My favorite concept would be from chapter 5 on page 130; and the concept is endomorph. This concept is under the header of 'body type' and this section of chapter 5 focuses on the physical form of the human body. A variety of cultures value different body types and body structures. An endomorph is one of the three extremes of the body types. The other two body type classifications are mesomorph which is an average height , muscular, athletic body; and an ectomorph is a tall, thin, and frail body structure. A seven point scale is used to score an individuals body type.
This is my favorite concept not because it is such a weird word but because I have never heard of an endomorph before and it interested me because body type in the United States is focused on a lot. I found it disheartening to read about how body type can be an advantage or disadvantage for a persona when it comes to love and a career. I hope not! The endomorph is a concept which stood out to me because it made me think of how our society focuses on outward appearance and puts an unrealistic amount of pressure to be perfect. This concept is worth discussing because it can put into light where our judgements come from here in the United States. All body types are unique and wonderful in their own way and Chapter 5 discusses this.
There should only be one body type...BEAUTIFUL.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Im amazed!
I have learned a lot from this class and I feel as if I have gotten a hang of communicated through the new technology of our ages. Even though I have not been able to meet my wonderful classmates I have been able to discuss concepts and theories with them. I have 24/7 contact with my professor and that is a wonderful advantage. I feel as if I am saving trees by sending my papers through email as well as taking tests online. It was hard to adjust at first but after a few weeks I felt comfortable with the cyber space environment. What I did not like about the class was the restrictions on the posts. I would always have to come back to do my posts and i rather just get them done at once. I was not used to the time restrictions on the quizzes i never had enough time to do them all. I felt rushed and nervous! I take a really long time with tests.
I really enjoyed writing the journals and applying concepts I have read about and talked about into my personal life. I am well aware of my mother's nonverbal communication when she just looks at me in disgust and gives out a huge sigh! I ask her if she is irritated with me and she is says, "how do you know?" I tell her my secret ways but she still sighs when I don't do as she asks.
I learned a lot of where the study of communication began within the Greek culture. It was amazing learning about how theories came to be and how persuasion as been used for centuries before. It overwhelms me that communicating is not only talking, it has numerous angles to study and it has been mind-opening to learn many new concepts as well as stay in touch with others.
I really enjoyed writing the journals and applying concepts I have read about and talked about into my personal life. I am well aware of my mother's nonverbal communication when she just looks at me in disgust and gives out a huge sigh! I ask her if she is irritated with me and she is says, "how do you know?" I tell her my secret ways but she still sighs when I don't do as she asks.
I learned a lot of where the study of communication began within the Greek culture. It was amazing learning about how theories came to be and how persuasion as been used for centuries before. It overwhelms me that communicating is not only talking, it has numerous angles to study and it has been mind-opening to learn many new concepts as well as stay in touch with others.
My concept!
I really enjoyed Chapter 6 and within this chapter the concepts which caught my attention and focus were the expressive-protective dialectic and self-disclosure. I found the expressive protective dialect involves searching for that balance between the information that is shared and the information which is consciously left out of relationships. This concept truly helped me evaluate my friendships, and distinguish them from close friends to only acquaintances. It is gratifying as the book states to have such open relationships as well as be the one another friend comes to for a exclusive open conversation.
Disclosure is a risk. Being able to self-disclose with another person can either bring a relationship closer together or tear them apart. Self-disclosure is when an individual voluntarily reveals information that would normally be kept hidden in an interpersonal relationship.
Interpersonal relationships are determinate on how much self-disclosure is present in that relationship. By taking risks and opening up to others it can be that glue between two individuals. They are not longer just common folk they are now best friends because they have taken that risk of trust.
I found these two concepts intriguing because I can pin point them out in my relationships. What friends of mine know a lot about me, who know about my family or who do I talk to only about my family problems or who do I go to when I need to cry. Self –disclosure and the expressive-protective dialectic concept of interpersonal communication are present in my life and are relevant to my every day issues, emotions, and interactions.
Disclosure is a risk. Being able to self-disclose with another person can either bring a relationship closer together or tear them apart. Self-disclosure is when an individual voluntarily reveals information that would normally be kept hidden in an interpersonal relationship.
Interpersonal relationships are determinate on how much self-disclosure is present in that relationship. By taking risks and opening up to others it can be that glue between two individuals. They are not longer just common folk they are now best friends because they have taken that risk of trust.
I found these two concepts intriguing because I can pin point them out in my relationships. What friends of mine know a lot about me, who know about my family or who do I talk to only about my family problems or who do I go to when I need to cry. Self –disclosure and the expressive-protective dialectic concept of interpersonal communication are present in my life and are relevant to my every day issues, emotions, and interactions.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Chapter 2 concept
A concept which seems simple enough within the chapter I found interesting was perspective. This entire chapter has to do with multiple perspectives and how we or others decode or use their perspective. A perspective is a coherent set of assumptions about the way a process operates. This definition is honestly an issue for me. Coherent to me means something that makes sense, or easily understood. Webster dictionary defines coherent "as logically or aesthetically ordered or integrated." An assumption is the act of laying a claim according to Webster's Dictionary.
A perspective is a logically ordered act which one lays a claim about the way a process operates.
