Intrapersonal Communication and Digital Citizenship Study Guide

Intrapersonal Communication: Definition and Core Concepts

  • Intrapersonal Communication Definition: This refers to the act of having an internal dialogue with oneself. In simpler terms, it is frequently described as "self-talk."

  • Internal Reflection Questions: A key component of intrapersonal communication is the internal processing of experiences, such as asking oneself: "What do you say to yourself when you make a mistake?"

  • Conceptual Categorization of Thoughts: The material introduces a distinction between different types of internal cognitive processing:

    • Shark Thoughts

    • Dolphin Thoughts

Real-Life Examples of Intrapersonal Communication

Intrapersonal communication manifests in various practical, everyday scenarios, including:

  • Decision-Making: Evaluating choices, such as deciding whether to run as a student government officer or to remain a regular student.

  • Emotional Regulation and Analysis: Processing emotional states, such as feeling angry after an argument and attempting to understand the root cause of that anger.

  • Preparation and Mental Rehearsal: Practicing a speech internally or anticipating and thinking through answers to potential questions.

  • Ethical Dilemmas: Witnessing a classmate committing a wrongdoing and internally debating whether or not to report the incident.

  • Short-to-Medium Term Planning: Mapping out academic goals for the next 66 months.

Types of Journals and Journaling Techniques

Journaling is a primary method for capturing and facilitating intrapersonal communication. There are seven distinct types of journals identified:

  • 1. Reflective Journal:

    • Defined as a self-reflection journal.

    • Purpose: To help an individual process events, deepen their understanding of experiences, and foster personal or professional growth.

  • 2. Gratitude Journal:

    • A personal journal dedicated to the regular recording of things for which the individual is thankful.

    • Examples of Gratitude Entries:

      • Family members who provide unconditional love and support.

      • Physical health, enabling the ability to perform desired activities.

      • Friends who are consistently available.

      • Pets ("furbabies") that provide mutual love.

      • Basic necessities such as a home and food.

  • 3. Dream Journal:

    • A personal record where an individual writes down their dreams immediately after waking up.

    • Verbatim Examples from a Dream Log:

      • Sunday - 2/19/17: Dreaming of being accepted for trips to London and Canada (where only 55 people were selected) and a scenario involving a neglected pet dog taken for a walk at a shopping mall.

      • Monday - 2/20/17: Dreaming about high school graduation requirements involving taking 33 (or perhaps 55) swimming classes despite being a poor swimmer.

      • Wednesday - 2/22/17: Dreaming of a "weird robot bug" that returns even after its interior parts are discarded; also dreaming of being in "Wizard" and battling real-life people as part of "Team Thunder."

      • Thursday - 2/23/17: Dreaming of a sudden return to school with unfinished history homework.

  • 4. Art Journal:

    • A creative and personal space that combines visual art with written expression.

    • Purpose: To explore thoughts, feelings, experiences, or ideas through a hybrid of text and imagery.

  • 5. Travel Journal:

    • A personal record of journeys and adventures.

    • Content: Documentation of experiences, thoughts, emotions, and specific observations made during a trip.

  • 6. Food Journal:

    • A personal record used to track daily consumption of food and drinks.

    • Specific Details Tracked: Time of consumption, portion sizes, mood during eating, and any resulting physical symptoms.

  • 7. Health and Wellness Journal:

    • A personal log for tracking physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

    • Purpose: Monitoring habits, setting specific health goals, and reflecting on the overall health journey to improve self-care and balance.

Online Presence and Security Self-Assessment

Effective intrapersonal communication involves self-evaluation of one's digital habits. Key behaviors to consider include:

  • Password Security: Using strong and unique passwords for online accounts and never sharing account details with friends or classmates.

  • Impulse Control: Thinking carefully before posting photos, videos, or comments, and considering how they might affect one's future.

  • Credibility Checks: Verifying the trustworthiness of a website or application before sharing personal data.

  • Social Interaction Boundaries: Evaluating whether to accept friend/follower requests from strangers.

  • Privacy Maintenance: Regularly reviewing privacy settings on social media and other online accounts.

  • External Impact: Always asking for permission before posting information or photos of other people.

  • Safety Vigilance: Avoiding clicking links or downloading files from unknown sources without safety verification.

  • The Myth of Deletion: Understanding that deleting a post does not necessarily remove it from the internet forever.

Online Safety and Data Privacy

  • Online Safety (Internet Safety):

    • Focus: Active protection from digital threats and harmful content.

    • Goal: To keep devices secure and prevent unauthorized access or malicious harm.

    • Protects Against: Hackers, viruses, phishing scams, identity theft, and online harassment.

  • Data Privacy:

    • Focus: Granting the user ownership and control over their digital footprint.

    • Function: It dictates the "rules of engagement" between the user and the organizations handling their information.

    • Goal: To ensure the power to decide when, how, and to what extent data is shared.

    • Protects Against: Unwanted tracking, unauthorized profiling by advertisers, and the sale of private records.

Digital Footprint and Online Presence

  • Online Presence: Refers to the visibility and accessibility of a person or brand on the internet, spanning websites, social media, and search engine listings.

  • Digital Footprint: The online "mark" or "trace" that records an individual's internet activities. There are two primary types:

  • 1. Active Digital Footprint: Information intentionally shared online.

    • Examples: Posting photos/videos, commenting on social media, sending emails, creating accounts, and sharing opinions in forums.

  • 2. Passive Digital Footprint: Information collected without the user actively providing it.

    • Examples: Websites visited, IP addresses, location data, browsing history, and tracking cookies.

Practical Guidelines for Digital Citizenship

  • Consequences of the Digital Footprint:

    • Building a positive online reputation.

    • Helping colleges or future employers learn about the individual.

    • Exposing sensitive personal information through carelessness.

    • Persistence of data: Traces remain online for long periods, even after attempted deletion.

  • The Posting Golden Rule: "Before you post, ask yourself: Would I be comfortable if my family, teacher, or future employer saw this?"