Public presentation of self and others. Face as metaphor respect, face threat, conflict

1. Face Negotiation
Theory
Communication Studies
Department
SJSU
Dr. Marquita L. Byrd

2. Stella Ting-Toomey
• Professor of Human Communication
Studies at California State University, Fullerton.
• Her research interests focus on fine-tuning
the conflict face-negotiation theory and testing
the impact of situational and ethnic identity
factors on conflict styles.
• She believes that face "entails the
presentation of a civilized front to
another individual."
• Socially approved self-image and
other-image consideration issues"

3. Theory at a Glance
• Face-Negotiation is based on face management, which describes how
people from different cultures manage conflict negotiation to maintain
face. Self-face and other-face concerns explain the conflict negotiation
between people from various cultures.
• Face is clearly an important feature of life, a metaphor for self-image
that pervades all aspects of social life.
• Face concern is the interest in maintaining one's face or the face of
others.
• Positive face the desire to be liked and admired by others.
• Negative face is the desire to be autonomous and free from others.

4. Assumptions of Face-Negotiation
Theory
• Self-identity is important in interpersonal interactions,
with individuals negotiating their identities differently
across cultures.
• The management of conflicts is mediated by face and
culture.
• Certain acts threaten one's projected self-image
(face).

5. Face-Threatening
Acts (FTAs)
Face-Saving
(preventing or stopping
embarrassment or
predicament)
Face-Restoration
(offering excuse for
embarrassment
or predicament)
Face-Maintenance Framework

6. Individualistic and Collectivistic
Cultures
• Individualism: individual over the group
• Collectivism: group over the individual

7. Face and Politeness Theory
• Face threat: something that is said or done that may reduce
someone's self image or self presented to the public
• Positive face and negative face
liked and admired autonomous and free(face needs) and face
wants
 Face work: what is said or done to take care of the face of each
other Respect for your face and mine
 Face maintenance
 Politeness Appropriate behaviors to establish and maintain
harmony in relationships
 Face breaking: total disrespect making self or the other lose
respect damaging self that is presented to the public

8. Conflict Styles
Avoiding: staying away from disagreements
Obliging: satisfying the needs of others
Compromising: using give-&-take achieve middle
road resolution
Dominating: using influence or authority to make
decisions

10. Logical Consistency & Heurism
• Face-Negotiation Theory is important to
study when culture pervades all aspects of
life and the global village is becoming
smaller, the theory will have a lasting
appeal.
• FNT rests on the differing experiences and
perceptions of individualistic and
collectivist cultures.