Self Concept Through Interpersonal Communication

I chose the topic of self-concept through interpersonal communication because I had an interest in it. This interest is because I didn't understand that one's self-concept affected the way one is perceived by others. I learned self-concept through class discussions, but I wanted a better understanding of how communication affects one's self-concept and how it affects one's perception

One's self-concept affects one's perception, attitude and behavior, which can be demonstrated during the process of interpersonal communication. Aspects of one's life influence their self-concept, which not only affect how people perceive them but how they perceive themselves. Such things are gender, motivational level and psychological type. It is widely known that in order to communicate with others one must first understand oneself. This is self-concept, and affects the way one communicates. In the process of communication, self-knowledge and the way one feel about oneself is revealed to others, and affects how others react to them. Consequently, the perceptions one believes others have of them affect how they receive their communication, which influences their response.

In order to understand how one perceives situations and how they can determine the way one communicates; we first must understand the value of self-concept. Self is easily defined; it is one's beliefs, attitudes, feelings and values. It is who one is and what one stands for. Self-concept, is a relevantly stable set of perceptions and emotional states. It is the way one sees and understands oneself, and contributes to how one perceives oneself and perceives situations. One's self-concept may alter their perception, and either enhance or impede one's communication effectiveness. The way one sees oneself can influence the way they see their social surroundings. Only after one become aware of oneself can they be aware of their physical and social surroundings, which will allow one to perceive situations and people with a truer idea and create a more positive outcome.

Communication affects self-concept and self concept affects how one communicates. If one has poor self-concept and sees oneself as unworthy then they will present themselves this way, which will result in a negative response from people. If one feels good about oneself, they will present themselves as worthy, which will result in a more positive response from people. The perceptions, beliefs and attitudes that steam from self-concept, will affect one's social surroundings. One will either come out of a situation with a positive or negative concept of these surroundings. Poor communication can cause one to have a poor perception of oneself. One's emotional state, dislikes, likes values and body image are affected by the opinions of others and can render one to have an inferior and insecure self-concept.

How one communicates is also influenced by gender. Studies show that ones sex can place a person in a gender role expectation. Women and Men communicate differently and because sexual identity is defined through same sex parent or role model, women and men can get into gender role expectations. These expectations influence their perception attitudes and behavior that will result in a communication style. This early self-concept can effect each one's interpersonal relations. Women for instance are much-attached human beings they have very early identification with their mothers, and this can cause an on going pattern of role expectation. It can lead to interpersonal communication skills that are very nurturing and understanding. Women are not threatened by intimacy and communicating at a close range with people. Similarly, men also have an early identification process not with their mother, but their fathers. Men tend to be fairly reserved, and quite. Men are most comfortable when there is a level of separation. This male role will contribute to the communication processes and it can cause communication to be very distant. Therefor an androgynous role can cause success in interaction. If men and women follow these role expectations, it can lead to a misconception of their personalities Motivation is a very big part of self-concept. Whether one understands what motivates them or what doesn't motivate them can alter their attitude behavior and perception. If one does not understand the reasons why they are motivated or unmotivated, this will show as a lack of self-concept, which can make it difficult for people to determine one's motives. People will take on the role of assuming one's motives and may perceive them as dishonest and conniving or contrary, they may perceive them as having good intentions and honest. Regardless, people will never feel like they can completely trust the person because people will never be sure if that person has hidden motives. Further, if one is not sure of their motives they might project them with out being aware, and consequently end up causing confrontation. Subsequently, if one understands the reasons behind their motives than they are in a better position to communicate honestly and sincerely. With self-concept, people will understand one's motives and they will see one's real intentions, this will result