I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall when speaking to some of my friends or family, especially on the phone. When in a car with my boyfriend and his friend, I can start my sentences three times before I can finish my sentence. My conversations seem to run more smoothly with my roommates, who are all female, than with my boyfriend and his roommate, who are all male. According to the theorist, Kramarare, this problem occurs because women can are bilingual. The theorist also claims that the English language is a man's language because it will degrade women or included words like businessMAN or ActOR where the male language overpowers.
This theory was very powerful. As much as I enjoyed it because I do feel low and unappreciated sometimes for being a female, I believe there was too much pain against men in the theory as well. Women are making their way up in the world and are not as silent or powerless. Women are making a stand for themselves and speaking out against degrading actions, like sexual harassment. I feel as time goes on, males will become more of a muted group, but until then, I think this theory needs to be less hateful toward men.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Standpoint Theory
I am in a marginalized group for being a female. I find myself fortunate to be in a culture that value women more than in other cultures like the ones I read in my Gender and Communication book where they kill the female babies before or after birth. The poor, as well as gays and lesbians, make up the rest of the marginalized group. The marginalized group is given the title of having more objective standpoints. They see their views from different angles and ways then others who may observe the same situation, but let their views stand out. The marginalized group is less likely to care about their status and curiosity of power. Especially when I feel I'm right, I will make myself look silly until I prove my point. Sometimes the act will come back to me negatively, but in the end, I'm always proud of my points of view. Another major point to this theory The "Truth" allows everyone to see one point in their way, but not necessarily claiming one to be right and another wrong.
I believe it is good to see another one's point of view before frowning upon it or automatically finding themselves at a "I always win" attitude. This theory was interesting, and it's sad to see that there isn't a larger standpoint group. It's always interesting to hear different opinions, especially because with opinions, no one has to be a winner or loser. I find myself standing out with my opinions, and I'm glad I do. I hope other people learn from this theory and make themselves stand out, regardless of whom they may be.
I believe it is good to see another one's point of view before frowning upon it or automatically finding themselves at a "I always win" attitude. This theory was interesting, and it's sad to see that there isn't a larger standpoint group. It's always interesting to hear different opinions, especially because with opinions, no one has to be a winner or loser. I find myself standing out with my opinions, and I'm glad I do. I hope other people learn from this theory and make themselves stand out, regardless of whom they may be.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Genderlect Syles
I am klutzy and my friends tell me I should die my hair blond because it fits my personality. I always tell stories about my silly moments like when I followed the blue H signs thinking it would lead my to a highway, but it led me to the hospital. When I am a story teller, I like to tell foolish stories. I never realized that the type of stories I tell reflect my gender. When males tell stories, they like to tell stories where they are a hero. My boyfriend likes to hunt and he will rarely telling me about his day unless he shot something. When having a conversation with my boyfriend, I ask about his day, about work, who he was with, and several questions that relate to the others. I also ask questions and let him know when I'm listening, while I on the other hand have to repeat what I say until he is able to remember what I had said and rarely asks questions unless he is very concerned. These differences reflect the report that men use to talk and the rapport that women use to talk.
The more the theory went in depth, the more I continued to laugh because it was true. The only thing I did not agree with is that women see conflict as damage. I do not like to be mad at someone for long periods of time because I am afraid of the damage, but I also love the competition. This theory fascinates me which is why I am currently taking gender and communications. I love to hear the differences between men and women so this theory was very interesting.
The more the theory went in depth, the more I continued to laugh because it was true. The only thing I did not agree with is that women see conflict as damage. I do not like to be mad at someone for long periods of time because I am afraid of the damage, but I also love the competition. This theory fascinates me which is why I am currently taking gender and communications. I love to hear the differences between men and women so this theory was very interesting.
Face- Negotiation
When I introduce myself, I want people to think of me as kind and outgoing. I make sure I have a smile accross my face to help others make the connection. My face is how I want others to see me and using expressions for nonverbals to help others see that I can be a friendly person. Types of culture, tyle of self-construal, type of face maintenance strategies, and conflict management strategies help create a face for an individual.
I am part of an individualistic concert where I have indidual goals from other in my culture and my face is different from several others. My self-image is also independent because it is still different from others in my culture. My face maintenance strategy also revolves around my own face, unless I am in a relationship or part of a team, I try to make my face stand out and be unique. When there is conflict, I usually end up obliging or dominating. I like to bicker leaving myself under the dominating category, but during a real fight, I usually give in so that the anger may pass, leaving me under obliging.
This theory is also very complex. There seems to be several steps under several categories.
I am part of an individualistic concert where I have indidual goals from other in my culture and my face is different from several others. My self-image is also independent because it is still different from others in my culture. My face maintenance strategy also revolves around my own face, unless I am in a relationship or part of a team, I try to make my face stand out and be unique. When there is conflict, I usually end up obliging or dominating. I like to bicker leaving myself under the dominating category, but during a real fight, I usually give in so that the anger may pass, leaving me under obliging.
This theory is also very complex. There seems to be several steps under several categories.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Anxiety/Uncertainty Management
When meeting someone new, several questions may pop into my head: Who are they? Will they think I'm strange if I start talking to them? Will they acknowledge me? This feeling makes me nervous and anxious, but after we make it through the introductions, the feeling subsides. The anxiety/uncertainty management theory concentrates on the introductions of meeting someone new, especially with interactions between different cultures (a basic cause). There can also be superficial causes or the moderator level.
