Question

To understand how reflected appraisals have influenced your self-concept, try this exercise and write a response containing the results with sources from the readings to clarify what you found. First, list five words that describe how you see yourself. Examples are “responsible,” “ambitious,” “introverted,” “clumsy,” “funny,” “intelligent,” “shy,” and “athletic.” Next, identify the particular people who have been and are especially significant in your life. Try to list at least five people who matter to you. Now, think about how these special people communicated to you about the traits you listed in the first step. How did they express their appraisals of what you defined as important parts of yourself? Can you trace how you see yourself to the appraisals reflected by particular others in your life?

Answer 1

The exercise of self-reflected appraisal is as follows:

The five words that describe me how I see myself are: Introverted, funny, intelligent, athletic, clumsy.

The people who have been significant in my life: Father, Mother, eldest sister, elder sister, teacher.

My parents have always encouraged me and called me intelligent, funny or witty. I see myself doing the things that reflect these qualities. I am always living up to the image of these positive words and encouragement offered by my parents. My sibling who both happen to be elder to me have called me athletic and clumsy or forgetful or eccentric. I see my self-doing these aspects of mine in front of them.Sometimes I am resentful if these qualities are bringing negative results in my life. For example, I was called eccentric for a long time by them and it played on my mind. I really had to try very hard to shun this image of mine and replace it with being responsible. It means a lot to me that my teacher calls me intelligent. I feel really good even if I am lagging behind as a student.