I do believe in the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises but only to a certain extent. I don't believe in each of them fully. With the rationality premise I do think that most people are capable of discovering the truth through logical analysis but not all people exercise this capability as often as they should or even at all. When it comes to the perfectibility premise I believe that not all people are born in sin but some are and everyone is capable of achieving goodness through effort and control. Lastly when it comes to the mutability premise I agree that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors but I don't agree that the way to improve human is to improve their physical and psychological circumstances. You can see someone who grows up in a nice home with both their parents teaching them right from wrong and get a good education and that person can still turn out to do the wrong things.
An example of the social institutions and practices that are based on the rationality premise is the court systems. The random process of jury selection shows that people are being trusted to make a rational, non biased decision based on hard evidence. People who serve on a jury are expected to make a decision about someones fate by going through a logical analysis of the facts and they are expected to make a good decision.
An example of the social institutions and practices that are based on the perfectibility premise is the rehab programs. Many people, but not all, who are addicted to drugs start because they are born in a bad neighborhood, in a bad family, or hang out with people that they shouldn't hang out with. Some people get to a point where they want help and they want to start a better life for themselves. Rehab programs help these people achieve their goals and achieve goodness in their lives.
An example of the social institutions and practices that are based on the mutability premise are child protective services. Children who grow up in a hostile environment where they are neglected, abused or even observe domestic abuse going on are likely to have a difficult life because they don't know what a loving home is like. Child protective services help give children better lives by taking them away from their current physical environment and finding them a new one that will give them a better chance of succeeding in life. This doesn't always help children but the majority of the time it does.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wk 4 Discussion, Question 3
The concept that I choose to discuss from chapter 12 is cultural universals. Cultural universals are a variety of "interconnected activities that are found in virtually every culture." (Trenholm P. 346) The book gives a long list of things that are found in every culture. A few of those items are age grading, athletics, bodily adornment, calendar, cleanliness, cooking, cosmology, courtship, dancing, education, ethics, etiquette, family, folklore, funeral rites, gestures, greeting, hairstyles, and hygiene. The list goes on to name more activities that the author found to be universal in many cultures. I believe in cultural universals because there are so many things that people from different cultures do that are the same. Take bodily adornment for example, in America, unfortunately, many people think that a beautiful woman is one that is thin. If a woman is not as thin as people think she should be she is considered not as desirable. On the other hand, in other cultures, such as cultures from Africa, large women are more desirable than thin women. Even though they have different idea about what a beautiful woman's body should look like they still have the same idea of bodily adornment in their minds.
I think this idea of cultural universals are important because so many people think that their culture is the right culture to be in and everyone else is wrong. If people could just see that every culture has many things in common then maybe there would be less discrimination in the world.
I think this idea of cultural universals are important because so many people think that their culture is the right culture to be in and everyone else is wrong. If people could just see that every culture has many things in common then maybe there would be less discrimination in the world.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wk 4 Discussion, Question 1
I do agree with Anthropologist Ruth Benedict when she says that we are all creatures of our cultures and that our habits, beliefs, and impossibilities are shaped by our culture. From the day each of us are born we are being taught a specific culture by our families. The different things that our parents teach us is a direct reflection of the morals and values from the culture that they identify with. This continues on as we grow up. Some cultures require their people to marry someone who shares the same culture and they are very strict about it. I have a good friend who was raised as a Jehovahs Witness. She was explaining to me all of the various things that she has experienced being raised that way. People who are raised in this type of culture don't get to experience anything outside of their culture without being judged and sometimes even banned from the culture.
I think that we can break through the limits of culture by going out and experiencing other cultures besides our own without judgment. Not judging others cultures is very hard when you are raised a certain way but you have to keep an open mind. This will help people gain knowledge about people and their culture that they don't understand.
I think that we can break through the limits of culture by going out and experiencing other cultures besides our own without judgment. Not judging others cultures is very hard when you are raised a certain way but you have to keep an open mind. This will help people gain knowledge about people and their culture that they don't understand.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wk 3 Discussion, Question #3
The concept from chapter 5 that was interesting to me was object language. Object language is defined as "all intentional and nonintentional displays of material things, such as implements, machines, art objects, architectural structures, [as well as] the human body, and whatever clothes or covers it." (Trenholm Pg. 133) I choose to discuss this topic because I can relate to it very well. In my room I have various pieces of wall decor that represents me. I am definitely a "girly girl" I have a lot of feminine pieces that are pink and glittery. I also have a lot of pictures of my family, friends and my boyfriend in picture frames because they help define the type of person that I am too.
