D.Phil. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. / This dissertation comprises an exploratory study of the role and functions of communication during growth and transcendence cycles of the unique individual. It moreover explores how the quintessence of the individual, the self, manages and transforms itself, through the use of communication. The exploration focuses on the subjective, inner reality of humanity. The inner, subjective reality of humanity relates to different states and levels of consciousness and corresponding levels of self-awareness. Since an exploration of the nature of the self and its possible confluence with states and levels of consciousness necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, theories and constructs in Psychology, the New Physics (Quantum Physics), Mysticism, and Philosophy are explored and integrated with contemporary, communication notions of the self and consciousness. Integration and inclusiveness consequently form the bedrock of this study. The intrapersonal and transpersonal levels of communication are considered as the derivatives of a subjective, inner reality. The exploration and comprehension of an inner reality are considered to be of prime significance to the management, development, transformation and transcendence of the self: the individual as a unique multifarious being. A pilot study of selfawareness through self-reports indicates that a transcendental spirituality, and consequently an inner, subjective transcendental reality is imminent in every individual. An intrinsic need for equanimity and unity is hence considered as the birthright of every individual and not the exclusive legacy of sages and mystics. The assertion that humanity shares an innate spiritual nature allows the integration of the constructs of the self and levels and states of consciousness, ensuing from the exploration in this study, in a more representative and inclusive model and theory of the self in communication. The relationship between the self, consciousness, and intrapersonal and transpersonal communication is depicted and described in terms of an experiential multidimensional model of intrapsychic communication. This helps to address the exclusion of humanity's archetypal spiritual need to actualise its ultimate and essential being that is not represented hi contemporary communication theory. It is proposed that the term intrapsychic communication be used to represent the total spectrum of communication within the Self. The upper case 'S' in 'Self represents humanity's essential being. This facilitates the incorporation of the spiritual component of the Self into the current dualistic and mechanistic representation of the self in communication theory. The worth of intrapsychic communication, which comprises prepersonal, intrapersonal, transcendental and transpersonal communication, lies in its facilitation of awareness, comprehension, integration and transcendence of an imprisoned and deprived ego-self. Intrapsychic communication consequently represents all the levels of communication within the Self with its corresponding levels of consciousness. Intrapersonal communication facilitates both awareness and integration of the inner subjective reality, and the external sociocultural reality of the ego which is at the core of the Self. Transcendental communication provides the 'crosswalk' or 'crosstalk' between levels of the Self. This is represented as the 'fusion' between the different symbol structures of the different levels of consciousness. Transpersonal communication is the integration, expansion and unification of the Self through archetypal symbol structures. Prepersonal communication refers to the primitive roots of awareness. This model indicates that consciousness cannot be experienced as a distinct experience. Rather, intrapsychic communication facilitates a sense and experience of Self by an individual in different levels of consciousness because of the change of symbol structures, and content and focus of information. Differences of levels in the Self are hence experienced through different forms and levels of communication which facilitate a change in content and focus in consciousness. The inclusion of the archetypal spiritual dimension of the Self, and the indication of an intrinsic need for wholeness, unity and transcendence in intrapsychic communication, dignifies humanity. The possible realisation through intraspychic communication that 'All is One' indicates that such a shared heritage, which is illustrated in the model and which cuts across all cultural and racial boundaries, is needed to address global disharmony and antagonism. The study likewise concomitantly asserts the improvement of interpersonal communication through the fulfilment of humanity's quest for the management, development, transformation and transcendence of its Self. Since the study is of an exploratory nature, and the model of intrapsychic communication is an experiential one, suggestions for further study and research are also made.

