Journal Entry
This unit, while observing your own communication patterns, or that of the people around you, try to find examples that reflect the following:
• How satisfied are you with your self-concept? How satisfied are you with your current level of self-esteem? How does this impact your communication with others?
• The Johari Window is a tool to help you understand who you are. Review the model page 56 and develop the model as it reflects your perception of your 4 selves.
• Do you have the need to be perfect, to be strong, to please others, to hurry, or to take on too many responsibilities? Discuss your self-destructive beliefs and how you can replace them with more positive ones.
• Provide an example of the ways men and women differ in their listening behaviors. DeVito offers some excellent material on listening, based on the reading, what are some of your own strengths and weaknesses? What can you do to improve your listening skills?
• How can you improve your listening behaviors on the job or in school? With a significant other? A parent? A child? A friend?
Each entry should be approximately 150-200 words.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Journal Entry
This week, I have observed my communication patterns and reflected on various aspects of my self-concept and self-esteem. I have realized that my satisfaction with my self-concept greatly impacts my communication with others. When I am confident and content with who I am, I tend to communicate more assertively and authentically. On the other hand, when my self-concept is low, I may struggle with self-expression and be more reserved in my communication.
In terms of self-esteem, I am generally satisfied with my current level. However, I do find that it fluctuates depending on the situation and external factors. When my self-esteem is high, I am more likely to engage in open and positive communication. Conversely, when my self-esteem is low, I may become more self-conscious and hesitant in expressing myself.
Reflecting on the Johari Window model, I perceive my four selves as follows:
Open Self: This includes aspects of myself that are known to both myself and others, such as my interests, skills, and hobbies.
Blind Self: These are aspects of myself that others may see but of which I am unaware. It could include characteristics or behaviors that others notice but I may not recognize in myself.
Hidden Self: This includes aspects of myself that I keep hidden from others, such as fears, vulnerabilities, or personal struggles.
Unknown Self: These are aspects of myself that neither I nor others are aware of yet. They may involve latent talents or undiscovered qualities.
I have identified that one of my self-destructive beliefs is the need to please others. This belief often leads me to prioritize the needs and expectations of others over my own well-being. To replace this belief with a more positive one, I can focus on setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-care, and valuing my own needs and desires.
Regarding listening behaviors, DeVito’s material highlights the differences between men and women. Men tend to focus more on problem-solving and providing solutions, while women often emphasize empathy and emotional support in their listening approach. Recognizing my own strengths and weaknesses in listening, I have realized that I am attentive and empathetic towards others but sometimes struggle with interrupting or jumping to conclusions prematurely. To improve my listening skills, I can practice active listening techniques such as paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and giving individuals sufficient time to express themselves fully.
To enhance my listening behaviors in various relationships, I can adopt specific strategies. In the workplace or school setting, I can actively engage in team discussions, ask for feedback, and avoid distractions to ensure effective listening. With a significant other or close relationships, I can provide undivided attention, validate their feelings, and practice empathetic listening to deepen our connection. Similarly, with parents, children, or friends, I can make a conscious effort to be fully present, listen without judgment, and show genuine interest in their perspectives.
In conclusion, reflecting on my self-concept, self-esteem, listening behaviors, and the Johari Window model has provided valuable insights into how these factors shape my communication patterns. By recognizing and addressing areas for improvement, I can enhance my communication skills and build stronger connections with others in various aspects of my life.
