Interplay - The Process of Interpersonal Communication (Chapter 3 Key terms)

Reflected appraisal

Definition: A mirroring of the judgments of those around you. Textbook sentence: After thinking about these two types of people, you should begin to see that everyone's self concept is to some degree a reflected appraisal: a mirroring of the judgments of those around a person. My sentence: An example of "reflected appraisal" is when a person gets bullied at school or is given negative feedbacks which can lead to him to dropping out.

Presenting self

Definition: A public image- the way we want to appear to others. Textbook sentence: In contrast to the perceived self, the presenting self is a public image - the way we want to appear to others. My sentence: My "presenting self" is as being sometimes serious and sometimes fun and easy going.

Social comparison

Definition: Evaluating ourselves in terms of how we compare with others. Textbook sentence: In addition to using these messages, we form our self-image by the process of social comparison: evaluating ourselves in terms of how we compare with others. My sentence: In "social comparison", a student athlete might compare himself with a successful football player during his childhood and his love for sport.

Face

Definition: Socially approved identity Textbook sentence: Sociologist Erving Goffman used the word "face" to describe this socially approved identity. My sentence: The small baby has a cute "face."

Impression management

Definition: The communication strategies people use to influence how others view them. Textbook sentence: We will now turn the tables and focus on the topic of impression management - the communication strategies people use to influence how others view them. My sentence: To be a good leader, one needs to be strong at "impression management".

Self-esteem

Definition: The part of self concept that involves evaluations of self worth. Textbook sentence: Self-esteem is the part of self-concept that involves evaluations of self worth. My sentence: Although she is usually quiet and calm, she has positive "self esteem" on herself.

Perceived self

Definition: The person you believe yourself to be in moments of self-honest examination. Textbook sentence: The perceived self is the person you believe yourself to be in moments of honest self-examination. My sentence: I "perceive myself" as agreeable and easy going.

Self-concept

Definition: The relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of your self. Textbook sentence: The list you created in the exercise you just completed offers clues about your self-concept: the relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of yourself. My sentence: The idea that I am pleased with who I am, shows my "self-concept."

Reference groups

Definition: Those people against whom we evaluate our own characteristics. Textbook sentence: We decide whether we are superior or inferior and similar or different by comparing ourselves to what social scientists call reference groups - those people against whom we evaluate our own characteristics. My sentence: Examples of our normal "reference groups" include our parents, siblings, classmates and friends.

Self-imposed prophecy

Definition: When your own expectations influence your behavior. Textbook sentence: Self-imposed prophecies occur when your own expectations influence your behavior. My sentence: An example of "self-imposed prophecy" for me was when I passed my permit test after being sure that I was going to be successful.