Self-awareness and interpersonal skills form the foundation of personal development, emotional intelligence, behaviour management, and healthy relationships. For students entering higher education, understanding their emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and communication patterns is essential for adapting to academic challenges and future professional roles. This course trains learners to explore their inner world, recognize their self-worth, build emotional intelligence, manage stress effectively, and develop positive, meaningful relationships.
Questions and Answers : Understanding Self, Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
1. What is self-concept?
Self-concept is the understanding and perception a person has about themselves—their abilities, personality, and strengths.
Example: A student may see themselves as hardworking but shy.
2. How is self-concept formed?
Through family upbringing, social interactions, culture, achievements, and feedback from others.
Example: A child praised for creativity develops a belief that they are creative.
3. What are the dimensions of self?
Physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual aspects.
Example: Physical (appearance), emotional (feelings), social (relationships).
4. What is self-awareness?
Understanding one’s emotions, thoughts, behaviour, strengths, and weaknesses.
Example: Knowing you get anxious during presentations helps you prepare early.
5. What are self-competencies?
Skills related to self-management like self-control, adaptability, initiative, and confidence.
6. What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem is how much a person values themselves and feels confident about their abilities.
7. What are characteristics of high self-esteem?
Confidence, positive mindset, resilience, and willingness to take challenges.
Example: A student with high self-esteem volunteers for class activities.
8. Characteristics of low self-esteem?
Self-doubt, fear of failure, dependence on others’ opinions.
Example: A student with low self-esteem hesitates to answer even if they know the answer.
9. Why is self-esteem important?
It influences decision-making, confidence, mental health, relationships, and career success.
10. What is self-esteem at work?
Belief in one’s abilities to perform tasks effectively, collaborate, and handle responsibilities.
11. Steps to enhance self-esteem?
Positive thinking, practicing skills, setting small goals, self-acceptance, and seeking feedback.
Example: A student afraid of English starts speaking small sentences daily.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) – Managing Emotions
12. Why are emotions important?
They guide decisions, behaviour, relationships, and communication.
13. What is healthy expression of emotions?
Expressing feelings respectfully and clearly.
Example: Saying “I felt hurt when you ignored me” instead of shouting.
14. What is unhealthy emotional expression?
Suppressing emotions or reacting aggressively.
Example: Throwing things or shouting in anger.
15. What is anger?
Anger is an emotional reaction to frustration, hurt, or injustice.
16. Explain the anger cycle.
Trigger → Emotional reaction → Physical signs → Behaviour → Consequences → Guilt or relief.
Example: Someone criticizes you → You feel hurt → Heart rate increases → You shout → Conflict occurs.
17. What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)?
The ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions and the emotions of others.
18. Difference between IQ and EQ.
IQ = Intelligence related to logic and problem-solving.
EQ = Emotional management and interpersonal skills.
19. What is SQ?
Spiritual Quotient — awareness of purpose, values, and inner peace.
20. Why is EQ important?
It improves communication, conflict resolution, leadership, and relationships.
Example: A student who stays calm during group disagreements resolves issues quicker.
21. How to develop emotional competence?
Through reflection, mindfulness, journaling, active listening, and empathy.
Relationship Management & Communication
22. Why are relationships important?
They offer support, learning, emotional security, and social development.
23. What are healthy relationships?
Relationships based on trust, respect, honesty, communication, and boundaries.
24. How to maintain healthy relationships?
Using empathy, active listening, understanding, honesty, and conflict resolution.
25. What are communication styles?
Assertive, passive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive.
26. What is assertive communication?
Expressing thoughts confidently and respectfully.
Example: “I cannot meet today, but I’m free tomorrow.”
27. What are types of interpersonal relationships?
Family, friends, classmates, romantic partners, workplace colleagues.
28. What is behavioural communication?
Communicating through behaviour—actions reflect feelings.
Example: Slamming the door shows anger.
29. Why is behavioural communication important?
Because actions often speak louder than words and reveal true emotions.
30. What is conflict?
A disagreement between two or more people due to differences in needs or opinions.
31. What are common conflict-management styles?
Avoiding, competing, compromising, accommodating, collaborating.
32. Example of conflict resolution.
Two students disagree on project roles; they discuss calmly and divide tasks based on strengths.
33. How does communication affect conflict?
Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and helps solve conflicts faster.
34. What is interpersonal communication?
Exchange of information between two or more people through verbal and non-verbal methods.
Stress Management and Positive Attitude
35. What is stress?
A physical and emotional reaction to challenging or demanding situations.
36. What is the GAS Model?
General Adaptation Syndrome:
Alarm → Resistance → Exhaustion.
37. Symptoms of stress?
Headache, worry, irritability, sleep problems, rapid heartbeat.
38. What are healthy coping strategies?
Exercise, journaling, meditation, time management, deep breathing.
Example: Walking for 20 minutes to reduce anxiety.
39. Unhealthy coping strategies?
Skipping meals, overthinking, anger outbursts, substance use.
40. Why is social support important?
Friends, family, and teachers help reduce stress and provide emotional strength.
41. What is a stress-free life?
A balanced life where one manages emotions, time, and responsibilities effectively.
42. What is positive attitude?
Believing in possibilities, focusing on solutions, and staying hopeful.
43. How to build a positive attitude?
Gratitude, positive thinking, healthy habits, and spending time with positive people.
44. Example of positive attitude.
Failing once but trying again calmly with better preparation.
45. How does stress affect relationships?
It reduces patience, increases conflicts, and weakens communication.
46. What is emotional coping?
Handling feelings through mindfulness or talking to someone.
47. What is problem-focused coping?
Solving the root cause of the stress.
Example: Making a study schedule to reduce exam pressure.
48. What is self-care in stress management?
Taking actions to maintain physical and mental well-being.
Example: Sleeping on time and eating healthy.
49. How does positive thinking reduce stress?
It helps focus on solutions rather than problems, lowering anxiety.
50. Why is self-awareness important for stress control?
Knowing what triggers stress helps in taking preventive steps.
Example: If loud environments stress you, you may choose a quiet study place.
Conclusion
Self-awareness and interpersonal skills are essential not only for academic success but also for emotional balance, healthy relationships, effective communication, and stress-free living. By learning to understand oneself, express emotions constructively, manage stress, and maintain respectful relationships, students develop confidence and maturity. This subject equips learners with lifelong skills that support personal growth, mental well-being, and future professional excellence.





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