A perspective is ambiguous. I find it difficult that all of these researches actually decided on only 4 perspectives within Chapter 2 because they all had their own coherent set of assumptions for the way in which we communicate. I was wondering if a perspective could be a wrong perspective? Could we make a claim in which we come to wrong assumptions based on our own logically ordered claims? I imagine mistakes in communicating what we see and what we want to see happen often because interpreting many different signals can be difficult.
The concept of what a perspective is can be a tough one to fully understand, because I am having problems understanding the broad definition in the book. But looking up some of the words within the definition helped a lot by putting the parts together for me to reach my own claim.
A perspective is a logically ordered act which one lays a claim about the way a process operates.
A perspective is ambiguous. I find it difficult that all of these researches actually decided on only 4 perspectives within Chapter 2 because they all had their own coherent set of assumptions for the way in which we communicate. I was wondering if a perspective could be a wrong perspective? Could we make a claim in which we come to wrong assumptions based on our own logically ordered claims? I imagine mistakes in communicating what we see and what we want to see happen often because interpreting many different signals can be difficult.
The concept of what a perspective is can be a tough one to fully understand, because I am having problems understanding the broad definition in the book. But looking up some of the words within the definition helped a lot by putting the parts together for me to reach my own claim.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Pragmatic perspective
The pragmatic perspective focuses on the behaviors which all come into play over a period of time. On page 33 the text reveals "to understand communication pragmatists argue, you need to understand the moves people use as they work out their relationship with one another." To think of the pragmatic perspective as a game can be beneficial because during a game one tries to create their own moves according the way their opponent moves.
I remember during my debate class at San Jose State my professor always stated we needed that push and pull and the 'clash' of each teams arguments. For example all the evidence one gave during the debate for support of their issue we had to refute everything they said as well as use additional information for our side.
The pragmatic perspective can be considered a game because a game deals with an opponent and provides an image of how communication is used or even manipulated in some cases.
As I was reading on page 33 the last line mentions a person who cries, are they crying because they are sad, angry, or frustrated or are they trying to make someone else feel sorry for them. One has to acknowledge the information or the event which took place before the tears started to fall. I found that part of the pragmative perspective very interesting because I do that sometimes, otherwise its not as effective.
I remember during my debate class at San Jose State my professor always stated we needed that push and pull and the 'clash' of each teams arguments. For example all the evidence one gave during the debate for support of their issue we had to refute everything they said as well as use additional information for our side.
The pragmatic perspective can be considered a game because a game deals with an opponent and provides an image of how communication is used or even manipulated in some cases.
As I was reading on page 33 the last line mentions a person who cries, are they crying because they are sad, angry, or frustrated or are they trying to make someone else feel sorry for them. One has to acknowledge the information or the event which took place before the tears started to fall. I found that part of the pragmative perspective very interesting because I do that sometimes, otherwise its not as effective.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Chapter 2
While reviewing chapter 2 the quotation on the Social constructionist perspective states "we NEVER experience the world directly."
Reading the paragraph before which introduces the social constructionist theory it all clicks or somewhat fits. The four cultural tools are symbolic codes, or language. Many other cultures have their own language. Such as English, Spanish, French, Hmong, Vietnamese, Mandarin and many others not including tribes located around the globe.
The second cultural tool is cognitive customs which are the ways we've been taught to process information. Further into the cognitive customs it does make sense we are not all raised by the same parents or around the same environment therefore each individual will process information in a different manner.
The third is cultural traditions which are the beliefs, attitudes, and values that make up our cultural traditions. An example of different cultural beliefs attitudes and values would be with the Muslim faith. I remember during high school my best friend would fast for Ramadan. During these 30 days my friend could only eat food when the sun would set. She would go home early from school or be excused from soccer practice because she was fasting. I could not understand how she could not eat all day! but she said with years of doing it you get accustomed to it.
The last cultural tool are the sets of roles and rules that guide our actions and they shape experiences and how we talk about the world around us. An example could be the role of the mother. The image of the stay at home mom has now evolved into the working mom. More and more women are deciding to build their own careers as well as be a mother.
The social constructionist perspective maintains that we never experience the world directly because we are our own architects for our world. Which can be good as well as bad because of the lack of exposure to other worlds.
Reading the paragraph before which introduces the social constructionist theory it all clicks or somewhat fits. The four cultural tools are symbolic codes, or language. Many other cultures have their own language. Such as English, Spanish, French, Hmong, Vietnamese, Mandarin and many others not including tribes located around the globe.
The second cultural tool is cognitive customs which are the ways we've been taught to process information. Further into the cognitive customs it does make sense we are not all raised by the same parents or around the same environment therefore each individual will process information in a different manner.
The third is cultural traditions which are the beliefs, attitudes, and values that make up our cultural traditions. An example of different cultural beliefs attitudes and values would be with the Muslim faith. I remember during high school my best friend would fast for Ramadan. During these 30 days my friend could only eat food when the sun would set. She would go home early from school or be excused from soccer practice because she was fasting. I could not understand how she could not eat all day! but she said with years of doing it you get accustomed to it.
