Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Identity Management
Identity Management theory refers to the ways we handle ourselves in various situations. We decide on a particular communication behavior to influence how others perceive us. Another important reason to communicate our identities is to become an active citizen, voicing our identitites. Goffman (1959) explains identity with an analogy of theatrical performance; when a person has motives for attempting to control the impression. Dillard (2000) add the actor who "perform" for the audience surrounding us. Discuss and apply the theory of Identity Management in this post after completing the viewing of the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Include the terms of face, facework, implicit kpersonality theory, and the halo effect in your post. The goal to is recognize and apply the perception of self and interpersonal communication.
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After viewing the Last Lecture, I was surprised on how well of a speaker this man was from his facework, his content, and his strong nonverbal communication. In the beginning of the presentation, he laid out the things he did not want to talk about, like his family life and his disease that made the audience perceive Pausch in a different light. According to the implicit personality theory, we are supposed to assume that since Paush had a terminal disease, he should be sad or weak. However, he came right out and said I am dying but I am healthy, and happy. This theory also relates to the halo effect, where the perception of one characteristic is influenced by another trait. This allowed the focus to be off his disease, but on his actual speech about “childhood dreams.” He was able to handle this situation with a communication behavior that influenced the whole audience.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the speech, he was able to keep the audience involved by using the consistent facework to match his actions and speech. Through interpersonal speech, he was able to convey all his main points to the audience and establish a connection that lasted throughout the whole presentation. He tried to find a frame of reference we could all connect to, which made his speech more interesting. He used the transaction model to speak where he sent and received messages at the same time. Not only did the audience and the speaker both react to the actual verbal actions but the nonverbal ones as well.
Identity management theory affects each and every one of us every day. The way that we manage our identity changes in each situation that we face. The video that we had to watch was a very good example of a person that managed his identity very well. He had some key values that he lived his life by and applied them to every situation he experienced. He always had fun, always worked hard, and faced everything with a smile.
ReplyDeleteRandy’s “face” (the image that we present to others) was very positive. He mentioned that he was going to have fun until the day he died. He is very optimistic and everything that he says and does reflects that. Facework has to deal with the interaction that he has with other people. He might me trying to project this positive happy person, but without the input and reactions of other people, he will not be able to determine if he is projecting what he truly wants to. Facework involves understanding how other people view your face and modifying your face to fit what you want others to see. In this case, it is very clear from his speech that Randy has mastered the face that he wanted to create and is very capable of expressing it to others.
The implicit personality says that when evaluating characteristics of a person we often fill in the blanks based on other personality traits we have seen. So when speaking about Randy, though we know he is dying, based on his personality we would assume he possesses traits such as a sense of humor, positive attitude, and friendliness. We would not think that he is depressed and pessimistic because these do not fit with the other traits he has expressed.
Finally, there is the halo effect. The halo effect says that you will match like qualities together. So, Randy is positive, funny, and hardworking, therefore he has a positive halo effect. His traits are all positive ones so we match his traits with other positive traits.
This film has really taught me about how you project yourself to others. You may be experiencing different things in your life that are not pleasant, but it is very important to always show others who you really are. Others are going to remember you for those traits for the rest of their life. So, it is very important to be true to yourself and make sure that others are seeing you the way that you want to be seen. Randy has mastered this concept.
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ReplyDeleteThe whole concept behind identity management theory revolves how a speaker presents themselves to an audience. Randy Pausch uses the positive form of this during "The Last Lecture."
ReplyDeleteMr. Pausch was dying of pancreatic cancer, a fact which the entire audience knew full well about. Many people with his same condition would completely abandon all hope but he continues to live his life with all the positivity and good intentions that he had when he was in good health. This is how Paunch uses the halo effect in his speech to offset the effect of the audience's knowledge about Paunch's condition.
Throughout his life, Paunch no doubt did a great deal of self-monitoring. He strongly promotes the idea of improving the lives of others through your own actions. His own behavior had to be enhanced in order to strengthen the lives of others.
His face also shows his mastery of the identity management theory. Pausch's physical appearance matches his positive attitude in the face of his physical turmoil. Pausch shows how strongly positive actions can have a dramatic impact on public speaking and the lives of others.
