week 13, post 3

Do you agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is the message, i.e. that the format or logic of a medium is as important as its content and, in fact, determines what content will be broadcast through that channel? Evaluate his idea that television is a cool medium.

I do find the point of the medium is the message very interesting, however I do not agree with Marshall McLuhan's assessment. My question that I do not have answered would be what if the message was meaningless? If it was just a picture on a screen, but it was being broadcasted to thousands or millions, isn't it still just a picture on a screen? The message medium and its contents are needed jointly to represent the correct information that is needed to be represented. Television is absolutely a cool medium because it mirrors real life. It is as close to real life as possible.

week 13, post #2

The function of the media were expanded upon by sociologist Charles Wright. They include surveillance, correlation, cultural transmission, and entertainment. Surveillance includes the actions of gathering and disseminating information. Correlation is the analysis and evaluation of information. Cultural transmission is the education and socialization of receivers. And finally, entertainment is the presentaiton of escapist material that provided enjoyment and gratification. Currently, I believe most of the population rely on media equally for all 4 functions, whether is a comdedy show, news coverage, or educational programs. This process leads to prosocial learning as well, which is the reinforcement of social ideals and passing on cultural norms.

week 13 post no 1

1) Have you made friendships that exclusively in cyberspace? If so, how are they different from f2f relationships? If you have not formed cyberspace relationships, why not?

I have never engaged in friendships that are exclusively in cyberspace. I have engaged in social networking through sites like myspace and facebook, but I have met, in person, all of my contacts in the two social networks. I feel there needs to be some sort of reliability and validity to a person, and the anonymity is a major freedom that threats someones reliability and validity. If you’ve never met someone in person, that what would be your major source of entertainment or enjoyment with this person, anyway. It simply doesn’t make sense to ignore the 1,000 or more people in close proximity to you, and who undoubtedly would have to share some sort of interest.

week 12, post 3

3. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a very pressing issue in today’s times. The inequality of the male and female genders and the chasing nature of male to females has created a dangerous situation in the workplace. The pursuing of a co-worker that is not interested can easily be considered sexual harassment with attempts at different displays of affection and intimacy. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and conduct of sexual nature. The laws of the workplace are now designed to prevent the actions from taking place by the harshness of the consequences. In my organizational history, I have not worked in organizations, which are more likely to promote sexual harassment, and would be uncomfortable in such an organization.

week 12, post 2

2. Review the etiquette rules suggested in the text. Respond to each one. Have you ever been bothered by cell phone, answering machines, or beepers? What do you feel about call waiting? Is it rude to put people on hold to take another call?

I definitely think that we must be able to understand the diversity of people within the organization, and be able to respect one another. Personal business always seems to surface in the professional world, so it something that simply must be endured.

I have been bothered by cell phone use, especially in my current job. When guests are checking into the hotel I work at, and the person is on the phone, I believe it is extremely rude. I may have other guests wanting to checkin as well as the guest, and this person is still on the phone.

From my experience in a heavy call volume position, it is not rude to place a call on hold a assist another person. You need to be able to multitask and help both at once, with researching while speaking to the new person.

Week 12, post #1

1. How are organizations tied to the environment? What is the relationship between the school you attend and the city or town in which it is situated? What, if any, ethical obligations do an organization like a college or university has to the local community?

Organizations are really their own environments. I especially like how the book paralleled the two, and expressed the need to create a health environment, and that one can also be destroyed. I think the town or city’s “attitude” is often reflected in the school. The main relationship is the diversity across many different lines. I think a college or university must have the same type of responsibilities of other corporations, especially local corporations. This corporate responsibility must create a good will with the people to create a positive working environment between the two. The school needs students, and the students need a place for an educational experience.

week 11, post #3

Managing Interpersonal Conflict

In relationships, conflict cannot be avoided, but it can be managed properly. Unaddressed conflict can undermine relationships and lead to relational dissolution. The three main issues which do not solve interpersonal conflict are withdrawing, forcing, and accommodation. Withdrawing involves walking away or changing the subject when they sense conflict. Forcing is the process of disregarding the other partner’s needs in an effort to get what they want by any means necessary. Accommodation is the process of giving in immediately when they sense conflict. Some issues that the couple should strive for is compromise and problem solving. With these two concepts, a couple should be able to work through any conflict, without keeping thought of anger and despair.

week 11, post 2

*Think about the filters you use to eliminate people from consideration as potential romantic partners. What characteristics or behaviors lead you to judge others as unattractive? Does Duck's theory make sense to you? Have you ever eliminated someone by using a sociological or pre-interaction cue only to reconsider them based on interaction and cognitive cues?

Filters are extremely important in picking potential romantic partners. Without having filters it would require a sensory overload, as too much information would need to be analyzed. I judge attractiveness mainly based on facial features. At that point, I would then gauge their personality and ability to participate in a relationship. Duck’s model makes sense as it is based on phases. The four phases are intrapsychic, dyadic, social and grave-dressing. I believe the heart of all break-ups is some unresolved conflict, involving any of a multitude of issues that every couple faces. I have made quick judgements of someone, and then reconsidered them based on interaction. It was difficult for that person to move past the bias in my mind.

patterns of Interpersonal communication

Which pattern (rigid complimentary, competitive symmetry, or submissive symmetry) do you think would be the most difficult to change? Why? Which would be the most damaging to a relationship? Which would be the most potentially damaging to the self-esteem of the individuals involved?

The rigid complimentary pattern is when the submissive partner begins to resent always giving in or when the dominant partner begins to tire of being in charge, causing dissatisfaction. Competitive symmetry is when both partners fight for the one-up position. The submissive symmetry is when both parties struggle to relinquish control.

I would argue that the pattern that is most difficult to change is the submissive symmetry pattern. This is simply because of the desire associated with change. In the other pattern, one or both partners are attempting to change, although the other partner may be resisting the change. In the submissive symmetry pattern, both partners are resisting taking control, and do not want a change in their position of power in the relationship.

The most damaging pattern to a relationship would be the competitive symmetry pattern. This is because both partners are fighting for control, and no end is in sight. They both will escalate the competitive nature in hopes of turning the relationship, but instead are damaging it. The rigid complimentary pattern is the most damaging to self-esteem, because it could cause a long last self-defeating situation. In which the person constantly wants to prove that the other person is rude and controls the relationship, and will not take control to prove they are right. The same can be said about the reciprocal, in which the person always in control will make the decision, expecting the other to not make the decision.