chapter11 question1

i enjoy cyberspace interactions but ain't nothing like the real thing.i have found it awkward to acquire "new friends" online. in the absence of f2f interaction it is virtually impossible to determine if people are being genuine about who they are. one of the good things about f2f interactions is that it gives one the tools to evaluate the whole person and not just words on a screen. body language and eye contact provide important contexts for understanding how someone feels and there's no way to replace that. and in light of the many murders that have occurred as a result of meeting on craigslist, i think my caution is warranted.

i also don't belief online "relationships" are real. as an adult, i think they fall more in the realm of make believe. people create an online persona in order to portray themselves in a given way. when i meet people online i keep in mind that whatever biographical information they give is most likely based in fantasy not reality. i think that there are people who get so caught up in their online community they lose the ability to connect with people in the real world.

chapter11 question3

one concept i found extremely interesting was that of the influence of television, which was covered in the beginning of the chapter. i've always had a love-hate relationship with television. as a woman of color whose worldview doesn't always coincide with the dominant culture, there are times i find television to be EXTREMELY troubling. i suppose i'm believer in the powerful effects model which theorizes that receivers of television are relatively passive, accepting the many messages tv is feeding them which in turn informs how one thinks. i think it important to remain vigilant and maintain an awareness of the biases involved in the production of television programs which is a for profit endeavor. i think the powerful effects model is ESPECIALLY true for children and young people, many of whom have yet to develop the critical thinking skills needed to negotiate the powerful messages television bombards them with.

i think it important to also mention the media in light of the u.s.public health emergency over the swine flu. the initial television reports i've seen are contributing to community panic. i've seen several reports suggesting that the best protection is to take tamiflu, a pharmacutical antiviral whereas the cdc website is offering measures such as washing one's hands, the use of hand sanitizer and the avoidance of public spaces where exposure might be high.

chapter8 question2

Cellular phones: My pet peeve is having to listen to overly loud and sometimes inappropriate cell phone conversations while commuting. It seems as though far too many people seems to forget the public is not their private home and maybe, just maybe other people are not interested in their private life. I also detest the number of people who attempt to drive and talk on their cellphones (HELLO HANDSFREE BECAME THE LAW LAST JULY) and act offended when you politely remind them not to run you over.
Answering machines: I have less of a problem with. As long as the message isn't more than 30 seconds I'm fine.
Conference Calls: I use them infrequently but through the use of Eluminate I generally remember to identify myself before speaking.
Faxes: I rarely fax.
Timing Communications: I detest telemarketers who conveniently call during the dinner hour. Very lame.
Screen names and ring tones: I think it's a good idea to have have multiple email accounts in order maintain one's individuality. I think there's a way to balance one's creativity with a more polished and mature image.
Call waiting doesn't bother me provided the person on the other end gives a heads up that they need to take another call and provided the conversation doesn't last more than a few minutes. If it does I simply hang up. Unless I'm talking to someone out of state, I don't place a real premium on lengthy phone conversations.

chapter8 question 3

One of the concepts I found interesting was the section on the grapevine, an informal channel of communication. In a work context the grapevine can be an important means by which to keep abreast of what is actually going on at one's company. the nature of formal channels of communication makes it such that only the “official word” is given on a particular matter. Through the grapevine one may be able to discover information such as who has been reprimanded and why or whether there will be any layoffs. Many people take this activity as mere gossip, but our text advances the idea that the grapevine arises out of personal need because of the inadequacy of formal channels; that the grapevine can be an important and useful means of acquiring information and that grapevine information can be quite accurate. (trenholm, 224)

chapter8 question 1

Organizations depend on their surroundings for resources and energy. The Silicon Valley region comes to mind. This region is able to attract the best and brightest talent to local companies because it's know as a hub for companies that create hardware and software for computers. In turn, local universities supply both students and faculty in support of this private industry. There is a reciprocal relationship at work between Silicon Valley companies and local universities. Universities must remain sensitive to the benefits and draw backs of their presence within the community. For example, as the number of students a university serves increases, so too does noise and traffic which has can have a negative impact on the environment. It might be fitting for the university to support biking and alternative means of transport.

