Self Maintained Communicators example essay topic

Political scientists and even psychoanalytic theorists have come to the conclusion that humans are more or less insecure and defensive people according to Harold Barrett's, "Maintaining the Self in Communication". For whatever reason we are at a certain level of insecurity and defensiveness, it is a basic truth of human life. Insecurity and defensiveness are just two practices for maintaining the self. Barrett refers to this maintenance as "an ordinary function of communication".

Although each characteristic may easily be viewed negatively in reference to one's level of self worth, it is a solid foundation of communication. But not only have insecurity and defensiveness become part of the root of communication, so is the issue of shame or "self-defectiveness". These issues, whether good or bad, subtle or obvious, are all basic to the study of maintaining the self in communication. With that truth in mind, it is imperative to know one's level of self-worth or self-defectiveness heavily relies on a variety of variables: one's family, gender or region. Controlled by one's insecurity or defensiveness, messages are communicated through such self-maintenance strategies. These strategies often appear in relationships and interpersonal events.

Whether or not one uses the a strategy to justify, qualify, rationalize, assert, confront, excuse, ignore or brag, the following strategic groupings will remain consistent purposes as we self-maintain ourselves in communication: control, achievement, opposition, attribution, anger denial, withdrawal and prevarication. Among the above purposes, or as Barrett describes as to poi, an individual is not restrained to just one. One will find that it is likely he or she will choose a topos depending on our social consciousness, personality type, or perception of a situation that we find ourselves in at that moment. As humans and "rhetorical creatures", we will react with practicality, purpose and adaptability. As self-maintained communicators, all three are important and must never be forgotten! PART 2: APPLICATION As mentioned in the above report, "it is imperative to know one's level of self-worth or self-defectiveness heavily relies on a variety of variables: one's family, gender or region".

For example, an adolescent's self-esteem may rise in North America once he or she leaves home to attend college across the country, thousands of miles away because individualism and achievement are regarded so highly in this region. However, in Asian countries, among the many close families, children are respected for caring for his / her parents. The family relationship is highly valued and defines one's self worth. If an Asian adolescent leaves the home for college as far away as the North American, he may seem selfish and disrespectful; thus, his / her self-worth may decrease. PART 3: GOALS After reading this section, not only do I realize how true it is that we are constantly self-maintaining ourselves, but I also realize how important it is that I understand such processes to become a better communicator. I believe that a good communicator is one that understands.

He / she must be understanding of the receiver and the sender (self). With this idea in mind, my goals stem from important relationships in my life that can be enriched by good, clear communication. The following are those relationships: my relationship with academic or extracurricular activity supervisors, my relationship with my parents and my relationship with Christ. First, clear communication is needed in the relationship between supervisors I have in school and me.

These supervisors may be a teacher, Dr. Champion, or an administrator, Mr. Bund rick. My relationship with a teacher should be in good standing because it will affect the grade that I receive in his or her class. It is important to understand what the teacher's expectations are for his / her class so that I know what it takes to do well in the class. I must also have a good relationship with supervisors such as the dean of students or resident directors of my dorm because I am involved in many student activities.

I have to answer to them when it comes to the responsibilities that I have as for example, editor of a "Lance" page, homecoming PR committee chair, vice president of the junior class or even the PR of Lewis Hall. However, one problem that I have is being "over-optimistic". Because I am involved and very busy, I tend to double-book my schedule or neglect responsibilities when initially, I thought I'd be able to cram everything in my schedule. This causes me to be tired and unmotivated. I must self-maintain myself in such a situation.

I cannot be over-optimistic and think that I can do more than I can handle. It is my goal to manage my time better and understand my abilities to accomplish responsibilities in the time allotted. If I do this I will communicate better work ethic to my supervisors. In other areas of my life, such as my family, I must also be understanding of myself to communicate well.

I must evaluate who I am because of my Filipino parents. They have formed me into who I am today. My parents deserve only an obedient, respectful and loving child. With that comes close and pleasant communication. However, it should be my goal to understand my parents (what it was like to grow up in the Philippines, how important respect to parents is in that country and what it is like to raise four girls). I think that if I understand this and communicate to them myself (what it is like to be a military kid, third culture kid and a young adult in transition), communication between us will bond us.

We will be even closer than we already are. If the above areas of communication are "up to par", they will affect my relationship with the Lord. I know that he wants me to be responsible and respectful to authorities in my life. I must act in a way that glorifies him in class and activities. He has given me the abilities to be involved in all that I involve myself on campus. I owe supervisors and the Lord my best effort and the time they give me.

He also desires for me to be an obedient child to my parents. It is my goal to constantly evaluate and check myself to the standards of the Lord. With that, I must evaluate who the Lord wants me to be. If I communicate with the Lord consistently, then I will know his will and take steps in my life toward his will, not my own.