Communication What is it, exactly?

What is communication? Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages. Someone who communicates should always: Communicate constructively Care about your ‘audience’ (audience are the people who are listening to you speak) Communication can be broken down into 2 types: INTRApersonal (communication with self) INTERpersonal (communication with others)

Intrapersonal is the most basic level of communication “In order to successfully communicate with others you must first learn to communicate with yourself.” Intrapersonal is the most basic level of communication

Intrapersonal communication This is communication with yourself. It’s the “inner dialogue” you have with yourself. CALLED “SELF TALK” Yes, you should talk to yourself. No, you’re not necessarily crazy! You use it when you: Think things through Interpret events Interpret messages of others Respond to your own experiences Respond to your interactions with others

3 aspects to Intrapersonal communication Aspect #1: Self-concept This is the basis of intrapersonal communication It is all about how you see yourself—also called “self-awareness” It is the person you THINK you are, formed in your BELIEFS, VALUES and ATTITUDES. It is influenced by how OTHERS see you, how you were in your PAST, are TODAY, and would like to be in the FUTURE. It is made of many dimensions. Factors that influence self-concept: How you are perceive that you are seen by others Your own expectations and standards you set for yourself How you compare yourself with others

Research has show than positive self talk increases focus, concentration and performance. If you believe you cannot do something, your brain will tell your body and it will shut down. When you stay encouraged and positive, your body will also respond in a positive way.

Building a positive self-concept Can give you confidence you need to communicate effectively Must draw from your strengths Must know where you need to improve Set goals for change

3 aspects to Intrapersonal communication Aspect #2: Perception Perception is the process you use to assign meaning to data about yourself or the world around you. Everyone’s perception of the world is different b/c everyone is unique! Past experiences, culture and present feelings are all examples of factors that can affect perceptions 3 steps involved in Perception: Sensory perception: the physical process of taking in data from your senses Selective perception: the mental process of choosing which data to focus on Intensity, Repetition, Uniqueness, Relevance all are factors in your selective perception Personal perception: Your own understanding of reality This becomes the basis for your judgements and decision making Also determines appropriateness of your communication choices

3 aspects to Intrapersonal communication Aspect #3: Expectations Future-oriented messages Deal with long-term roles Can be ideas that come from learned relationships with parents or society

Different levels of intrapersonal activity Internal Discourse: involves thinking, concentration, and analysis Prayer, meditation, contemplation (ex: appreciating the beautiful sunset) Also daydreaming and nocturnal dreaming Solo vocal communication: talking aloud to oneself Can be done to clarify thinking or rehearse aloud (ex: complaining about your boss/teacher) Solo written communication: writing not intended for others Journaling or writing in a diary is an example of this type of communication

Johari Window 1 Open 2 Blind 4 3 Unknown Hidden Known to self Not known to self 1 Open It is called open because many of a person’s behaviors, motivations, feelings, likes and dislikes are openly communicated to others. 2 Blind You are blind to what others perceive about you. Feedback can make you aware of this information, but you may or may not decide to adapt or change. Known to others Known to others 4 Unknown Things that neither you nor others know or acknowledge. It could be subconscious fears or things you do not remember. 3 Hidden It represents the things you know or believe about yourself but that you do not choose to share with others. Not Known to others Not Known to others Known to self Not known to self

Now its time…. Let’s talk about YOUR self-concept. There are 3 aspects we are going to view our self in: PHYSICAL: How you look and what you do with your body Examples: Tall, athletic, plays soccer, healthy, Mexican, long brown hair INTELLECTUAL: Your strengths, weaknesses, and strong beliefs Examples: good at writing, enjoys singing, patriotic, religious SOCIAL: Your personality, the way you interact with other people Examples: shy, outgoing, likes large groups, bossy Meyrs-Briggs Personality Test: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

Project To assess your knowledge of yourself, each of you has been given a folder. Please use the folder (front, back, inside) to create a visual or verbal representation of you (or a combo of both). The visual representation means 10 or more pictures (drawn, cut out, or printed out) that represent EACH of your three different selves. (a minimum of 30 to complete the assignment) Once you have them on the folder, please label each picture. To help keep yourself organized, consider labeling each picture as you go and putting each category of pictures in one specific place. The verbal representation means 15 or more words and phrases (drawn, written, cut out, or printed out) that represent EACH of your three different selves. (a minimum of 45 to complete the assignment) To keep yourself organized consider making each category a different color or having them in one specific place on your folder. For the combination: you will need a combination of 20 visual or verbal representations for EACH of your three different selves. (minimum of 60 to complete the assignment)