Chapter 2 :Chapter 2 Perceiving the Self and Others


Chapter Objectives :Understand how your personal perspective influences communication Explain how we use schemas when communicating Discuss how we use attributions to explain behavior Chapter Objectives


Chapter Objectives :Understand how cultural differences influence perception Identify how your self-concept influences communication Describe how cognitions and behavior affect your communication Chapter Objectives


Perception :A cognitive process through which we interpret our experiences and come to our own unique understandings Perception


Communication Processing :Gathering, organizing, & evaluating information Goes beyond senses Involves personal factors Communication Processing


The Perception Process :Selecting Organizing Interpreting The Perception Process


Schemas: Organizing Perceptions : Schemas: Organizing Perceptions Mental structures that put together related bits of information Help you understand how things work and how they should proceed Evolve and change over time


Challenges with Schemas : Challenges with Schemas Mindlessness Selective perception Undue influence


Attributions: Interpreting Perceptions : Attributions: Interpreting Perceptions Using personal characteristics to explain others’ behavior Can change over time (Interaction appearance theory) Can be problematic (Fundamental attribution error)


Improving Your Perceptions :Verify your perceptions Be thoughtful when seeking explanations Look beyond first impressions Improving Your Perceptions


Perception in a Diverse World :Culture affects how we perceive ourselves & others Perception in a Diverse World


Perceptual Barriers :The narrow perspective (Cultural myopia) Stereotyping Prejudice Perceptual Barriers


Removing Perceptual Barriers :Be mindful Consider multiple identities and co-cultures Expand your perspective Deconstruct your schemas Removing Perceptual Barriers


Cognition: Perceiving Ourselves :Cognition: Perceiving Ourselves Self-concept Self-esteem Self-efficacy


Self-Concept :Self-Concept Who you think you are Influenced by thoughts, actions, abilities, values, goals, ideas… Influences how you communicate Comes from how others communicate with you Direct & indirect evidence Social comparison theory


Self-Esteem :Self-Esteem A set of attitudes you hold about your own emotions, thoughts, abilities, skills, behavior, and beliefs. Linked to Self-Concept: Must know yourself to have attitudes about self.


Self-Efficacy :Self-Efficacy Ability to predict actual success based on yourself-concept and self-esteem Affects your ability to cope with failure and success Can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies


Assessing Our Perceptions of Self :Assessing Our Perceptions of Self Self-Actualization The feelings & thoughts you get when you know you have negotiated a communication situation as well as you possibly could Leads to sense of satisfaction & fulfillment


Assessing Our Perceptions of Self :Assessing Our Perceptions of Self Self-Adequacy Assessing your communication competence as sufficient or acceptable Can lead to contentment or self-improvement


Assessing Our Perceptions of Self :Assessing Our Perceptions of Self Self-Denigration A negative assessment about a communication experience. Self-criticism Often unwarranted. Often occurs when communicators place undue importance on weaknesses


Behavior:Managing Our Identities :Behavior:Managing Our Identities Self-presentation Intentional communication designed to show elements of self for strategic purposes Occurs through various channels Requires self-monitoring


Behavior:Managing Our Identities :Behavior:Managing Our Identities Self-disclosure Revealing yourself to others by sharing personal information Must not be information easily known to others Sharing must be voluntary


Behavior:Managing Our Identities :Behavior:Managing Our Identities


Technology:Managing the Self Online :Technology:Managing the Self Online Self-presentation can be more controlled Make conscious choices about what to reveal to others Allows for experimentation with identity