-Brian Long
Identity Management is how we handle ourselves in any kind of situation. It identifies us as a person; furthermore, it is how others perceive us. One that fits this description was the Last Lecture.
ReplyDeleteI was very taken back by speaker Randy Paush who delivered The Last Lecture. More so every little thing he said hit me personally. I can relate to him through past and present family issues that I’m dealing with. My grandpa died in a year of finding out he was diagnosed of Lung Cancer, and my cousin is currently battling a brain tumor at age 31. I feel Randy did an incredible job speaking with all the facework he presented. He had so much to offer matching non-verbal and verbal between his advice and everything he has accomplished throughout his years.
He found a frame of reference to connect with everyone it seemed like. When the cameras went back and forth from Paush to the audience many were intrigued, and I too never thought for one minute that there was a non-interesting section or sentence. I did notice the audience identified him in a softer way through non-verbal cues, yet thought of him very powerful as well. The audience was laughing, some tearing, leaning forward, all taking it directly.
Once he mentioned his disease he automatically put it out there of how strong he truly is, mentally, spiritually, and physically, which also falls into the implicit personality theory. In most cases people make assumptions right off the bat. For instance in this case, many like mine thought, why isn’t he hurting? Does he not realize the disease and time?
Something that interests me is the Halo effect. Halo effect means a perception of ones trait that is influenced by another trait. In Randy’s speech he put out there how he has limited time on the earth but switched into a positive direction by putting the spotlight on dreams he had as a child. Listing all of his dreams from zero gravity to doing what seemed to be the impossible was incredible. More so when he did not have to say much but mentally he could paint you a picture and show you images, and gestures that made you feel like you knew exactly what he was talking about and felt like you were apart of his life. His variety of ways of communication he gave out, to me was inspiring.
The “Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch is a wonderful example of someone who has constructed their identity and someone who is very aware of what their identity is saying to others. Randy Pausch is an example of positive identity management. The theory of identity management states that when conversing with other individuals, we determine how to handle ourselves which influences the other person’s perspective of us. For example, Mr. Pausch started off by introducing “the elephant in the room,” as he described it. He explained that he had cancer and that he was aware that he was not going to live for very long. He stated that he has accepted it and that he was not in denial, but he would rather live his life happily than be depressed over something that is inevitable. By addressing his physical problems, he made the audience feel as if they personally know him. He allowed the audience to be a part of something that was essentially very important about him.
ReplyDeleteThroughout Mr. Pausch’s lecture, he presented facework that he explained thoroughly so that the audience would understand his perspective. For example, Mr. Pausch helped the audience understand his condition better when he correlated it with a statement that everyone can relate to. This statement was, “you can’t change the cards that you are dealt, only how you play them”. By presenting his framework very clearly from the very beginning, Mr. Pausch presented a face (the image that we present to others) that audience members felt a connection with and that carried through the remainder of his presentation.
By presenting a face that carried through his entire presentation, Mr. Pausch positively demonstrated halo effect. Halo effect is an overgeneralization of a person’s admirable or shameful attributes based on a quality or action that happened previously. Since Mr. Pausch presented a face which audience members felt a connection with in the very beginning, audience members allowed that original positive feeling to carry over into other attributes about Mr. Pausch. For example, Mr. Pausch was witty, humorous, and determined, and these qualities allowed him to be portrayed as a wonderful human being, regardless of if the audience knew him personally or not.
Implicit personality theory can be applied to Mr. Pausch, in the sense that, once he began talking about his fatal condition, it is natural for individuals to feel sad or worried about Mr. Pausch and assume that Mr. Pausch is also upset and depressed. But, Mr. Pausch quickly dismissed those feelings that some individuals may have had about his serious illness. He stated that he did not want anyone to pity him or feel sorry for him because he was had the best physical condition in his life. He said he felt wonderful and that he was probably in better physical condition than half of the people in that lecture hall!