There are four levels of the moderator: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence. I always try to be conscious competence when speaking to someone new, but I usually find myself under conscious incompetence because I know I am doing something wrong and I have to find a way to fix the problem. During a culture meeting I had the first day of school, I felt nervous and anxious. One of their representatives from a student organization (which I was unaware of because it was the first day and I just wanted popcorn), I just agreed to several questions even though I had no clue what she was saying. The discomfort I felt lead into gifts and emails from the group during certain holidays, and I never had the courage to confess I did not belong in their group due to religion reasons. Although I was not trying to fix the problem, I was still under conscious incompetence.
Superficial causes covers several reactions to the meetings that cause anxiety and uncertainty. I agree with one of the axioms that related to connection with strangers. If I attracted to someone, I feel more anxious and uncertain which is the opposite of the axiom which states that the higher the attraction, the less uncertain someone should be.
There is a lot of information that goes into this theory. The superficial causes has several axioms that overwhelm the topic under the theory and I have a hard time taking it all in.
There are four levels of the moderator: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence. I always try to be conscious competence when speaking to someone new, but I usually find myself under conscious incompetence because I know I am doing something wrong and I have to find a way to fix the problem. During a culture meeting I had the first day of school, I felt nervous and anxious. One of their representatives from a student organization (which I was unaware of because it was the first day and I just wanted popcorn), I just agreed to several questions even though I had no clue what she was saying. The discomfort I felt lead into gifts and emails from the group during certain holidays, and I never had the courage to confess I did not belong in their group due to religion reasons. Although I was not trying to fix the problem, I was still under conscious incompetence.
Superficial causes covers several reactions to the meetings that cause anxiety and uncertainty. I agree with one of the axioms that related to connection with strangers. If I attracted to someone, I feel more anxious and uncertain which is the opposite of the axiom which states that the higher the attraction, the less uncertain someone should be.
There is a lot of information that goes into this theory. The superficial causes has several axioms that overwhelm the topic under the theory and I have a hard time taking it all in.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Spiral of Silence
In a crowd of people, a grotesque smell emerges. Instead of ignoring the odd smell, my family and friends like to point fingers. Occasionally there will be a brave soul to confess their smelly deed, but the rest of them like to keep their confessions to themselves. I can also admit to not taking responsibilities for my farts in a crowd, afraid of how others will react. As silly as it may be, myself, as well as others, not wanting to take responsibilities for their smells is an example of the spiral of silence. This occurs when someone thinks they are the minority and keeps their feelings to themselves.
Media also plays a major part in the spiral of silence letting the public know who is the minority. In the movie Shrek, Shrek is the obvious minority in the story. The story book creatures and the people who are under Lord Farquaad's rule are convinced all ogres are awful creatures when Princess Fiona is also a ogre after dark and men are fighting for her hand in marriage. Seeing that the king (media) lead everyone to believe ogres were ugly and terrible creatures, Princess Fiona did not want to admit she was an ogre because everyone would see her as ugly.
There are times when someone may be a minority, but have the confidence to speak out. This occurs when someone is very confident, start to believe their opinion is in the majority, or even wealthy and middle class people. There are also those who know they are the minority and flaunt it to let everyone else know.
I never like to admit when I am at fault or going to stand at in the crowd in a negative way. If my roommates yell for someone not putting a glass away, I never want to admit that I am the one at fault.
Media also plays a major part in the spiral of silence letting the public know who is the minority. In the movie Shrek, Shrek is the obvious minority in the story. The story book creatures and the people who are under Lord Farquaad's rule are convinced all ogres are awful creatures when Princess Fiona is also a ogre after dark and men are fighting for her hand in marriage. Seeing that the king (media) lead everyone to believe ogres were ugly and terrible creatures, Princess Fiona did not want to admit she was an ogre because everyone would see her as ugly.
There are times when someone may be a minority, but have the confidence to speak out. This occurs when someone is very confident, start to believe their opinion is in the majority, or even wealthy and middle class people. There are also those who know they are the minority and flaunt it to let everyone else know.
I never like to admit when I am at fault or going to stand at in the crowd in a negative way. If my roommates yell for someone not putting a glass away, I never want to admit that I am the one at fault.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Agenda Setting Theory
There are two levels that build the agenda setting theory.
The first level starts with the media defining opinions of the viewers. Today, the big news story was the tragic news of the Virginia Tech massacre. This news was devastating enough with the comments of just how bad this situation was, including being the worst school shooting and possibly the worst shooting to ever happen in the
The second level deals with framing. George W. Bush is classified as a male, son of former president Bush, a republican, former governor of
This theory seems too simple that it almost makes it difficult to really grasp. I felt like this theory revolved around politics and I am not into politics so I do not think I agreed with this theory as much as others. It also is a little boring than the previous theory and the media theories to come.
Cultivation Theory
Television has become an important part of every household, including mine. My house in
I try not to watch a lot of television, but I am one that needs to have it on all the time. Even though the T.V. will be on for noise, I end up watching every show that comes on, leaving me in the heavy viewer category according to Gerbner.
The "mean world syndrome" is expected from heavy television viewers. This term is defined as increasing fear of social environments when someone is a high television viewer. The mean world only affects me after I watch a scary movie or an unfamiliar show that turns out to be mysterious or scary. After these incidents, I find myself having a hard time sleeping or clenching my maze firmly in my hand while walking late at night. The majority of my constant television shows are chick-flick shows or Disney. This leads me to have a less violent behavior and not allowing the "mean world syndrome" take over my life.
