Unit 3 Assignment
Self-Concept and Perception
CM206 Interpersonal Communication
Tanya Horton
Kaplan University
July 17, 2014
Dr. D. Davis
Self-Concept and Perception
1. How would you describe Jim’s self-concept?
Jim’s self-concept is that no matter how hard he tries, he will never get the grades his father expects him too; Jim seems to think he cannot do any better. His father, on the other hand, did not help the situation any by using the negative direct definition that Jim is just playing around and not trying hard enough. Brooks and Goldstein, 2001 stated (as cited in Wood, 2011, p 41) “Negative direct definitions can damage children’s self-esteem”. When people say negative things about us, we tend to feel bad about ourselves; therefore, causing us to have a low self-concept which I believe is Jim’s case.
2. How is self-concept affecting the interaction? Is it helping it? Hindering it? Explain using concepts from the text.
I believe self-concept is hindering the interaction between Jim and his father. His father was an “A” student in college; everything seemed to come easy for him so he expects the same for Jim. Jim knows he is not doing well in school and needs some positive reinforcement, some positive direct definition. “Positive direct definitions enhance our self-esteem” (Wood, 2011, p 41). Rudyard Kipling once said (as cited in Fraser, 2012, p 3) “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind”. The words that Jim’s father used, to describe Jim, hurt his self-concept causing him feel bad about himself; affecting the interaction between the two.
3. Using the process of human perception starting on page 64, explain the situation from your perspective as a student.
Being a student myself, I can understand that it is not always as easy as Jim’s father makes it sound. “Perception consists of three processes: selecting, organizing, and interpreting” (Wood, 2011, p 64). Since Jim’s father was an “A” student, the...