Another aspect of object language that I closely relate to is the human body. When I get dressed for the day it expresses what type of mood I'm in. If I wear jeans and a shirt and a light jacket I am in a relaxed mood and I want to be comfortable. If I wear sweats and a tee shirt that normally means that I'm lazy or I'm in a bad mood. If I get dressed up I'm in a good mood. I like using clothes to express how I feel.
Another aspect of object language that I closely relate to is the human body. When I get dressed for the day it expresses what type of mood I'm in. If I wear jeans and a shirt and a light jacket I am in a relaxed mood and I want to be comfortable. If I wear sweats and a tee shirt that normally means that I'm lazy or I'm in a bad mood. If I get dressed up I'm in a good mood. I like using clothes to express how I feel.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wk 3 Discussion, Question #2
I strongly believe that men and women do use language differently. Men tend to use more agressive language. It differs depending on who they talk to. If men are talking to other men they try and use professional language that makes them sound strong and confident. If they are talking to their friends they use a more laid back form of language. They don't care so much about using correct grammar when they are with their friends. When men are talking to women they don't use such an agressive type of language. They aren't as strong with their words. Women on the other had don't use such an agressive type of language as men. When women are talking to professional colleagues they do use professional language to make them sound strong and confident but they use it in a more soothing way. When women are with their friends they use a soothing type of language as well. They a type of language that is more comforting to whoever they are speaking with.
One specific example that I can give is they way my boyfriend talks to his boss and his friends. My boyfriend works for a small plumbing company. He has been working there for the last three years. The owner of the company his best friends father who he has grown up with. My boyfriend and I were invited to the first birthday of the owners grandson. The party was going to be pretty big with a lot of our good friends. When we got to the house and everyone was in the backyard swimming and having a good time. We said hello to his boss and his wife. During that conversation my boyfriend was very polite and talked professionally to his boss. After we said hello to them we were hanging out with our good friends that were there. There was a big group of guys there that my boyfriend grew up with. The second we were hanging out with our friends his language was completely different. They were all joking around and occasionally swearing. It was amazing to see the type of language that he was using switch in a second just from changing who he was talking to.
On the other hand the language that I used during this whole scenario that I discussed above my language did not change once. When we were talking to his boss I was very polite and respectful. When we were talking to his friends my language may have changed a little but not as much as my boyfriends did. I was a little more relaxed with our friends but there was no significant change in the language that I was using.
One specific example that I can give is they way my boyfriend talks to his boss and his friends. My boyfriend works for a small plumbing company. He has been working there for the last three years. The owner of the company his best friends father who he has grown up with. My boyfriend and I were invited to the first birthday of the owners grandson. The party was going to be pretty big with a lot of our good friends. When we got to the house and everyone was in the backyard swimming and having a good time. We said hello to his boss and his wife. During that conversation my boyfriend was very polite and talked professionally to his boss. After we said hello to them we were hanging out with our good friends that were there. There was a big group of guys there that my boyfriend grew up with. The second we were hanging out with our friends his language was completely different. They were all joking around and occasionally swearing. It was amazing to see the type of language that he was using switch in a second just from changing who he was talking to.
On the other hand the language that I used during this whole scenario that I discussed above my language did not change once. When we were talking to his boss I was very polite and respectful. When we were talking to his friends my language may have changed a little but not as much as my boyfriends did. I was a little more relaxed with our friends but there was no significant change in the language that I was using.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wk 3 Discussion, Question #1
Hello everyone!
I personally do not think you are able to perceive others without, in some way, judging them. We are always judging people no matter what. Whenever you pass by someone, whether you mean to or not, you pass a judgment. A lot of the times you will make up your mind on what you think about them without or before even meeting them. People are judged by what they wear, how they talk, where they come from, and even the kinds of hobbies they are interested in. I know that I do it. I don't mean to do it but it's a habit that is hard to break. I try not to let the judgment that I make before I meet someone effect the way I feel about them when I actually do meet them in some instances. I don't know if there is a way that we can make judgments fair. People are always going to judge other people no matter what. I guess when you judge someone you will have to keep in mind that you don't know anything about this person and they can be totally different from what you are perceiving them as.
