Symbolic Nature Of Language

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Symbolic Nature of Language By Clyde Humes How does language allow self-reflection, organize perceptions, and allow hypothetical thought? Well as you read through this I will explain how language allows self-reflection, organizes perceptions, and allows hypothetical thought. I will explain how according to Mead (1934), there are two aspects to the self. I will explain how abstract thought and stereotyping is part of organizing perceptions. I will explain how hypothetical thought is experiences and ideas that are not part of your concrete, present situation. Just as we use language to reflect on what goes on outside of us, we also use it to reflect on ourselves. (Interpersonal Communication, Julia Wood, page 108) First, there is the I, which is the spontaneous, creative self, and acts impulsively in response to inner needs and desires, regardless of social norms. (Interpersonal Communication, Julia Wood, page 108) The Me is the socially conscious part of the self that monitors and moderates the I’s impulses and reflects on the I from the social perspectives of others. (Interpersonal Communication, Julia Wood, page 108) Self-reflection empowers us to monitor ourselves, while having a discussion with a friend, you might say to yourself, Wow I have been talking about myself this whole time and haven’t asked her how she has been. Self-reflection allows us to monitor our communication and adjust it to be effective. We use symbols to organize our perceptions. (Interpersonal Communication, Julia Wood, page 106) The organizational quality of language also allows us to think about abstract concepts, such as justice, integrity, and healthy family life. (Interpersonal Communication, Julia Wood, page 106) People think abstractly, that we don’t have to consider every specific object and experience individually, instead, we can think in
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