1. The Process of Interpersonal Communication
Chapter Two:
Ronald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II, and Neil Towne 1

2. Who are you….really?

9. Communication and the Self-Concept
A relatively stable set of perceptions you hold about yourself
Not only your physical self but your emotional states, talents, likes, dislikes, values roles, etc.
Self-esteem
Part of your self-concept
Involves evaluation of self worth

10. Communication and the Self-Concept
People who feel good about themselves will have positive expectations about how they communicate.
FIGURE 2.1
The Relationship between Self-Esteem and Communication Behavior

11. Communication and the Self-Concept
Biology and the Self
Personality
Tends 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.

12. Communication and the Self-Concept
Socialization and the Self-Concept
Reflected Appraisal
Each of us develops a self-concept that reflects the way we believe others see us.
Children are not born with a sense of identity.
Positive and negative evaluations become the mirror by which we know ourselves.
Anyone whose opinion you value can leave an imprint.

13. Communication and the Self-Concept
Socialization and the Self-Concept
Social Comparison
Evaluating ourselves in terms of how we compare to others
We decide if we are Superior or Inferior
“Attractive 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.

14. 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.

15. Communication and the Self-Concept
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
Cognitive Conservatism
The 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 of growth.
Inaccuracies are hard to maintain and lead to defensiveness.
Communicators are reluctant to downgrade a favorable image.

16. Communication and the Self-Concept
Culture, Gender and Identity
Culture
Individualistic 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.

17. Communication and the Self-Concept
Culture, Gender and Identity
Sex and gender
Being male or female shapes the way people communicate with you.
Pronouns with gender
Boys - focus is on size, strength and activity
Girls - focus is on beauty and sweetness
What happens when they switch?
Self-esteem is influenced by gender.

18. Communication and the Self-Concept
The Self-fulfilling Prophecy
The self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a person’s expectation of an event, and their subsequent behavior based on those expectations, make the event more likely to occur.
The Four Stages
Holding an expectation
Behaving in accordance with that expectation
The expectation coming to pass
Reinforcing the original expectation

19. Communication and the Self-Concept
Types of Self-fulfilling Prophecies
Self-imposed prophecies
Your own expectations influence your behavior.
Thinking that you will fail
“I’m going to screw this up.” or “It’s not going to work.”
Prophecies imposed by others
Others’ expectations influence your behavior.
All opinions you value can cause this prophecy.
Pygmalion in the Classroom

20. 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.

21. Communication as Identity Management
Public and Private Selves
Identity Management
Each 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

22. Communication as Identity Management
Characteristics of Identity Management
We strive to create multiple identities:
“Helping friend,” “joking office mate,” “loving child”
Identity Management
Can be deliberate or unconscious
Is collaborative
Varies by situation
People differ in their degree of identity management.

23. Communication as Identity Management
Why we Manage Identities
To start and manage relationships
You may appear charming or confident even if you’re not.
To gain compliance of others
How do you dress when you go to work or to traffic court?
To save other’s face
You mask your discomfort to save another’s feelings.

24. Communication as Identity Management
How do we Manage Identities
Face-to-face impression management
Manner 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.

25. 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 can’t:
MySpace, FaceBook and Friendster

26. 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 not managing your identities?

27. 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

28. THE END