Interpersonal Communication - Chap. 3

Self Concept- Who are you?
The set of stable ideas a person has about who he or she is; also known as identity. Multifaceted

Looking-Glass self
Social Comparison
Self Evaluation
Culture (attitudes, beliefs, values)
Life Events

Increase self awareness by:

Ask yourself about yourself
Listen to others
Actively seek information about yourself
Be willing to see your different selves
Increase your Open self
Repeat the steps

High Self-Monitors

More likely to monitor self behavior to fit different situations

Low Self-Monitors

More likely to be and act the same regardless of the situation

Many factors influence how and what to disclose:

Your personality
Your culture
Your gender
Your listeners
Your topic/channel
*Self disclosure is a good thing. There are risks when you disclose information. It is important to self-disclose effectively.
Think about:
Your motivation
Appropriateness
The oth

Social Penetration Theory

Humans are onions, we have layers
Our attitudes and values on different topics

Reflected appraisal

The process whereby a person's self-concept is influenced by his or her belief's concerning what other people think of the person

Personality

The pattern of behaviors and ways of thinking that characterize a person

Need for control

One's need to maintain a degree of influence in one's relationship

Need for inclusion

One's need to belong to a social group and be included in the activities of others

Need for affection

One's need to give and receive expressions of love and appreciation

Social Comparison

The process of comparing oneself with others

Reference Groups

The groups of people with whom one compares oneself in the process of social comparison
(The people we use to evaluate our characteristics are called reference groups.)

To be a competent, skilled communicator

is to be aware of your self-concept and managing its influences on your behavior. Two pathways through which self-concept can shape communicative behavior are self-monitoring and the self-fulfilling prophecy.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

An expectation that gives rise to behaviors that cause the expectation to come true

Self-esteem is influenced by:

Social Behavior
How we see ourselves and others
Performance
Culture
Sex

Image

The way one wishes to be seen or perceived by others

Image management

The process of projecting one's desired public image

3 Fundamental principles of image management

Image management is collaborative
We manage multiple identities
Image management is complex

Self-disclosure

The act of giving others information about oneself that one believes they do not already have

Principles of Self Disclosure

Self-disclosure is intentional and truthful.
Varies in breadth and depth "social penetration theory"
Varies among relationships
Is a gradual process
Online self-disclosure follows a different pattern
Is usally reciprocal
Can serve many purposes
Is influen

Depth

The intimacy of the topics about which one person self-discloses to another

Norm of Reciprocity

A social expectation that resources and favors provided to one person in a relationship should be reciprocated by that person

Three Types of Face

Fellowship Face (our need to have others like and accept us)
Autonomy Face (Our need not to be imposed upon by others)
Competence Face (our need to be respected for our intelligence and abilities)

Face-threatening act

Any behavior that threatens one or more face needs

Face

A person's desired public image

Facework

The behaviors one uses to project one's desired public image

Fellowship face

The need to feel liked and accepted by others

Autonomy face

The need to avoid being imposed upon by others

Competence face

The need to be respected and viewed as competent and intelligent

Gossip

The sharing of an individual's personal information with a third party without the individual's consent

Risks of Self-disclosure

Rejection
Chance of obligating others
Hurt to others
Violation of other people's privacy

Johari Window

A model that helps explain different levels of Self Awareness. It is made up of 4 quadrants, each representing a "self" that contribute to our level of self awareness
Open Self - The open self is made up of everything we know about ourselves and everyone