Self-Concept and Relational Communication

Self-Concept and Relational Communication
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Self-Concept and Relational Communication
Erving Goffman’s identity management theory (IMT) shows how individuals from distinctive cultures can develop a shared relationship identity by meeting each other’s needs. In particular, he portrays how people’s self-images are crucial while interacting with others. Individuals change based on the social context so that they can adapt. The ability of people to communicate requires them to successfully negotiate their mutually acceptable identities that are required during their interactions (Atkins & Mackenzie, 2010). A person should balance his or her face depending on others’ needs across three primary stages, namely trial, renegotiation, and enmeshment. Forming a relational identity is called enmeshment, which entails individuals finding effective strategies to balance their needs with those of others. Renegotiation involves changing one’s cultural identity to include some aspects of others’ cultures (Atkins & Mackenzie, 2010). As such, Goffman’s IMT depicts that the ability of individuals to communicate comes from the proper management of cultural and relational identities. Moreover, the face is a determinant factor in people’s identity management and reflects cultural and relational identities.
Self-concept entails how people perceive themselves. In particular, it involves the aspects of self-esteem and image. The way individuals see themselves significantly influences how they communicate or interact with others (Lewandowski, Nardone, & Raines, 2010). For instance, a positive self-concept is associated with strong self-esteem and it improves people’s abilities to give and receive love, which determines how individuals relate to others. Goffman’s IMT emphasizes identity in creating and maintaining proper relationships. Individuals with strong self-identities can intimately relate to others since they can exercise the formation of good boundaries with their friends, partners, and families. Their feelings cannot be manipulated in personal relationships. Additionally, self-perception refers to how people view themselves or the kind of individuals they believe to be. For example, some individuals might think they are superior or inferior to others. The way a person thinks he or she is determines how he or she will relate to others. On that note, self-perception, identity, and self-concept significantly influence individuals’ relationships.
Self-concept, identity, and self-perception significantly influence communication choices in friendships or friend relationships. Friendship is crucial and almost everyone has a few or more friends. Self-concept enhances how friends treat each other. Specifically, a good friendship is formed on the bases of trust, respect, and valuing each other (Hinde, Finkenauer, & Auhagen, 2001). For example, having low self-esteem can contribute to issues in friendships. In addition, an individual’s identity affects others’ lifestyles and preferences. Friends significantly influence how one feels about himself or her...