Mainstreaming and resonance can also affect heavy viewers’ thoughts after watching television. When I watch shows with houses catching on fire, I feel very uncomfortable. This comfort decreases further when I see fire trucks or see something on fire, other than a candle. I lost my grandfather in a fire and my dorm caught on fire over a year ago makes my fear of fire increase. I probably would not have been affected by fire on television, but experiencing fire first hard makes ignoring my fear difficult. Resonance enforces my fear by affecting heavy viewers who increase fears from being part of a similar situation. Mainstreaming creates a trend of how they expect specific people (such as business owners or teachers) to be presented.
I enjoyed this theory and even though I was confused with mainstreaming. I also agree with high television viewers being impacted by the shows they watch, but only to a degree, then I disagree with sections as well. I am affected by walking alone at night after watching television, but I am not involved in violence, I do not expect cops to be around when needed, and I also do not judge people (or trust) people based on television. This leads me to believe that this theory needs more work, or an adjustment with the type of shows each individual watches.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Dramatism
Most people have heard about someone who is a "Drama Queen" or "The high school called and they want their drama back, " but the communication theory on drama is just a little different. There are three parts to this theory which include identification, dramatistic pentad, and the guilt-redemption cycle.
There are five parts to the identification part of the dramatism theory. These five elements are act, scene, agent, agency, and the purpose. The movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days applies all five elements. The scene is New York City, Ben's family's home on Statton Island, Composure magazine office, Andie's apartment, Ben's apartment, Ben's office, the Knicks basketball games, a night club, and several other places throughout the movie. There is no official month, year, or season for the scene, otherwise these factors would be included in the scene element. There are a few acts in this movie as well. Andie is writing a magazine article and is looking for a guy that will dump her in ten days while Ben makes a bet with two women in his company that he can make any woman fall in love with him before their big diamond ball (which also happens to be in ten days). The two woman choose Andie, knowing very well that she is writing the article, in order to have Ben lose the bet. Andie and Ben are the main agents in the movie. They are the ones committing the act, as well as the two woman that are involved in the bet with Ben. The purpose is the final element and can be identified as creating a eventful and exciting movie for the audience.
The dramatistic pentad is applying the factors of identification and the guilt redemption cycle is bringing out the guilt instead of the elements of identification.
There are five parts to the identification part of the dramatism theory. These five elements are act, scene, agent, agency, and the purpose. The movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days applies all five elements. The scene is New York City, Ben's family's home on Statton Island, Composure magazine office, Andie's apartment, Ben's apartment, Ben's office, the Knicks basketball games, a night club, and several other places throughout the movie. There is no official month, year, or season for the scene, otherwise these factors would be included in the scene element. There are a few acts in this movie as well. Andie is writing a magazine article and is looking for a guy that will dump her in ten days while Ben makes a bet with two women in his company that he can make any woman fall in love with him before their big diamond ball (which also happens to be in ten days). The two woman choose Andie, knowing very well that she is writing the article, in order to have Ben lose the bet. Andie and Ben are the main agents in the movie. They are the ones committing the act, as well as the two woman that are involved in the bet with Ben. The purpose is the final element and can be identified as creating a eventful and exciting movie for the audience.
The dramatistic pentad is applying the factors of identification and the guilt redemption cycle is bringing out the guilt instead of the elements of identification.
Cultural Approach to Organization
The cultural approach to organization begins with ethnography.
Ethnography is also broken down into several parts including metaphors, stories (corporate, personal, and collegial), and rituals. Metaphors includes "I'm heartbroken" (the person is hurt, but their heart is not actually broken) or the expression "America is a melting spot" (America is not a pot with melting substances, but a mix of different people in one place). When I worked at a Dairy Queen for three years, there were several holidays that had special rituals. On July 3rd, our town has a fireworks show and while we were stuck at work, we would be prepared at the drive-thru for the massive amount of cars to come for ice cream. Even though we were normally only opened until 11p.m., we always prepared to stay until around midnight. On the Fourth of July, we were allowed to dress up in red, white, and blue instead of our uniforms. New Years Eve during the day, we had a half-off sale on everything in the store, so all the employees were prepared for the crowds. These rituals happened everyday. Finally, there are stories. In the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Andie is part of a writer for the magazine Composure. Andie takes story ideas that can really interfere into people's lives (like the editor suggesting Andie's friend write about her love life) and came up with an idea to protect her friend and help her own "How to..." section of the magazine. This example shows the corporate story. A personal story in the movie would be the editor bragging about Andie's section of the magazine. A collegial story would be when the editor tells Andie she can finally write about whatever she wants, but it can not have anything to do with politics and has to deal with more of a fashion feel. A scholar put ethnography to the test with the Major League Baseball. The final step of ethnography is finding someone who can enforce the ethnography.
Ethnography is also broken down into several parts including metaphors, stories (corporate, personal, and collegial), and rituals. Metaphors includes "I'm heartbroken" (the person is hurt, but their heart is not actually broken) or the expression "America is a melting spot" (America is not a pot with melting substances, but a mix of different people in one place). When I worked at a Dairy Queen for three years, there were several holidays that had special rituals. On July 3rd, our town has a fireworks show and while we were stuck at work, we would be prepared at the drive-thru for the massive amount of cars to come for ice cream. Even though we were normally only opened until 11p.m., we always prepared to stay until around midnight. On the Fourth of July, we were allowed to dress up in red, white, and blue instead of our uniforms. New Years Eve during the day, we had a half-off sale on everything in the store, so all the employees were prepared for the crowds. These rituals happened everyday. Finally, there are stories. In the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Andie is part of a writer for the magazine Composure. Andie takes story ideas that can really interfere into people's lives (like the editor suggesting Andie's friend write about her love life) and came up with an idea to protect her friend and help her own "How to..." section of the magazine. This example shows the corporate story. A personal story in the movie would be the editor bragging about Andie's section of the magazine. A collegial story would be when the editor tells Andie she can finally write about whatever she wants, but it can not have anything to do with politics and has to deal with more of a fashion feel. A scholar put ethnography to the test with the Major League Baseball. The final step of ethnography is finding someone who can enforce the ethnography.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Adaptive Structuration Theory
Rules are something we follow everyday, but rules and resources are also part of a Communication Theory.
