Self in Interpersonal
Communication
I. Self-Concept
A. Definition
1. How you view yourself;
self-image
2. Feelings & thoughts about
your strengths, weaknesses
3. Relatively stable set of
perceptions you hold of yourself:
emotional states, talents, likes,
dislikes, values, roles, etc.
B. How the Self-Concept Develops
1. Others’ Images of You
a. Looking Glass Self
b. Reflected Appraisal:
c. Ego Boosters & Ego Busters
2. Social Comparisons
a. Superior/Inferior
b. Same/Different
3. Cultural Teachings
4. Your Own Interpretations &
Experiences
Sources of Self Concept
Other’s
Images
Social Self Your
Concept Interpretations &
Comparisons Evaluations
Cultural
Teachings
Cultural Influences on Self-Concept
Individualistic Cultures Collectivistic Cultures
• Self is separate, unique • Emphasize extended
indiv; should be inde- families or in-groups;
pendent, self-sufficient “we” orientation
• Should take care of self • Should care for extend-
& immediate family ed family before self
• Reward individual • Reward contribution to
achievement; value group goals; group
individual decisions; decisions valued;
individual credit/ blame shared credit/blame
• Value autonomy, youth, • Value--duty, order, tra-
change, individual dition, age, group se-
security, equality curity, status, hierarchy
C. Characteristics of Self-Concept
The self-concept:
1. affects communication.
2. is subjective.
3. resists change.
4. is flexible, if it is healthy.
5. is multi-dimensional
II. Self-Awareness
A. Johari Window -- a tool that
represents your communication
behaviors
Goal is to be
as open a
communicator
as appropriate.
Known to Not Known
Self to Self
Known to
Others
Open Blind
Self Self
Not
Known
Hidden Unknown
to Others Self Self
Johari Window
III. Self-Esteem – your own
evaluation of worth CLUES?
A. Attack your self-
destructive beliefs.
B. Engage in self-affirmation.
C. Seek out nourish-
ing people.
C. Work on projects that
will result in success.
IV. Self-Disclosure --
sharing previously unknown
personal information with
another
A. Factors Influencing Self-
Disclosure
1. Who You Are
2. Culture
3. Gender
4. Your Listeners
5. Topic
Weigh the rewards against the
risks before deciding to self-
disclose.
B. Rewards of Self-
Disclosure
1. Get to know self better
2. Increases communication
effectiveness
3. Increases physiological
health
C. Dangers of Self-
Disclosure
1. Personal risks
2. Relational risks
3. Professional risks
Experiential Vehicle, Devito Website
Guidelines for Self-Disclosure
• Consider the:
– motivation.
– appropriateness.
– disclosures of the other.
– possible burdens.
V. Apprehension
A. Nature of comm. apprehension
1. Comm. apprehension--fear/anxiety
about interaction
2. Trait apprehension--fear of comm.,
regardless of situation
3. State apprehension--specific to a
given comm. situation
B. Apprehensive Behaviors
1. Decrease in frequency, strength, &
likelihood of engaging in comm.
2. Less willing to volunteer
3. Lack of satisfaction w/dating
4. Talk less & avoid leadership
5. Disclose less
6. Avoid jobs requiring comm.
7. Less likely to get job interviews
C. Influences on comm. apprehension
1. Degree of evaluation
2. Subordinate status
3. Degree of conspicuousness
4. Degree of unpredictability
5. Degree of dissimilarity
6. Prior success & failures
7. Lack of comm. skills & experience
D. Culture & apprehension
1. Apprehension increases w/unfamiliarity
2. Higher if you have stereotypes,
prejudices
3. Situation influences--ambiguity, status,
perception of evaluation
E. Apprehension Management Theories
1. Cognitive Restructuring--change
Restructuring unreal-
istic beliefs which cause fear of failure
2. Systematic Desensitization--unlearn
Desensitization
apprehension--creating hierarchy of
behaviors leading up to desired behavior
3. Skill Acquisition--
Acquisition
a. Prepare & practice
b. Focus on success
c. Familiarize yourself w/situation
d. Try to relax
