04-014 Ch01 pp5

3/10/04

4:53 PM

Page 86

SKILL PRACTICE
EXERCISES FOR IMPROVING
SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH
SELF-DISCLOSURE
Through the Looking Glass
In the nineteenth century, the concept of looking-glass self was developed to describe the
process used by people to develop self-awareness. It means that other people serve as a
looking-glass for each of us. They mirror back our actions and behaviors. In turn, we form
our opinions of ourselves as a result of observing and interpreting this mirroring. The best
way to form accurate self-perceptions is to share your thoughts, attitudes, feelings,
actions, and plans with others. This exercise helps you do that by asking you to analyze
your own styles and inclinations and then share and discuss them with others. This sharing exercise will provide insights that you havent recognized before.
Assignment
In a group of three or four, share your scores on the Skill Assessment instruments.
Determine what similarities and differences exist among you. Do systematic ethnic or
gender differences exist? Now read aloud the 10 statements listed below. Each person
should complete each statement, but take turns going first. The purpose of your completing the statements aloud is to help you articulate aspects of your self-awareness and to
receive reactions to them from others.
1. In taking the assessment instruments, I was surprised by . . .

2. Some of my dominant characteristics captured by the instruments are . . .

3. Among my greatest strengths are . . .

4. Among my greatest weaknesses are . . .

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CHAPTER 1 DEVELOPING SELF-AWARENESS

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