Ch.

Communication and self

The message people send-consciously or notcan shape others self concepts and thus
influence their communication.
The beliefs each of us hold about ourselves
have a powerful effect on our own
communication behaviors.
The image we present to the world varies from
one situation to another.
People often perceive the world in radically
different ways, which presents major
challenges for successful communicating.

Reflected appraisal: It describes how

we develop an image of ourselves from
the way we think others view us.
Ex: an inflated sense of self-worth
Feelings of pride and self-worth are likely
to be shaped not only by what the
individual does but also by the behavior
of other member of the community.
Ex: peer pressure, low-self-esteem

Identity
Identity is a sense of who we are, and who
others think we are.
Perceived self: The image we show to
others; this is the individual saying this is
who I am.
Ascription: The process by which others
attribute identities to an individual.
Stereotyping is one example of this process.

Multiple identities
To talk about multiple identities means that
who we are and how we differs and
emerges depending upon:
who we are with (in relation to groups)
the cultural identities that are important to
us and the others
the context (including power differentials)
the topic of conversation
our interpretations and attributions (values,
beliefs, etc.)

Identity managment
Or multiple identifications are formed on the
basis of many different types of groups:
nationality, race, ethnicity, sex, gender,
class, political affiliation, community,
organization, professional role/position,
region of residence, etc.
We manage our identity to meet the
expectation of social rules in different
settings, as well as to accomplish personal
goals.

Identity activity
Think about who you are in the context of this course.
List the group(s) with which you currently identity or
with which you have identified in the past. Select the
ones that have contributed to making you the person
you are today.
Circle the 3 or 4 identifications that are the most
important to whom you are in your interactions and
relationships with others.
Identify the identifications that you are most proud.
Identify the identifications that you think are
negatively viewed or misunderstood by persons
outside of that group.

For individuals in interpersonal

relationships and group interaction,
many or a few group identifications
may become important.
Ex: We embody different roles depending on
the context in which our communication takes
place, and the people we communicate with.

 Identification

overlap and intersect

and can be contradictory.
Ex: Gender is a socially constructed
concept.
A statement about a mans long hair
reveals a particular cultural
assumption/norm.
The ideas of being masculine, feminine,
androgynous and undifferentiated are
based on societys definitions.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latinamerica-25962930
What is considered as feminine and
beautiful in this society?
What is the sense of self influenced by the
societal norm?

The Perception Process

Stage one: Selection

By selecting certain stimuli, we sometimes miss
other cues that might be important.
Ex: being self-absorbed.

Stage two: Organization

We tend to impose structure and consistency on
what we observe.
Ex: stereotyping, labeling, our perception and
categorization of an unfamiliar person.

 Stage

three: Interpretation

We attach meaning to what we observe

to complete the perceptual process.
Ex: a person with too much perfume in a
sense you dont like, whats your
impression of that person? How do you
make sense of this person? What if

Our life experiences, how we are raised,

and how we developed contribute a
great deal to how we perceive things,
events, and people.
Similar experiences can trigger
different meanings in people; thus,
different responses occur.

Common perceptual Tendencies

Self-serving bias
Pay more attention to negative impressions
than positive ones
We tend to create and hold stereotypes, and
seek out isolated behaviors that support our
inaccurate beliefs.

Decategorize people

Empathy
Empathy is the ability to re-create another
persons perceptive, to experience the
world from the others point of view.
Empathy is a genuine concern for the
welfare of the other person.
It allows you to understand another
persons point of view without requiring you
to agree with them.

Activity
Tyra Bankss talk show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcSJSJ
WD60

 In

what ways do the concepts from

Chapter 2 apply to the talk?
Do you relate to her struggle to find an
identity people around her would
accept?
Her self-esteem was damaged by a
sense of being unaccepted and
"othered." Have you ever felt that way?
How might you be more empathic?

CMC and identity

management
If

you lived in a virtual world in

which anything were possible,
describe the avatar you would
most like to represent you and
explain why.