The sport of basketball has rules and resources which is part of the structure. Each member of the team has a resource that they contribute. On the Cavaliers team in
The appropriation deals with following the rules and resources. Faithful appropriation reminds me of my middle school basketball city league team. We did not have specific positions like the National Basketball Association, but everyone had a resource to contribute. We also followed the rules and had referees for our games to insure the rules were being followed. Ironic appropriation is when rules and resources are not going the way they are supposed to. An example of ironic appropriation would be when someone crumbles up a piece of paper and tosses it into the trash. There are no specific basketball rules being followed and the resources by the person tossing the paper away are not an issue.
The final part of the theory is production and reproduction. Reproduction can be found in a local gym where members are playing basketball. The players will often make comment when a player has double-dribbled or has made a foul on another player. The players are reinforcing the rules and following the standard rules for basketball. Production is when someone takes a rule or resource and makes it their own. If someone is a great shooter, they might have a chance of being a small forward, but they can also use the shooting to their advantage when playing the game “P-I-G.” The player is using their resource in a game to beat the other players before spelling the word pig in a production of the game.
Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making
We put ourselves into groups last week for my Communication Theory class to create a commercial as well as learn about the four functions of the Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making Theory.
The first thing we did was analyze the problem. We stated the problem was thinking of a new reality television show and trying to avoid reality shows that had been done before. We had 25 minutes to come up with an idea and form a commercial to demonstrate to the rest of the class.
We then formed a goal (the second function for this theory) of coming up with an original television show along with an exciting commercial.
After we found our goal, we needed to form alternatives which meant brainstorming (the third function of the theory). We came up with two ideas. I suggested an idea to have a television series with the real drama behind dorm life. Many television shows have documented high school life on the beach as well as roommates living together, but I've never seen a show with college students. I shared with the group that my dorm was very small freshman year and everyone knew everyone as well as every one's secrets. The second idea was made by another girl in the group who suggested to do a "behind the scenes" show on the reality television shows to see if the shows were real or directed. With this series, a new reality show would be observed every week. A third member came up with another idea, but it was a little too out there that we decided it would be too much and may not attract as many viewers (a wild idea).
Going back to our original two ideas, we had to make our final decision. A group member stated that she liked my idea, but because there had been several similar shows, that it may not be the best idea. She also said that even though we found find dorm life interesting, being college students, that other viewers may not. I backed up the fact that teenagers are the targeted area for Laguna Beach and Real World, but agreed that the other idea was more original. This part of our group assignment showed the members of the group promoting positive criticism after combining every one's ideas.
We then continued brain storming for the commercial. Everyone had at least one line and a part in the commercial. We also pointed out positive and negative characteristics about the commercial. One girl commented she had only three words so we volunteered all of the other four positions to her. The narrator of the scene wrote out a script while the director and film director decided their lines while the other pretend actress and I decided how we were going to preform. Each little group shared their parts with the rest of the group and we were able to share our ideas as well as some ideas. This was the final step of the theory.
Through this project, we were able to be promote (a role of communication in the theory) by coming up with ideas and a script for the presentation. However, there were times that were disruptive and we spent too much time talking about our favorite reality shows. Although this had a little to do with the project, it was not helping with coming up for a new show idea or a commercial. When we got off track, someone would always say, "Let's run through the commercial again," for the counteractive role.
I agree with this theory. When in a group assignment, I found myself following all of the functions of the theory, but not in the same order. According to Hirokawa and Gouran, the order is not necessary so I agree with this theory. It's interesting how every day life is created into a theory.
The first thing we did was analyze the problem. We stated the problem was thinking of a new reality television show and trying to avoid reality shows that had been done before. We had 25 minutes to come up with an idea and form a commercial to demonstrate to the rest of the class.
We then formed a goal (the second function for this theory) of coming up with an original television show along with an exciting commercial.
After we found our goal, we needed to form alternatives which meant brainstorming (the third function of the theory). We came up with two ideas. I suggested an idea to have a television series with the real drama behind dorm life. Many television shows have documented high school life on the beach as well as roommates living together, but I've never seen a show with college students. I shared with the group that my dorm was very small freshman year and everyone knew everyone as well as every one's secrets. The second idea was made by another girl in the group who suggested to do a "behind the scenes" show on the reality television shows to see if the shows were real or directed. With this series, a new reality show would be observed every week. A third member came up with another idea, but it was a little too out there that we decided it would be too much and may not attract as many viewers (a wild idea).
Going back to our original two ideas, we had to make our final decision. A group member stated that she liked my idea, but because there had been several similar shows, that it may not be the best idea. She also said that even though we found find dorm life interesting, being college students, that other viewers may not. I backed up the fact that teenagers are the targeted area for Laguna Beach and Real World, but agreed that the other idea was more original. This part of our group assignment showed the members of the group promoting positive criticism after combining every one's ideas.
