How we come to know who we are

1. Interpersonal
Communication
Self-Concept
Dr. Marquita Byrd
Communication Studies Department
San Jose State University

2. Self-Concept
 Self-concept is all that we believe to be true about
ourselves.
 Self-concept is part of the psychological filter that every
human being has.
 Everything that we say, do, feel, and hear is filtered
through our self-concept.
 Is comprised of several dimensions.

3. Self: That which distinguishes one person from another :
Individuality
Complete this sentence five times… I am…….
Self
Concept
Self-
Esteem
Self-image
Self
Identity
Self-
Awareness
Self-Concept has many Dimensions

4. Assessing your Self Worth
 Self Esteem is measured as High or
Low
 And influences your performance
 High Self esteem: more eye contact,
like themselves better, like other
people and expect other people to
like them. More eye contact, perform
better and more like to communicate
with superiors better
 Low Self Esteem less eye contact,
poor performance, may have negative
self-concept, does not believe in self,
hesitate to take promotions, don’t’
accept constructive criticism well
Self-Esteem

5. Others influence the development of
Self-Concept
Reflected appraisal
Comparison with others
Three types of self
Perceived, ideal and expected self.
Write five words or phrases you would use to describe yourself ten
years from now.

6. Several Things help predict the shaping
of your self concept
Self-fulfilling prophecy
 What you expect of yourself
 If you expect the best of yourself
you will perform better.
 If you expect the worse, then you
will make it happen
Pygmalion effect
 What others expect of you
 Pygmalion was a Greek king you
made a status of a beautiful
woman. She are made alive by the
ministrations of the goddess
Aphrodite . Pygmalion married the
statue what had become alive.

7. Gender and Body Image
 Men used to be less concerned about body image than women.
 Women are very tied into media images of other women and strive to fit
those images.

8. Improving Self-concept
 Assess your self
 Ask those who know you to assess you to see if it is accurate
 Get goals short term goals and steps to reach your goals
 Assess your progress towards those goals
 Take a new mental picture of yourself