COMT 4/510 : Advanced Interpersonal

CommunicationPerception and Identity

Adler and RodmanSelf concept is how we view ourselves.

self concept is influenced by:• culture• family• education• mood • beliefs• talents• physical appearance• etc.

self is a created symbol.

•Aristotle following Plato: human = soul/body

•Locke: body/self = the material human.

How about•partially aware self?•self as victim?•fragmented self?•socially constructed?

Reflected appraisal - we look to others to see how we are doing.

significant others - those we look to for self concept information

personality - a relatively consistent set of traits people exhibit across a variety of situations.

Respond: the notion of an autonomous self is a dysfunctional myth . . .

four important cognitive processes:what we expect.

one type of expectation is a self-fulfilling prophecy.• disabling prophecy• enabling

prophecy

How we attribute responsibility

• Actors tend to state that other people or the situation is responsible for their actions.

• Observers tend to state the actor is responsible for her action.

When communicating we are both actors and observers. What can you make of this?

Canary, et al.: social cognition or person perception

•Selection - noticing

schemata = how we categorize• self (physical, spiritual, emotional• social/work roles • scripts• persons• relational

interpretation – momentary label using personal schemata

Stereotypes: when we use cognitive categories to understand who others are (race, sex, age, class, religion, appearance, etc.)

Julia Wood - Standpoint Theory

Social groups sculpt how individuals view themselves, others, social life, relationships.

“Shooting an Elephant”

George Orwell

Where you stand is what you get. Be aware of standpoint. Modify standpoint. Negotiate standpoint in relationship.

We need to explain our standpoint in close interpersonal relationship.

• Individualism• Family• Collectivity• Who counts as family?• Hard work• What else?

What does our culture value in terms of relationship?

Men and women are raised in different cultures. Describe the differences and their influence.