Maintaining the Self in Communication

Political scientists and even psychoanalytic theorists have come to the conclusion that humans are more or less insecure and defensive people according to Harold Barrett’s, “Maintaining the Self in Communication.” For whatever reason we are at a certain level of insecurity and defensiveness, it is a basic truth of human life. Insecurity and defensiveness are just two practices for maintaining the self. Barrett refers to this maintenance as “an ordinary function of communication.” Although each characteristic may easily be viewed negatively in reference to one’s level of self worth, it is a solid foundation of communication. But not only have insecurity and defensiveness become part of the root of communication, so is the issue of shame or “self-defectiveness.” These issues, whether good or bad, subtle or obvious, are all basic to the study of maintaining the self in communication.
With that truth in mind, it is imperative to know one’s level of self-worth or se...