The last cultural tool are the sets of roles and rules that guide our actions and they shape experiences and how we talk about the world around us. An example could be the role of the mother. The image of the stay at home mom has now evolved into the working mom. More and more women are deciding to build their own careers as well as be a mother.
The social constructionist perspective maintains that we never experience the world directly because we are our own architects for our world. Which can be good as well as bad because of the lack of exposure to other worlds.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Chapter 13: Heuristics
"Our everyday models of human behavior are based on simplistic thinking," Trenholm emphasizes on page369. The concept of heuristics can be seen in a handful of our everyday experiences. Heuristics are rules of thumb that allow us to avoid careful information processing. The book uses examples of when difficult encounters of information we look for cues or rely on authority to make sense of the information at hand. One example is 'I didn't understand it, but my dad said it was true;' or the argument seemed odd, but after all, the author did go to Harvard. Heuristics can be helpful in times of complete confusion or be an aid for educated guesses but Heuristics can be easily misconstrued.
Heuristics were misconstrued during WWII with the Internment of Japanese and Japanese Americans. The United States determined any person of Japanese ancestry was a threat to the safety of the United States and interned them for the entire duration of WWII. No one questioned the discriminatory regulations and laws which placed the Japanese community in these internment camps because if the 'authority' such as the President of the United States says the Japanese are a threat, then it must be a valid argument. If the President of the United States see these new regulations as a need for our safety then they must be a threat.
Heuristics should not be the only way to gain information, and that is why researchers and other forms of scientific methodology are used.
Heuristics were misconstrued during WWII with the Internment of Japanese and Japanese Americans. The United States determined any person of Japanese ancestry was a threat to the safety of the United States and interned them for the entire duration of WWII. No one questioned the discriminatory regulations and laws which placed the Japanese community in these internment camps because if the 'authority' such as the President of the United States says the Japanese are a threat, then it must be a valid argument. If the President of the United States see these new regulations as a need for our safety then they must be a threat.
Heuristics should not be the only way to gain information, and that is why researchers and other forms of scientific methodology are used.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Moral Dilemmas
Ethnographers are unique because they are insiders to all the research. There is no barrier between the researcher and the study at hand. Some dilemmas an ethnographer may have are their ability to actually build relationships with group members and if they have to lie to them or have to put his study before their emotional feelings may be difficult for the researcher to go through with. Ethnographers must remember to set aside their own biases or their own values and beliefs while making a conclusion to their observations. Many things can influence data especially if one is being influenced by their own belief system.
Honestly I have no idea how I would try to separate emotions with the group members and feel comfortable lying to them. I don't think I could do it. I would choose a different research methodology to conduct my research because I know I would not be comfortable lying to get any research results.
One way I might try to keep everything in my control would make sure to be distant with my group members and have my assistants keep me in check and remind me what my job is. However, I still would rather find another way besides being sneaky.
Honestly I have no idea how I would try to separate emotions with the group members and feel comfortable lying to them. I don't think I could do it. I would choose a different research methodology to conduct my research because I know I would not be comfortable lying to get any research results.
One way I might try to keep everything in my control would make sure to be distant with my group members and have my assistants keep me in check and remind me what my job is. However, I still would rather find another way besides being sneaky.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Ethnography Research Methodology
The research method which is most interesting to me would be ethnography. To go out and observe and interact during a research assignment seems the most rewarding method. Ethnography is when the researcher observes behavior in its natural setting and he or she must assume a role.
My reserch question for deception would be: Do women or men use deception more in daily interpersonal interaction? I would take the covert role, I would go about my daily business and note each time I deceive my parents, my siblings, my cousin, my co-workers, my boss, my friends. I would also ask a male friend to write down his every interpersonal interaction and when he used deception. I would use the covert role because I could be one on one with my deception research. However, the problems with knowing you have to be deceiving others will most likely influence my daily interactions.
Or I could take the overt role and follow around one of my female friends and then one of my male friends and observe their daily interactions and quietly note down each time he or she uses deception and to whom they deceived. I could take all my energy to be observant and to really analyze their reasons and situations they used deception. However, my presence would most likely inluence their daily routine as well because having someone follow you is not true daily interaction.
I used deception last night at work when I told a customer I put their order in and it should be coming out very soon. I forgot about their order and had it was going to take another 10 minutes to prepare. I think in a work environment, dealing with customers you want to make them happy so you say or do whatever they want to make their experience at the restaurant a good one. However many things can go wrong which I have to keep from them because I do not want them to complain.
I remember when I was deceived by a family member. I was walking on campus when I got a missed call from my uncle. I called him right back and he said he called me by mistake and he had to go. It was really awkward because he usually loves to chat about school and how i am doing. Later that night my mom called to tell me my grandmother had passed away and that they would be flying me home for the funeral that weekend. When I finally saw my uncle he apologized for being so short on the phone and he said he couldn't tell me about what had happened because he had not even told my mom yet. Maybe deception is not always a bad thing.
Researching deception would be very interesting as well as why we use deception is even more so interesting.
