Module 1- Communication and Self Concept

Table of Contents

1. Think About It!
2. In this Module
3. Becoming an Effective Communicator
   1. Why We Communicate
   2. The Communication Process
   3. Communication Principles and Misconceptions
   4. Communication Competence
   5. Self-Awareness: Who Are You?
   6. The Development of Self-Concept
   7. Characteristics of Self-Concept
   8. Self-Esteem Development
   9. Self-fulfilling Prophecy
   10. Changing Your Self-Concept and Attitude
4. Resources used in preparing this Module

Why We Communicate

We communicate to seek information, to develop relationships, and to make meaning of our experiences. Through communication we fulfill four types of needs:

• Personal communication is necessary for our well-being.
• Studies show that socially isolated people have more health problems and may die at earlier ages than people who have satisfying personal relationships.

• Communication is the way that we learn who we are.
• The messages we receive from others influence our self-perception.

• Communication connects us to others.
• A variety of social needs is satisfied by communication: pleasure, affection, inclusion, escape, relaxation, and control.

• Communication is used to get others to behave in ways that we want in order to have our needs met.
• Good communication skills are important in gaining and maintaining employment.

Source: R.Adler, N.Towne, and J.Rolls. LOOK, Second Canadian Edition. Nelson Education, 2015

Photo by V Cobham