The Self and Human Communication

1

• The Self and Human Communication
• What is the Self?
• Of course its a word.
• -Invented by John Locke for capitalism
• Thus, a symbol of something?
• Of what?
• The discussion that follows assumes you will or
  have read the text. We will take this material
  much further. In fact, into areas that may
  challenge your deepest thoughts about who you
  think you are.

2

• Some Questions to Explore Concerning Self
• A general guiding question is
• Does language use the self or visa versa?
• Some related questions
• What is your true self? Ex. Little Danny
• Does it change? Ex. My moves
• Does society determine self?The Asche study

3
The Asche Study1956 Classroom of 30 students all
of which are aware of the study except
one X A
B C One simple question
Which line, A, B, or C, is most nearly the same
length as X?
4
The Results of the Asche Study What did the
average American sophomore respond? 60? or 45?
or 30? When the same study was conducted in
Japan, what were the results? What did Asche
conclude He said, Reality is the function of
other peoples perception?
5

• Some More Questions
• What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
• Intrapersonal Communication
• Is this concept of self a valid one given the
  transactional model?
• So, how would you define yourself?
• Is that who you really are or does your
  description change given certain influences?
• ex. Student returning from Grass Range
• So then, what is self-image?

6

• Final Comments on Self and the World or Sea of
  Communication
• Perhaps, given the discussion in this unit, the
  self according to a communication perspective
  (building on the transactional model of
  communication, is a negotiated essence. In other
  words, an interplay (a negotiated understanding)
  between three messages we receive all the time
  everyday
• -How I communicate myself. (How I see myself)
• -How others communicate about me. (How others
  see me)
• -And finally, and perhaps most importantly, how
  I
• think others are communicating about me.
  (How I think others see me)
• Perhaps there are many selves in each of us?
• What about awareness as self untouched by
  language?

7
What Good is all of This? Maybe it says we can
change, are free to change. That seems a
blessing, doesnt it?