My reserch question for deception would be: Do women or men use deception more in daily interpersonal interaction? I would take the covert role, I would go about my daily business and note each time I deceive my parents, my siblings, my cousin, my co-workers, my boss, my friends. I would also ask a male friend to write down his every interpersonal interaction and when he used deception. I would use the covert role because I could be one on one with my deception research. However, the problems with knowing you have to be deceiving others will most likely influence my daily interactions.
Or I could take the overt role and follow around one of my female friends and then one of my male friends and observe their daily interactions and quietly note down each time he or she uses deception and to whom they deceived. I could take all my energy to be observant and to really analyze their reasons and situations they used deception. However, my presence would most likely inluence their daily routine as well because having someone follow you is not true daily interaction.
I used deception last night at work when I told a customer I put their order in and it should be coming out very soon. I forgot about their order and had it was going to take another 10 minutes to prepare. I think in a work environment, dealing with customers you want to make them happy so you say or do whatever they want to make their experience at the restaurant a good one. However many things can go wrong which I have to keep from them because I do not want them to complain.
I remember when I was deceived by a family member. I was walking on campus when I got a missed call from my uncle. I called him right back and he said he called me by mistake and he had to go. It was really awkward because he usually loves to chat about school and how i am doing. Later that night my mom called to tell me my grandmother had passed away and that they would be flying me home for the funeral that weekend. When I finally saw my uncle he apologized for being so short on the phone and he said he couldn't tell me about what had happened because he had not even told my mom yet. Maybe deception is not always a bad thing.
Researching deception would be very interesting as well as why we use deception is even more so interesting.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Chapter 8
The grapevine is not only a middle school or high school issue, the grapevine is in every communicational opportunity. The grapevine is informal channels of communication. I never new during the Civil War, telegraph lines were wired through trees making it look like a bunch of grapevines intertwined. Eventually the term developed into any type of channel of communication which does not follow the straight line predictable pattern. The grapevine thrives because individuals are not satisfied with formal lines of communication and sometimes you need a break from formal patterns.
What is interesting is that the grapevine communication operates on a face-to-face (usually) basis and allows for immediate feedback and clarification that other channels of communication do not always allow. If someone loves to be in control one will not love the grapevine because once it takes off, the grapevine is not easy to control. It is estimated that the accuracy of the grapevine is from 75% to 95%. I was completely amazed on how accurate the informal channel could be so accurate. I assumed the grapevine could only bring rumors and unnecessary gossip, but it turns out it has some positives in the work place and in our personal lives as well.
What is interesting is that the grapevine communication operates on a face-to-face (usually) basis and allows for immediate feedback and clarification that other channels of communication do not always allow. If someone loves to be in control one will not love the grapevine because once it takes off, the grapevine is not easy to control. It is estimated that the accuracy of the grapevine is from 75% to 95%. I was completely amazed on how accurate the informal channel could be so accurate. I assumed the grapevine could only bring rumors and unnecessary gossip, but it turns out it has some positives in the work place and in our personal lives as well.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
cool & hot medium
The media provides many underlying messages to the consumer. McLuhan's theory about each medium having its own internal logic and how it affects the overall experience and message of the world can be very much accepted by today's standards.
For example, the Dove body wash commercials have a brunette, Caucasian, thin, light skinned, 25-30 year old woman washing herself in the shower. She has a big smile on her face and the camera zooms up and down her milky, smooth skin. After her shower she steps out and she is instantly bombarded with a handsome, young, muscular male embracing her and touching her on the bed. Plus, there is a narrator stating the ingredients of the body wash and how you should not be afraid to be touched and how much the male will enjoy the silky skin. There are many messages: buy this product and be thin, young, and beautiful; shower with this body wash and you will have hunky men all over you; buy this product because the skin you have now is just not good enough for today's standards. There is a lot of ambiguity and many details which are emphasized and other details which are ignored. A great example of emphasizing details are those birth control aids, either commercial or in print. All the positives are highlighted, there is a young woman smiling, with her friends ready to go out for the evening and all the harmful side effects are quickly blurted out at the end of the commercial, barely even heard. As well as print adds the happy woman using the specific birth control is zoomed in while the tiny print at the bottom states all the risks and the precautions of the prescription.
Advertisements and messages are being sent to millions of homes around the globe whether we want them to or not.
For example, the Dove body wash commercials have a brunette, Caucasian, thin, light skinned, 25-30 year old woman washing herself in the shower. She has a big smile on her face and the camera zooms up and down her milky, smooth skin. After her shower she steps out and she is instantly bombarded with a handsome, young, muscular male embracing her and touching her on the bed. Plus, there is a narrator stating the ingredients of the body wash and how you should not be afraid to be touched and how much the male will enjoy the silky skin. There are many messages: buy this product and be thin, young, and beautiful; shower with this body wash and you will have hunky men all over you; buy this product because the skin you have now is just not good enough for today's standards. There is a lot of ambiguity and many details which are emphasized and other details which are ignored. A great example of emphasizing details are those birth control aids, either commercial or in print. All the positives are highlighted, there is a young woman smiling, with her friends ready to go out for the evening and all the harmful side effects are quickly blurted out at the end of the commercial, barely even heard. As well as print adds the happy woman using the specific birth control is zoomed in while the tiny print at the bottom states all the risks and the precautions of the prescription.
