CH 12: Rationality, Perfectibilty and Mutability

Do you believe in the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises? What social institutions and practices are based on these beliefs?

After reading the text I agree with rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises to a point, but again we must remember not all humans have similar beliefs/practices. First, rationality premise descibes how humans are able to find the truth and logic, for example trail and jury (p. 353). With that said, I believe many humans have the ability to find truth by sometimes using logical and sometimes just look deep into their own soul. However, not all humans can see or understand the truth which makes it more difficult to see if all individuals believe in the same thing. Next, perfectibility premise is described as humans are born with sin but can over came sin to promote good through their life style, for example a person in jail (p. 353). I believe many people have the strength to be a good and caring person, but not all humans wish to be a good citizen. I can not help but think of those murderers who will never be sorry for taking the life of an innocent person. Lastly, Mutability premise shows the understanding that humans behave based on how their environment factors shapes them as individuals and groups, for example traditions within our friends and family (p. 353). I would agree many humans are shaped either in a positive or negative factor based on their surroundings. Its funny when I read this term I thought of what my parents use to say, "you are judged by your surrounds , ie who you chose to hang out with." This statement by my parents shows that the environment including tangible and non-tangible items will effect a persons physical and psychological areas. All three of these terms can help a person realize the truth about themselves if they take the time to see where they stand in there own soul and environment.

Have a great week!!!

Thanks,
Blondie

CH 12: Ruth Benedict's thoughts on culture

Do you agree with anthropologist Ruth Benedict that we are "creatures of our culture" and that our habits, beliefs, and impossibilities are shaped by our culture? If so, can we break through the limits of our cultures?

I would agree with Ruth Benedict's statement because culture is what helps shape us as humans within certain communities. We learn certain habits, beliefs and impossibilities by viewing what is closes to us when we are developing throughout our childhood, teen-years, and early adulthood. However, there are always those individuals who follow certain beliefs or habits but at the same time adapt to new ways of living outside of ones own culture. Nonetheless, people first want to have a sense of belong, which they learn from their own culture and then build confidence or need to learn about other cultures. I believe it is the learning of other cultures that allows us to move towards a more peaceful and understand civilization. According to the text, cultural is what humans make of the environment around them, so cultural can be both tangible and non-tangible styles, methods, etc (p. 343).

Have an awesome week!

Thanks,
Blondie

CH 12: Interesting concept

CH 12: One concept or term I found interesting.

It is amazing to think of how many different cultures one individual can be from in a lifetime. For example, you can find many families who celebrate multiple holidays based everywhere from religion, age to nationality. With that said, I found the concept of 'overlapping cultural identities' very interesting mostly focusing on today's generation located in the US. For example, I have a friend who celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah because both parents are from different religious backgrounds. Trenholm expresses, how some of the culture overlapping can benefit an individual or completely clash with ones many cultural aspects (p. 347). Sadly, many individuals do not even understand what cultural identity helps make them who they are today. Nevertheless, the text shows how overlapping cultural identities is more common then many of us would believe.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Thanks,
Blondie

CH 5: Nonverbal messages

CH 5: Have you ever been wrong about the meaning of someone’s nonverbal message? Describe what happened. How can people increase the accuracy with which they interpret nonverbal message?

Nonverbal and verbal communication can be ambiguous, which many of us experience everyday. For example, a few weeks ago I went out with my friends for dinner and was extremely tired but could not flake on girl’s night out. However, half way through the dinner one of my friends said out loud, “what is wrong with you?” There was nothing wrong with me but they noticed I was not all smiles and did not make as much eye contact as I normally do. I notice that even without me saying anything mean I looked upset with my friends. My nonverbal communication was saying I am upset, but verbally I had to address I was just tired. It was funny how quick my friends were to judge me for being upset just by nonverbal messages at the dinner table.
We can increase our accuracy of nonverbal communication by understanding that sometimes our nonverbal communication is talking louder then own words. Also, we has humans must remember that individuals do not always mean send off messages, which shows we must understand if the sender means to send the message or not. After taking many communication classes I found that being more knowledgeable and aware about how to view nonverbal and verbal communication between a sender and receiver could make each message clearer.

Have a fun weekend!!

Thanks,
Vanessa

CH 5: Nonverbal Messages within other cutlures

CH 5: Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, nonverbals do not always carry the same meanings in other cultures. Can you give an example of a nonverbal display that take on different meanings in other countries?

