Human Relations Direct Measure Assessment - Coursework Example

? PSY 101 – Human Relations Direct Measure Assessment Human Relations Analysis Case Scenarios Case Scenario Explain the development of self-concept, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Self-concept may be defined as the totality of a complex, organized, and dynamic system of learned beliefs, attitudes and opinions that each person holds to be true about his or her personal existence. Self-esteem is the affective or emotional aspect of self and generally refers to how we feel about or how we value ourselves (one's self-worth) (Purkey 1988). A. Considering the fact that Pat is extremely punctual, it is obvious that he sees himself as a hard and diligent worker. He also sees himself as a likeable person because he enjoys working in an office environment because of the social opportunities that are available. That being said, Pat also sees himself as a good parent, watching children’s shows (probably to regulate the content his children are exposed to) and attending their soccer games. This is one of the traits which he sees as differentiating him from the rest of his co-workers. B. The above mentioned characteristics are also responsible for Pat’s relatively low self esteem at the workplace. Because his tastes, choices and priorities differ from those of his co-workers, Pat feels incompatible with the rest of the group. Also, due to this incompatibility, Pat has a negative attitude towards socializing in the office. Considering that he would like to befriend Chris but is reluctant to initiate a conversation shows that he has very little confidence in being able to forge a bond with anybody. He does not like the fact, but feels helpless to change it. He feels like a complete outcast and is disappointed at his own social ineptitude. C. Self efficacy is simply a person’s conviction or confidence of succeeding in a particular situation. Pat obviously has a low self efficacy, since he does not believe himself capable of intermingling with his co-workers. He avoids challenging tasks, focuses on his negative properties and loses confidence very fast. However, there are some simple strategies that can be used to Bolster his confidence and improve his self esteem. i. One way of building up self efficacy is by helping the person encounter success in tasks that have been elusive to him or her hitherto. Small and frequent conversations initiated by co-workers would do wonders to his confidence. Also, if he ventured out of his comfort zone without concentrating on the outcome, and portrayed a confident demeanor, he would be successful and regain his lost confidence. ii. Another way of building up confidence it for him to observe other people (possibly like him) succeed at the task. This would make him realize that the task is not impossible and in turn improve his self efficacy. iii. Verbal encouragement by people close to Pat would also help build up the conviction that he is worthy of socializing with his co-workers. This would give him the confidence to befriend Chris, which would in turn build up his self esteem. 2. Case Scenario # 2 – Stress, in the simplest sense, is a reaction by the body to a hostile environment. This can have psychological and physiological manifestation as has been seen in the case mentioned. A. Kyle’s experience on the expressway, coupled with his anxiety over the meeting, likely produced a number of physiological reactions. The headache he has when he arrives at the meeting is one of these reactions by his body. The tension on the commute as well as anxiety about the meeting might also have initiated tremors and shaking or nervous twitching, tapping or fiddling with random objects. It is also very likely that Kyle would be sweating when he arrived at the meeting owing to the stress he is under. B. The stress of the long commute to work as well as his tardiness also probably produced a number of psychological reactions to the stress in Kyle. One such possible reaction would be constant flashbacks of the driver cutting him off and the long wait in the traffic. Another manifestation would be a constant irritability as well as an exaggerated startle response. The anxiety over the meeting and the trauma of the commute also likely lowered Kyle’s concentration ability leaving him unfocussed on the task at hand. C. There are many strategies Kyle can employ to avoid further such situations. For instance, one of the best ways to deal with stress is by talking about it to a person who has or has not experienced a similar situation. This connects him to shared experience and will decrease the severity of the symptoms over time. Another essential requirement to avoid stress is for him to take care of his physical needs viz. eating well, engaging his body, exercising, ensuring sufficient rest and maintaining a healthy sex life. Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or pranayam (breathing technique) would also help Kyle deal with stress. One more way to decrease the severity of his symptoms would be to engage in activities that he finds pleasurable. References Huitt, W. (2009). Self-concept and self-esteem. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [21 March, 2011], from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/regsys/self.html Melinda Smith, Ellen Jaffe-Gill, Jeanne Segal, Understanding Stress, Helpguide.org Expert Ad-Free Resources Help You Reslove Health Challenges, (21 March, 2011), retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm Read More