week 13: Class Discussion Q3

A topic that really caught my attention was that of Workplace Relationships and I think I liked this topic was because I know exactly what they are talking about. Like the book said, you do not get to choose your co workers, you are all put there to complete a task but at the same time you tend to form a relationship with these people because you are with them for 8-10 hours a day.   I worked at a job where we were all really close within our department and we all had a lot in common and those friendships moved outside of the workplace but I have also worked in situations where I worked well with people but I would never hang out or form a close relationship with them outside of work. Also I did realize that we only conversed and formed relationships with the people in our depts and never people up in higher level positions. I guess its just natural for people to stay within their own area of a company because we all have the same task at hand.

Week 13: Class Discussion Q2

I just had this conversation with my husband the other day about how technology is going and what it does for communication. My son is 15 months but by already knows how to use my phone and by the time he is old enough to have a phone conversation, know one will actually talk to each other it will all be through text, IM, email, Ect. With all this technology they do have downfalls.
Cell Phones, I am the first to admit that I would be lost without my cell phone, it does everything for me. It is my phone, gps, internet, media, ect but at the same time they can bother me. I hate when you are trying to have a conversation with someone and they cant put their phone down and constantly texting people. Or if you are in a restaurant or a small place and people are talking really loud about personal issues and expect you not to listen, trust me I don’t want to hear it.
Answering Machines, I don’t have issues with answering machines and think that they can be very useful. I just don’t like when people don’t leave contact information for me to call them back.
Conference Calls, these are great in the work environment because it helps everyone get together and have meetings when you cant all be together. The only thing that bothers me is when people keep interrupting and wont stop talking, you need to realize multiple people are listening.
Faxes can be a great way to transmit information to others, but can be dangerous because you don’t really know who is on the receiving end of those documents and that can be scary.
As for timing your communication, I do think that is why texting and email has become so popular. I know I text everyone first because I want to make sure that they are in a situation to talk before I call and interrupt them. Then even if they are in an area they cant talk they may still be able to answer questions, ect.
I do think these new technologies are great but of course you do need to use etiquette and not abuse them.

Week 13: Class Discussion Q1

There are so many organizations in every town. Some are local organizations and some are large chain organizations. I do believe that they are all tied to the environment because they all have something to offer for different people. If you talk about a local farmers market, they are providing people fresh local grown product and we are helping to support our local community but prices may be higher. But on the other hand you have chain grocery stores who offer the same type of product but it is from where ever they can get it at a good price to give others a lower price on it. Both in both situations these organizations have something to offer the community.
Any college or University play a big role in the community because they are not only offering a place to educate people but it brings people from other communities into that town and helps local businesses grow and brings in revenue. Sierra College and Sac State are both considered “commuter” colleges and people from other cities spend most of their day on or around campus in that area and it really does help the community but it also can have some negative aspects such as congested traffic, Loitering, college parties, ect and the community may look down on that. I do think the schools have a small obligation to to make sure students are being respectful of the community and keep things in order, yet at the same time people need to take responsibility for their own actions and by this point in life you should no right from wrong.

week 12: class discussion Q3

A topic that I found to be really interesting was that of Relationship Maintenance.  My reason for this is because I have been with my husband for over 13 years now and we got together very young (8th grade) and most people are shocked to see us still together and very happy. Most people that had a long high school relationship have long moved on but we still strive to be together and keep each other very happy. When you see the seven relationship maintenance behaviors, yes they may come off as looking easy and people may think that it isn’t difficult but when you have been in a relationship for so long it can become difficult but you need to really work at these items to make it work, especially when you have the added stress of work, school, children and just everyday life. When people ask me how come we do not fight a lot and how do we agree on things its because we use openness and task sharing a lot. First off we make sure to talk about an issue right away and are very open about how we are feeling (whether positive or negative) and we try to fix or work on that issue and down the road do a “check in” to make sure the issue is resolved. Also we task manage very well and I do think people in relationships have a hard time with this because they put the work load on one person or play the blame game. This is not effective and never works in the end. Also you really need to give each other assurance on a daily basis. Really let them know that you are there for them and committed to the relationship. Even after 13 years we still do this because who doesn’t want to be re assured that they are loved and appreciated especially with the stress of life.

