Unit 2 Journal Reflection On Self-Concept

Unit 2 Journaljournal Reflection Self Conceptyou Have Read Guidelines

Unit 2 Journal Journal Reflection: Self-Concept

You have read guidelines to help improve your self-concept in the text. Now it is time to apply these to your own life! To do that, you need to set a goal for yourself and then apply the guidelines from the text to help you reach your goal. For this Journal, you are being asked to reflect on improving your self-concept by journaling your responses to the following six questions. Responses are intended to be in a Q&A format and the total assignment should be 500–600 words while incorporating relevant course concepts and terms from the text and citing in APA format.

1. Define one change you would like to make to your self-perception (how you think about yourself). It might be a behavior or a self-fulfilling prophecy or anything about yourself you would like to alter.
2. Write down the change you want to make on a card or paper so that you can see it every day. Use strong, affirmative language to motivate yourself: “I will listen more carefully to friends,” or “I will start speaking up in classes,” for example, and be prepared to include this statement in your Journal submission.
3. Refine your general goal by making sure it is realistic and fair. Write out your refined goal using specific language from the text: “I want to show my two best friends that I am paying attention when they talk to me,” or “I want to make one comment in each meeting of one class this week,” for example and format in APA.
4. Place the card or paper where you will see it often. Each time you see it, repeat the message out loud to yourself. This should help sustain your commitment to making the change.
5. Observe others who are models for what you want to be. Write down what they do. Use specific language to describe how they communicate: “Tracy nods a lot and repeats back what others say so they know she is listening,” or “James provides examples of concepts in class so that the ideas are more concrete,” for example.
6. Select contexts that assist you in reaching your goal: “I will talk with my friends in private settings where there are no distractions that interfere with listening well,” or “I will begin speaking up in my Communication course because it is the most discussion-oriented and because other students make a lot of comments there. Later, I will speak up in my sociology course, which combines lecture and discussion.”

Paper For Above instruction

Effective self-concept and perception are fundamental components in shaping interpersonal communication, influencing how individuals interact, interpret others’ behaviors, and develop relationships. Enhancing one’s self-perception requires intentional planning and consistent application of self-awareness strategies. This paper reflects on personal self-concept modification by setting specific goals, observing role models, and cultivating an environment conducive to positive change, as supported by interpersonal communication theories and concepts from the course material.

Firstly, I identified a significant aspect of my self-perception that warrants improvement: my tendency to underestimate my listening skills during conversations. I perceive that I sometimes become distracted or distracted by internal thoughts, which diminishes my ability to fully engage with others. To address this, I have set a goal to actively demonstrate attentive listening in all interpersonal interactions, especially with friends and classmates. This goal aligns with the self-perception theory, which suggests that behavior influences attitudes; by consciously practicing attentive listening, I can gradually reshape my perception of myself as a good listener (Gordon & Gordon, 2014).

To reinforce this change, I have written a clear, affirmative statement: “I am fully present and attentive when listening to others.” I have placed this statement on a sticky note on my desk and mirror, ensuring frequent exposure. Each time I see the note, I repeat the affirmation aloud, thereby reinforcing my commitment and internalizing the positive self-perception (Northouse, 2017). This practice leverages the principle of self-affirmation, which has been shown to bolster confidence and promote behavioral consistency (Sherman & Cohen, 2012).

Refining my goal involves ensuring it is realistic and measurable. I have decided to make a specific commitment: “I will listen attentively to one friend or classmate during each interaction without interruptions or internal distractions.” This goal is achievable within my daily routines and provides clear benchmarks. Using the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) enhances the likelihood of success (Doran, 1981). By setting a precise target, I facilitate focused self-monitoring and accountability.

Observing role models who exemplify effective communication strategies offers valuable insights. For instance, I notice that my friend Sarah actively maintains eye contact, nods affirmatively, and paraphrases her friends’ remarks to confirm understanding. Her behaviors—such as providing verbal acknowledgments and adjusting her nonverbal cues—contribute to a perception of being attentive and caring (Wood, 2010). Incorporating these behaviors into my interactions can enhance my self-perception as a genuinely attentive listener and improve my interpersonal rapport.

Choosing appropriate contexts is crucial for practicing and reinforcing my goal. I plan to engage more deeply in small-group discussions during my communication course, where open dialogue fosters active listening. Additionally, I will intentionally seek private settings when conversing with friends to minimize external distractions. According to information processing models (Perkins & Ginsburg, 2012), context influences perception and behavior; thus, optimizing the environment facilitates positive interactions and consolidates behavioral change.

In conclusion, consciously working to improve self-perception—through goal setting, modeling effective communicators, affirmations, and strategic context selection—can significantly affect interpersonal communication. As I implement these strategies, I expect to develop a more positive self-concept as an attentive listener, which will subsequently enhance my relationships and interpersonal competence. This process exemplifies the reciprocal relationship between self-perception and communication, emphasizing the importance of deliberate self-improvement efforts supported by theoretical frameworks.

References

• Doran, G. T. (1981). There's a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management's goals and objectives. Management Review, 70(11), 35–36.
• Gordon, T. C., & Gordon, J. (2014). The effects of self-perception on interpersonal communication. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 42(3), 346–367.
• Northouse, P. G. (2017). Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Sherman, D. K., & Cohen, G. L. (2012). The psychology of self-affirmation. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 46, 183–242.
• Wood, J. (2010). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Boston, MA: Wadsworth.