In this study, I investigated the relationship between positive self-talk, autonomy, and resilience in a sample of adults residing in America (n=177). Forty percent of American adults (n=1031) report daily stressors (Almeida, Wethington, & Kessler, 2002). Even comparatively minor life stressors can have a negative impact on one’s well-being over time (Almeida, 2005). Resilience, the ability to manage and recover from stress, may be an important factor in long-term health and well-being (Almeida, 2005). Positive self-talk has been identified as a possible target for resilience building interventions. However, positive self-talk appears to benefit some people more than others. One possible factor in the differential impact of positive self-talk may be autonomous functioning. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether one’s level of autonomy would influence how they use and interpret their self-talk and how that impacts their resilience, as such autonomous functioning was examined as a possible moderator in the relationship between self-talk and resilience. A sample of American adults were recruited through Amazon’s MTurk system and asked to complete an online survey. The survey included measures designed to assess for self-talk type and frequency, daily hassles stress, level of autonomy, and level of resilience. Results indicated that positive self-talk was not a predictor of high levels of resilience. Nor was autonomous functioning found to moderate the relationship between self-talk and resilience. However, autonomous functioning was a significant predictor of resilience. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the effectiveness of third-person self-talk (TPST) as a strategy for managing work-related stress using imaginary scenarios. Employing an experimental design, the impact of TPST on stress was compared to first-person self-talk and control conditions. Six subscales (Upset, Afraid, Nervous, Irritated, Distressed, and Alert) of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were used to measure negative affect, while trait anxiety was controlled using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to control for its effect on the relationship between TPST and stress responses. Contrary to expectations, the findings did not support TPST's effectiveness in significantly reducing stress levels. Furthermore, trait anxiety appeared as a strong predictor influencing situational stress responses, indicating that TPST's effectiveness was limited compared to individual differences. Further research can explore TPST's applicability across cultures, using longitudinal or diary designs or distinguishing between self-talk of different natures (e.g., spontaneous and induced).

The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the effects of instructional and motivational self-talk on self-efficacy in elite golf players; and (2) to examine the effects of instructional and motivational self-talk on performance in elite golf players. Participants involved were 9 elite golf players with a mean age of 20.4 years (SD = ± 1.1). A repeated measure design was implemented, and the putting experiment was completed in three sessions. Multiple one-way repeated measure analyses of variance revealed no significant differences across tries regarding self-efficacy and that instructional self-talk significantly improved performance compared to the baseline measure. Qualitative content analysis of after experiment debriefings revealed that participants found the task challenging, thought their self-talk affected their performance, and had issues with the absence of a hole. The results are discussed in relation to theory, previous research, and methodological issues. A revised version of the self-talk framework is suggested. Future research and practical applications of the results are suggested. / Syftet med föreliggande studie var: (1) att undersöka effekterna av instruerande och motiverande self-talk på self-efficacy hos elit golfspelare; samt (2) att undersöka effekterna av instruerande och motiverande self-talk på prestation hos elit golfspelare. 9 elit golfspelare deltog med en medelålder på 20.4 år (SD = ± 1.1). En inomgruppsdesign med upprepade mätningar implementerades och puttningsexperimentet genomfördes i tre sessioner. Multipla envägs beroende variansanalyser avslöjade inga signifikanta skillnader mellan mätningar vad gäller self-efficacy och att instruerande self-talk signifikant ökade prestationen jämfört med baslinjemätningen. Kvalitativ innehållsanalys av den efter experimentella debriefingen visade att deltagarna upplevde uppgiften som utmanande, ansåg att deras self-talk påverkade deras prestation, och att frånvaron av ett hål var problematiskt. Resultaten diskuteras i relation till teoretiska ramverk, tidigare forskning, och metodiken i studien. En reviderad version av a framework of self-talk presenteras. Förslag på framtida forskning och praktiska implikationer ges.

Self-talk, its relationship to performance, and responses to feedback were investigated in European Americans (Eu.A.s; n = 66), newly-arrived East Asians (E.A.s; n = 24), later-arrived E.A.s (n = 44), and Latinos (n = 35). Later-arrived E.A.s had a larger proportion of negative to positive self-talk than Eu.A.s. Regardless of cultural background, a greater proportion of negative self-talk related to poorer performance. All cultural groups perceived the task as more valid after receiving positive vs. negative feedback. Results did not replicate work by Peters and Williams (in press), questioning their concern regarding the use of cognitive interventions with E.A.s. Results suggest that E.A. and Latino groups are not homogenous, findings should not be generalized from one collectivist cultural background to another, negative self-talk can act as an indicator for fear of failure in Latinos, and acculturation in E.A.s influences fear of failure.

No description available.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, October 2008. / Major professor: Damon D. Burton. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-93). Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.