Advertisements and messages are being sent to millions of homes around the globe whether we want them to or not.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Face2Face
The first time I had heard of a cyber space relationship was from my basketball teammate Kris who had a boyfriend who she met online. This was during the time Instant Messaging and Screen names were very popular. She told me he was going to move from Utah to California to be with her. I was very shocked and surprised because I could not imagine moving states for someone i have never met in person. Their relationship moved from the computer to the telephone and eventually he came to visit her once and a while and I had the opportunity to meet him. He was a very nice, older guy, he was 18 while we were 15 and 16.
I did not approve of the relationship honestly, she was very lucky he was not some 60 year old pervert who had psychological issues.
Looking back on my own friendships and the process in which I create friends I do not make friends online, I trust people if we hang out together and learn about one another face to face. I am not saying all people who are online have hidden agendas or that face to face friendships always work out, but for me making good, trustworthy, friends is about doing activities together, spending time with the family, and being their for one another in person and not being infront of a screen is how I create friendships.
I wouldn't say to never make a friend using AIM or Facebook or Myspace, because it does happen and i think its great for others, but for me I do not feel i truly get to know the person without spending time with them and doing activities together such as movies or hearing their sarcasm through face to face interaction.
I did not approve of the relationship honestly, she was very lucky he was not some 60 year old pervert who had psychological issues.
Looking back on my own friendships and the process in which I create friends I do not make friends online, I trust people if we hang out together and learn about one another face to face. I am not saying all people who are online have hidden agendas or that face to face friendships always work out, but for me making good, trustworthy, friends is about doing activities together, spending time with the family, and being their for one another in person and not being infront of a screen is how I create friendships.
I wouldn't say to never make a friend using AIM or Facebook or Myspace, because it does happen and i think its great for others, but for me I do not feel i truly get to know the person without spending time with them and doing activities together such as movies or hearing their sarcasm through face to face interaction.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Chapter 7: Hidden Agenda
A hidden agenda is a concept which stuck out to me while reading chapter 7. A hidden agenda is a personal goal that lies below th surfae and that can get in the way of group performance. The book says this is most important to avoid disruptive individual roles such as a hidden agenda. I found interesting is that it also states hidden agendas can be helpful to a group goal.
Being in a group is at times most difficult. You have different personalities, different schedules, and different skills all mixed into one. It can either be toxic to a goal or a blessing. Hopefully everyone's agenda is positive for the group because if it is not, there could be a lot of issues. Usually if each person has a common goal like an A on the project, hidden agendas are not always an issue. Sometimes i think classmates hidden agenda's are to do the least amount of work possible and be out of reach until the day before a presentation or the due date.
Personally, I do not feel like i have a hidden agenda while i am in a group, maybe to just not mess up during a presentation or to be well prepared in case someone doesnt show, or the power point doesnt work, I tend to look out for myself more because I can control what i bring to the group or the team but i cant control what others do or do not bring as well.
Being in a group is at times most difficult. You have different personalities, different schedules, and different skills all mixed into one. It can either be toxic to a goal or a blessing. Hopefully everyone's agenda is positive for the group because if it is not, there could be a lot of issues. Usually if each person has a common goal like an A on the project, hidden agendas are not always an issue. Sometimes i think classmates hidden agenda's are to do the least amount of work possible and be out of reach until the day before a presentation or the due date.
Personally, I do not feel like i have a hidden agenda while i am in a group, maybe to just not mess up during a presentation or to be well prepared in case someone doesnt show, or the power point doesnt work, I tend to look out for myself more because I can control what i bring to the group or the team but i cant control what others do or do not bring as well.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Long Duck Dong
First I will list the factors of determining whether this specific male is romantic relationship material:
Duck's theory makes perfect sense to me. I know exactly what he is referring to. I constantly admire or wrongly hate someone because of my preinteraction. I do a lot of my judging from a distance which i began to read is probably not the best way to judge someone. At a party for example it is easy to observe the attractive guy across the room first before going over and talkin to him. But i miss out on the congnitive cues and even the interaction cues because I am only being a spectator, or maybe a creeper even!
This gives me a lot to think about and the way I perceive my romantic relationships.
- If he is loud and obnoxious at a party
- shorter than me
- overly pronounced nose
- going to school
- employed
- drives a vehicle
- makes me laugh
- has to feel easy, comfortable to talk to
- understand my humor
- has to be proactive, i like someone to challenge me.
Duck's theory makes perfect sense to me. I know exactly what he is referring to. I constantly admire or wrongly hate someone because of my preinteraction. I do a lot of my judging from a distance which i began to read is probably not the best way to judge someone. At a party for example it is easy to observe the attractive guy across the room first before going over and talkin to him. But i miss out on the congnitive cues and even the interaction cues because I am only being a spectator, or maybe a creeper even!
This gives me a lot to think about and the way I perceive my romantic relationships.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Rigid Role Relations
The pattern which would be most difficult to change would be the rigid complementarity because once one is resentful toward another in a relationship it is the most difficult to erase years or months of an unhappy pattern. The rigid complementarity is also the most damaging to a relationship, because of the silent hurting, and the unsatisfied individuals are living within a lie. I also would classify the rigid complementarity pattern as the most devastating to the self-esteem because if one partner is tired of always being incontrol or if the other one is tired of always giving in, no one is happy. Not one person is living the way they wish, they are living an unfulfilling life to some extent. Hurt self-esteem can come from an unsatisfying lifestyle, that they do not deserve more or better. If an individual decides to be a part of a relationship that is not giving back to what they put in or vise versa, can cause self-esteem issues.