We then continued brain storming for the commercial. Everyone had at least one line and a part in the commercial. We also pointed out positive and negative characteristics about the commercial. One girl commented she had only three words so we volunteered all of the other four positions to her. The narrator of the scene wrote out a script while the director and film director decided their lines while the other pretend actress and I decided how we were going to preform. Each little group shared their parts with the rest of the group and we were able to share our ideas as well as some ideas. This was the final step of the theory.
Through this project, we were able to be promote (a role of communication in the theory) by coming up with ideas and a script for the presentation. However, there were times that were disruptive and we spent too much time talking about our favorite reality shows. Although this had a little to do with the project, it was not helping with coming up for a new show idea or a commercial. When we got off track, someone would always say, "Let's run through the commercial again," for the counteractive role.
I agree with this theory. When in a group assignment, I found myself following all of the functions of the theory, but not in the same order. According to Hirokawa and Gouran, the order is not necessary so I agree with this theory. It's interesting how every day life is created into a theory.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
There was a commercial on the radio a little while ago where a daughter approached her mom asking if she liked the new shirt she just purchased. The mom responds with that the shirt is the prettiest thing she had ever seen then continued to ask how much the shirt cost. When the daughter told her mother the shirt cost 56 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers, the mom responds with "56 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers?! That is the ugliest shirt I've ever seen!" The daughter questioned the mother and said she had just said it was the cutest shirt in the world. The mother ended the commercial with commenting that she thought the shirt was cute before she realized the shirt was worth 56 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers.
This Wendy's radio commercial is an example of the cognitive dissonance theory. The mother thought the shirt was beautiful and then changed her mind when she realized how much the shirt cost. Her actions and beliefs did not match and this specific answer can be considered part of the post decision dissonance (buyer's remorse).
If there is a small reward for the behavior then the belief may change as well as the small amount of contact reduces the amount of dissonance are two of the other hypotheses of the theory.
I really do not agree with the majority of this theory. If a behavior does not match the attitude expected, that does not mean there is a dissonance. This theory is very interesting, but needs to be investigated further!
Elaboration Likelihood Model
There are two types of persuasion: Central Route (elaboration) and the Peripheral Route.
The central route deals specifically with elaboration. First of all, there is either a personal relevance or a need for cognition. When I approach a store and there is a group of Girl Scouts selling cookies, I feel obligated to buy atleast one box from the troop. I was a girl scout and I remember how difficult it is to sell cookies in order to receive exciting prizes. This is an example of relevance because I know how important cookie selling is to Girl Scouts. Someone who needs cognition may be someone like my Logic professor. He gets really excited about equations and shares that once you know how to do one, they are pretty easy.
When I think of a peripheral route, the show Deal or No Deal comes to mind. While the viewers are getting involved with the contestants winnings, they also have a chance to win money. The viewers can pick one of six cases to see which case has $10,000 by sending in text messages or submitting up to ten guesses for a case online. This is a tangible award that someone watching the show can obtain. Source creditablity may also come into play for the viewers. They look and see six beautiful women with six brief cases and may lose their train of thought for why these six women are on television.
I believe that someone takes one or the other route for different situations and not the same route for every situation. I am intrigued by ads online, commericals on the radio, and even the infomercials on television which means I am following the peripheral route, but I also follow the central route where something needs to relate to me to increase my motivation. I hope this theory is continued to be investigated to see if all people fall under one of another or if these are the only two routes that can be taken for motivation.
The central route deals specifically with elaboration. First of all, there is either a personal relevance or a need for cognition. When I approach a store and there is a group of Girl Scouts selling cookies, I feel obligated to buy atleast one box from the troop. I was a girl scout and I remember how difficult it is to sell cookies in order to receive exciting prizes. This is an example of relevance because I know how important cookie selling is to Girl Scouts. Someone who needs cognition may be someone like my Logic professor. He gets really excited about equations and shares that once you know how to do one, they are pretty easy.
When I think of a peripheral route, the show Deal or No Deal comes to mind. While the viewers are getting involved with the contestants winnings, they also have a chance to win money. The viewers can pick one of six cases to see which case has $10,000 by sending in text messages or submitting up to ten guesses for a case online. This is a tangible award that someone watching the show can obtain. Source creditablity may also come into play for the viewers. They look and see six beautiful women with six brief cases and may lose their train of thought for why these six women are on television.
I believe that someone takes one or the other route for different situations and not the same route for every situation. I am intrigued by ads online, commericals on the radio, and even the infomercials on television which means I am following the peripheral route, but I also follow the central route where something needs to relate to me to increase my motivation. I hope this theory is continued to be investigated to see if all people fall under one of another or if these are the only two routes that can be taken for motivation.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Constructivism
Constructivism is broken down into four parts. Cognitive Complexity, Sophisticated Communication, Person-Centered Messages, and Beneficial Outcomes.
Cognitive Complexity is when a group of people can only be classified into two groups. This category includes classifications such as good people or bad people, old people or young, and rich people or poor. In the Musical, West Side Story, there are two types of groups. These groups consist of The Jets who I think of as classic jocks. The Sharks are the second group and they are are from Puerto Rico looking for new life in America. There are a few neutrals in the movie, but for the most part, everyone makes up the Sharks or the Jets.
Sophisticated Communication takes goals and plans them out before putting them into action. In the movie Mean Girls, Cady and her two friends, Janis and Damian, decide they want to have revenge against Regina. They come up with a plan to destroy her body, separate her from the rest of "The Plastics," and make her boyfriend break up with her. They come up with several ideas before putting them into action, but the first ideas failed and just made Regina more popular. After they had come up with the key plan, they put the plan into action for revenge against Regina.