Week 12: Class DIscussion Q2

When it comes to forming a relationship with a person, whether romantic or friendship, I do believe that first impression of a person very important. I am not talking just what they are wearing or how they look, even though that can play a very small part, but the first conversation. I find that if the first conversation with a person, even if its only a few words, tells me if I will get along or bond with them. If eye contact is made and the conversation is easy I can tell if I can talk to that person and get close with them because if you feel awkward from the beginning it is very hard to get past that. I do think that Duck’s theory makes sense because most people create a relationship with the people they are around in close proximity such as at work, school, churches, ect because you usually are spending a lot of time with them in those places and you can connect and already have something in common. When it comes to preinteraction cues, yes most people are drawn to someone who is similar. If you see someone dressed in all black with crazy hair, and you are a more conservative type that wears no makeup, you usually will not feel an attraction to them and that’s because you would assume you have nothing in common. And once we do interact with someone you want to make sure that you can easily converse with that person and not feel forced. I know personally that I have been in situations where I have had to meet people and it felt totally forced and we had nothing in common so of course in that situation I would not form a bond and there for we would not hang out again.

Week 12: Class Discussion Q1

I think that the most difficult pattern to change would be submissive symmetry. I think it would be most difficult to change because usually in this case both parties have a hard time committing or taking charge so you will just go in circles. In complementary pattern at least one party is very able to make a decision and in competitive symmetry even though both parties want it their way, they still can make decisions. I do think that in a relationship competitive symmetry can be very damaging because even though you are both very quick to make decisions or you are both wanting to win at the same time and typically know one wants to back down or compromise with the other. This causes a lot of stress for people and you even see it in the work environment and it you are not willing to see eye to eye then you will just cause stress and it will wear on you. When the example is used of parent and child in the complementary pattern, yes I do believe it works really well and you are teaching your child but when it comes to two adults I think it can cause lower self esteem for the person in the one-down role. The person in the one-up role is always in charge and telling the other what to do but they are not giving them a say so. It can cause the person in the one-down role to become very quiet as well as reliant on the other person and will not know when to stand up for themselves.
I think that all the different patterns can have their positives and negatives in different situations and I do feel that most people fall into one of these patterns.

Week 6: Class Discussion Q2

I do think that men and women use language very different. Men and women can both use it similarly also. For example people can use language to get what they want and I believe a man is more direct about it with know sugar coating whereas a women may not be so direct and use a more standoffish approach. A women may hint at what they want and expect people to figure it out. I think that is the main problem in relationships is lack of communication. Men get upset when women are not upfront because that’s how men typically operate. They have a fight and then are over it and are fine the next minute whereas women want to talk about and sit and analyze and over think the situation. I think that men and women will always use language different even if they are not using their stereotypical roles of men being direct and women more emotional.

Week 6: Class Discussion Q1

Is it possible to perceive others without in some way judging or categorizing them? When I hear this question I immediately know my answer and it is no. I think everyone forms a general opinion on someone within the first 5 seconds of meeting them, even before they get a chance to say a word. We look at age, what they are wearing, what they look like, where are you first meeting them and so on. Of course this isn’t to say that we should not judge people and give everyone the same blank canvas but it happens. There are also pre dispositioned stereo types that make people automatically categorize people such as a jock, cheerleader, hillbilly, rocker, ghetto and so forth. Because we already categorized someone we then thing of all the stereo types that come with those categories and base how we listen to that person off those. I don’t know how we can change this, because even if you were to talk to someone on the phone you do the something because they may have an accent or deep authoritative voice. Obviously this is not fair because you may be surprised when you find out that the “hillbilly” is really has a PhD, very well educated and very wealthy, it happens all the time.

Week 4: Class Discussion Q 2

A speaker that I really admire is of course one of the very well known and most popular speakers, Martin Luther King, Jr. He is one of the greatest for many people but obviously there is a reason. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke with such power yet empathy for the people. He knew how to captivate his audience in many ways. When he spoke you say power, passion, good character, logic and concern for the people. People took his word and believed in him. He has been gone for many years now and he is still one of the most well known speakers and everyone knows him by saying “I have a dream” and that will live on for many more years to come. I believe that when Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to his audience he portrayed credibility, attractiveness and power and that is what made him so great to me.  The audience trusted him, he wasn’t over bearing yet he showed passion in his words. I think that he spoke with ethos, pathos and logos and that built his character. He was a great speaker and his words will still live on.