Competitive symmetry is when two individuals want control or want to be in charge. I think it is a good thing to have two very active, assertive individuals together, a lot gets said, and a lot gets done. A lot of my friendships are competitive symmetry and it works out great because we understand each other's own desire of when or how to be in control.
Submissive symmetry is one pattern i do not understand. How can not one person have something to say? Being overly submissive should not be allowed, I find it hard to get to know someone if they do not even know what they want, or what they value on their own. If an individual only complies to others and not their own desires then I am not growing or learning anything from a submissive relationship at all.
Competitive symmetry is when two individuals want control or want to be in charge. I think it is a good thing to have two very active, assertive individuals together, a lot gets said, and a lot gets done. A lot of my friendships are competitive symmetry and it works out great because we understand each other's own desire of when or how to be in control.
Submissive symmetry is one pattern i do not understand. How can not one person have something to say? Being overly submissive should not be allowed, I find it hard to get to know someone if they do not even know what they want, or what they value on their own. If an individual only complies to others and not their own desires then I am not growing or learning anything from a submissive relationship at all.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Premises
To say I fully believe with the rationality premise, the perfectibility premise, and the mutability premise, I would have to say no. The book states trial by jury and democracy are examples of the way we embrace the rationality premise. An example of the perfectibility premise is good vs. evil. Humans are born into sin but we have the opportunity to do good. The mutability premise can be seen in education. Education is an example of mutability because it stimulates our minds and bodies. Another example could be sports, and dance or yoga because these also stimulate humans physically and psychological. One more example of mutability premise would be conversation, daily conversation helps psychologically and physically because you feel great after a wonderful conversation.
If I were to create different premises, I might write about emotionality premises, power premises, and human interaction premise. Emotionality premise would focus on the way humans react and experience emotions. Many individuals have issues with controlling emotions and understanding what they mean and being emotional is being human as rationality is. Power premise would focus on the humans desire for power and control. What humans do for such power and what it means to them. And the human interaction premise would be the human need for other humans. Touch, conversation, and love would be studied.
I rather believe in these premises than the rationality, perfectibility or mutability premise.
These premises make humans seem so robotic and predictable, but I do not believe in that at all.
If I were to create different premises, I might write about emotionality premises, power premises, and human interaction premise. Emotionality premise would focus on the way humans react and experience emotions. Many individuals have issues with controlling emotions and understanding what they mean and being emotional is being human as rationality is. Power premise would focus on the humans desire for power and control. What humans do for such power and what it means to them. And the human interaction premise would be the human need for other humans. Touch, conversation, and love would be studied.
I rather believe in these premises than the rationality, perfectibility or mutability premise.
These premises make humans seem so robotic and predictable, but I do not believe in that at all.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Creatures of Culture
I do agree that we are placed and surrounded by our own specific culture from the moment we are born. Each individual has their own elements and factors which create a family, no family or family life is identical to another. It is a blessing and a curse that we have our own cultural backgrounds and that it varies infinitely.
Some positive aspects of such a variety of cultures is that every person has their own story to tell. They have their own lessons that they have learned and experienced different things from one person to another and that is a great positive. If everyone had the same experiences, habits, values, and cultural backgrounds life would not be life, what would there be left to see or do?
Negative factors of being a "creature" of our own culture is that its a hard mold to break, a tough wall to break down. These habits and customs are our comfort blankets, its what we know since birth. It is not easy being placed in a different environment especially when it is very knew and different. It is less likely that an individual will voluntarily place themselves in such an unfamiliar situation. For me personally I would rather stay to what feels comfortable and what I know not what I don't know on a regular basis.
Being able to learn and experience other cultural backgrounds and be embraced within the diversity society posses can bring a great understanding to the outside walls of the unknown.
Let us keep such creatures but be not afraid to mingle
Some positive aspects of such a variety of cultures is that every person has their own story to tell. They have their own lessons that they have learned and experienced different things from one person to another and that is a great positive. If everyone had the same experiences, habits, values, and cultural backgrounds life would not be life, what would there be left to see or do?
Negative factors of being a "creature" of our own culture is that its a hard mold to break, a tough wall to break down. These habits and customs are our comfort blankets, its what we know since birth. It is not easy being placed in a different environment especially when it is very knew and different. It is less likely that an individual will voluntarily place themselves in such an unfamiliar situation. For me personally I would rather stay to what feels comfortable and what I know not what I don't know on a regular basis.
Being able to learn and experience other cultural backgrounds and be embraced within the diversity society posses can bring a great understanding to the outside walls of the unknown.
