Reflective Journal Week 3
Reflective Journal 2 Week 3
Lawrence Naylor
Liberty University
Reflective Journal 2
Module 3 Entry 2 Perception
Over the last several weeks this course has allowed me to gain a whole new perspective on relationship building. In the past, I truly believed that I was an effective communicator and really didn’t have an issue on building or maintaining a relationship, whether it was on personal or professional level, but through Stewart (2012) teachings, I see I have a great deal to still learn. In order to be an effective communicator, I have to be able to understand all the components of communication. According to Stewart (2012) communication involves more than just verbal and nonverbal cues, it also involves are own personal perceptions. Perception can be defined as a social and cognitive process in which people assign meaning to sensory cues (Stewart, 2012, pp p.163). Often times when we interact and communicate with others, we prejudge them and act or overreact to what we think that they are trying to tell us, because we aren’t truly listening to them. I have learned over the last couple of weeks that my perception of others have clouded my judgement and have placed labels and barriers on those who I’ve either try to help or have interacted with. As I progress through this course, and through life, I hope that I can find ways where I can be an effective communicator and counselor without being so judgmental.
In chapter 5 Stewart (2012), explains how many scholars suggest that people make there assumptions and generalizations of others based of one single facet of that person, they call the term totalizing. As a Christian, I find myself doing this from time to time. When I find myself doing this, I’m reminded of a passage in the Bible that teaches us not to judge. The Bible states “We should not judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”. (John 7:24 English Standard Version) As I continue to grow and progress through
Lawrence Naylor
Liberty University
Reflective Journal 2
Module 3 Entry 2 Perception
Over the last several weeks this course has allowed me to gain a whole new perspective on relationship building. In the past, I truly believed that I was an effective communicator and really didn’t have an issue on building or maintaining a relationship, whether it was on personal or professional level, but through Stewart (2012) teachings, I see I have a great deal to still learn. In order to be an effective communicator, I have to be able to understand all the components of communication. According to Stewart (2012) communication involves more than just verbal and nonverbal cues, it also involves are own personal perceptions. Perception can be defined as a social and cognitive process in which people assign meaning to sensory cues (Stewart, 2012, pp p.163). Often times when we interact and communicate with others, we prejudge them and act or overreact to what we think that they are trying to tell us, because we aren’t truly listening to them. I have learned over the last couple of weeks that my perception of others have clouded my judgement and have placed labels and barriers on those who I’ve either try to help or have interacted with. As I progress through this course, and through life, I hope that I can find ways where I can be an effective communicator and counselor without being so judgmental.
In chapter 5 Stewart (2012), explains how many scholars suggest that people make there assumptions and generalizations of others based of one single facet of that person, they call the term totalizing. As a Christian, I find myself doing this from time to time. When I find myself doing this, I’m reminded of a passage in the Bible that teaches us not to judge. The Bible states “We should not judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”. (John 7:24 English Standard Version) As I continue to grow and progress through
References: Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication (11th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company