Chapter 2

 

Overview: This chapter discusses your perceptions of yourself and others. Your self-concept influences you communication choices. Your experiences and culture influence the person you are today. The chapter also covers the ways in which you present yourself to others. Are you confident or apprehensive? Assess your communication apprehension on pg. 39.

 

Have you ever thought about your own self-concept and self-esteem? Are you happy with the image you have of yourself? Have you ever wanted to appear more confident? Pay close attention to the material about the way in which you present yourself . Examine the Rate Yourself image on page 26. Think about where you fall on the continuum of the variables.

My  most favorite part of the chapter is about self-talk! See the green box on pg. 30. Don’t allow yourself to run negative self-talk tapes in your mind. It will affect your communication with others, as well as your opportunities for success.

Go to Films on Demand to watch the following:

Conversation: Exploring Preconceived Notions about Otherness

“You’re walking down the street and you see someone approaching. You glance at his or her face and see—what, exactly? Filmed in London, this program brings together more than two dozen total strangers to reveal the hidden judgments people make about those they don’t know. Cleverly composed of nothing more than juxtaposed faces and unvarnished commentary by the film’s subjects, Conversation creates an edgy meta-dialogue on how we tend to project our fears and desires onto our fellow humans. Illuminating and unsettling—and a guaranteed discussion starter for courses in the areas of psychology, sociology, communications, and race/ethnicity/gender studies as viewers become aware of their own preconceived notions about otherness.” Quoted from Films on Demand

 

Implicit associations quiz

Discover your conscious and unconscious preferences to over 90 topics. Go to the Demonstration test area, and select a test.
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

 

Questions to reflect upon

1.     What kind of experiences or events can significantly affect a person’s self-esteem?

2.     What, if any, are the dangers of having very high self-esteem?

3.     How can self-acceptance, self-responsibility, assertiveness, personal integrity, and self-talk improve a person’s self-esteem?