Communication In Our Lives, Fifth EditionCommunication In Our Lives, Fifth Editionby Julia T. Woodsby Julia T. Woods

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Communication andCommunication and

Personal IdentityPersonal IdentityCommunication andCommunication and

Personal IdentityPersonal Identity

What is the Self?What is the Self?

The self arises in communication The self arises in communication with otherswith others

The self is a process The self is a process that involves that involves internalizinginternalizing and and actingacting from from social social perspectivesperspectives that we that we learn in the process learn in the process of communication.of communication.

Direct DefinitionDirect Definition

Communication that explicitly Communication that explicitly labels us and our behaviorslabels us and our behaviors

For example, a parent might sayFor example, a parent might say ““You’re my little girl.”You’re my little girl.” ““You’re so responsible.”You’re so responsible.” ““You’re a troublemaker.”You’re a troublemaker.” ““You’re impossible.”You’re impossible.”

Identity ScriptsIdentity Scripts

Rules for how we are supposed Rules for how we are supposed to live and who we are to live and who we are supposed to besupposed to be

Rules from your family may have Rules from your family may have included:included: ““We are responsible people.”We are responsible people.” ““Save your money for a rainy day.”Save your money for a rainy day.” ““Moderation in all things.”Moderation in all things.”

Styles of AttachmentStyles of Attachment

Social ComparisonSocial Comparison

Comparing ourselves with others Comparing ourselves with others to form judgments of our own to form judgments of our own talents, attractiveness, abilities, talents, attractiveness, abilities, leadership skills, and so forthleadership skills, and so forth

The Self-fulfilling ProphecyThe Self-fulfilling Prophecy We act in ways that bring about We act in ways that bring about

expectations or judgments of expectations or judgments of ourselvesourselves

The Self is MultidimensionalThe Self is Multidimensional Physical selfPhysical self

Cognitive selfCognitive self

Emotional selfEmotional self

Social selfSocial self

Moral selfMoral self

The Self is a ProcessThe Self is a Process

Develops over timeDevelops over time ego boundariesego boundaries

Particular OthersParticular Others

Viewpoints of Viewpoints of specific people specific people who are who are significant to ussignificant to us

mothersmothers fathersfathers siblingssiblings aunts / unclesaunts / uncles

Reflected AppraisalReflected Appraisal

We see We see ourselves in ourselves in terms of the terms of the appraisals appraisals reflected in reflected in others’ eyesothers’ eyes

the “looking-glass the “looking-glass self”self”

The Generalized OtherThe Generalized Other The collection of rules, roles, and The collection of rules, roles, and

attitudes endorsed by the whole attitudes endorsed by the whole social community in which we livesocial community in which we live

The Generalized Other (cont’d)

The Generalized Other (cont’d)

Four dimensions of personal Four dimensions of personal identity emphasized by modern identity emphasized by modern Western cultureWestern culture

gendergender racerace sexual orientationsexual orientation economic classeconomic class

Social PerspectivesSocial Perspectives

ConstructedConstructed

VariableVariable

ChangeableChangeable

Enhancing the SelfEnhancing the Self

Commit to improving yourselfCommit to improving yourself

Gain knowledge Gain knowledge

Set realistic goalsSet realistic goals

Accept that you are in processAccept that you are in process

Create a supportive context for Create a supportive context for changechange self-sabotageself-sabotage

UppersUppers People who communicate positively about usPeople who communicate positively about us

DownersDowners People who communicate negatively about us People who communicate negatively about us

VulturesVultures An extreme form of downers – they also attack An extreme form of downers – they also attack

our self-conceptsour self-concepts

Source: Simon, S. B. (1977). Vultures: A modern allegory on the part of putting oneself down. Niles, IL: Argus Communications

Uppers, Downers, and VulturesUppers, Downers, and Vultures

WebsitesWebsites

Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SERosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES)S)

The Peale Center for Positive ThiThe Peale Center for Positive Thinking nking

George Herbert Mead BiographyGeorge Herbert Mead Biography

The Pygmalion EffectThe Pygmalion Effect

Attachment TheoryAttachment Theory personalityresearch.orgpersonalityresearch.org

VideoVideo

PLAY VIDEO

Parental Teachings