Perceptions of Communicator Style and Self-Concept

This study of high school students examined the structure of communicator style and the association between this structure with such variables as sex, age, and self-concept. First-order factor analyses indicated the existence of such communication dimensions as attentive, relaxed, animated, dominant, impression leaving, communicator image, and apprehension. The second-order analyses suggested these dimensions had an underlying structure that could be described as “attentive-supportive” style and “animated-dominant” style. Both sex and age differences were found with respect to dimensions of communicator style. A strong association existed between attentive-supportive communicator style and various subconstructs of self-concept. In particular, high school students who perceived themselves as being relaxed and attentive, low on communication apprehension, and with a positive view of their communication image also believed themselves to have high self-concept.