People who are able to expect another's view on a message and are able to adapt to the messages understand Person-Centered Messages. Most therapists and psychologists need to be able to know Person-Centered Messages. However, in most movies, they show psychologists who are unable to understand person-centered messages. In the movie, The Sixth Sense, Dr. Malcolm Crowe is a psychologist who tries to understand Cole's claim to "see dead people." He could not make the correct Person-Centered Messages to help him adapt to his "sixth sense."
Beneficial Outcomes include using useful types of messages (comforting and persuasive), organized effectively, and being able to fix relationships. In the movie, The Wedding Planner, Mary helps brides shake their cold feet before the ceremony. She will tell the brides about how much their husband-to-be is happy to have his new bride and how members of the family are jealous of certain characteristics, making the bride more comfortable to continue. Together with her partner, Peggy, she is able to organize phenomenal weddings and receptions for any kinds of brides and grooms. When couples have a falling out before the marriage, she is able to bring them together and point out their strong points (even if she really wishes that the couple would not stay together).
This theory was very fascinating to me. I am curious the amount of people who fall under different categories and think there should be an experiment to reveal how certain people go through their life and if they experience any of the Constructivism categories.
Cognitive Complexity is when a group of people can only be classified into two groups. This category includes classifications such as good people or bad people, old people or young, and rich people or poor. In the Musical, West Side Story, there are two types of groups. These groups consist of The Jets who I think of as classic jocks. The Sharks are the second group and they are are from Puerto Rico looking for new life in America. There are a few neutrals in the movie, but for the most part, everyone makes up the Sharks or the Jets.
Sophisticated Communication takes goals and plans them out before putting them into action. In the movie Mean Girls, Cady and her two friends, Janis and Damian, decide they want to have revenge against Regina. They come up with a plan to destroy her body, separate her from the rest of "The Plastics," and make her boyfriend break up with her. They come up with several ideas before putting them into action, but the first ideas failed and just made Regina more popular. After they had come up with the key plan, they put the plan into action for revenge against Regina.
People who are able to expect another's view on a message and are able to adapt to the messages understand Person-Centered Messages. Most therapists and psychologists need to be able to know Person-Centered Messages. However, in most movies, they show psychologists who are unable to understand person-centered messages. In the movie, The Sixth Sense, Dr. Malcolm Crowe is a psychologist who tries to understand Cole's claim to "see dead people." He could not make the correct Person-Centered Messages to help him adapt to his "sixth sense."
Beneficial Outcomes include using useful types of messages (comforting and persuasive), organized effectively, and being able to fix relationships. In the movie, The Wedding Planner, Mary helps brides shake their cold feet before the ceremony. She will tell the brides about how much their husband-to-be is happy to have his new bride and how members of the family are jealous of certain characteristics, making the bride more comfortable to continue. Together with her partner, Peggy, she is able to organize phenomenal weddings and receptions for any kinds of brides and grooms. When couples have a falling out before the marriage, she is able to bring them together and point out their strong points (even if she really wishes that the couple would not stay together).
This theory was very fascinating to me. I am curious the amount of people who fall under different categories and think there should be an experiment to reveal how certain people go through their life and if they experience any of the Constructivism categories.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Relational Dialectics
A Dialectic are contradictions that relationships face and continuously sway between the two. There are three types of Dialectics: Integration and Separation, Stability and Change, and Expression and Nonexpression.
Integration and Separation is the first Relationship Dialectic. In the movie, The Notebook, Noah and Allie experience internal and external characteristic of Integration and Separation. Internally they seek separation because they fought constantly, and after the summer was over, they wanted to be apart, but really, they wanted to stay together. Even through all the fighting and Allie's family's disagreement, they felt complete when they were together (correctedness). They had times when they wanted to be together and share secrets with each other, while their were times they wanted to spend times with their friends Finn and Sarah, or with Noah's family. Allie wanted to spend time with her family as well, but her family made them feel out of place, which is part of Stability and Change.
In the show, Gilmore Girls, Rory goes to college and is separated from her boyfriend Dean (during the second year of college). She tries to keep up in her studies while he tries to make as much time as possible to see her. Rory had certainty that their relationship would be fine (even after their affair while Dean was still married). Dean on the other hand, questioned their relationship (uncertainty) through the distance, his failed marriage, and his trust being shattered by Rory before. The uncertainty and certainty displays the couple's internal relationship under stability and change. The couple also faces external qualities like conventionality and uniqueness. Together in Starshollow, the small town in Connecticut where the majority of the show takes place, their relationship is usually accepted (conventionality). However, with the ex-wife and her family around, they are also faced with being unique and not as accepted (uniqueness). They also faced Rory's grandparents who did not approve of Dean and chose to introduce Rory to "acceptable" young men, and not follow in her mother's (Loralie) footsteps. Rory's relationship to dean and Loralie's life in general, including having Rory at a young age, is seen as unique externally.
Expression and Nonexpression is the final dialectic. Monica and Chandler (from the television series Friends) start their relationship as a secret. The external part of this dialectic includes concealment. Monica and Chandler spend the first part of the relationship keeping their relationship from the other friends, afraid of how their friends would react. As time went on, Joey discovered their secret, as Monica and Chandler disclosed to Joey the whole story, asking him to continue to keep a secret (the beginning of the Revelation). Not very long after, the rest of the group discovers their secret and they reveal they are in love, and the relationship is not just a fling. They internally learn about being opened and closed in the relationship. They tried to make each other jealous, leading into a fight. When Monica and Chandler worked out their fight, Chandler assumed they were going to break up, as he had in previous relationships. Monica shared that all couples lied and that they were officially in a relationship, leaving several feelings and thoughts that were closed, to opened.
