II. Terms

In your essays for this course it is very important to use the terminology of communication science. Therefore, take time to learn the terms and their meanings in each chapter. In the face-to-face version of this course, various interactive techniques will be used to test your knowledge of the major terms. In the online version of the class you will review the terms independently. Make sure you use the terms referred to below in your essays.

Collectivistic cultures Dramaturgy Metaphor Ideal self Individualistic cultures Johari Window Loss of face Mask Ought self Private self Public self Self Self-awareness

Self-concept Self-disclosure Self-discrepancy theory Self-esteem Self-esteem Self-fulfilling prophecy SMART Goals Social penetration theory The I The Me Warranting value

III. Names

It is very important to remember the names of scholars who contributed to communication theory. Your essays will sound more professional if you make reference to the people mentioned in this brochure. In the face-to-face version of this course, and in the audio lectures that accompany the online version of this course the names of these scholars will be routinely used to refer to various concepts. Study the names of communication scholars and try to remember their contribution to the science.

Altman, Irwin Bowlby, John Cooley, Charles Doran, George T. Drozdova, Natalya Goffman, Erwing Higgins, Edward Tory Ingham, Harrington

Keesing, John Luft, Joseph Mead, George Herbert Merton, Robert Natarova, Tatyana Sharova, Maria Taylor, Dalmas Wheeless, Charles

IV. Recap Questions

Use the recap questions to see if you remember the main concepts discussed in the chapter. In the face-to-face version of this course recap questions will be asked at various points as we make connection between different concepts. In the online version of this course use the recap questions to check if you remember all the concepts discussed in the chapter.

1. Define the self and its components.

2. How is self-awareness developed?

3. What are the factors shaping self-concept?

4. Explain the concept of the looking-glass self.

5. What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

6. Can you explain the Self-Discrepancy Theory?

7. What are the steps of developing your self-esteem?

8. Explain how family, gender and culture influence your self.

9. What are public and private selves?

10. Explain Erving Goffman’s theory of face.

11. What are the differences between real-life and online self-presentation?

12. Explain the main concepts of Social Penetration Theory.

13. What is the Johari Window?

14. Define self-disclosure.

15. What are cultural influences on self-disclosure?

16. Explain the parameters of the Dramaturgy metaphor?

17. What is the other version of the Johari window mentioned by Michael in his sound bite?

V. Self-Reflection Items

There are a total of eight self-reflection items (SRIs) in each chapter. For the online and face-to-face versions of the class alike, choose THREE items to discuss.

1. Communication Diary: Choose one of SRI to discuss privately with your teacher. Answer all the questions in the SRI. Refer to at least THREE concepts in the chapter in THREE good paragraphs, then summarize in the fourth paragraph. (20 points).

2. Communication Board Posting: Choose one of the SRIs to discuss openly with your fellow students. Follow the same rules as for CD1 but in the end ask ONE question of your fellow class-mates, a word of advice. (20 points).

3. Communication Board Comment: Write one good paragraph in response to the question posed by your classmate in pairs as assigned by the teacher (10 points).

Self Reflection Items for Chapter 2:

1. Consider people in your life whom you admire. What is it about them you hold in high regard? Are they better communicators than you? More successful at building relationships? How does socially comparing yourself against admired others affect your feelings about your self?

2. Consider your looking-glass self. What kind of labels do your friends use to describe you? Your family? Your coworkers? How do you feel about others’ impressions of you? How do these feelings shape your interpersonal communication and relationships?

3. What lessons about gender did you learn from your family when you were growing up? From your friends? Based on these lessons, what aspects of your self did you bolster— and bury—given what others deemed appropriate for your gender? How did learning about gender affect your interpersonal communication? Your relationships?

4. How do you feel about the Smith and Carlos gestures? When you consider your own cultural background, to which culture do you “pledge allegiance”? How do you communicate this allegiance to others? Have you ever suffered consequences for openly communicating your allegiance to your culture? If so, what were they?

5. Recall an embarrassing interpersonal encounter. How did you try to restore your lost face? Were you successful? If you could relive the encounter, what would you say and do differently?

6. Have you ever distorted your self-presentation online to make yourself appear more attractive and appealing? If so, was this ethical? What were the consequences—for yourself and others—of creating this online mask?

7. Consider your “blind area” of self. What strengths might you possess that you don’t recognize? What character flaws might exist that don’t mesh with your selfconcept? How can you capitalize on these strengths and mend your flaws so that your interpersonal communication and relationships improve?

8. Have you ever disclosed something to someone, only to have him or her use it against you? If so, what consequences did you suffer? Could you have communicated the same information differently so that it didn’t put you at risk? If so, how? If not, why not?