Human Relations Chapter 3: Self-Awareness and Self-Disclosure

Common Fears of Self-Disclosure

- Losing control of a conversation or relationship. - Becoming trapped or controlled by someone else. - Facing something unpleasant within yourself. - Losing self-respect. - Appearing to be a loser to others. - Being reflected or being belittled.

3 Primary Benefits of Improved Level 2 Self- Disclosure

1. Improving relationships. 2. Growing toward maturity. 3. Bringing out the honesty of others.

Self-Disclosure- Pay Attention to Differences- 5 Tips

1. Know how much to disclose and how soon. 2. Remember: different cultures, different disclosure. 3. Allow for the other person to take the lead. 4. Factor in gender, race, and social position. 5. Pay attention to the other person's level of openness.

4 Outcomes of Failing to Self-Disclose

1. Loss of relationships with others. 2. The slowdown of personal growth. 3. Waste of time and energy. 4. Loss of a sense of identity.

3 Suggestions for Facing Fear of Self-Disclosure

1. Start with the worst possible scenario. 2. Prepare yourself to accept the worst possible outcome. 3. Proceed with a plan.

Self-Disclosure- Know When To Stop- 4 Tips

1. Understand that self-disclosure can be difficult and awkward at first. 2. Be aware that you can overdisclose unintentionally. 3. Learn how to avoid overdisclosure, especially with strangers or in the workplace. 4. Learn how to self-disclose comfortably and appropriately.

Johari Window

A composite of four panes that shows you ways of relating to others: the open, blind, hidden, and unknown.

Nonconversation

A way to describe the amount of actual conversation in cliche conversation.

Peak Communication

Communication characterized by complete openness and honest self-disclosure. It happens rarely.

Ideas and Judgments

Expressed through conscious thoughts, opinions, and theories in this level of communication.

5 Levels of Self-Disclosure

Level 5: Cliche Conversation Level 4: Reporting the Facts about Others Level 3: Expressing Ideas and Judgments Level 2: Expressing Feelings and Emotions on the "Gut Level" Level 1: peak Communication

Gut-Level Communication

Level of communication in which feelings are expressed honestly.

Self-Disclosure

The ability to let another person know what is real about your thoughts, desires, and feelings.

Self-Awareness

The ability to see yourself realistically, without a great deal of difference between what you are and how you assume others see you.

Cliche Conversation

The level of communication with the least amount of self-disclosure, including niceties such as "Have a nice day."

Blind Pane

The pane in the Johari Window that contains everything other people can see about you, but you can't see about yourself.

Hidden Pane

The pane in the Johari Window that contains information and feelings that you are hiding from people.

Open Pane

The pane in the Johari Window that contains information that you know about yourself and that you have no reason to hide.

Unknown Pane

The pane of the Johari Window that contains unknown talents, abilities, and attitudes, as well as forgotten and repressed experiences, emotions, and possibilities.

Repress

To block off memories that may cause pain, embarrassment, or guilt.