Perception, the Self, and Communication

1
Chapter 2

• Perception, the Self, and Communication

2
After studying the material in this chapter. . .

• You should understand
• how common perceptual tendencies and situational
  factors influence perception.
• the influence of culture on perception and the
  self-concept.
• the importance of empathy in communication.
• the communicative influences that shape the
  self-concept.

3
After studying the material in this chapter. . .

• You should understand
• how self-fulfilling prophecies influence
  behaviour.
• how the process of identity management can result
  in presentation of multiple selves.
• the reasons for and the ethical dimensions of
  identity management.

4
After studying the material in this chapter. . .

• You should be able to
• explain how the tendencies outlined in this
  chapter have led you to develop distorted
  perceptions of yourself and others.
• use perception-checking and empathy to be more
  accurate in your perceptions of others behaviour.

5
After studying the material in this chapter. . .

• You should be able to
• identify the ways you influence the self-concepts
  of others and the ways significant others
  influence your self-concept.
• identify the communication-related
  self-fulfilling prophecies that you have imposed
  on yourself, that others have imposed on you, and
  that you have imposed on others.

6
After studying the material in this chapter. . .

• You should be able to
• describe the various identities you attempt to
  create and the ethical merit of your identity
  management strategies.

7
Chapter highlights

• Our perceptions of others shape the way we
  communicate with them. Several factors influence
  these perceptions
• our success at constructing shared narratives
  through communication
• our tendency to make several perceptual errors

8
Chapter highlights

• factors arising from our own experience and from
  our prior relationship with that person
• our cultural background
• our ability to empathize

9
Chapter highlights

• The skill of perception-checking can help us
  clarify mistaken perceptions, leading to a shared
  narrative and smoother communication.

10
Chapter highlights

• Communication depends on the way we perceive
  ourselves, as well as others. You will appreciate
  the importance of the self as you read about
• how communication shapes the self-concept.
• the way culture shapes our self-perceptions.

11
Chapter highlights

• the role of personality in shaping our
  perceptions.
• how self-fulfilling prophecies can lead either to
  more satisfying or to less productive
  communication.

12
Chapter highlights

• As Chapter 1 explained, one reason we communicate
  is to persuade others to view ourselves as we
  want to be seen.
• To understand how this principle of identity
  management operates, Chapter 2 explains
• the difference between perceived and presenting
  selves.

13
Chapter highlights

• how we communicate to manage our identities, via
  both face-to-face and mediated channels.
• reasons why we communicate to manage our
  identities.

14
Perceiving others

• Narratives and perception
• Common perceptual tendencies
• We often judge ourselves more charitable than we
  judge others.
• We are influenced by what is most obvious.
• We cling to first impressions, even if wrong.

15
Perceiving others

• We tend to assume that others are similar to us.
• We tend to favour negative impressions over
  positive ones.

16
Perceiving others

• Situational factors influencing perceptions
• Relational satisfaction
• Degree of involvement with the other person
• Past experience
• Expectations

17
Perceiving others

• Social roles
• Knowledge
• Self-concept
• Perception and culture
• Empathy and perception
• Dimensions of empathy
• Perception-checking

18
Perceiving the self

• Self-concept defined
• Communication and development of the self
• Culture and the self-concept
• The self-concept, personality, and communication
• The self-fulfilling prophecy

19
Table 2.1
20
Figure 2.1

• The relationship between the self-concept and
  behaviour

21
Identity management

• Characteristics of identity management
• We strive to construct multiple identities.
• Identity management is collaborative.
• Identity management can be conscious or
  unconscious.
• People differ in their degree of identity
  management.

22
Table 2.2
23
Identity management

• Why manage impressions?
• How do we manage impressions?
• Face-to-face impression management
• Impression management in mediated communication
• Impression management and honesty