I personally do not think you are able to perceive others without, in some way, judging them. We are always judging people no matter what. Whenever you pass by someone, whether you mean to or not, you pass a judgment. A lot of the times you will make up your mind on what you think about them without or before even meeting them. People are judged by what they wear, how they talk, where they come from, and even the kinds of hobbies they are interested in. I know that I do it. I don't mean to do it but it's a habit that is hard to break. I try not to let the judgment that I make before I meet someone effect the way I feel about them when I actually do meet them in some instances. I don't know if there is a way that we can make judgments fair. People are always going to judge other people no matter what. I guess when you judge someone you will have to keep in mind that you don't know anything about this person and they can be totally different from what you are perceiving them as.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Discussion question #1
Discussion Question #1
The Social Constructionist Perspective says that we never experience the world directly. Rather we take those parts of it that our culture makes significant, process them in culturally recognized ways, connect them to others "facts" that we know, and respond to them in ways our culture considers significant. The perspective also says that the majority of what we know and believe about the world comes to us through communication rather than through direct experience. For example if everyone around you talks about the world in a certain way, you are likely to think of the world in that way.
We each "build worlds" through communication differently. We each have our own perspective of the world. Each person we interact with shapes the way that we view the world.
Communication is different in every country. In the business world in America when you first meet someone you look them in their eyes and you shake their hands. In the Asian cultures it is considered disrespectful to look someone in the eyes who is of higher power than you. When communicating together they must learn to adapt to each others different ways of communicating. In the example in the book of John and Judy they did not see eye to eye when communicating with each other because they grew up during different times.
The Social Constructionist Perspective says that we never experience the world directly. Rather we take those parts of it that our culture makes significant, process them in culturally recognized ways, connect them to others "facts" that we know, and respond to them in ways our culture considers significant. The perspective also says that the majority of what we know and believe about the world comes to us through communication rather than through direct experience. For example if everyone around you talks about the world in a certain way, you are likely to think of the world in that way.
We each "build worlds" through communication differently. We each have our own perspective of the world. Each person we interact with shapes the way that we view the world.
Communication is different in every country. In the business world in America when you first meet someone you look them in their eyes and you shake their hands. In the Asian cultures it is considered disrespectful to look someone in the eyes who is of higher power than you. When communicating together they must learn to adapt to each others different ways of communicating. In the example in the book of John and Judy they did not see eye to eye when communicating with each other because they grew up during different times.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Discussion question #3
The concept from chapter 10 that I choose to discuss is audience adaption. When you are giving a public speech you must make the message you are trying to get across relevant and understandable to your audience. The book gives a few good examples of audience adaption. The author says that a kindergarten teacher wouldn't treat school children as if they were graduate students. When constructing a speech and you are thinking about how you are going to adapt to your audience you must consider the three aspects of speech. The first aspect is the central idea and structure of the speech. The second aspect is the supporting material of the speech. The third and final aspect is the style of the speech.
The author says that the speaker must first decide on the purpose and central idea of the speech. If you are preparing an informative speech you must present new and interesting information that is not too difficult for the audience to follow or understand. If the speech is meant to be persuasive then the speaker must avoid alienation audience members by making a proposal that is too extreme. The speaker must also know what the audience currently believes and what positions it might accept and reject.
Speakers should choose supporting material with audience characteristics in mind. The example given in the book is that the speaker supports bringing a professional athletic team to your community. I thought this was an ironic example since Santa Clara county is fighting to bring the 49ers to Santa Clara. The speaker is presenting a speech to a group of business leaders and they would have to stress the economic advantages of their proposal. The speaker must choose appeals that are relevant to their audience.
Lastly, the style of the speech needs to be adapted to the audience as well. Your speech must be understandable. For example you wouldn't want to try and clarify your concept by comparing it to a computer to a group of computer illiterate people. The audience wants your speech to resemble their idea of how the speech should sound. If you fail to meet their expectations your speech will probably fail.
The concept from chapter 10 that I choose to discuss is audience adaption. When you are giving a public speech you must make the message you are trying to get across relevant and understandable to your audience. The book gives a few good examples of audience adaption. The author says that a kindergarten teacher wouldn't treat school children as if they were graduate students. When constructing a speech and you are thinking about how you are going to adapt to your audience you must consider the three aspects of speech. The first aspect is the central idea and structure of the speech. The second aspect is the supporting material of the speech. The third and final aspect is the style of the speech.
