Examine Your Perception Of Self And Compare It With The Per

Examine your perception of self, and compare it with the perception others have of you.

Examine your perception of self, and compare it with the perception others have of you. Ask yourself the following questions, and interview at least three people in your life and ask them the same questions. They need to be honest in answering your questions:

1. How do you perceive me physically?
2. How do you perceive me socially?
3. How do you perceive me psychologically?

After completing the interviews, answer the following questions in your paper:

1. What did you like about their answers?
2. What changes, if any, do you have for yourself?
3. Compare and contrast the answers from your interviews. How are they alike?
4. How are they different? Does the length of time you have known that person make a difference in how and what they answer?
5. How do your strengths help define your self-concept?
6. How could you change your self-concept? What steps would you take?
7. Include reference to at least five (5) concepts from the text. Include page numbers.

Formatting: Your paper should be in APA/MLA format, 750 – 1000 words, double-spaced, and proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of self-perception and how it aligns or diverges from others' perceptions constitutes a significant aspect of understanding interpersonal communication and personal development. Reflecting on one’s self-image across physical, social, and psychological dimensions, complemented by insights from chosen interviewees, offers an enriched perspective of one’s identity and behavioral influences.

Initially, assessing my own perceptions of physical, social, and psychological traits reveals how I view myself internally and externally. Physically, I perceive myself as generally healthy, attentive to grooming, and physically active, which influences how I carry myself in various social situations. Socially, I see myself as approachable, communicative, and somewhat reserved—preferring meaningful connections over superficial interactions. Psychologically, I perceive myself as resilient, introspective, and open to growth, although I recognize tendencies toward self-criticism and overthinking. These self-perceptions frame my self-concept, but I acknowledge that perceptions by others may differ and influence my self-understanding.

To deepen this reflection, I conducted interviews with three individuals: a close friend, a colleague, and a family member. Their honest responses provided valuable insights. My friend perceives me as physically fit and energetic, aligning with my self-view, but noted that I sometimes appear more reserved than I feel internally. Socially, he views me as approachable and empathetic but observed I can be selective about sharing my thoughts. Psychologically, the friend sees me as thoughtful and driven, yet occasionally stressed, a nuance I had not fully recognized. The colleague perceives my physical appearance as professional and neat, echoing my own view, and views my social behavior as confident and engaging. There was a recognition of my resilience and focus during collaborative tasks, affirming my self-perceptions.

A family member emphasized my physical stamina, citing my active lifestyle, and also acknowledged my empathetic nature, especially within familial relationships. They described me as psychologically strong but aware of my tendency toward perfectionism. Comparing these perceptions, several themes emerged. The physical assessments were consistent across all, underscoring the importance of physical health in self-concept. The social and psychological perceptions varied subtly, influenced perhaps by differing contexts and relationship depths.

The similarities among the responses include a recognition of my physical health, approachability, and resilience, which affirm my internal self-assessment. Differences lay in perceptions of my emotional expressiveness and stress levels—some saw me as more composed, while others noticed underlying tension. The duration of relationships indeed plays a role; closer relationships like that with my friend provided more nuanced insights, whereas professional acquaintances focused on observable behaviors.

My strengths significantly shape my self-concept. For instance, my adaptability and analytical thinking contribute to a resilient and thoughtful self-view. Strengths from the CliftonStrengths assessment, such as Achiever, Responsibility, and Self-Assurance, reinforce my perception of being diligent and dependable. These strengths influence my behavior and how others perceive me, establishing a dynamic with my internal self-model.

Changing my self-concept involves intentional steps, such as fostering greater emotional awareness and practicing self-compassion. Techniques like mindfulness and reflective journaling can help me observe and modify internal narratives that may be overly critical. Additionally, seeking diverse feedback periodically can broaden my understanding and foster more accurate self-perceptions.

From a theoretical perspective, concepts such as self-awareness and self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987, p. 329) illuminate the importance of aligning internal self-views with external feedback. The Johari Window model (Luft & Ingham, 1955) underscores the value of expanding the 'open' area through honest feedback to enhance self-awareness. Furthermore, Carl Rogers' humanistic approach emphasizes unconditional positive regard as vital to healthy self-concept development (Rogers, 1961, p. 166). These frameworks reinforce the importance of reflective practices and external feedback in the evolution of self-perception.

In conclusion, understanding how personal perceptions compare with others' views provides valuable insights into self-awareness and interpersonal relationships. While internal strengths shape self-concept, external perceptions and feedback play pivotal roles in its refinement. Continuous reflection, openness to feedback, and intentional personal growth strategies contribute to a more balanced and authentic self-understanding, facilitating healthier interactions and personal fulfillment.

References

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