Personal Space
Personal Space stood out to me because it is a funny concept yet one that holds true. Personal space is what makes people comfortable or uncomfortable in certain situations. One instance is in elevators. It is always very amusing to see how uncomfortable many people seem to get when they are all smooshed into one small confined place such as an elevator.
Another instance that came to my mind was the gender roles with personal space. Has anyone ever noticed when taking pictures of guys and their friends you have to tell them to get closer and act like they know each other? Haha This has happened many times in my life and it cracks me up every time. It is just funny how girls huddle together as close as possible but guys seem to stand very far away, until pushed together. This is another reference of gender roles with language.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Perception
1.) 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 feel as though it is not possible to perceive others without, in some way, judging or categorizing them. Now, just because I do not think it is possible does not mean that I particularly like the idea of it, I just feel as though it is not possible. In our society we have stereotypes and generalizations, as unfair as it may seem it is something our society builds upon. I am not saying that everyone necessarily does, but our society as a whole does. One example of our society building upon our stereotypes and generalizations is with comedy through comedians, and TV shows such as Family Guy or the Simpsons. It has become acceptable to play with the stereotypes and poke at them for our enjoyment but us poking fun at it and continuing to show it helps us keep the stereotypes around.
I liked at the beginning of chapter 3 it where it stated, “when we listen, we are not passive receivers but active creators of meaning (p. 45).” This was very compelling to me and it rings true. When we are listening, even if it is just through our eyes when we first meet someone we are creating a meaning. For example when we first see someone we may create a meaning for their appearance and this in turn can start our judgment and categorizing.
In order to make judgments and categorizing more fair I think we need to be able to keep our minds open. We may perceive someone one way but if we are open minded our perceptions are able to change and our judgments or categorizing may fade. It is hard not to judge someone when you first meet but it is easy to change those judgments once you get to truly know a person. I cannot tell you how many of my closest friends are people I once judged as being bithcy and completely opposite of who they really are.
I feel as though it is not possible to perceive others without, in some way, judging or categorizing them. Now, just because I do not think it is possible does not mean that I particularly like the idea of it, I just feel as though it is not possible. In our society we have stereotypes and generalizations, as unfair as it may seem it is something our society builds upon. I am not saying that everyone necessarily does, but our society as a whole does. One example of our society building upon our stereotypes and generalizations is with comedy through comedians, and TV shows such as Family Guy or the Simpsons. It has become acceptable to play with the stereotypes and poke at them for our enjoyment but us poking fun at it and continuing to show it helps us keep the stereotypes around.
I liked at the beginning of chapter 3 it where it stated, “when we listen, we are not passive receivers but active creators of meaning (p. 45).” This was very compelling to me and it rings true. When we are listening, even if it is just through our eyes when we first meet someone we are creating a meaning. For example when we first see someone we may create a meaning for their appearance and this in turn can start our judgment and categorizing.
In order to make judgments and categorizing more fair I think we need to be able to keep our minds open. We may perceive someone one way but if we are open minded our perceptions are able to change and our judgments or categorizing may fade. It is hard not to judge someone when you first meet but it is easy to change those judgments once you get to truly know a person. I cannot tell you how many of my closest friends are people I once judged as being bithcy and completely opposite of who they really are.
Gender Language
2). Do you agree that men and women use language differently? In what areas? Use specific examples.
Even before this class, and reading chapter 4, I had thought about the languages of men and women and how they are different. I do agree that men and women use language differently. I feel that men and women’s use of language differs in ways such as delivery and meaning as well as use in general. One example of a difference in the delivery and meaning of language would be the use of the word bitch. Some men seem to use the word as just another version of women, for instance talking about the bitches they met, whereas women seem to see the word bitch as a derogatory term.
Just as the book discussed in chapter 4, the use of language is used differently with men and women. When the book discussed Maria asking Tom a lot of questions when he came home from work, it rang a bell for me. I don’t necessarily bombard my boyfriend with 21 questions all the time but I do definitely ask him a lot of questions that he seems to think are pointless and are things he didn’t pay attention to. Also, when I do talk to my boyfriend about things going on at his work I seem to ask more personal questions on how some of his buddies are doing and a lot of his answers seem to be short and to the point, such as “he’s fine.” I get a feeling that at work when he talks with his friends they mostly joke around whereas women, myself included, seem to enjoy “gossiping.” I feel as though my friends and I enjoy discussing things in more detail than my boyfriend and his friends. It is just a different use of conversations.
Even before this class, and reading chapter 4, I had thought about the languages of men and women and how they are different. I do agree that men and women use language differently. I feel that men and women’s use of language differs in ways such as delivery and meaning as well as use in general. One example of a difference in the delivery and meaning of language would be the use of the word bitch. Some men seem to use the word as just another version of women, for instance talking about the bitches they met, whereas women seem to see the word bitch as a derogatory term.
Just as the book discussed in chapter 4, the use of language is used differently with men and women. When the book discussed Maria asking Tom a lot of questions when he came home from work, it rang a bell for me. I don’t necessarily bombard my boyfriend with 21 questions all the time but I do definitely ask him a lot of questions that he seems to think are pointless and are things he didn’t pay attention to. Also, when I do talk to my boyfriend about things going on at his work I seem to ask more personal questions on how some of his buddies are doing and a lot of his answers seem to be short and to the point, such as “he’s fine.” I get a feeling that at work when he talks with his friends they mostly joke around whereas women, myself included, seem to enjoy “gossiping.” I feel as though my friends and I enjoy discussing things in more detail than my boyfriend and his friends. It is just a different use of conversations.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Chapter 10: Delivery
From chapter 10 the first thing I really related to was the managing delivering. This is something I have continuously been working on to improve. There have been many classes in which I have been able to work on my delivery. One was last semester; in my presentation and persuasion class my first speech was very monotone. I was unaware of my monotone voice, but when my teacher pointed it out I worked on the different tones of voice I used throughout my next few speeches. I improved one part of my speaking and continue on working on more parts. Also, when reading the impromptu speaking I was reminded of when I had to take part in this kind of speaking for a class. It was a very scary experience but one that helped me a lot. When one works on their impromptu speaking skills they are not only working on their formal speaking but also their everyday language and encounters.
