Ch. 22 Positive Self-Talk (E-Res Article)

Question 1

Self-talk is?

Answer 1

Inner thought, inner speech, self-instruction, or that “little voice” inside your head that forms a self-communication system

Question 2

What does self-talk determine?

Answer 2

1. Our attitude toward the situation
2. What we see, hear, and attend to
3. How we interpret what we take in
4. What we think the outcome will be
5. How we act (including what we feel, say, and do)
6. How we appraise the consequences of our actions

Question 3

If we want to have control over our self-talk, what do we need to do?

Answer 3

Listen to our thoughts, decide how we want to change, and systematically convert our thinking so that it influences our behavior in the intended direction

Question 4

Why is positive self-talk helpful?

Answer 4

It emphasizes our strengths and our ability to handle the situations confronting us
–it is NOT unrealistic or wishful thinking as it involves an accurate assessment of our abilities and the situation we are facing

Question 5

Why is negative self-talk harmful?

Answer 5

It is harsh, judgmental, demanding super-heroic achievements, chastising us for failing, and generally making us feel tense and dissatisfied with ourselves

Question 6

Why do positive people often have more problems than negative people?

Answer 6

Because they take more risks and live life more fully

Question 7

What assessments can we use to change our self-talk?

Answer 7

1. What am I telling myself?
2. What negative thoughts am I generating that are destructive to me?
3. What positive thoughts am I generating that are constructive for me?
4. Is my self-talk helping me?
5. How can I change my self-talk so that it is more positive?

Question 8

In which situations are nurses known to have difficulty?

Answer 8

1. When clients or colleagues are distressed
2. When clients or colleagues are aggressive
3. When there is team conflict
4. When evaluation anxiety is experienced
5. When unpopular clients are encountered

Question 9

What 2 voices do we have in our inner life?

Answer 9

“Inner enemy” and “Inner ally”

Question 10

“Inner Enemy”

Answer 10

Keeps a running inventory of our weaknesses, maintains a certain misery level, and keeps all joyless, negative information on file and can display it at a moment’s notice

Question 11

“Inner Ally”

Answer 11

Reassures us of the benefits and rewards of success and the pleasures of trying, encouraging us to take risks that will help get us where we want to go

When we make mistakes, it is our inner ally that comforts us and helps us to view our mistakes in perspective

Question 12

Positive self-talk can help you at what 3 phases of interpersonal communication?

Answer 12

1. Before
   - -makes you focus on your strengths rather than worrying about potential catastrophes
2. During
   - -tune into your inner voice and concentrate on supportive dialogue
3. After
   - -constructively review your performance, noting your successes and the areas in which improvement is needed

Question 13

Affirmations

Answer 13

Self-talk statements of what you want, written in the positive tense, as if they have already happened

Can help you take an optimistic point of view about your life and work