Oral Communication Units and Activities
"EVERYBODY GOT TO FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY"
Unit(s): Interpersonal Communication
Purpose:
The purpose of this exercise is to have students determine the importance of "learned needs" in their self-concept and the effects of these needs on interpersonal communication. This exercise is used following the introduction of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs.
Objectives:
Students will plot the importance of "learned needs" in relationship to their self-concept.
Students will recognize the effects of "learned needs" on interpersonal communication.
Materials:
- An onion to introduce the exercise (optional)
- A poster of hand-out to plot zig zag.
- Two copies of hand-out for each student in class
Procedure:
- Using the hand-out provided, have students determine the importance of each "learned need" (on a scale of 1 to 10) in their lives. Have them place a dot on the onion, indicating the importance and then have them connect the dots to form their personal zig zag.
- Discuss each "learned need" while plotting your own zig zag as an example.
- Allow students to compare zig zags with other members of the class and discuss the effects of various zig zags on interpersonal communication.
- As an assignment have students give the onion test to a member of their family with whom they have trouble communicating or with whom they have trouble getting along and write a paragraph comparing the zig zag with their own and how it affects interpersonal communication.
"EVERYBODY GOT TO FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY"
"EVERYBODY GOT TO FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY"
Learned Needs: Your Zig Zag
1. Dominance
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
2. Independence
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
3. Recognition
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
4. Be Right
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
5. Empathy
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
6. Love
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
7. Honesty
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
8. Order
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
9. Dependence
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
10. Acceptance
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10
(Lowest)
(Highest)
