Evaluation and insights

This week, I was required to examine and evaluate who I am as a communicator by finishing three tests, that is, Communication Anxiety Inventory, Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, and Listening Styles Profile from Walden. These three tests were done on my own as well as by one colleague in my workplace and one close friend. As thinking about the similarities and differences between how I evaluated myself and how others evaluated me, I think what surprised me the most is that the scores of Verbal Aggressiveness Scale are in the same level but go up from my colleague, myself to my friend. This surprised me because I did not realize that I was more verbally aggressive to my friends who I think I am so close to and plays an important role in my life. After trying to analyze the reason for the difference, I think this indicates that my verbal aggressiveness or my language "reflects and creates the relational context" (O'H air & Wiemann, 2012, pp.115). With my colleagues, I use milder words to express myself to avoid conflicts occurring, to try to be professional in my work, and to respect and consider others' viewpoints. With my friends, of course I also respect their viewpoints; however, I will be truer of myself and feel more comfortable to express my real feelings and thoughts. 

From these tests and the course text regarding communication, some insights are gained. From the text, I am impressed by the statement, "while your self-concept strongly influences how and when you communicate with others, the reverse is true: when you interact with other people, you get impressions from them that reveal how they evaluate you as a person and as a communicator." (O'H air & Wiemann, 2012, pp.47) This statement can be verified by the tests that show the same results. Therefore, we should be aware of and have a better understanding of our self-concept because "both cognitions and behavior make a communicator" (O'H air & Wiemann, 2012, pp.47). Another insight from the test regarding Verbal Aggressiveness is that though I feel more comfortable and truer when I interact with my friends, I should also be aware of the words that I use; otherwise I might unintentionally hurt the feelings of my friends, which might build up barriers between us.

Reference:                                                               

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.