It is true many nonverbal messages can be understood by other cultures, however not all nonverbal messages mean the same thing. For example, when I majored in Business we took a class of ethics within business. During this class we studied how to communicate and interact with major business countries. One area we really focused on where international locations where huge amounts of business is involved. Take Japan or China where the communication of business is always in the air. With that said, it is important as Americans to communicate not only verbally but non-verbally as well. When giving a presentation to a group of business individuals it is important to not make eye contact and to address those individuals who hold higher positions and that are older in age. These two forms of nonverbal communication will show the correct respect and understanding of their style of business. It is the opposite here in the US where if we are not making eye-contact we are showing no respect to the speaker. Also, even wearing the color red is a sign of power and rank within the culture. In the US red has the same nonverbal message of power for example; look at our president who normally is wearing a red tie. Nonverbal communication is all around but if you are visiting another country it is in your best interest to learn some of the customs of nonverbal messages for that area.

Have an Awesome Week!!!

Thanks,
Blondie

CH 5: One Concept I Found Interesting

CH 5: Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.

This weeks reading on non-verbal communication was very interesting. I feel as though sometimes our actions and expression speak louder then words. With that said, I find the concept of ‘the kinesic code II: facial expressions and eye behavior’ very interesting when reviewing the positive and negative effects these non-verbal codes can have on a listener. For example, have you ever viewed a speaker that had no non-verbal expressions? If so, you may have thought the speaker was boring or not interesting. However, if the speaker used facial expression and eye contact the audience would feel more engaged in the speech. Eye contact and facial expressions are very important factors that help the speaker seem as though they are well prepared and confident in their message.
On another note, I found it incredible how Trenholm writes, that even blind children can develop similar facial expressions and some facial expressions can be understood around the world (p. 118). It is amazing that facial expressions and eye contact can such powerful impact between every human.

Have a Great Week!

Thanks,
Blondie

CH 3-4: Gender

CH 3-4: Do you agree that men and women is language differently? In what areas?

Yes, I believe men and women use language differently most of the time. Men and women can agree on language, but most of time it seems like we are from two different worlds. Trenholm mentions, how language uses signs and symbols to express our thoughts in our minds (p. 72). With that said, many of us have experienced moments when either a man or woman just could not understand where that person is coming from at that time. For example, I have been studying communications, which has helped me better communicate with my boyfriend. When something is bugging me, he is so quick to give me solutions to the problem, when really I have thought of those solutions, but honest just want to talk about it. However, I must say he can read my non-verbal expression very well and sometimes can see when giving me a solution to an issue may not be the right time. From my personal example you can see women and men may not always understand each other in a verbal or non-verbal way, but there are times when both genders can understand what the other is saying by what is said or not said.
However, it is funny sometimes to hear how genders may tell a story or describe a word differently because each gender decides what is important and what information to leave out. For example, “Women language” have you ever heard a woman and a man describe the word birth? Well, many times you will hear a woman describe birth as painful and difficult, but if you ask a man he may say loud or amazing. The reason why this action of birth can have such different views from each gender is because a woman experiences it first hand with her body and a man experiences it from standing and watching. Many of the words we use many have a similar meaning but may be described differently depending on what the individual experienced through his or her life.


Thanks,
Blondie

CH 3-4: Judging and Categorizing Others

CH 3-4: Is it possible to perceive others without in some way judging or categorizing them? If so, how? If not, how can we make the judgments we do make more fair?

I believe we make judgments on individuals everyday. We view others by both verbal and non-verbal symbols. For example, sometimes when I am driving I look at other people in theirs vehicles and try to guess what their life’s are like by what they drive, what they look like, their attitude behind the wheel, if their going home or out, etc. Most humans prefer to categorize people into groups to understand where everyone and everything fits in our society. And when something does not fit the culture pattern we look at that individual or object closer because it stands out. We may judge people and categorize them to gain a better understanding of what is similar and what is un-similar about the individual or object. There are some incidents when we do not even categorize the individual or object but we hear the opinion from other and make that opinion our own. Judging and categorizing may have its benefits, but this does not mean that every person or object will fit exactly into one category, but multiple categories at different times.

Have a blast this weekend!

Thanks,
Blondie