Week 4: Class Discussion Q 1

These days there are so many public speakers out there from political speakers to celebrities figures and so many more. Its hard to pin point one speaker who has influenced me but one that stands out in my head is one of the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) speakers who I saw when I was in high school. What makes her so memorable was her emotional credibility to audience. She herself had lost a child do to a drunk driver and just the emotion and conviction in her voice as she spoke really touched not just me but the audience as a whole. By the end of her speech we where all in tears, she held such a power in her voice as she spoke and it was not because of the very sad fact that she lost a child but the fact that she still stood up there and was telling her story to help save someone else’s life. That is a speech that I will always hold close to me.

Now on the other hand one of the worst speakers I have ever heard was my high school principle during our high school graduation. He was such a disappointment. I believe that the main reason was because he never grabbed the personal attention to the students on a daily basis as it was but during his speech you could tell he was really unprepared, unorganized and there was know thought put into the speech. It was as though he threw it together the night before (he actually admitted he did). For something like a high school graduation I believe you need someone that shows care and power over their audience especially since we where all moving on to adulthood and could use a few words of encouragement. He literally just read us a Dr. Seuss  book, now does that say thought, to me not really. For me his message was that he really did not care for his students.

Week 3: Class Discussion Q 2

With reading about the pragmatic perspective, they describe communication as patterned interaction and at first I did not agree but as I read on I could see what they meant. To me it seems as though they are saying you need two people to interact, your sender and your receiver and that makes sense. You need both people in order to have communication even if one does not respond and one not responding can send a louder message then responding with word. In a game you need two people to play and usually in a game one persons move depends on the person before them and in communication that is what we do. If I am having a conversation with someone and I state how I am feeling the other person will respond to what I have said because I set up the game or the move in that situation.

They also talk improving unhealthy pattern and give the example of a fighting couple that goes to see a communication counselor. Well the communication counselor is not really into the exact details of the argument or what the background is but the pattern in which makes them argue. Many people have this problem whether it is with a spouse, parent, friend or anyone else that they don’t see eye to eye in the pragmatic approach you want to find a new pattern in which you should communicate so you don’t argue all the time rather then focus on the personality of the person. In life I don’t think you can view communication entirely as a game because if we did there wouldn’t be as much interpersonal communication between people.  

Week 3: Class Discussion Q 1

The social constructionist perspective is very interesting to me. This perspective says that communication is not something that goes on between individuals but instead it surrounds the people and holds us together. In a way I do see this in our society a lot especially now of days. Our world is built on “media” communication when even just 20 years ago we weren’t as media driven. Everyone has a cell phone, computer, t.v, text messages, internet, emails, instant messages, ect. This is what is building our world and our culture today. Some older generations don’t understand our “new” way of communication though. For example my dad hates when people text message him, he always asks me why we don’t just pick up the phone and call people anymore and I just try to explain that this is how our world is emerging and it will only get worse, for him anyway. Our new generation of children only know this way of communication, you even have to sign a slip as parents stating whether or not your kindergarten student is going to be carrying a cell phone. Even look at this class, its online and in Aristotle’s day you would be lucky to go to school and learn in an actual class room and would even be accompanied by a paidagogos that made sure you got to school safely.

I am not saying that is a not a great advancement in our culture and a great way to get ideas and information out to people but at the same time there are many cultures who don’t even use telephone communication in their day to day lives and many of us wouldn’t know what to do if we didn’t have our phone for even a day (I know I am one of those people).  Other cultures in other parts of the world find other ways of communication and don’t need the technology we do and they live a very happy life and I believe their communication skills within their families are a lot stronger. They don’t text message their every conversation.

Week 2: Class Discussion Q 3

I really enjoyed this first chapter in the book because it gave you great insight on how communication studies came about and who the main rhetoricians where in the development of communication and public speaking. One area that rally grabbed my attention was the talk of the more scientific study of communication or the “scientific method”. Throughout the chapter it goes into detail of what we all commonly know or have been taught in communication study of Ethos, Pathos and Logos as well as the Five Canons of Rhetoric’s and so on. Even though we may not have known in as the Five canons of Rhetoric’s, these 5 methods are something we typically tend to do in our public speaking with out even knowing it. But the scientific method peaked my interest because I know for myself I do not typically break communication down scientifically. I like that they would isolate a certain phenomenon and then break it into smaller parts, pose questions and hypothesis then put it into action. The one example they used to study was if a women had the same “source credibility” when talking on a female issue as they did when talking on a male issue. They then set up a situation where they had a female talk to an audience on the different issues. They could then use that information to answer their questions and see if their hypothesis held true and so on. You can then use this information in many situations and areas. Using the scientific method can really help public speakers to become better because they develop research and hard facts on topics to help back their speech. For example if a female public speaker has to talk on a male issue she can take the research done on a females source credibility on a “male issue” and use that information and the feedback done in the research to help with her speech. I just personally found this interesting and think it could be useful.

