Interpersonal Communication
Many people will not know or understand the reason they have developed the personality they have until someone else says the word. The sociological concept of Reflected Appraisal, the perception seen through the appraisal of other’s ideas or perception of our selves, leads many individuals in different directions once others have given an opinion of their character. The appraisal of one’s self is developed through the appraisal of others can guide our development throughout life. In order to meet the criterion others decide we change or morph into individuals seen by others.
The results from my rankings were surprising because I expected my friend to consider my friendliness as a leading factor of my character. In contrast my friend stated I am a knowledgeable individual. In learning this concept from my friend, I wondered why [he or she] considered this as a leading characteristic. The judgments opened my eyes to their perspective of how I carry myself. The distinction between my self-evaluation and that of my friends’ can change the way I view my behavior around others. This mirror image strengthens my character then evolves into a deeper understanding of how others feel in my presence. Knowing this information is valuable as I develop a social self in the world.
The item which developed from reflected appraisal is my photo album. The photo album reminds me of my origins and the accomplishments I have achieved. The album is also a sounding board for the ideas, goals, and ambitions I have for my life. Without this item, I may feel as if there is no past in which I should be proud of.
The item which developed due to social comparison is Bible. I was taught that God is an instrumental factor success. In my younger days, I learned the basics of life from God’s Word and I used it to form the relationship I have with others. The evaluation from my friend is evidence of how I have embodied this understanding. The notion of God handling obstacles, giving me strength and enlightenment is enriching. My belief and religion created a strong circle of friends, colleagues, and coworkers that reflect my belief system. The group I used in comparison is my church and community. My church’s foundation is a deep foundation in which I live by this very day. I discovered I have a lot of knowledge based on my life experiences with fellow Christians. It has helped me form a positive opinion of self and of others in my social circle. The breaking point of all of this information has lead to one understanding – I am a great person. My social self is reliable, knowledgeable, and friendly.
This confirmation is thorough input from the rankings I received from my Self-Concept Inventory. At the end of this exercise, I realized that I need to work on my communication skills. The ability to openly discuss my views, passions, and understandings of life with others is an effective tool in living a fruitful existence. With hard work and commitment, my current self can broaden my horizons as an individual. The Reflected Appraisal and Self-Concept Inventory released a visible area of self-improvements. In comparison of my rankings to others, I feel that I can accommodate the perspective of my social self with the self-image I have. I am a product of my environment which represents friendly, knowledgeable, and independent individuals. Our composure is an example of strength; understanding the appraisals makes it easier to understand the behaviors which affect every aspect of my life. With this exercise, I have gained the best curiosity to enrich my current social self while recognizing who I am in the eyes of others.