Delivery is a very important part of our speech, without a good delivery one will not get a good response.
Delivery is a very important part of our speech, without a good delivery one will not get a good response.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Speakers
Although I am a communication major, I find myself lacking in this area of watching speakers other than classmates. I am now intrigued to begin a new hobby, of looking for both speakers online and live to listen to. ☺ But on another note, when I think of the best speaker I have heard, I would have to go with Martin Luther King Jr. He is a legend and although there have been many speakers since him; he is traced in my memory as one of the best. He really knew how to capture an audience with his voice control and his gestures. Martin Luther King Jr. was someone who knew how to make everyone in his audience relate to his words and feel his words from the inside out. He captured your attention and held it to the end with his passion for what he was saying. Our current President, Barack Obama, is another amazing speaker. He knows how to convey a message and grab his audience.
The worst speaker I have heard would probably be some of my classmates’ speeches. I feel bad for saying this about my peers, but some of their speeches were drawn out and boring. There was one girl who had no passion in her speech, actually no feeling whatsoever in her speech and she just rambled so fast you could not hear or take in what she was saying. She basically got up to the front, read her speech from her paper as fast as possible and than sat down. Another student went up and had a glazed look in his eye the entire time and spoke about nothing. Although these students were the worst speakers I have heard, I give them credit for getting up in front of the class. I am aware they were only speaking because they had to, but I just wish they would have put a little more effort in trying to capture their audience.
The worst speaker I have heard would probably be some of my classmates’ speeches. I feel bad for saying this about my peers, but some of their speeches were drawn out and boring. There was one girl who had no passion in her speech, actually no feeling whatsoever in her speech and she just rambled so fast you could not hear or take in what she was saying. She basically got up to the front, read her speech from her paper as fast as possible and than sat down. Another student went up and had a glazed look in his eye the entire time and spoke about nothing. Although these students were the worst speakers I have heard, I give them credit for getting up in front of the class. I am aware they were only speaking because they had to, but I just wish they would have put a little more effort in trying to capture their audience.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Discussion: Social Constructionist Perspective
When thinking about the Social Constructionist Perspective I relate it to childhood. As we grow, our world is truly built through communication. We know only what our parents and other people from our world tell us and show us. We learn to talk from hearing our parents speak and we learn our core values and beliefs through the ones communicated to us by our parents. It is up until the point where our own curiosity takes over us that we may, or may not, merge away from our parents beliefs. But than even when we leave our parents teachings behind we still deal with the construction of our societies beliefs and values, and we learn from them. We build our worlds through communication whether we agree or disagree with one another or society by communicating what we, or society, feel towards different ideas. We build thoughts and opinions based upon what we see in the media, what we see on the streets and what we see in school.
Concepts that we in America may have that other cultures don’t have are the rights of our women and the idea of what beautiful is. Of course we have many different beliefs on each of these topics within our culture but we are also free to express our beliefs. With the rights of women, America is very open to women having a voice for themselves. As a woman I find this a strength for our country allowing women to make a life based on her own values and beliefs and not behind those of the man in her life. Also the idea of what beautiful is in our country is very different than those of other countries. I know there are many different definitions of beauty in our country but I want to discuss the idea of the definition our media gives to it. In the media girls, and even boys, are learning that beauty is tan and skinny with perfect teeth and hair. Although this may be beautiful to some, it is not the only thing in which makes a woman, or man, beautiful. In other countries some woman want to stay as white as possible, and in others some woman fatten up for their men. And although the media is trying to change the image of beauty a bit it has a long way to go.
So for all my rambling, what I am trying to say is that within the media the social constructionist perspective is in play. Media plays a big part in some peoples image of the world. It is a strength that we can send messages out to our culture through such a bug medium, but it is a weakness when people use this form of medium as their only medium of reality and worldviews.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Intro
Hello Hello!
My name is Stephanie and I am joining you all late but am still excited for this class! So lets see, I am a senior here at SJSU hoping to be graduating in the fall with a BA in Communication Studies. I have had quite the journey in my undergrad years starting at SFSU, moving to San Diego attending community college down there, and than moving back up home to attend SJSU. I love Comm studies and can not take enough Comm classes, I will be continuing my education most likely in the comm field for my grad studies :). I live on the peninsula and enjoy everything life has to offer, both simple and not so simple. I love love love food and travel and learning new things. I look forward to spending the summer with you all and let the journey begin...
Much Love,
Stephanie
My name is Stephanie and I am joining you all late but am still excited for this class! So lets see, I am a senior here at SJSU hoping to be graduating in the fall with a BA in Communication Studies. I have had quite the journey in my undergrad years starting at SFSU, moving to San Diego attending community college down there, and than moving back up home to attend SJSU. I love Comm studies and can not take enough Comm classes, I will be continuing my education most likely in the comm field for my grad studies :). I live on the peninsula and enjoy everything life has to offer, both simple and not so simple. I love love love food and travel and learning new things. I look forward to spending the summer with you all and let the journey begin...
Much Love,
Stephanie
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