chapter6 question3

One concept of interest was that of withdrawal. Everyone has different ways of managing interpersonal conflict. I feel as though my style is a combination of engaging and withdrawal. Withdrawal was a pattern of behavior I learned growing up with a naughty brother whose actions I was to be accountable for as the oldest. Whenever I was about to do something wrong my immediate response was “I'm not getting involved.” I didn't was to get into a huge conflict with him over his bad behavior and preferred to discuss it with my mother. As an adult I've used withdrawal as a means of avoiding painful topics or as a means of stopping a conversation I don't want to have.

chapter6 question2

There's a fairly long list of things I theoretically would dismiss in a potential partner but in the proper context I might consider. For example, I'm a Leo and would characterize myself as independent whereas my husband, who is a Cancer, can be a bit clingy. Ordinarily I wouldn't be interested in someone like that, but we've managed to work though that particular character flaw (lol) In the past I've eliminated men as potential dating partners due to preinteraction cues such as their physical appearance. I don't think I'm shallow but at times I've felt some people in San Francisco try, and succeed at looking as ugly as possible. Being a native New Yorker this is not acceptable to me. But once this guy looked kinda trashy in appearance but upon talking with him I found we shared common interests and values.

chapter6 question1

Of the 3 patterns of dominance I think it's a tie between competitive symmetry and submissive symmetry. They are opposite sides of the same coin. Being really submissive or really dominant are extremely difficult characteristics to overcome and for many are traits fundamental to one's personality. When someone falls into the extreme of either pattern, it's possible to lessen or soften the extreme but not entirely eliminate those characteristics. And I think in adult relationships either competitive symmetry or submissive symmetry are relationship killers because compromise is the part of the foundation of a healthy relationship. It would take a lot of counseling and a willingness to change a fundamental part of one's personality and I personally don't see that happening with the majority of adults. I think those who have submissive symmetry in their relationship would have their self-esteem hurt the most. I perceive extremely dominant personalities as a bit self involved and inflexible enough to feel justified in their behavior. Whereas submissive people I feel are more sensitive and therefore more likely to have their self-esteem damaged as a result of their submissive symmetry.

chapter 12 question2

I'm a believer in the mutability premise which assumes human behavior is based upon one's environment. The best way to improve man is to improve man's environment. While I don't feel it's possible to prefect man, use of the mutability premise can be found in the ways in which the government has addressed the issue of childhood nutrition and education. In providing government assistance in the form of food vouchers, the idea is no child should go hungry which in turn will make them better prepared to participate in their own education. The mutability premise is the basis for the public education system in the united states. The rationality premise is the basis the trust given to the average joe's ability to make good judgment and the perfectibility premise is the basis for Purtian religious ideology.

chapter12 question 1

Yes, I agree that we are creatures of our culture and our habits and beliefs are shaped by our culture. I think of things as mundane as my evening meal. It is not uncommon for me to prepare our meal which we generally have while watching tv or doing some task on our computers. In many families, the evening meal is the time for family members to come together and discuss one's day. Oftentimes my husband and I have school or work tasks that require our attention such that we rarely eat at our dinning room table. Although this is different than the way in which I grew up, I feel as though this behavior has become common place in American culture especially since many of us are seemingly always busy. In order to break through the limits of our cultures we first must become aware of our different habits and beliefs and then we need to develop greater openness and understanding which facilitates one's ability to work well with those of other cultures.

chapter12 question3

one concept in the reading i found very helpful was that of acculturation-the process of adapting to a new culture. as a traveler, i find this process extremely important if one is to truly partake in the culture. one of the first times i traveled abroad it was kind of a culture shock to be in a foreign country, belgium, not speak the language and being a teen, initially i didn't know how to relate to the culture i was experiencing which made me unhappy. but my openness and overall resiliency allowed me to overcome linguistic barriers and enjoy the experience on its own terms. once i was able to appreciate the cultural exchange as just as enriching although different from my own culture i was able to relax and enjoy.