Intrapersonal Communication

What is Intrapersonal Communication? Language use or thought internal to the communicator. Basically, it is communication within yourself.

Athletes use “self-talk” to reach their peak performance.

People of faith engage in prayer.

Keeping a diary is a way to communicate with yourself.

Many cultures believe that meditation allows greater self-awareness.

Learning to count to ten when angry is often the first time children practice controlled intrapersonal communication.

Even cartoons reference intrapersonal communication.

What is included in Intrapersonal Communication? Thoughts about yourself Self-Awareness – your level of knowledge about yourself Self-Esteem – how you feel about yourself Demonstration of “who you are” Personality – emotions, thoughts and behavior patterns that a person has Self Talk

Self-Concept You self-concept is derived from comparisons to others, what you have experienced and accomplished and what you have been told about yourself. It includes everything that you know about all aspects of your life. An important theory of self-concept is called “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.”

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Intrapersonal Communication is important at all levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy Physiological - Knowing when you are hungry or full. Safety - Talking yourself through a frightening experience Belonging - Deciding how you feel about others. Esteem - Helping yourself maintain perspective on failure and success. Self-actualization -Prioritizing choices and life goals.

Self-Disclosure Defined Reciprocity providing information to others that they would not learn if we did not tell them Reciprocity we expect others to share similar information

Models of Self-Disclosure Johari Window stages of relational development, degrees of self-awareness, and others’ perceptions of us square window represents yourself the self encompasses everything about you, even things you don’t realize

Models of Self-Disclosure The Johari Window Model OPEN BLIND HIDDEN UNKNOWN Known to Others Not Known to Others Self Not Known to Self

In Conclusion . . . Getting to know yourself is an important job in your life that will affect your ability to be successful at all the levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy. Intrapersonal Communication is a key component in self-discovery and self-knowledge.