The Self in Interpersonal Communication

Why do we communicate the way we do?

because of our self, our perceptions, and our emotions

What is our sense of self shaped by?

the labels placed on us by ourselves and others

What is our self comprised of?

our self awareness, self concept, and self esteem

Self- Awareness

the ability to step outside of your self; view yourself as a unique person distinct from your surrounding environment; and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, behaviors

Critical Self-Reflection

a targeted kind of self-awareness; practicing this, you can enhance your IPC

Self Concept

we watch and evaluate our own actions, and form a perception of ourselves
- often cause us to make self-fulfilling prophecies

Self-fulfilling Prophecies

predictions about future interactions that lead us to behave in ways that ensure the interaction unfolds as we predicted
-some set positive/negative events in motion

Social Comparison

we compare our own behavior to the behaviors of others

Looking Glass Self

I am who I think you think I am

Self-Esteem

the overall value, positive or negative, that we assign to ourselves

Self Discrepancy Theory

says our self esteem is based on how we compare to 2 mental standards:
1) ideal self: the perfect self, according to our own standards
2) ought self: the person others want us to be

We are happy and feel good about ourselves when our perception matches what?

our ideal self and ought self (when we decrease our discrepancies)

How do we improve our self esteem?

by reducing the discrepancy- reducing our standards (ideal and ought self)

What are the sources of self?

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Gender (source of self)

comprised of social, psychological, & cultural attributes that characterize us as male or female.
-gender socialization

Culture (source of self)

individualistic: self achievement (ex- USA)
collectivistic: collective culture contribution (ex- Pakistan)

Family (source of self)

caregivers growing up influence your attachment style (avoidance, comfort)

Categories of Attachment styles

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4 Attachement Styles

secure
preoccupied
dismissive
fearful

Secure Attachment

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Preoccupied Attachment

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Dismissive Attachment

- low anxiety and huh avoidance
- close relationships are unnecessary
- self reliant/ solitude
- seek out more casual intimacy relationships
- no strings attached
- won't address problems
- get out as quickly as can

Fearful Attachment

- high anxiety and high avoidance
- avoid relationships all together because they don't want to feel pain
-will seek out relationships where the other person is dependent on them completely, knowing they won't leave

Face

public self (maintaining this is extremely important in interpersonal relationships) -the way you want others to perceive you/ think of you

Masks

we wear to hide our private self

Embarrassment

losing "face" provoke this; shame, humiliation, sadness

Warranting Theory (online self presentation)

you have to consider the warranting value of online information that people give about themselves - is it supported by other and by evidence?

Low Warranting Value

info that was obviously made up by people; can't be supported offline

High Warranting Value

info thats supported by others and that can be readily verified offline

Interview test

would i feel comfortable sharing all elements of this presentation- profile pic, videos, blogs- in a job interview?

Social Penetration Theory

revealing the self to others involves pealing back or penetrating layers, involving 2 things- breadth and depth

Breadth

the number of different aspects of self revealed at each layer

Depth

how deeply into one another's self the partners have penetrated

The Layers of Self

include..
-peripheral
- intermediate
-central

Peripheral Layers

age, college, major, hometown, etc

Intermediate Layers

musical tastes, political beliefs, leisure interests, etc

Central Layers

values, beliefs, fears, self awareness, self concept, self esteem, etc

Intimacy

the feeling of closeness and "union" that exists between us and out partners
-intertwined with depth and breadth

Your hidden and revealed self deals with what areas?

Public Area
Blind Area
Hidden Area
Unknown Area
(Johari Window)

Johari Window

suggests that some quadrants of our selves are open to self-reflection and sharing with other people, while others remain hidden- both to ourselves and others

Public Area

aspects of your self that you and others are aware of.. everything you openly disclose

Blind Area

things about yourself that others are aware of but you are not

Hidden Area

your'e aware of it but hid it from most other people

Unknown Area

things you and others aren't aware of.. unconscious motives and impulses
-you can infer aspects of your unknown
- ex: how many kids will you have one day? (no one knows this for sure)

Self-Disclosure

revealing private information about ourselves to others

Interpersonal Process Model of Intimacy

the closeness we feel toward others in our relationships is created through two things:
-self-disclosure
-responsiveness of listeners to disclosure

Completely disclosing your self

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