This document summarizes key concepts from Chapter 2 of the textbook "Interpersonal Relations" about how communication and personal identity are related. It discusses how the self is a multidimensional process that is internalized from interactions with particular others through direct definition, reflected appraisal, and identity scripts, as well as influences from the generalized other regarding social categories like race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic class. The self-concept is built in a multidimensional way over time through socialization and interactions that shape one's understanding of who they are.
2. Stuart Smalley: Saturday Night Live “Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!” The end of “Daily Affirmations” "I am a human being, not a human doing.” "I am a worthy human being.“ "Trace it, face it, and erase it.“ Thank you to the talented writer Al Franken and his colleagues at SNL!
3. Quotations from Politicians “Ladies and gentlemen of the convention: My name is Geraldine Ferraro. I stand before you to proclaim tonight: America is the land where dreams can come true for all of us.” 1984 To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. 2008 (Sarah Palin)
4. What is The Self? (p. 42) Multidimensional process Process = happens in time and space Multidimensional = many parts Internalizing In my mind Acting What I do Social Perspectives Family Friends Community
5. Self Concept My personal understanding of who I AM Built from Particular Others Direct Definition Reflected Appraisals Identity Scripts Attachment Styles And the Generalized Other Race Gender Sexual Orientation Socioeconomic Class
6. Particular Others Mother Father Siblings Grandparents Cousins Aunts/Uncles Spouse/Partner Children Parents friends Daycare Provider Pastor/Priest Teachers Classmates Friends Coworkers Supervisor/Boss In the family Outside the family
7. Direct Definition (pp. 43-44) “…communication that tells us who we are by explicitly labeling us and our behaviors” Positive improves our self-esteem (value we place on ourselves) Praise “You are an excellent _________” You did a good job at _________” “Thank you!” Negative harms our self-esteem Put Down “You screwed up ________” “You should try harder” “ …. Because I said so!”
8. Reflected Appraisal Others are a mirror for how we see/interpret/evaluate ourselves Mental Process “I think you believe …” “I believe you believe …” “I know you believe …” Three Types: Uppers, Downers, Vultures Uppers Admire and accept Downers Point out and put down Vultures Exploit and attach
9. Self-Fulfilling Prophecies Internalize and behave First, “we internalize others’ expectations and judgments about us” (p.46) Then, we “behave in ways that are consistent with those expectations and judgments” (p. 46) Reflected appraisal is observed Indirect messages may be intentional or unintentional You see a friend being complemented for working hard Your parents hold the new baby more than they cuddle with you Your sibling is punished for cheating on a test Winners are told “Good game” by losers
10. “Soft Kitty” Big Bang Theory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIp77PUvLTE&feature=fvsr
12. The Generalized Other Defined: “the views generally held by others in a society” (p.49) Revealed in 3 Ways Learned through interaction Media and institutions Institutional Values
14. The BIG Categories Gender Is this person male or female? How do you know?
15. The Big Categories: Sexual Orientation What is this person’s sexual orientation? How do you know?
16. The Big Categories: Socioeconomic Class What class does this person belong to? How do you know?
17. Recap The self Multidimensional and internalized from particular and general others Learned/developed 4 ways Direct Definition Reflective Appraisal Identity Scripts Attachment Style (just from the reading) Generalized Other Race Gender Sexual Orientation Socioeconomic Class