I agree with this theory. I think most couples fall under at least one of the dialectics, but there are some relationships that are more familiar with all the dialectics and each internal and external detail.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Integration and Separation is the first Relationship Dialectic. In the movie, The Notebook, Noah and Allie experience internal and external characteristic of Integration and Separation. Internally they seek separation because they fought constantly, and after the summer was over, they wanted to be apart, but really, they wanted to stay together. Even through all the fighting and Allie's family's disagreement, they felt complete when they were together (correctedness). They had times when they wanted to be together and share secrets with each other, while their were times they wanted to spend times with their friends Finn and Sarah, or with Noah's family. Allie wanted to spend time with her family as well, but her family made them feel out of place, which is part of Stability and Change.
In the show, Gilmore Girls, Rory goes to college and is separated from her boyfriend Dean (during the second year of college). She tries to keep up in her studies while he tries to make as much time as possible to see her. Rory had certainty that their relationship would be fine (even after their affair while Dean was still married). Dean on the other hand, questioned their relationship (uncertainty) through the distance, his failed marriage, and his trust being shattered by Rory before. The uncertainty and certainty displays the couple's internal relationship under stability and change. The couple also faces external qualities like conventionality and uniqueness. Together in Starshollow, the small town in Connecticut where the majority of the show takes place, their relationship is usually accepted (conventionality). However, with the ex-wife and her family around, they are also faced with being unique and not as accepted (uniqueness). They also faced Rory's grandparents who did not approve of Dean and chose to introduce Rory to "acceptable" young men, and not follow in her mother's (Loralie) footsteps. Rory's relationship to dean and Loralie's life in general, including having Rory at a young age, is seen as unique externally.
Expression and Nonexpression is the final dialectic. Monica and Chandler (from the television series Friends) start their relationship as a secret. The external part of this dialectic includes concealment. Monica and Chandler spend the first part of the relationship keeping their relationship from the other friends, afraid of how their friends would react. As time went on, Joey discovered their secret, as Monica and Chandler disclosed to Joey the whole story, asking him to continue to keep a secret (the beginning of the Revelation). Not very long after, the rest of the group discovers their secret and they reveal they are in love, and the relationship is not just a fling. They internally learn about being opened and closed in the relationship. They tried to make each other jealous, leading into a fight. When Monica and Chandler worked out their fight, Chandler assumed they were going to break up, as he had in previous relationships. Monica shared that all couples lied and that they were officially in a relationship, leaving several feelings and thoughts that were closed, to opened.
I agree with this theory. I think most couples fall under at least one of the dialectics, but there are some relationships that are more familiar with all the dialectics and each internal and external detail.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Social Information Processing Theory
Continuing through the Information Age, the internet is becoming more dependable, even when finding relationships. Although the relationship can work, the time it takes from the relationship to develop is said to be four times longer than if the relationship was in person. The relationship also lacks nonverbal cues, with emoticons being one of the few exceptions. Walther also states that relationships online are even more intimate. Self-fulfilling prophecy (if you expect someone to act or respond a certain way) may also come into play during online relationships.
I have had an online relationship. It was really hard to have conversations on AOL instant messenger without him knowing my personality with my sarcasm and teasing. I was also able to disclose more information than I would in person to a complete stranger, probably because I did not believe anything would happen. He would say very nice things and make me smile, without ever knowing, and so I expected him to be a gentleman. When I finally met him, that's how I expected him to be, a gentleman, and he was.
I agree with this theory. I also think meeting people online is a little scary, but it can also be a great feeling.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
I have had an online relationship. It was really hard to have conversations on AOL instant messenger without him knowing my personality with my sarcasm and teasing. I was also able to disclose more information than I would in person to a complete stranger, probably because I did not believe anything would happen. He would say very nice things and make me smile, without ever knowing, and so I expected him to be a gentleman. When I finally met him, that's how I expected him to be, a gentleman, and he was.
I agree with this theory. I also think meeting people online is a little scary, but it can also be a great feeling.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
When first meeting someone new, there is an amount of uncertainty. Berger and Calbrese came up with several axioms to explain the situation and how the level of uncertainty will either increase or decrease.
When I first met my roommate freshman year of college, the more we talked about our lives and exchanging information, my uncertainty level went down (Axiom 1). I agree and disagree with Axiom 1. For the most part, you become more comfortable after talking to someone, but if this stranger is disclosing strange or scary information, the uncertainty level may increase instead of decrease.
Along with verbal communication, nonverbal communication can be just as helpful. When my roommate started displaying pictures and revealing things about herself, without speaking, I became more comfortable (Axiom 2). Axiom 2 states that the more nonverbal communication, the uncertainty level decreases. I agree with this Axiom as well, but I think it also depends on the situation. If someone you just met is giving you a strange look, you may feel less comfortable.
When forced to do a group assignment with a bunch of strangers, I decided to Facebook them to find out a little more about them. One guy posted that he was looking for random play and so forth, when he had a girlfriend. He also had a random, inappropriate picture displayed. I became uncomfortable around him in our group (Axiom 3). When try to find more information on an individual, your uncertainty level is high. I agree, but after seeking info, I think the uncertainty level can also decrease.
Axiom 4 claims that if you are unsure about a stranger, the level of information provided is low.
Axiom 5 claims that the more you feel uncertain about someone, the more you'll repeat. So if someone says "I'm an education major" you may reply with "I'm a communications major" and share my side for each answer they disclose.
