Unit 7: Self and Identity
Overview
This unit will help you to explore your interpersonal communication preferences and understand yourself better. While interpersonal communication often involves considering external factors such as the audience or environment, this unit emphasizes how these factors interact with and influence you personally.
We begin by examining the three core components of identity. Personal identity is explored through the five-factor personality trait model, which serves as the basis for many personality tests. Next, social identity is introduced, encompassing roles like animal rescue volunteer, entrepreneur, or marathon runner. Finally, cultural identity is discussed, including aspects such as race, ethnicity, and gender.
Building on this foundation, the unit addresses additional aspects of identity. You’ll learn about avowed identity — elements of identity you choose for yourself — and ascribed identity, which consists of traits or labels that others assign to you.
Perception is then highlighted as a critical factor in interpersonal communication. This section examines how selective perception can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or negatively impact interactions with others.
Theories that you will learn about in this unit include social comparison theory, self-discrepancy theory, theory of symbolic interactionism, and communication theory of identity.
To conclude, the unit provides tools for identifying your communication preferences and work habits. It also reviews communication channels and introduces Belbin’s nine team roles, which can help you succeed in team-based communication and collaboration.
By understanding your interpersonal communication preferences, you’ll gain greater insight into your identity and motivations. This self-awareness is a powerful step toward building meaningful connections and improving your ability to communicate effectively with others.
Topics
Unit 7 contains the following topics:
- Topic 1: Who Am I?
- Topic 2: Identity
- Topic 3: Difference Matters – Stereotypes, Prejudice, and “Aren’t We All the Same?”
There are three topics in Unit 7. Together, these sections will help you to complete the quiz.
Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this unit, you should be able to do the following:
- Explain how three components make up the idea of self.
- Explore the implications of identity.
- Define self-concept and discuss how we develop our self-concept.
- Define self-esteem and discuss how we develop self-esteem.
- Identity and explain the different types of identity..
- Articulate the origin of in-groups and out-groups along with their roles in stereotyping, prejudice, and the ignorance of differences.
- Discuss how social norms, family, culture, and media influence self-perception.
- Understand the three components that make up the “self.”
- Explain how social comparison plays a role in self.
- Articulate what constitutes culture shock.
- Discuss the various theories and models associated with culture shock.
Activities and Graded Assessments
Activities
| Activity Number | Activity Description |
|---|---|
| Activity 1 | Reading – Who Am I? |
| Activity 2 | Personal Reflection Journal – Reflection Question 1 |
| Activity 3 | Reading – Identity |
| Activity 4 | Personal Reflection Journal – Reflection Question 2 |
| Activity 5 | Personal Reflection Journal – Reflection Question 3 |
| Activity 6 | Reading – Difference Matters |
| Activity 7 | Personal Reflection Journal – Reflection Question 4 |
Graded Quizzes and Assignments
Please open the course in Moodle and complete the following:
- Quiz 7 (3%)
- Assignment 3: Cybervetting and Online Identity – A Self-Assessment (11%)
Media Attributions
Jaimes, R. (2018, February 14). Grayscale photo of woman [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photo-of-woman-s97-KYat9sA
