Josslyn Smith

1.The Why

Understanding your self-concept and cultural background is key to becoming a more effective and empathetic communicator. This assignment is designed to help you explore how your identity has been shaped, where your beliefs and attitudes come from, and how your communication is influenced by your unique perspective.

Assignment Instructions

Please answer the following reflection questions in a written response, aiming for 3-5 sentences per answer. Your responses should be thoughtful and demonstrate a connection between your personal experiences and the concepts discussed within this course so far.

Formatting Requirements

Responses to reflection questions are expected to be full and complete sentences, using terminology from your course learnings, and provide any personal examples that may relate to your arguments. Your submission should also adhere to APA style guidelines, be typed in 12-point font, and use a sans-serif typeface such as Arial or Calibri.

The file name should be: yourlastname_SPCH1311_reflection1_SelfConcept

Response Template (copy and paste this into your doc)

[Your Name]

[Course Name]

[Date]

Reflection 1: Self Concept & Cultural Influences

1. How would you describe your current self-concept?

[Type your response here. Consider how you see yourself emotionally, socially, intellectually, and in terms of your personal strengths and challenges.]

2. What people or experiences have had the most influence on shaping your self-concept?

[Type your response here. Think about family, peers, teachers, media, or major life events.]

3. How has your cultural background influenced your values, beliefs, and identity?

[Type your response here. Consider nationality, ethnicity, religion, traditions, language, or community norms.]

4. In what ways do you think others perceive you, and how does that perception compare to how you perceive yourself?

[Type your response here. Consider any similarities or differences youve noticed and how that affects your self-image.]

5. How do your communication habits (verbal, nonverbal, online, or in person) reflect your self-concept and cultural influences?

[Type your response here. Provide examples of how you express yourself and interpret others.]

6. After reflecting on your environment, how you were raised, how others see you, and how you see yourself, how do you think that influences your communication style?

[Type your final response here. Use this space to tie together your reflections.]

2.

The Why

Relationships are a central part of human communication. By reflecting on your own experiences, youll be able to connect course concepts to real-world situations. This assignment will help you see how relationships move through stages and how interpersonal theories can explain why relationships grow, change, or end.

Assignment Instructions

Part One

Think about a relationship youve experienced (romantic partner, friend, family member, etc.). For each relationship stage (contact, involvement, intimacy, deterioration, repair, dissolution), explain how this stage appeared in your chosen relationship.

If your relationship skipped or never reached a stage, explain why you think that happened. Please use examples to show your understanding of how the concepts connected to specific interactions.

Part Two

Keeping in mind that same relationship, choose one of the four interpersonal relationship theories covered in this course:

• Attraction Theory
• Relationship Rules Theory
• Social Exchange Theory
• Equity Theory

Then apply the theory you chose to your relationship. Your answer should include:

• Definition of the chosen theory in your own words or paraphrased from a primary source with in-text citations.
• Application of the theory to your relationship: how it influenced the start of the relationship, how it helped maintain the relationship, OR how it relates to why the relationship ended.

*Part two alone should be at least 150 words.*

Formatting Requirements

Responses to reflection questions are expected to be full and complete sentences and, when relevant, use terminology from your course learnings. Your submission should also adhere to APA style guidelines, be typed in 12-point font, and use a sans-serif typeface such as Arial or Calibri.

The file name should be: yourlastname_SPCH1311_reflection2_InterpersonalRelationships

Response Template (copy and paste this into your doc)

[Your Name]

[Course Name]

[Date]

Reflection 2: Interpersonal Relationships

PART ONE

• Contact Stage
• Type your response here.
• Involvement Stage
• Type your response here.
• Intimacy Stage
• Type your response here.
• Deterioration Stage
• Type your response here.
• Repair Stage
• Type your response here.
• Dissolution Stage
• Type your response here.

PART TWO

In the space below, identify and define the interpersonal relationship theory you’ve chosen. Then, apply that theory to your relationship in at least 150 words.

Type your response here.