Self awareness

Question 1

What four actions does self-awareness allow the health professional to perform?

Answer 1

1. Active listening
2. Effective speaking
3. Identify own values and abilities
4. Acceptance of other peoples viewpoints

Question 2

What are three unconscious primary needs that manipulate people?

Answer 2

1. The need to be accepted and valued – to have a ‘place’, feel special and know that others care (Brill & Levine 2005, Honeycutt & Milliken 2012, Levine 2014)
2. The need to be in control.
3. The need for affection and affirmation (Stein-Parbury 2014).

Question 3

Why is it beneficial for a health professional to understand the existence of conflict between needs and values?

Answer 3

It is important to separate needs and values because somebody’s value’s might be separated from their immediate needs such as an alcoholic dealing with withdrawals. Their core values conflict with continued alcohol consumption and therefor it is imperative for all health professionals to be supportive and provide non judgmental care.

Question 4

How does perfectionism effect people.

Answer 4

Perfection can stem from the feeling of being previously inadequate and un validated. It can be a negative trait when perfectionism blinds people from appreciating what they achieve whenever it isn’t up to their standards.

“The value of perfectionism’, or always being right in actions and words, may override the need for affection and affirmation. Individuals who value perfectionism may value being right above everything else. When experiencing being wrong they cannot recognise positive elements of interactions.” (O’Tool 2014) (Page 71)

“For such individuals the value of perfectionism overcomes the need for and often the ability to receive affection and affirmation (Backus & Chapian 2000)”

Question 5

How might an understanding of the variations in personality assist a health professional?

Answer 5

“Understanding of the basic personality preferences and combination thereof, regardless of the system, assist health professionals to understand their own communicative behaviour and that of others” (Page 75)

“These characteristics predict a preference for relating in a particular manner within particular situations, and may predict a different style in other circumstances” (O’Tool 2016)