COMMS lecture 3 The presentation of self: self-disclosure Perception in communication

What is Self Disclosure

• Another kind of self-presentation.

¡Serves an important relational function, helping us to connect to others.

What are the postives of Self disclosure

—Self-validation

—Reciprocity

—Impression management

—Relationship building

¡Trust, intimacy

What are some of the risk of Self disclosure

—Rejection

—Negative impression

—Loss of influence

¡Sacrifice in power

What are the Implications for Business and Leadership

—Without trust, others will not disclose. How can leaders learn what they need to know?

¡Leaders need some level of intimacy with followers, right?

—Leaders need facts without spin.

—Leaders need opinions that reflect the expertise of subordinates.

What is the The Abilene Paradox (Jerry B. Harvey)

The Abilene Paradox is a concept in group decision-making that occurs when a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that none of them actually want — simply because each member mistakenly believes that the others do.

What is Common sense assumption (Persepction)

—Common sense assumption: direct transfer of information from our senses to our brain.

—“Stuff” happens, and we perceive it.

What is Selction

—We can’t perceive everything; we select things that are:

¡Intense

¡Repetitious

¡Contrasting

¡Changing

What is Perptual Schemata (Orgnaization)

¡Physical constructs, role constructs, etc.

÷Expectations guide perception

¡Schemata lead to generalizations.

÷Some useful (classroom schema), some limiting and destructive (stereotypes)

What is a Pre-existing Schemata

• Part of the important business person schema: business leaders tend to be extraordinarily smart and intimidating.

¡Information interpreted through this lens.

What is the Investment advisor schema

Are you going to hand over your life savings to someone because of that person’s manner of dress??

What is Confirmation Bias

• We notice and believe those things that we think we already know.

• We interpret data in ways that confirm our presuppositions

What are Assumptions

• People who study “subject x” are really smart.

What is Interpretations

• Attaching meanings to what we perceive.

• Your boss speaks dismissively to you on your first day of work.

• Why???

What are negotiations 

—Discussion of what the things we witness mean.

—Your friend group may notice that one of your friend group members has not been spending time with you:

¡The person no longer enjoys your company?

What is Standpoint Theory(Perception: Standpoint matters)

¡ Position in society shapes interpretations. 

Gender roles, occupation, cultural influences, etc

What are the weaknesses of perceiving of others

1.We may exhibit confirmation or self-serving bias.

2.We may unconsciously express a preference for people who view things similarly to how we do.

3.We may be subject to the power of first impressions.

4.We may focus excessively on the obvious.

What are Atribution Problems

—We infer (often wrongly) what causes a behaviour or outcome.

¡Believe good things that happen to us are due to our abilities and efforts

¡Believe that bad things that happen to us are due to outside circumstances

What is the Power and responsibility of being a Leader

—Those with the power over others have a particular responsibility to reflect on their own thinking.