Communication is important in relationships as it allows us to share interests, aspirations and concerns, to support each other, to organize our lives and make decisions, and to work together. In a romantic relationship or any type of relationship, self-concept and difference in values can cause a few complications. These two issues are so small but yet so damaging to a relationship. Differences in values and self-concept is detrimental to a relationship because it affects the long-term maintenance attraction.
My relationship with my partner was one of proximity. I had just been in America for a month or two and my partner at the time was living in the same apartment complex. Proximity was one of the short-term initial attractions because this alone increased communication opportunities and this was very conforming. Gradually, my relationship became one of choice. Like the authors of Communication Principles for a lifetime said, “Self-disclosure fulfills a human need to be known intimately and accepted.” For those many communication opportunities we had, I chose to self-disclose to him. We began sharing personal information, feelings, values and beliefs.
My …show more content…
Our self-concept is affected by the characteristics we believe we possess and made up of self-image and self-esteem. Examples of how my partner impacts my self-concept is through verbal and non-verbal cues. For instance, a non-verbal cue is my partner greeting me with a smile when we first see each other at the end of the day. This nonverbal says “I care” and increases my self-esteem and self-concept because he is disclosing his positive feelings towards me. Additionally, my partner verbally impacts my self-concept with positive labelling. This includes how he occasionally calls me smart and beautiful. Moreover, this changes the way we communicate with one another because we are aware of the feelings and respect we have for each
My relationship with my partner was one of proximity. I had just been in America for a month or two and my partner at the time was living in the same apartment complex. Proximity was one of the short-term initial attractions because this alone increased communication opportunities and this was very conforming. Gradually, my relationship became one of choice. Like the authors of Communication Principles for a lifetime said, “Self-disclosure fulfills a human need to be known intimately and accepted.” For those many communication opportunities we had, I chose to self-disclose to him. We began sharing personal information, feelings, values and beliefs.
My …show more content…
Our self-concept is affected by the characteristics we believe we possess and made up of self-image and self-esteem. Examples of how my partner impacts my self-concept is through verbal and non-verbal cues. For instance, a non-verbal cue is my partner greeting me with a smile when we first see each other at the end of the day. This nonverbal says “I care” and increases my self-esteem and self-concept because he is disclosing his positive feelings towards me. Additionally, my partner verbally impacts my self-concept with positive labelling. This includes how he occasionally calls me smart and beautiful. Moreover, this changes the way we communicate with one another because we are aware of the feelings and respect we have for each