Looking out Looking in

Chapter Two:Chapter Two:

Communication and Identity:Communication and Identity:

The Self and MessagesThe Self and Messages

Looking Out/Looking InLooking Out/Looking InEleventh EditionEleventh Edition

Ronald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II, and Neil TowneRonald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II, and Neil Towne

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 2

Chapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and MessagesChapter 2 - Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages

Who Are You?Who Are You?

• Moods and Feelings

• Appearance

• Social Traits

• Talents

• Intellectual Capacity

• Strong Beliefs

• Social Roles

• Physical Condition



Communication and Self-Communication and Self-ConceptConcept

• Relatively Stable Set of Self-Perceptions

• Not All Aspects Equally Important

• Self-Esteem and Self-Worth



Communication and Self-Communication and Self-EsteemEsteem



Question:Question:

Self-esteem:Self-esteem:a. is the same as self-concepta. is the same as self-conceptb. is not related to how we feel about b. is not related to how we feel about ourselves ourselvesc. is part of the self-concept that c. is part of the self-concept that

involves involves evaluations of self-worth evaluations of self-worthd. does not influence expectations or d. does not influence expectations or

communication behavior communication behavior



Big Five Personality TraitsBig Five Personality Traits



Biological and Social Roots of Biological and Social Roots of SelfSelf

• Biology and the Self

• Traits a Matter of Degree

• Considerable Control Over Communication

• Self-Concept Determines How You Feel

About the Way You Relate to Others



Socialization and Self-Socialization and Self-ConceptConcept

• Reflected Appraisal

• Messages from

Significant Others

• Social Comparison

• Reference Group



Characteristics of the Self-Characteristics of the Self-ConceptConcept

• Self-Concept is Subjective

• Self-Concept Can Be Distorted

– Obsolete Information

– Distorted Feedback

– Emphasis on Perfection

– Social Expectations



Characteristics of the Self-Characteristics of the Self-ConceptConcept

• Self-Concept Resists Change

• Cognitive Conservatism

• Problems Arise When…

– We Cling to Outmoded Negative Self-Perceptions

– There is Self-Delusion and Lack of Growth

– We Become Defensive



Question:Question:

An unrealistic and distorted self-concept can An unrealistic and distorted self-concept can be caused by:be caused by:

a. obsolete informationa. obsolete information

b. distorted feedbackb. distorted feedback

c. societal emphasis on perfectionc. societal emphasis on perfection

d. all of the aboved. all of the above



Influences on IdentityInfluences on Identity

• Sex and Gender

• Ethnicity

• Culture

– Individualistic

– Collectivistic



Individual vs. Individual vs. CollectiveCollectiveCulturesCultures

• Self is separate, unique individual; should be independent, self-sufficient

• Individual should take care of self and immediate family

• Many flexible group memberships; friends based on shared interests and activities

• People belong to extended families or in-groups; “we” or group orientation

• Person should take care of extended family before self

• Emphasis on belonging to very few permanent in-groups with strong influence



• Reward for individual achievement and initiative; individual decisions encouraged; credit and blame assigned

• High value on autonomy, change, youth, individual security, equality

• Reward for contribution to group goals and well-being; cooperation with in-group; group decisions valued; credit and blame shared

• High value on duty, order, tradition, age, group security, status, and hierarchy

Individual vs. Individual vs. CollectiveCollectiveCulturesCultures



Question:Question:

Which of the following is NOT true of collectivistic Which of the following is NOT true of collectivistic cultures?cultures?a.a. A person gains identity by belonging to a A person gains identity by belonging to a group.group.b. b. Assertiveness is valued.Assertiveness is valued.c.c. There is a higher degree of communication There is a higher degree of communication

apprehension.apprehension.d. d. Self-worth is not only shaped by what the Self-worth is not only shaped by what the individual does but also by the behavior of individual does but also by the behavior of other members of the community.other members of the community.



Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and CommunicationCommunication

A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a person’s expectations of an event make the event more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true.

A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a person’s expectations of an event make the event more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true.



Types of Self-Fulfilling Types of Self-Fulfilling ProphecyProphecy

• Self-Imposed

Prophecies

• Prophecies Imposed

on One by Another



Influence of Self-Fulfilling Influence of Self-Fulfilling PropheciesProphecies

• Improve Relationships

• Damage Relationships



Changing Your Self-ConceptChanging Your Self-Concept

• Have Realistic Expectations

• Have Realistic Perceptions

• Have the Will to Change

• Have the Skill to Change



Presenting the SelfPresenting the SelfCommunication as Identity Communication as Identity ManagementManagement

• Public and Private Selves

– Perceived Self

– Presenting Self



Looking At Looking At Diversity Diversity Multiple Identities

• Mixed Heritage

• Mixed Cultures

• Mixed Families



Characteristics of Identity Characteristics of Identity ManagementManagement• We Strive to Construct Multiple Identities

• Identity Management is Collaborative

• Identity Management can be Deliberate or Unconscious

• Identity Management Varies by Situation

• People Differ in Their Degree of Identity Management



Why Manage Identities?Why Manage Identities?

• Start and Manage Relationships

• Gain Compliance from Others

• Save Others’ Face

• Relational goals



How Do We Manage How Do We Manage Identities?Identities?Face-to-FaceFace-to-Face• Manner

– Words

– Nonverbal Behavior

• Appearance

• Setting



How Do We Manage How Do We Manage Identities?Identities?MediatedMediated

• Personal Correspondence

• Personal Newspaper Ads

• E-Mail

• Web Pages



Identity Management and Identity Management and HonestyHonesty

• Manipulation

• Phoniness

• Choices About How to Act - Which Face?

Looking out Looking in

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