When I see someone around campus with a "Medina" shirt on, I get excited because that's where I'm from too. I can easily strike up a conversation with someone in a Medina shirt. If I talk to any stranger and realize we have similarities, I feel more comfortable in the situation. I couldn't find any problems with Axiom 6, believing entirely that if you have similarities, you feel more comfortable in a situation.
Axiom 7 claims that if you uncertain about a new person, you like the person less.
During a class, a girl stated she was in a co-ed fraternity, and I realized that was same fraternity my two roommates are involved in, so I was able to talk to her and see if she knew my roommates. Axiom 8 is the comfort when you realize you have people in common or possibly the same career.
I agree with mostly all the Axioms, with a few acceptions to each.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
When I first met my roommate freshman year of college, the more we talked about our lives and exchanging information, my uncertainty level went down (Axiom 1). I agree and disagree with Axiom 1. For the most part, you become more comfortable after talking to someone, but if this stranger is disclosing strange or scary information, the uncertainty level may increase instead of decrease.
Along with verbal communication, nonverbal communication can be just as helpful. When my roommate started displaying pictures and revealing things about herself, without speaking, I became more comfortable (Axiom 2). Axiom 2 states that the more nonverbal communication, the uncertainty level decreases. I agree with this Axiom as well, but I think it also depends on the situation. If someone you just met is giving you a strange look, you may feel less comfortable.
When forced to do a group assignment with a bunch of strangers, I decided to Facebook them to find out a little more about them. One guy posted that he was looking for random play and so forth, when he had a girlfriend. He also had a random, inappropriate picture displayed. I became uncomfortable around him in our group (Axiom 3). When try to find more information on an individual, your uncertainty level is high. I agree, but after seeking info, I think the uncertainty level can also decrease.
Axiom 4 claims that if you are unsure about a stranger, the level of information provided is low.
Axiom 5 claims that the more you feel uncertain about someone, the more you'll repeat. So if someone says "I'm an education major" you may reply with "I'm a communications major" and share my side for each answer they disclose.
When I see someone around campus with a "Medina" shirt on, I get excited because that's where I'm from too. I can easily strike up a conversation with someone in a Medina shirt. If I talk to any stranger and realize we have similarities, I feel more comfortable in the situation. I couldn't find any problems with Axiom 6, believing entirely that if you have similarities, you feel more comfortable in a situation.
Axiom 7 claims that if you uncertain about a new person, you like the person less.
During a class, a girl stated she was in a co-ed fraternity, and I realized that was same fraternity my two roommates are involved in, so I was able to talk to her and see if she knew my roommates. Axiom 8 is the comfort when you realize you have people in common or possibly the same career.
I agree with mostly all the Axioms, with a few acceptions to each.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Social Penetration Theory
When I first met my roommate freshman year of college, she could tell right away that I was short and had brown hair. As time went on that day, I was able to share basic information about my family members, my boyfriend, and my hopeful major. After living together for about a month, my roommate knew more than just the basic information about my family, love life, school, and other personal facts. Two years lady, I still have the same roommate and we have touched on every subject, including politics and religion, even though the information is pretty basic. Other topics, however, she knows almost anything there is to know and the extent of stories can grow each day as an event occurs. I feel I can trust her and that I don't have to worry about how much I self-disclose to her.
Layers of an onion compared to the personality is how Altman and Taylor describe the "Social Penetration Theory." A personality is broken into different categories and each has a depth that may be shared as information is shared with another individual. This is referred to as "Breadth and Depth," (Griffin, 2006). There are also positive and negative effects from self-disclosing information to another.
When I first met my roommate, she only learned basic facts from a variety of categories, but in the last 2 years, she has heard several stories that relate with each topic. Self-disclosing to her has a positive effect. I know I can trust her because no one else has ever repeated my information I have shared with only her, and if there is a problem that occurs, I can relate back to another situation that I have shared with her before.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Layers of an onion compared to the personality is how Altman and Taylor describe the "Social Penetration Theory." A personality is broken into different categories and each has a depth that may be shared as information is shared with another individual. This is referred to as "Breadth and Depth," (Griffin, 2006). There are also positive and negative effects from self-disclosing information to another.
When I first met my roommate, she only learned basic facts from a variety of categories, but in the last 2 years, she has heard several stories that relate with each topic. Self-disclosing to her has a positive effect. I know I can trust her because no one else has ever repeated my information I have shared with only her, and if there is a problem that occurs, I can relate back to another situation that I have shared with her before.
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Expectancy Violation Theory
The day after Christmas is a popular day for Americans to shop, especially at the mall. Working at Deb on December 26, I went to speak to a manager in the front half of the store when she started to speak to me about elbow room. The mass of people passing through the rows of clothes and crowding around the area my manager was working, made her feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. She expected that any customer than came that close to her, had a question. This lead to a negative attribute with an uneasy feeling.
Burgoon's "Expectancy Violation Theory" breaks down to how someone expects how another should act in the situation, the context of the conversation, as well as the relationship the individuals share. If an incident breaks the boundaries of expectations, there will either be a positive or negative attribution or rewards or punishments.
My manager expected customers to act one way and there was a different reality leading to a negative attribution following the "Expectancy Violation Theory"
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Burgoon's "Expectancy Violation Theory" breaks down to how someone expects how another should act in the situation, the context of the conversation, as well as the relationship the individuals share. If an incident breaks the boundaries of expectations, there will either be a positive or negative attribution or rewards or punishments.
My manager expected customers to act one way and there was a different reality leading to a negative attribution following the "Expectancy Violation Theory"
References:
Griffin, E. (2006). A first look at communication theory (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
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