Schutz's Theory Of Interpersonal Needs example essay topic

673 words
In today's paper, I will be analysis personal relationship using Schutz's theory of interpersonal needs. According to Communication Making Connection by William J. Seiler and Melissa L. Beall, Schutz's theory implies that we have three needs: the need for affection, the need for inclusion, and the need for control. According to Schutz's theory, the need for affection is the need to feel likeable or lovable. If various people like a specific person, that person has effectively fulfill this need and that need is referred as personal. Someone who is unable to fulfill this need is labeled either under personal or over personal. Personal individuals want to be liked, but they do not consider being liked by everyone essential for happiness.

Under personal people avoid emotional commitments or involvement with others. Over personal individuals will often go to the extremes to ensure acceptance by others. It is my belief that, I am a personal individual. I'm the type of person that feels like I'm capable of dealing with anyone that I come in contact with. Many people that I've encounter over the years like my football teammate feel that I'm cocky; nevertheless I tell them that I'm just confident.

My ex-girlfriend, , on the other hand is more an over personal type of individual. She needs to be at the center of attention in order to ensure that she is acceptance by she peers. She will not make a decision without someone approval. According to Schutz's theory, the interpersonal need for inclusion encompasses our needs to feel significant and worthwhile. Schutz describes individuals in terms of this need as social, under social, or over social. Social people have satisfied their needs for inclusion.

Under social people do not like being around other people. Over social people cannot stop themselves from getting involved and communicating with others. In my opinion, I would situate myself with the social people; likewise I can also be under social at times. It really depends on my frame of mind at particular moment. Most days, I feel comfortable and have a lot of confidence in myself. The days were I feel like nothing is going my way, I'll get real quite and shy; avoiding anything that will attract attention to me.

On the other hand, is social at all time. She is capable of handing most situations as long as she can get a second opinion on it. According to Schutz's theory, the need for control derived from responsibility and leadership. The strength of this need and the way we manifest it determine whether we are abdic rats, autocrats, or democrats. Abdic rats are extremely submissive to others.

Autocrats never have enough control. Democrats have their control needs essentially satisfied. I feel that democrats would fit me best because I'm comfortable as a leader or a follower. I do not have a strong need for power but if I'm in a position of power; I'll will do what I have to do to get the job done. Shontell is definitely an abdic rats.

She does not like to take any risk and she always needs a second opinion. As you can see Shontell and I are to different type of people. I'm capable of dealing with anyone that I come in contact with. I have a lot of confidence in myself and I'm comfortable as a leader or a follower. Shontell needs to be at the center of attention in order to ensure that she is acceptance by she peers and also does not like to take any risk. She always needs a second opinion.

I think the fact that she always needs a second opinion is the main reason why we are not together. She always believes that her friends were right and that is what drove us apart.