Psychology of Self-Concept and Communication

Self-Concept and Communication

• The self-concept influences communication by:
  • Confidence: High self-esteem can lead to more assertive and open communication
  • Perception: Self-perception affects how one interprets others' messages and behaviors
  • Behavior: Self-concept dictates communication styles, such as being passive, aggressive, or assertive
  • Relationships: How one views oneself can influence the ability to form and maintain relationships

Identity Development and Digital Platforms

• Digital platforms influence identity development by:
  • Social comparison: Constant exposure to others' curated lives can affect self-esteem and self-image
  • Feedback: Likes, comments, and shares provide immediate feedback that can shape self-perception
  • Identity experimentation: Online anonymity allows for trying out different identities and personas
  • Community building: Joining online groups and communities can reinforce aspects of one's identity

Looking Glass Theory

• The Looking Glass Theory suggests that self-identity is shaped by how we believe others perceive us
• Key concepts:
  • Imagining: We imagine how we appear to others
  • Listening process: Receiving, attending, interpreting, remembering, and responding to messages

Small Group Communication

• Small group communication involves interaction among a small number of people (5-7) who share a common goal
• Importance:
  • Facilitates collaboration
  • Enhances problem-solving
  • Allows for a diversity of ideas
• Characteristics:
  • Defined roles: Each member often has a specific role
  • Norms: Groups establish norms or informal rules that guide members' behavior and interaction
  • Procedures: Clear procedures for meetings, decision-making, and task completion ensure smooth functioning

Conflict in Small Groups

• Types of conflict:
  • Task conflict: Disagreements about the content and outcomes of the task
  • Relationship conflict: Personal incompatibilities among group members
  • Process conflict: Disagreements about how to accomplish tasks
• Managing conflict as a supervisor:
  • Identify the source: Understand the root cause of the conflict
  • Active listening: Hear all perspectives without bias
  • Mediation: Facilitate a discussion to resolve the conflict
  • Set guidelines: Establish clear rules for conflict resolution
  • Follow-up: Ensure the conflict is resolved and maintain open communication

Functions of Mass Media

• According to Lasswell and Wright (1948 and 1960):
  • Surveillance: Monitoring the environment and providing information about events and conditions in society
  • Correlation: Explaining and interpreting events and information, helping individuals understand their environment
  • Transmission: Socializing individuals by communicating norms, values, and culture from one generation to another
  • Entertainment: Providing amusement and diversion, helping people relax and escape from everyday life
  • Economic service: Advertising products and services, linking buyers and sellers

Impact of Social Media

• Positive impacts:
  • Connectivity: Enhances communication and connection among people worldwide
  • Information access: Provides a platform for disseminating information quickly and widely
  • Self-expression: Allows individuals to express their thoughts and creativity
  • Advocacy and activism: Facilitates social movements and awareness campaigns
• Negative impacts:
  • Misinformation: Spread of false information and fake news
  • Cyberbullying: Online harassment and bullying
  • Privacy issues: Concerns about data security and personal privacy
  • Mental health: Potential negative effects on self-esteem and mental health

Protecting Yourself Online

• Scenario advice:
  • Strengthen privacy settings: Adjust privacy settings on social media to control who can view and interact with content
  • Use strong passwords: Create unique, complex passwords for online accounts and change them regularly
  • Be cautious of sharing: Avoid posting sensitive personal information online
  • Recognize phishing scams: Be wary of suspicious emails and messages that ask for personal information
  • Monitor online presence: Regularly check accounts for unauthorized activities and use tools to track mentions and posts

Types of Leadership

• Laissez-faire leadership: Minimal interference from the leader, allowing group members to make decisions
• Democratic leadership: Leaders involve group members in decision-making
• Autocratic leadership: Leaders make decisions independently with little input from group members

The 5 Stages of Small Group Formation

• Forming: Group members get to know each other and establish initial roles and expectations
• Storming: Conflicts arise as members assert their opinions and vie for positions
• Norming: The group establishes norms and cohesion, finding ways to work together effectively
• Performing: The group works efficiently towards achieving its goals
• Adjourning: The group disbands after achieving its goals, and members reflect on their experiences

Barriers to Listening

• Physical barriers: External noise and environmental distractions that interfere with hearing
• Physiological barriers: Hearing impairments, fatigue, or other physical conditions that affect listening
• Psychological barriers: Prejudices, assumptions, and biases that influence how we interpret messages
• Semantic barriers: Misunderstandings due to language differences, jargon, or technical terms
• Personal barriers: Emotional states, such as stress, anger, or anxiety, that affect our ability to concentrate and listen effectively