Understanding Human Communication Chapter 2

self concept

a set of relatively stable perceptions that each of us holds about ourselves. this includes physical & emotional traits, values, roles in life, gender, age, occupation, etc.

reflected appraisal

is the influence of others on ones self concept; it describes how we develop an image of ourselves from the way we think others view us

personality

the set of enduring characteristics that define a person's temperament, thought processes, and social behavior; partly determined by genetics, the way you behave

self esteem

our evaluation of self worth

Perception=

Reality

collectivism

having identity by belonging to a group; interdependence. groups priority over individual priority.

individualism

self promotion/ independence/ self reliant

culture

the values, attitudes, beliefs, rules and norms that you live by

sense of self

to increase accuracy in your perception and get closer to reality on both sides in order to have improved communication. your perception equals your reality.

self fulfilling prophecy

occurs when a persons expectation of an outcome, and subsequent behavior, makes the outcome more likely to occur that it would have otherwise been. it can influence Your behavior, AND another persons actions

example of a self fulfilling prophecy

you expected to be nervous in a job interview, because of this your anxiety caused you to answer questions poorly

example of collective culture

native tribes, china & india (eastern cultures)

example of individual culture

us, canada (western cultures)

example of self esteem

being tall or athletic; "i am glad that i am athletic", or "i hate being tall

example of self concept

a mental mirror, the reflection of how we view ourself

perception

refers to the messages you take in and what meaning you give to them

narratives

are the stories you create and use to make sense of your own personal world

attribution

the process of attaching meaning to behavior. we attach meaning to both our own actions and the actions of others. but we often use different standards of comparison

example of attribution

stereotyping, self serving bias, favoring negative impressions over positive ones, influenced by what is most obvious, clinging to first impressions

self serving bias

the tendency to interpret and explain information in a way that casts the perceiver in the most favorable manner

influences on perception

physiological, cultural, sex and gender roles, occupational roles, relational roles

physiological influence on perception

age, sex, health & nutrition, biological cycles, neurology, and makeup; bodily differences in how each of us experience the world

example of physiological influence on perception

turn down the radio, its going to make me deaf",
"its not too loud, if i turn it down, it will be impossible to hear it

cultural influence on perception

culture provides a filter that influences the way we interpret even the simplest events. this filter extends to sex and gender roles, occupational roles and relational roles, to name a few

sex and gender roles

social expectations about masculine and feminine behavior that have a powerful influence on our identity and how we communicate
ex: you throw the ball like a girl

occupational roles

the kind of work we do also governs our view of the world
ex: police vs salesman

relational roles

your roles in relation to others.
sister/girlfriend/parent

we use "_____" and "_____" to take on somebody elses perception

sympathy and empathy

sympathy

feeling compassion for another persons predicament

empathy

the ability to recreate another persons perspective, to experience the world from another's point of view; having a personal sense of what that persons predicament is like

the dimensions to empathy include?

perspective taking, emotions, and genuine concern

the goal of perception checking is?

mutual understanding

perception checking

a 3 part method for verifying the the accuracy of perceptions

steps to perception checking?

description of the sense data, two possible interpretations, and request for confirmation of the interpretation

identity management

the communication strategies people use to influence how others view them; public and private selves

perceived self

is a reflection of the self concept; this is the person you believe yourself to be in moments of honest self examination, normally your private or hidden self

presenting self

is a public image; how your present yourself to others