Let us keep such creatures but be not afraid to mingle
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Chapter 5 & Proxemics
While reading Chapter 5 the discussion of proxemics was very interesting to me. Trenholm defines proxemics as the study of how we use space and what space means to us. There are many different forms of space, but personal space is very important. Personal space, intimate space these lines should not be crossed in a public territory of any kind. When you are in a public territory where there are many people bumping into someone or being very close to another person on a bus or in a crowd can cause personal space to be invaded. Trenholm discusses body territory as a personal area, personal space. There are areas on our body which we let people touch, such as hand shakes, but we do not always give out hugs.
Cultural differences provide a variety of proxemics and what is acceptable. Within the Japanese community bowing is known as a cultural greeting not shaking hands. The lower the bow is the more respect one shows. Personal space is normally not invaded, distance is key and hugging and kisses are widely used. Within the Hispanic community, kisses and hugs are a must when you first arrive and when you leave. If you do not say hello to an elder than you are showing much disrespect. A hug and a kiss on the cheek is how to greet an aunt or an uncle.
Each individual has their own personal rules of proxemics and different cultures have their own regulations and rules of proxemics.
Cultural differences provide a variety of proxemics and what is acceptable. Within the Japanese community bowing is known as a cultural greeting not shaking hands. The lower the bow is the more respect one shows. Personal space is normally not invaded, distance is key and hugging and kisses are widely used. Within the Hispanic community, kisses and hugs are a must when you first arrive and when you leave. If you do not say hello to an elder than you are showing much disrespect. A hug and a kiss on the cheek is how to greet an aunt or an uncle.
Each individual has their own personal rules of proxemics and different cultures have their own regulations and rules of proxemics.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Men & Women
Men and women do use language differently. Trenholm states, men bond through physical activites while women bond through talk on page 91. Men find a bond while playing sports with other men and finding common ground through testing their guy's limits and reliability. During sports you have to depend on others and work together, if guys cant even play a basketball game together it is easy to say there wont be a bond to find either. Women love to talk, and love to express themselves verbally. When i go to a coffee shop, i see a ratio of a many, many more women than men sitting and talking.
A personal example would have to be a comparison with my older brother and I. I am very chatty, outspoken and am always asking questions. My brother keeps very much to himself, if no one talks to him then he wont talk to anyone. He is very introverted while i am extroverted. He does not easily disclose personal information, you got to ask a million questions to get a little bit of information. He loves his own time, he doesnt need to be around a lot of people to feel happy, he likes his alone time. I on the other hand, if i am alone for too long I question why? I like my alone time too, but I love interacting with others more.
Here are some hints of his language to others that he does'nt know that i have noticed. Whenever he is fighting with his girlfriend he plays video games for hours and house at a time. He likes to distract himself in his virtual world. I hear him up late and i know he is going through something with her. I on the other hand need to talk about it if i am fighting with a significant other. I cant just play a game to feel better, i need to vent. Men and women communicate similar needs just in different behaviors.
A personal example would have to be a comparison with my older brother and I. I am very chatty, outspoken and am always asking questions. My brother keeps very much to himself, if no one talks to him then he wont talk to anyone. He is very introverted while i am extroverted. He does not easily disclose personal information, you got to ask a million questions to get a little bit of information. He loves his own time, he doesnt need to be around a lot of people to feel happy, he likes his alone time. I on the other hand, if i am alone for too long I question why? I like my alone time too, but I love interacting with others more.
Here are some hints of his language to others that he does'nt know that i have noticed. Whenever he is fighting with his girlfriend he plays video games for hours and house at a time. He likes to distract himself in his virtual world. I hear him up late and i know he is going through something with her. I on the other hand need to talk about it if i am fighting with a significant other. I cant just play a game to feel better, i need to vent. Men and women communicate similar needs just in different behaviors.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
We are Judgmental, why?
The human's ability to judge and create their own perception of others is never going to end. Each individual is going to have their own judgments of someone or something. For example, for a job interview one would dress very nice, do their hair, put on make up because they know they will be getting judged and we accept this form of judgment. Judging others and being right or being wrong is not going anywhere in society today. Testing such judgments and experimenting with one's own perception on anything can make judging a new kind of experience.
If each person has their own perception and develops their own judgment on a certain culture but have no experience can give them false information. When individuals create negative or possitive judgmental facts of something or someone when they have zero first had exposure is where the problem comes in. Perhaps people feel the need to judge because they need to create their own answers to something they do not understand. These people should find the desire within themselves to experience everything and then make an educated judgment at least.
If each person has their own perception and develops their own judgment on a certain culture but have no experience can give them false information. When individuals create negative or possitive judgmental facts of something or someone when they have zero first had exposure is where the problem comes in. Perhaps people feel the need to judge because they need to create their own answers to something they do not understand. These people should find the desire within themselves to experience everything and then make an educated judgment at least.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The one concept in Chapter 10 which stood out to me was speech anxiety. The chapter indicates experiences with speaking too fast. or too slow, stammering, blockage, dry mouth, and rapid heartbeat. Reading this chapter I was relieved to learn speech anxiety is completely normal. As well as speech anxiety can improve over time with practice and more experience. The chapter suggests cognitive restructuring which is a form of taking those negative thoughts into positive, motivational thoughts. Physical relaxation is another element one could use to help the body relax; having the body relaxed can aid in mental relaxation. Systematic desensitization is also a process that may aid in speech anxiety. Systematic desensitization is to learn how to substitute deep relaxation for fear responses, finally those fear reactions can be managed with this specific process.
