Chapter 1

The Big 5 Model

5 concepts that are representative of the characteristics that can be linked with satisfaction and success. Agreeableness Emotional Stability Conscientiousness Openness to Experience

Diverse Experiences

A way to increase self-awareness by acquiring multiple experiences in diverse situations and with diverse others.

Self-disclosure

A way to increase self-awareness by sharing your thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others without self-deception, without distortion.

Projection

Attributing one's own attitudes, characteristics, or shortcomings to others.

Interest

Basing our activities and inputs on things that are likable or appealing to us. We give our attention to those things that are enjoyable and meaningful to us (i.e. start noticing FOR SALE signs if in the market).

Openness to experience

Considers whether you are interested in broadening your horizons, learning new things versus sticking with what you already know, meeting new people, going to new places, etc.

Attribution Theory

Demonstrates that individuals tend to decide that a behavior is caused by a particular characteristic or event. Internal or external factors?

Attitudes

Evaluative statements or learned predispositions to respond to an object, person or idea in a favorable or unfavorable way.

Expectations

Forming an opinion about how we would like an event to unfold, a situation to develop, or a person to act, think, or feel.

Selective perception

Interpreting information for meaning and accuracy, and discarding information that is threatening or not relevant.

Stereotyping

Making assumptions about an individual or a group based on generalized judgments rather than on facts.

The 4 components of behavior:

Motivation Modes of thinking Modes of acting Modes of Interacting

Fundamental Attribution Error

Part of Attribution Theory; causes individuals to overestimate the impact of internal factors and underestimate the influence of external factors when evaluating the behavior or others.

Self-serving bias

Part of Attribution Theory; causes us to overestimate internal factors for successes and blame external factors for failures.

Individualistic

People define themselves as independent of group affiliation

Collectivist

People define themselves in relation to what is acceptable within their group

Self-analysis

Step back and observe (as objectively as possible) the factors that influence your behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, or interactions. Start with reflection and exploring your thoughts and feelings. Examine your behavior, attitudes, perceptions, and personality.

Common filters that influence perceptions:

Stereotyping, selective perception, interest, expectations, projection.

Self-Monitoring

The ability to regulate your thinking before speaking or acting. High self monitors are very sensitive to external cues and constantly adapt (and often hide) their true selves to conform to a situation or set of expectations. Low self-monitors display their feelings, attitudes, and behaviors in every situation.

Modes of acting

The course of action you apply in a given situation (i.e. do you react in anger? Quietly?).

Emotional Stability

The degree to which you are consistent in how you react to certain events, weigh options before acting, and look at a situation objectively.

Conscientiousness

The degree to which you are dependable, can be counted on, follow through on commitments, and keep promises.

Agreeableness

The degree to which you are friendly or reserved, cooperative or guarded, flexible or inflexible, trusting or cautious, good-natured or moody, soft-hearted or tough, and tolerant or judgmental.

Extroversion

The degree to which you are social or antisocial, outgoing or shy, assertive or passive, active or inactive, and talkative or quiet.

Motivation

The drive to pursue one action over another.

The first step to self awareness:

The first step to becoming self-aware is to recognize your weaknesses, strengths, biases, attitudes, values, and perceptions.

Perception

The process by which you select, evaluate, and organize information and make sense of it. Our past experience, belief system, family background, and personal values heavily influence our perceptions of others. We often form perceptions based on our biases.

Personality

The relatively stable set of characteristics, tendencies, and temperaments that have been formed by heredity and by social, cultural, and environmental factors (i.e. agreeableness, aggression, dominance, and shyness).

Modes of interacting

The way you communicate ideas, opinions, and feelings with others (i.e. are you comfortable in large groups? Team situations? Work on your own?).

Modes of thinking

The way you process the various inputs your brain receives (i.e. do you process info quietly or out loud?).

Self-awareness can help you:

Understand yourself in relation to others. Develop and implement a sound self-improvement program. Set meaningful life and career goals. Develop relationships with others. Understand the value of diversity. Manage others effectively. Increase productivity. Increase your ability to contribute to organizations, your peers, employers, community, and family.

Self-awareness

the capacity for introspection and the ability to reconcile oneself as an individual separate from the environment and other individuals. It is knowing your motivations, preferences, and personality and understanding how these factors influence your judgment, decisions, and interactions with other people. Internal feelings and thoughts, interests, strengths and limitations, culture, fit within your organization, values, skills, goals, abilities, leadership orientation, career interests, and preferred communication style are just a few of the many elements of self-awareness. Through self-awareness you develop the ability to know how you are feeling and why, and the impact your feelings have on your behavior.