Defensive Communication:
Unfortunately there has been occasions in my life where I have been offered a suggestion, advice, or criticism and I reacted defensively.
Test Your Self Monitoring
After taking the quiz, I am considered to be a high self monitor.
Positives
Negatives
Is it important to adapt your self-monitoring level to the context of the situation?
Unfortunately there has been occasions in my life where I have been offered a suggestion, advice, or criticism and I reacted defensively.
- One such instance: Being offered advice on my golf swing.
- Reacted defensively because I thought my swing was fine and did not like people critiquing it.
- I demonstrated dogmatic messages- "I have been swinging the club like this my whole life." (pg.274)
- Simply listen to the advice, say thanks for looking out, but yet I am going to stick to my swing because it is what I have the most success with.
- Telling them that they are themselves a good golfer, but what works for them may not work for me.
Test Your Self Monitoring
After taking the quiz, I am considered to be a high self monitor.
Positives
- Usually act appropriate in social situations and do not cause a scene.
- Makes it harder to offend people.
- Represents myself and my family in a proper way.
Negatives
- Do not get to show my true self in certain situations.
- May not demonstrate some of my unique characteristics.
- At times feel like I should be expressing myself more.
Is it important to adapt your self-monitoring level to the context of the situation?
- That depends on the situation. For instance if you are at a formal get together you may want to modify your behavior so that you fit in and do not cause a scene.
- On the other hand, at a social gathering such as a party you may just want to be who you are and have a good time.