The author says that the speaker must first decide on the purpose and central idea of the speech. If you are preparing an informative speech you must present new and interesting information that is not too difficult for the audience to follow or understand. If the speech is meant to be persuasive then the speaker must avoid alienation audience members by making a proposal that is too extreme. The speaker must also know what the audience currently believes and what positions it might accept and reject.
Speakers should choose supporting material with audience characteristics in mind. The example given in the book is that the speaker supports bringing a professional athletic team to your community. I thought this was an ironic example since Santa Clara county is fighting to bring the 49ers to Santa Clara. The speaker is presenting a speech to a group of business leaders and they would have to stress the economic advantages of their proposal. The speaker must choose appeals that are relevant to their audience.
Lastly, the style of the speech needs to be adapted to the audience as well. Your speech must be understandable. For example you wouldn't want to try and clarify your concept by comparing it to a computer to a group of computer illiterate people. The audience wants your speech to resemble their idea of how the speech should sound. If you fail to meet their expectations your speech will probably fail.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Discussion Question #2
The best speaker that I have ever heard was the pastor at my church. His family and my family have been friends for a very long time. I have been going to the same church since I was in elementary school. I have developed some great relationships with a lot of the people who go there as well. When I was a young kid I never wanted to go and attend the adult services with my family. It always seemed boring to me because I never understood what the pastor was saying because I was young. I couldn't wait for the first service to be over so I could attend my Sunday school class. As I grew older and I began to understand the message that the pastor was sending I started enjoying the adult service more and more. The way the pastor talked was very inspiring. I could feel how passionate he was about the message he was sending out to everyone. His voice wasn't boring and monotone. The way he delivered the message was very persuasive. Every time I attend a Sunday service I look forward to hearing him speak.
The worst speaker that I have heard was in one of my classes. The girl was very boring to listen to. Her voice was very monotone which made it very hard to pay attention to what she was saying. She was reading her speech and made no eye contact with the audience. She was constantly swaying from side to side. I think I paid more attention to her swaying then I did to her speech. I don't remember what her speech was even about because it was so boring to listen to.
The best speaker that I have ever heard was the pastor at my church. His family and my family have been friends for a very long time. I have been going to the same church since I was in elementary school. I have developed some great relationships with a lot of the people who go there as well. When I was a young kid I never wanted to go and attend the adult services with my family. It always seemed boring to me because I never understood what the pastor was saying because I was young. I couldn't wait for the first service to be over so I could attend my Sunday school class. As I grew older and I began to understand the message that the pastor was sending I started enjoying the adult service more and more. The way the pastor talked was very inspiring. I could feel how passionate he was about the message he was sending out to everyone. His voice wasn't boring and monotone. The way he delivered the message was very persuasive. Every time I attend a Sunday service I look forward to hearing him speak.
The worst speaker that I have heard was in one of my classes. The girl was very boring to listen to. Her voice was very monotone which made it very hard to pay attention to what she was saying. She was reading her speech and made no eye contact with the audience. She was constantly swaying from side to side. I think I paid more attention to her swaying then I did to her speech. I don't remember what her speech was even about because it was so boring to listen to.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Welcome Post
Hey everyone,
Welcome to the start of the summer semester. I am a senior a SJSU and I am really looking forward to this class. I am a very laid back person and I am easy to get along with. If anyone has any questions throughout the class feel free to ask me and I will do my best to help you. My personal communication experience has been a good one so far. My first set of Comm courses were during the Spring 2010 semester and it was very enjoyable. They professors were very helpful. What I hope to gain from this course is to learn a better way to successfully communicate with the people I have personal relationships with. I really hope that I will gain the knowledge from this class to achieve that. This is the first online course that I have ever taken throughout my college career and I am really looking forward to it. I hope everyone has a great semester!
Welcome to the start of the summer semester. I am a senior a SJSU and I am really looking forward to this class. I am a very laid back person and I am easy to get along with. If anyone has any questions throughout the class feel free to ask me and I will do my best to help you. My personal communication experience has been a good one so far. My first set of Comm courses were during the Spring 2010 semester and it was very enjoyable. They professors were very helpful. What I hope to gain from this course is to learn a better way to successfully communicate with the people I have personal relationships with. I really hope that I will gain the knowledge from this class to achieve that. This is the first online course that I have ever taken throughout my college career and I am really looking forward to it. I hope everyone has a great semester!
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