Communication and Personality

This module explores the question of how people communicate and what is considered successful and efficient communication. The focus is less on the common understanding of communication as the transfer of information but more on communication as a social interaction that constructs meaning and reality. Since people apply different value systems to the interpretation of social reality misunderstandings occur much more frequently than we would like to admit.

The aim of this module is to convey how interpersonal communication is simultaneously shaped by universal human needs and very individual needs and what effects these have on the success of communication. Participants will also examine their own communicative preferences and learn how these can be applied appropriately to specific situations and personalities.

• Basics of human needs (attachment, appreciation, self-realization) and their influence on communication (social comparison, avoiding cognitive dissonance)
• Fundamentals and concepts of communication (verbal and non-verbal communication)
• Discussion of common communication myths
• Getting to know and analysing one's own needs and values and their influence on communication and action patterns

Note: This module can be completed separately outside of the course programme ‘Communication and Personality’.

This module follows up on the issues discussed in Module 1 and is dedicated to different approaches in communication psychology (Schulz von Thun, Rogers, Watzlawick etc.). The aim of the module is to combine and apply the core essences of these approaches for successful communication. How can messages be encoded and decoded from a psychological perspective? What influence does the decoding process have on the interpretation of messages? Which kind of interferences can occur? How can agreement be reached on what has been said? How can you change your perspective and put yourself into someone else’s shoes?

• Introduction to the approaches of the psychology of communication
• Comparison of the different approaches, parallels and differences
• In-depth discussion of individual models and their application (e.g. communication square according to Schulz von Thun)
• Discussion of and application to individual cases of participants

Note: This module can be completed together with Module 1 outside of the training course ‘Communication and Personality’.

It is a fact that people like to think in categories. Categories reduce the complexity of reality and offer a certain degree of safety, guidance and control. Although categories are mostly based on self-assessment, and personality tests in particular are considered controversial in terms of validity from a scientific point of view, they are useful tools for understanding individual preferences and tendencies.

The aim of this module is to analyse and understand basic human aspirations in connection with satisfying needs and achieving goals, and to compare one's own perspective to that of other people in communicative situations.

• Clarification of terms such as extraversion, introversion, people orientation and factual orientation and their significance in social interaction
• Learning the basic features different personality types using the DISC matrix
• Participants analyse their own personal communication behaviour and communication patterns
• Application of the models to personal experience and cases

Note: This module can be completed separately and outside of the course programme ‘Communication and Personality’.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the best-known personality typologies, especially in the English-speaking world. The MBTI, constructed by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, is based on Carl Gustav Jung's personality typology and divides people into 16 personality types based on four dimensions. Used correctly, i.e. with the necessary basic knowledge of the preference hierarchy of cognitive processes, the MBTI is a useful tool for understanding oneself better, classifying information and making important decisions more effectively. The individual preferences of the cognitive processes have a major impact on the way we communicate, with whom we communicate successfully, and with whom we run the risk of talking past each other.

The aim of this module is to acquire the necessary knowledge to classify and understand our own cognitive processes and their impact on our social behaviour.

• Introduction to the Myers-Briggs personality typology
• Clarification of the dimensions, dichotomies and terms of MBTI
• Introduction to the different cognitive processes
• Critical exploration of one’s own personality type

Note: This module can be completed separately and outside of the study programme ‘Communication and Personality’.

This fifth and final module of the course programme ‘Communication and Personality’ integrates what has been learned in modules 1-4 and offers participants the opportunity to apply the approaches and concepts discussed in the course to an example from their professional and/or private environment in the form of a final presentation.

• Review/summary of modules 1-4
• Clarification of open questions
• Final presentation
• Final discussion

Note: This module is mandatory in order to successfully complete the full course programme.