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Module One: The Communication Process
Chapter Three

<< Module One Overview

> Assignments Ch. One

> Assignments Ch. Two

> Assignments Ch. Three

We turn to Chapter Three to define what is meant by a self-concept and its constituent parts of self-esteem and self-image.

Topic 07:	Distinguish the three key terms that are used in this chapter and apply them to ourselves: self concept, self image and self esteem
Topic 08:	Explore the connection between self concept and communication with special reference to the theories of communication apprehension, self-fulfilling prophecy and impression management
Topic 09:	Reflect on the ways that gender and culture affect self-concept

Topic 07: Self-concept

In the posting to the Discussion Board for topic seven, use your own words to define the three central terms in Chapter Three: Self-concept, self-esteem and self-image. Consider examples of how these terms apply to you. What are some of the concrete examples in which you can apply these terms, especially in light of the way Seiler and Beall outline three components of self in terms of the physical, social, and psychological dimensions.

Featured Links

Self-esteem
<http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/
spd110td/interper/self/
selfesteem.html>
This page from the Interpersonal Web provides a number of links related to various aspects of self-esteem.

Then, reflect on your self-concept by writing a description of yourself. A useful tool for this task might be to apply the eight categories of self-concept found on page 68. [For the fourth edition, use page 57.]Which combination of these categories do you find most helpful for describing yourself? The fourth level down of the hierarchy might also be expanded to include a whole range of aspects of your psychological self-concept alongside intelligence such as feelings, confidence, attitudes, beliefs, and values. Similarly, you can expand upon the components of your social self or physical self-image.

Key Terms

Hierarchy of Self-concept
self-esteem
self-image
psychological self
social self
physical self

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Topic 08: Self-concept and Communication

Our self-concept can have a serious impact on our success or failure as a communicator. Moreover, our positive or negative views of communication may be greatly affected by whether we hold positive or negative attitudes toward ourselves.

The Web links for this discussion draw on the theory of self presentation that was developed by Erving Goffman. As you reflect on how you present yourself, weigh the strategies that you use for creating a positive impression as you present yourself to others. This may also relate very much to how well we are able to manage communication apprehension in order to present a sense of self-confidence.

Featured Links

Self Presentation
<http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/
eli/spd110td/interper/self/
selfpresent.html>

As you wrap up thinking about the relationship between your self-concept and communication, enter the discussion in the Discussion Board for Topic 8. There are three interrelated questions to address:

In your dealings with other people, what kind of image of yourself do you choose to present? As you answer this part of the topic, think about the kind of image that you presented to the rest of the class during our first class meeting.
How was the image you presented affected by your experience of self-fulfilling prophecies, and did you use any of the strategies of impression management?
Research has demonstrated meeting strangers is one of the most stressful types of interpersonal encounters that many of us experience. Reflect on your level of apprehension. Examine how our interactions online may have affected your level of apprehension.

To answer these questions, use the key terms from the theories of communication that are highlighted above. Additional terms to use might include confidence, self-enhancement tactics, and other-enhancement tactics.

Key Terms

self-fulfilling prophecies
impression management
apprehension
confidence
self-enhancement tactics
other-enhancement tactics

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Topic 09: Self and Gender

Topic Nine invites your reflections on some of the issues that Seiler and Beall raise about culture and gender in relationship to how we develop a self-concept.

For the posting to this topic, answer one of the following questions as it relates to your experience?

1. How does your identification with a culture shape your self-concept? In addressing this question, describe your culture and how you think its beliefs, norms and institutions have affected how you define yourself.

2. Have you ever been taken out of your culture in ways that resulted in the type of cultural conflict that Seiler and Beall describe on page 72? [For the fourth edition, use page 68.] How did you deal with this conflict? What kinds of changes did you make?

3. How important is gender as a component of your self-concept? How has your gender role been shaped through factors such as gender expectations, cultural values about gender, and role expectations?

In developing your answer to one of these three issues, use concrete personal examples. The Weblink from the Interpersonal Web also provides links to resources for defining culture and examining how various types of cultural groupings affect our sense of self-concept.