The meaning behind the use of I
Geesh, sometimes we have to say “I”! Give us a break! Ha ha.
I (1) was reading this article (pdf here) about recent research on what the frequency of saying “I” implies. According to the article, it’s not narcissistic people who use the word more, but rather, it’s people who feel “less powerful and sure of themselves who use the pronoun more frequently.”
The high-status person is looking out at the world and the low-status person is looking at himself.
Hmm, interesting!
Have you ever noticed someone who says “I” a lot? Have you ever tried to use it less yourself, or, use it more?
Data uses it A LOT
I (2) don’t notice it too much, unless it seems that someone is really talking a lot about themself. And the article did say people who use “I” are often being self-reflective (duh), and it’s good to use when talking to your partner (you know, the whole “I feel this way” vs “you did this!” advice), or to sound humble (which seems to contradict the first sentence in this paragraph… hmm).
But according to several studies, “leaders” use “I” less and the more it’s used by someone, the less power they seem to have.
Interesting. I (3) will have to pay attention to this!
Also interesting… a really creepy part of the article that analyzes Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s use of “I” words (I, me, my, I’ll, I’m, etc.) on Twitter before the bombing. Apparently people use “I” less to be dishonest/hide things… and Tsarnaev seemed to drop these words from his twitter vocabulary, leading up to the bombing.
Like I (4) said, creepy!
Themocracy
hmmm….very interesting! And you forgot number 4 (last sentence) haha!
Thanks! I will add it in! I figured I would miscount. As I do.
That’s 4 more just in the reply! 🙂
Narcissistic bitch, here, so that word often comes out of my mouth. Ha!
But the article is saying you are NOT the person who uses it the most!
You wanted me to read the article? Ha! My brain can’t handle it. I just wanted to write a comment without using “I.”
I’m guessing I use “I” a lot. I would like to develop my leadership potential further, but I don’t think dropping “I’s” is the way to do it. Thanks for the morning sociology class, Kim!
Ha! Maybe it’s at least a good way to start? 😉
Me try drop personal pronouns be good leader.
Interesting! I probably use “I” a lot at home or with friends – I’m not really sure. But I rarely say “I” at work when I’m talking to clients. But in that case, it’s actually to take some of the accountability away from myself. Like, if I’m recommending that a client make some change that *could* come back and blow up in my face (this rarely happens), I’ll always phrase it as “We recommend you…” with “we” being my entire company. You know, so it’s not just my crazy idea.
I notice I do that at work too. I don’t want things to be credited (or pinned back, ha!) to me, so I say the company names.
I use “I” a lot in my blog posts. I’ve often thought of how I could use “I” less, but I figured it can’t be helped in a blog about my own running/life.
Right? I was thinking that. Well, we blog about OURSELVES! We have to use those words! 🙂
Pete, I’ll be looking for your marathon recap to be written entirely in third person 😉 I’m sorry, the blogosphere will be looking for that.
Ha! That would be funny. I could write it as a first-hand “reporter” describing Pete B’s struggles and ultimate awesome finish!
Ha ha! You should!!!
YES! Except that there will be no struggles. 🙂
Well, blogs are about the person writing them so I’m sure “I” use the word “I” pretty often! Lol.
But, outside of the blog world it makes me a little uncomfortable talking about myself so maybe it’s not used as much. Maybe?
I didn’t read the article but this is really interesting to me, and I’m totally passing this on to Dave, too!
Interesting article! I (hahah) always thought that using “I” too much made you seem self-absorbed and like you didn’t care about the person you were talking to. I wonder if leaders subconsciously curb their use of the pronoun because they think the same way deep down.
Very interesting subject. I’ve never really thought about it before but it’s something to keep in mind.
Ha, I don’t think I notice this, and so I’m not sure if I agree with the article. My mom always tells me about the power of “I-statements,” but I think in the context of communicating clearly to a partner. I’ve started feeling embarrassed when I think I’m using “we” too much when I could use “I” (like, with people who don’t know that I’m married). I think I should be using “I” (“I’m/we’re going to run errands tomorrow.”), but it seems weirdly disingenuous.
Ahh, interesting, about using I vs we. I bet people can figure out what you are talking about. Or, you could say “Harrison and I,” if you want. Or, “my partner and I.”