1. University of Northern IA
Presentation prepared by:
Marilyn Shaw
University of Northern IA
This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:
Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;
Preparation of any derivative work, including extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;
Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

2. Chapter 3 Connecting Self and Communication
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

3. This Chapter Will Help You:
Differentiate among self-concept, self-image, and self- esteem
Characterize the role of culture in determining self- concept
Characterize the role of gender in determining self- concept
Explain the roles of self-fulfilling prophecy and impression management as they relate to self-concept
Identify six ways to improve self-concept
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4. Understanding Self-Concept
Self-concept is our perceived self
Self-image is how we see ourselves
Self-esteem is our feelings and attitudes toward ourselves
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

5. Development of Self-Concept
Sensing our environment
Parental Communication
Others’ communication
Photo courtesy of Marilyn Shaw
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

6. Development of Self-Concept
Values
Attitudes
Beliefs
Broad-based ideals, relatively long-lasting
Example: Competent communication makes a successful life.
Feelings or positions about ourselves, others, ideas, or objects
Example: Competent communicators are more successful.
Convictions in the truth of something that lacks absolute truth
Example: Competent communication will make one successful.
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

7. Communication and Self-Concept
Communication affects our self-concept
Our self-concept affects our communication
Our perception of how others perceive us affects our self-concept, which affects how we behave, which is directly related to how others react to our behavior, and ends in our interpretation of their reactions (Kinch, 1963).
Personal-social identity continuum identifies the personal and social level of self.
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

8. Review of SELF-CONCEPT
Explain how
Culture (collectivist & individualistic orientations)
Gender
Affect one’s self concept*
**self-concept: is how we perceive ourselves

9. Culture and Self-Concept
Individualistic orientation
Collectivistic orientation
Chapter 3, page 70
JOHNSTON CHRISTIE/SIPA/Newscom
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

10. Effect of individualist vs. a collectivist on self-concept
Tendency to favor personal goals (like food) over group goals
Collectivist
Tendency to put aside individual goals for the wellbeing of the group.

11. More on Orientation INDIVIDUALIST COLLECTIVIST
Ex. My son grew up as an only child. At dinner table, he got whatever he wanted. Never thought about sharing with siblings.
School shopping. He had many choices and we could afford at least one shirt marked “Hollister”. I had a decent budget for school clothes since he was the only one I had to clothe.
Attention from parents. He expected and got as much attention from us as he wished. When he wanted to go to a private high school, he was able to because he was only one we had to educate. When he was playing jr. high football, we were at every game. When he played rugby in high school, we never missed a home game.
COLLECTIVIST
Ex. I grew up as the oldest of seven siblings where we had many mouths to feed. Never even considered “ pigging out” at the table because there were 9 others who needed to eat
School shopping. Never expected new clothes when school started. Had to be conservative because six others had to be clothed for school.
SAME with attention from parents. Too many of us to divide their time between . Youngest kids with greatest needs came first and rest of us understood. Unless there was an emergency-then all hands on deck for sibling who needed help!!

12. STUDENTS- OFFER EXAMPLES—HOW MANY HAVE SIBLINGS AND SEE HOW THESE ORIENTATIONS ARE REALISTIC.

13. Gender & Self-Concept Sex and Gender Gender Stereotypes
Gender Expectations

14. Sex and Gender
Sex-defined in Ch. 2 as socially constructed masculine and feminine behaviors that are learned
Vs.
Gender-defined as the anatomical and behavioral differences—are often genetically based
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

15. Gender Stereotypes-
In our society, gender is a distinguishing feature. Stereotypically, men are expected to behave aggressively and react as an “authority”. And women are expected to be soft-spoken and behave in a feminine way.

16. Gender Expectations
Research has shown that differences in the way the two sexes communicate is notable.
How do the media affect our self-images?
Does the summer swim catalog of Victoria’s Secret make all women feel fat? Or desire to be thin?
Does the heartburn commercial with the AWESOME firefighter make men wonder about their bodies?
Do all the daytime ads about cancer treatment, diabetes treatment and urinary incontinence make us ALL FEEL old? Mostly women watch daytime TV.

17. Gender Expectations (cont)
When asked to describe themselves, most males use the word ambition, energy, power and control.
Privately, they are likely to discuss their secrets and their success in sports
MOST WOMEN describe themselves as sensitive, expressive, generous, and concerned about others
WORKFORCE—Last census reported that women were 46.7 in 2010 and predictions for 2018 say women will compose 55%
Obviously, women having good positions in the business world, education, and their careers has boosted their self- esteem

18. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Definition-Expectations wre
Have of ourselves that others
Have of us that help to create
The conditions that lead us to
Act in predictable ways.
This can be a powerful force
For shaping our self-esteem
More likely to succeed if we
have positive expectations
“Above-Average effect”
Refers to fact that most of us are better than the average person on almost
Every dimension imaginable. Even if we receive negative feedback, we often communicate information supporting our POSIVIVE self perceptions.
Photo from ch 3 page 77
The New Yorker Collection 1993 Peter Steiner from cartoonbank.com. All rights reserved.

19. Impression Management (cont.)
Definition-Creating a positive image of oneself to influence the perception of others
Perceived self-a reflection of our self-concept (this is self we believe ourselves to be)
Presenting self-way we appear to others (also called our public image)
Facework- see next slide

20. Discuss and Reflect
Erving Goffman uses the term “facework” to describe the various roles we use to maintain our own image. Think of the various roles you play in your life. Right now you are a student. What other roles do you use? How do you alter your image to fit the different role you are fulfilling? Why do you think you do this?
Recent research has asked the question of participants “does the use of social media enhance or diminish our self-esteem?”
Concluded that self-esteem is enhanced once we are aware of our Facebook “profile.”
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

21. Six Ways to Enhance Self-Concept
Guidelines/
Steps for Improving Self
Decide what you would like to change or improve
Describe why you feel the way you do
Make a commitment to improve or change
Set reasonable goals for yourself
Decide on the specific actions you are going to take
Associate with positive people
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

22. QUESTION FOR CLASS
What information in this chapter was most useful in helping you become a more competent communicator*?
*Reminder: Communication Competence is one’s ability to take part in effective communication that is characterized skills and understandings that enable communicators to exchange messages successfully.

23. Questions for class
EXPLAIN differences in individualist vs. collectivist orientation
See SLIDE

24. Questions Define impression management
If it is, in fact a way we present a positive image of ourselves to influence the perception of others, then give example of how this works in your own life.

25. Questions for the class
What is facework?
Various roles we use to maintain our self image
THINK about which roles you play in your life besides that of a student?
parent
spouse
friend