I really enjoyed watching this lecture. I feel that it is essential to understand other people’s perspectives in order to communicate efficiently with them. Also, understanding other people’s perspectives helps me understand myself better. I am able to learn about myself and how my perspectives are different from other people’s opinions and perspectives. Mr. Pausch is a fantastic role model for everyone because he showed his true personality and who he really was, and he was not ashamed of that. He was comfortable in “his own skin” and because of that, he was able to grow and develop into one of the most outstanding individuals ever.
The Identity Management Theory refers to how people act in various situations in which other people are involved. Under this theory, people are said to behave according to their goals. People have the ability to choose how they want to be perceived by others, and most of the time the choice is associated with a specific social role that an individual holds. Social roles allow us to achieve meaningful relationships with others and with ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThere are some very important terms that go along with the IMT which make it easier to understand. First, there is the face--the public identity that we present to others in interpersonal encounters. A few common attributes that people prefer to present to others are dignity, honor and respect. Then, there is the facework--a set of coordinated behaviors that help us to either reinforce or threaten our competence. By self-monitoring, people have some control of how competent they appear to others.
The next theory the chapter discussed is the Implicit Personality Theory, which states that people rely on a few of a person's characteristics to draw inferences about his or her other characteristics. The action of matching like qualities together is the halo effect. As with almost everything else, there are pros and cons to doing this. For instance, if we wrongly assume a person has a negative characteristic, it could completely change our impression of that person.
Randy Pausch's Last Lecture was a wonderful example of identity management put into practice. If Randy didn't mention that he was in any way ill, I would have had no idea. He presented a very positive face to the audience, most specifically by not speaking about his sickness, fear or death. Randy spoke about how to lead your life, and how to keep on pushing when you are stopped by a brick wall. A very important part of the lecture was when he told the story about when Andy van Dam told him that people perceived him as being arrogant. I think that sparked the change that enabled Randy Pausch to live a fulfilled life.
Throughout Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture,” he knew the face that he wanted others to see and he knew how he wanted to be perceived. According to Identity management theory, he had a positive face. Throughout his presentation he had a very happy, positive attitude as he talked about reaching his goals that he set for himself as a child and having a happy childhood. Although he had moments of being serious when talking about accomplishing the things you want in life and helping others to do the same, he emphasized having fun as you do it.
ReplyDeleteDuring Randy Pausch’s lecture when he would smile, laugh or joke, his facial expressions and gestures matched, making others feel the same. This applies to the halo effect because his overall perception was that of a very positive and content person. Even in the beginning he mentioned that he was sick, most people would feel upset or feel sad, but he did not want to get upset, which is also part of the implicit personality theory. Even though he was sick, he said he felt happy and healthy, and that is how he was going to act. I think the audience and viewers felt a connection with him because of his attitude and made others feel happy just as he was.
I really enjoyed watching the “Last Lecture” and was just surprised at how optimistic Randy Pausch was for someone in his condition. The fact that he was just happy with life and was able to accomplish the things he wanted all while having fun doing it and I am sure making others feel they want to do the same.
If you were to suggest to a peer to watch the Last Lecture, only informing that person that it was a lecture being offered by a man that has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they would immediately have assumptions to how that person would behave. These assumptions could be that this individual is depressed and upset, pleading with the audience to live everyday to its last, or it could be a man expressing anger to having his life cut short. Your peer is, in a sense, engaging in implicit personality theory. He or she hears: pancreatic cancer, fatal, and fills in the blank most likely with sad or angry. Randy Pausch shatters these assumptions, by refusing to demonstrate those characteristics.
ReplyDeleteRandy in the beginning of his lecture makes it clear to the audience that although he is dying, he’s not dead yet. He instantly shatters the assumptions that the audience may have had, by demonstrating his physical and mental health by dropping to the ground and doing a set of pushups in a rather comedic fashion. The face that Randy wants to portray is one of a happy healthy individual, continuing to live his life with a smile.
For him to maintain this positive image, and almost make the audience forget about his disease, requires him to constantly maintain this positive identity or face. The face work Randy uses involves smiling, laughing, and engaging his audience with bits of humor.
Randy Pausch's lecture is an example for everybody of how someone can stand in front of difficulties.