Week 2: Class Discussion Q 2

The Greeks believed to be an orator you need to be morally good? I do agree that an orator, public speaker, should be morally good in their speech especially if they want their audience to trust them. This of course is not always the case but who is to decide if someone is being “morally good”?  Everyone perceives each idea and topic different from one another and just because someone may give a totally different speech as someone else on the same topic, how do we decide who the morally good one is especially if they have two opposite views.  With being a public speaker you do have a huge obligation and you are someone who can persuade your audience in one way or another so in an ideal world you want to make sure you provide them with all the right facts and information but this doesn’t always happen. For example, politicians hold a great power over the people. We look to them to be morally good in what they tell use, the facts they present and even their opinions but they may not always provide us with the right information because their job is to win our vote, over the next person. But again even though we may find out that they don’t follow through with what information they presented, that politician may still feel he was being morally good in his judgments. Another example is celebrities because people hold them to a high standard and expect them to use their “celebrity” for good and to be morally good in what they talk to the world about but I don’t believe that they have to. They are people to and have the freedom to say what they want even if they are not being morally good. We would just like to see them use their power for good.

Is there a connection between goodness, truth and public communication?  Well I would like to say that yes there is a connection but that would be if everyone who was a public speaker spoke the whole truth with only facts and knowledge then they would bring goodness to public speaking. These days people will say what the audience wants to hear, there isn’t always truth in what they are saying because they know that they need to only state information that with sway people to believe them. Not all people are this way and as I said before people should speak with truth, goodness and be morally good because people are putting trust in these orators, but you don’t have to do these things and still be a great public speaker.

Week 2: Class Discussion Q 1

When picking a public speaker that admire I went with Dr. Oz and the reason for this is because he has great persuasion over his audience. I believe that tho he speaks through logos, his logic, I mainly see him as speaking and captivating his audience through pathos, his ability to capture peoples emotions. Of course as being a doctor Dr. Oz needs to speak with logic and reason, I mean he is talking about peoples health, diet, mind and so on but he uses his ability to get people emotionally involved in his topics to get them to believe in what he is saying and that they need to do as he says. From my own personal insight on this, my brother works at a natural foods store and if Dr. Oz talks about a product that people need to use or that is great for your health, well that same day his store out of the product and they cant keep it on the shelve for the next few weeks. To me that is power of persuasion. I believe that because he uses logos and pathos in his talking to the audience, he is able to get them to believe in what he talks about and makes them take an interest. Of course he does throw in his own personal character, ethos, but I don't personally believe that's what captivates his audience, but that's my own opinion.

As for me, I speak from the heart and I think that's my great ability to win people over. I use pathos when I speak whether it is with my passion for what I am talking about, own personal beliefs or experiences or just knowing that people want to see that emotion you have to make them really feel as though you care. Of course I use logos as well because at the same time I want to know what it is I am trying to persuade people to do and make them see valid points. At the same time I can adjust to my situation and surroundings. Just because I normally speak from the heart, I can also use my personal character to show people I am trust worthy as well as being able to use my logic to back me up. It does depend on the situation I am in but all in all I do lean more towards pathos.  I do believe that Aristotle's classification Scheme works but not everyone fits into just one category. I believe that speakers can tap into the multiple categories at any given time and to fit any situation.

Introductory Post

Hello ~ I would like to start off by saying this is the first online course I have taken and it has been about 5 years since I have taken a college class. I went to sac state starting in 2003 - 2006 and took some time off, now I'm back. I am working on a communications degree and wanting to transfer back to sac state in a year. I have taken many communication classes in the past and really enjoy them and I am looking forward to this one, but I do have to say I am a little nervous taking it online. The reason for taking it online is because I have a son, who just turned one yesterday Aug 23rd, and he is full of energy and excitement. Again I am looking forward to the class and getting to know everyone.