The concept of speech anxiety is an important concept for me because I do get nerves while speaking and it does have a negative effect on my delivery and the impression i leave with the audience. The most important thing i learned is that speech anxiety can be managed and with practice can be beat.
The concept of speech anxiety is an important concept for me because I do get nerves while speaking and it does have a negative effect on my delivery and the impression i leave with the audience. The most important thing i learned is that speech anxiety can be managed and with practice can be beat.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Social Constructionist Perspective
Cultural diversity is a major aspect in the elements of bad and good communication. Trenholm states, " we take those parts of it that our culture makes significant, process them in culturally recognized ways, connect them to other 'facts' and respond to them in ways our culture considers significant." I do not know if we never experience the world directly because of culture, however culture directly influences the way in which we communicate. The way in which we build words in the United States is because of immigration, because of inter-racial experiences and relationships between individuals of different cultures.
An example of a part of culture which is more valuable in one culture and not as valued in another culture is education. Within the Hispanic culture I have learned education is not valued in the same way as here in the American culture. My grandmother who did live in the United States, was not encouraged, or expected to go to school. Her mother told her she did not need to go to school because she was going to be cooking, and staying in the kitchen the rest of her life. My grandmother's job was expected to just be a homemaker and take care of the household. Although times of progressed, there are still cultures and religions which do not see the woman as an individual who should be educated or successful.
To continue with higher education has recently become a significant part of my families culture.
An example of a part of culture which is more valuable in one culture and not as valued in another culture is education. Within the Hispanic culture I have learned education is not valued in the same way as here in the American culture. My grandmother who did live in the United States, was not encouraged, or expected to go to school. Her mother told her she did not need to go to school because she was going to be cooking, and staying in the kitchen the rest of her life. My grandmother's job was expected to just be a homemaker and take care of the household. Although times of progressed, there are still cultures and religions which do not see the woman as an individual who should be educated or successful.
To continue with higher education has recently become a significant part of my families culture.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Best&worst speaker
The best speaker i have ever heard i believe is very close with Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. When i was in middle school i remember learning about Martin Luther King Jr, and I was memorized by his words. It was my first exposure to all the elements and forces related to the racism and prejudice during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. Being a minority in society to be a proactive member of society and spreading cultural competence around the world such as Martin Luther King Jr had done is a major time in history. It is a major time in history because without acknowledging discrimination within the United States change would not even be an option.
Cesar Chavez was also a great leader and spoke with such passion during the Farm Workers Movement. Chavez was the one who inspired thousands and thousands of Mexican, and Mexican Americans to fight for better, equal rights within the Mexican Community. Having family members endure such horrible working environments and discrimination creates a sense gratitude to the passionate speaker.
Both Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. were very infuencial speakers and leaders to me and to the world. Their determination, passion, and faith within the human race was very powerful to all.
The worst speaker I have ever heard would have to be Paris Hilton. Whenever she speaks I feel as if i have lost a few brain cells. I would not consider her a leader, but she does speak to the world, and is influential because of the media. She is in the media and the news more than Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez combined. She is the worst speaker because she lacks the integrity, passion, and selflessness great leaders have. I believe it is very sad her words are followed more frequently than the greatest speakers throughout history.
Cesar Chavez was also a great leader and spoke with such passion during the Farm Workers Movement. Chavez was the one who inspired thousands and thousands of Mexican, and Mexican Americans to fight for better, equal rights within the Mexican Community. Having family members endure such horrible working environments and discrimination creates a sense gratitude to the passionate speaker.
Both Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. were very infuencial speakers and leaders to me and to the world. Their determination, passion, and faith within the human race was very powerful to all.
The worst speaker I have ever heard would have to be Paris Hilton. Whenever she speaks I feel as if i have lost a few brain cells. I would not consider her a leader, but she does speak to the world, and is influential because of the media. She is in the media and the news more than Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez combined. She is the worst speaker because she lacks the integrity, passion, and selflessness great leaders have. I believe it is very sad her words are followed more frequently than the greatest speakers throughout history.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
about chubbyhub
Hello classmates.
I am quite uncomfortable, i am not sure what to write. I will be a fourth year at San Jose State this coming fall and i cannot wait to graduate Spring 2011, hopefully! I am majoring in communications and minoring in sociology. I really love interpersonal aspects of communications as well as the cultural competence within the communication field. I love to laugh. I am not sure what else to say! ohhh goodness okay well i am no sure about this blogging thing. haha but i hope this class goes well and i know i will definitely learn a lot.
until the next awkward post from chubbyhub...ohhh goodness!
I am quite uncomfortable, i am not sure what to write. I will be a fourth year at San Jose State this coming fall and i cannot wait to graduate Spring 2011, hopefully! I am majoring in communications and minoring in sociology. I really love interpersonal aspects of communications as well as the cultural competence within the communication field. I love to laugh. I am not sure what else to say! ohhh goodness okay well i am no sure about this blogging thing. haha but i hope this class goes well and i know i will definitely learn a lot.
until the next awkward post from chubbyhub...ohhh goodness!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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