ReplyDeleteHis halo effect makes everyone thinks about how he face his problem and how he is trying to keep the smile in his face till the end. He knows that for communicate is really important to have a good presence in front of the other and because of his knowledge he is always smiling and being really expressive with his face.He knows that this is another way to communicate.
Also, he makes like different volumes and ways to talk. So,this way, people can be more focusing in what he is saying and also, he is more emphatic.
I really had fun watching this video and I think it was a really useful example of how to do a perfect speech and how to get all the public with you.
Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture" is an amazing example of identity management and how to properly use this technique. At the beginning of the speech, Mr. Pausch informed the crowd of his cancer and his imminent death. This immediately made me feel sympathy for him and sad, which goes along with the implicit personality theory. Since I knew about this fatal illness I felt sympathy for him and believed that the speech would be depressing. Much to the contrary, he continued by stating that he was a very happy and healthy man and not to feel sorry for him. He even went as far as to say that he was most likely healthier than most of the audience.
ReplyDeleteThis sparked the halo effect, the perception of one trait influencing the perception of another. The crowd was then able to take their minds off his cancer, and pay closer attention to his speech. Throughout the "Last Lecture" Pausch kept smiling and joking, which in turn kept the crowd smiling. Pausch kept the audience listening consistently due to his great use of face-work. This speech was about setting goals and the steps to achieve them. He listed his goals at the beginning and showed how, in one way or another, he accomplished those goals. This shows the crowd that he is a reliable source on the subject and keeps them listening.
I truly enjoyed "The Last Lectured" from beginning to end. It is inspiring to see a man who has a terminal illness be so up beat and happy. I learned much from listening to his speech, mainly that achieving one's goals can steer a person towards true happiness. I can honestly say that Pausch has inspired me more than I ever thought a clip from YouTube ever could.
After watching Randy Pausch's last lecture it was nearly impossible to believe that that same man had dead not even a year later. He is a perfect example of Identity Management because he isn't physically overcoming his illness but he is doing it mentally. In the beginning of his speech he informed the audience of his situation and even discussed the things that even he was not capable of conversing about. He makes it clear that he is ill, but he is not dead yet and still has something to share with the world. In fact he even challenges the audience to see who is in better shape than him. This video will really put a viewers life in check and make them rethink how they are living their lives and Identity Management has a lot to do with that.
ReplyDeleteWhat surprised me is how humorous and relaxed this man was. Through out the entire presentation he was joking and more focused over helping others learn around him than his actual situation which is really hard to believe considering the man knows he does not have a chance to live.
In the Last Lecture by Randy Paush, he talked about over-coming obstacles and making your dreams come true because “time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think”. I would have never thought Randy Paush was a sick dying man when watching the video because his face/facework showed a strong person who didn’t let his disease show. He is the perfect example of positive identity management. He is a great speaker and didn’t let the disease take over his life; he was happy and healthy. He kept his audience engaged throughout the whole speech and he said ““We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching the Last Lecture, Randy left me with a new found sense of inspiration. He found a pathway to his dreams, and shared his life with us, while teaching us what is important, and what is real in this life. The stories he shared with us were motivating and made me learn to love life even more.
-Asmeret Ghebremicael
After watching The Last Lecture, it was clear how Randy Pausch wanted the audience to perceive him. The Identiy Management Theory talks about how people want to be perceived by others. Clearly, Randy did not want to be perceived as a sick, dying person, which is what he was. He wanted the audience to see him as a positive, happy, healthy person. According to the Implicit Personality Theory, people would assume that Randy is not a happy person because he knows he does not have much longer to live. It is easy to think that someone with cancer is sad and miserbale, but face work allows people like that to show how they really are. Throughout the whole lecture, Randy used facework to show the audience what kind of person he is and what he believes in. He talked about what he believes is important in life and seemed like a truly happy person. If someone saw him on the street, they would never think he was dying. People are able to have whatever identity they want through facework. According to the halo effect, if people see that you have a few good qualities, they will associate you having other good qualites as well. People are able to be perceived how they choose to be. Randy chose how he wanted to be perceived and did not allow his sickness to become his identity. He truly was inspiring to everyone that was able to watch him speak. He was happy, funny, encouraging and positive and anyone that saw this speech would believe that he was truly a great person
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