierarchy

Reward for individual achievement and initiative; individual decisions encouraged; credit and blame assigned High value on autonomy, change, youth, individual security, equality

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Question:
Which of the following is NOT true of collectivistic cultures? a. A person gains identity by belonging to a group. b. Assertiveness is valued. c. There is a higher degree of communication apprehension. d. Self-worth is not only shaped by what the individual does but also by the behavior of other members of the community.
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Communication

A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a persons expectations of an event make the event more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true.

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Types of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Self-Imposed Prophecies Prophecies Imposed on One by Another

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Influence of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Improve Relationships

Damage Relationships

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Changing Your Self-Concept

Have Realistic Expectations
Have Realistic Perceptions Have the Will to Change Have the Skill to Change

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Presenting the Self

Communication as Identity Management
Public and Private Selves
Perceived Self
Presenting Self

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Looking At Diversity Multiple Identities

Mixed Heritage

Mixed Cultures
Mixed Families

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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Characteristics of Identity Management

We Strive to Construct Multiple Identities Identity Management is Collaborative

Identity Management can be Deliberate or Unconscious Identity Management Varies by Situation

People Differ in Their Degree of Identity Management
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Why Manage Identities?

Start and Manage Relationships Gain Compliance from Others Save Others Face

Relational goals
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

How Do We Manage Identities?

Face-to-Face
Manner
Words Nonverbal Behavior

Appearance Setting
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

How Do We Manage Identities?

Mediated
Personal Correspondence

Personal Newspaper Ads

E-Mail Web Pages
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Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Identity Management and Honesty

Manipulation

Phoniness
Choices About How to Act - Which Face?

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