填空题 If ever a folk saying was wide of the mark it's the one that goes. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." As most of us know, words can hurt deeper and do more (36) damage than most physical blows. "A constant stream of negative remarks—sarcasm, (37) , rebuffs, put-down cut emotional (38) into even the sturdiest ego," says Honor Whitney, a family therapist in Fort Worth. Whitney has spent 15 years researching the effects of destructive and supportive remarks on personality. She says that negative statements seriously (39) the way people feel about themselves. The self-image, the inner sense of value as an individual, is (40)
Positive, supportive statements have an (41) strong effect on personality. We are social animals and we all need (42) from our fellow man. The opinions of those who are most important to us-our families-are especially (43) . From their actions and words (44)
Moreover, we never forget these early impressions. Every experience is permanently filed for recall in the brain's memory bank-forming a storehouse on which we draw to feel good or bad about ourselves. Unfortunately, Whitney's research indicates that (45) . Since the ability to be supportive of others depends directly on (46) .