Self-Concept
The set of stable ideas a person has about who he or she is.
Multifaceted (we see ourselves in many ways)
Self-concepts are ____
Johari Window
A visual representation of components of the self that are known or unknown to the self and to others.
1. The open area
2. The hidden area
3. The blind area
4. The unknown area
According to the Johari window, there are 4 parts of our self concept, what are these?
Open area
Characteristics that are known to both the self and others such as your name or age.
The hidden area
Characteristics you know about yourself but choose not to reveal to others such as your prescription drug usage.
The blind area
The dimension of an individual's self concept which he or she may be unaware of. Ex: people may see you as impatient or insecure while you don't see these traits in yourself.
The unknown area
Comprises aspects of your self-concept that are unknown to you or others. Ex: People would not know how Deandre Yedlin would handle the premier league until he tried it out.
Objective
Based on fact and not somebody else's opinion
Subjective
Based on impressions of ourselves rather than objective facts.
Personality
The pattern of behaviors and ways of thinking that characterize a person.
1. Personality and biology
2. Cultural Upbringing & gender roles
3. Reflected appraisal
4. Social Comparison
Things that influence our self-concept:
Reflected Appraisal
The process whereby our self-concept is influenced by how we think other people see us.
Social Comparison
The process of comparing oneself with others. Ex: Kelso finds himself to be more attractive than all the people he knows. Therefore, attractiveness is part of his health concept.
Reference Groups
The people we use to evaluate our characteristics. Usually, these people are our peers. Ex: you will likely find yourself funnier if you compare yourselves with your friends than if you compare your humor with Will Ferrell or Jonah Hill.
Self-fulfilling prophecy
A situation in which a prediction causes people to act and communicate in ways that make the prediction come true. Ex: You heard someone is nice, so you act nice to them and they are nice to you, so therefore, you think that person is nice.
Self-Esteem
One's subjective evaluation of one's value and worth as a person.
People with high self-esteem tend to be happier than those with low self-esteem.
Benefits of higher Self-Esteem
It can produce overconfidence in one's ability.
Drawbacks of higher self-esteem
Yes, because they value the things at which they excel as opposed to sulking over the things they suck at. They also tend to attribute their problems to their prejudices in society instead of their own behaviors or decisions. Finally, their reference grou
Do minorities tend to have higher self-esteem? If so, why?
Will Schultz's interpersonal needs theory
Self-esteem interacts with 3 vital interpersonal needs to affect our communication with others. Which theory is this?
The need for control, need for inclusion, and the need for affection.
What are the 3 interpersonal needs which affect our communication with others?
Need for Control
Our need to maintain some degree of influence in our relationships. We are often most satisfied with a moderate amount of this.
Need for inclusion
Our need to belong, to be included in the activities of others, and to have positive human contact. When our need for this is met, we are happier human beings.
Solitude
The state of being or living alone
Need for affection
One's need to give and receive expressions of love and appreciation. The more people give and receive this, the healthier and happier they are.
Image
The way one wishes to be seen.
Image Management
The process of perceiving one's desired public image.
1. Image management is collaborative
2. We manage multiple identities
3. Image management is complex
3 fundamental principles of image management
Life story
A way of presenting ourselves to others that is based on self-concept but also influenced by other people.
Face
One's desire public image (different from image)
Facework
The behaviors one uses to project one's desired public image to others.
Face needs
Components of one's desired public image.
Fellowship, autonomy, and competence
The 3 face needs
Fellowship face
The need to have others like and accept us
Autonomy face
The need to avoid being imposed upon by others
Competence Face
The need to be respected and see as competent and intelligent
Face-Threatening act
Any behavior that threatens one or more face needs.
Self-disclosure
The act of intentionally giving others information about ourselves that we believe to be true but that we think they don't already know.
Verbal Leakage
Accidentally telling somebody about yourself (the opposite of self-disclosure).
Social Penetration Theory
A theory that predicts that as relationships develop, communication increases in breadth and depth.
Breadth
The range of topics about which one person self-discloses to another.
Depth
Measures how personal or intimate your disclosures are. (different from breadth)
Norm of Reciprocity
A social expectation that resources and favors provided to a person in a relationship shall be reciprocated (provided back) by that person.
1. Enhancement of relationships and trust.
2. Reciprocity (when we disclose to others, they tend to disclose back to us)
3. Emotional release
4. Assistance to others
4 benefits of self-disclosure
1. Rejection
2. Chance of obligating others--can cause discomfort
3. Hurt to others--saying hurtful things
4. Violation of people's privacy
4 risks of self-disclosure
Gossip
The sharing of an individual's personal information with a 3rd party without an individual's consent.