Blog 1

            With regards to the course objectives in this class, it is imperative that I take the time to learn much about cultural diversity and the impact of cultural on human life. I expect this part of the course to assist me in my engagements with other in the outside world, and my knowledge of the world in general. I also see this course expanding my vocabulary, writing and communication skills. It will aid in my process in developing critical thinking skills, and my ability to create genuine deep connections with others. This course helps me find the solutions to the questions I have been wondering in how to form a healthy, informative connection with other people of different backgrounds and cultures. I plan on immensely studying the text and practicing what I am learning. To me experience is the best teacher, I plan on using what I have learned to make new friends, and current friends. I also plan on drawing or creating visual art to help aid in the process of understanding cross-cultural relations. I’m expecting new ways to become communicate. 

Blog 2

I believe in a world in which we should empathize more within our community. I have come to find out a lot of people want to be heard and understood as opposed to corrected and educated on matters regarding life. My freshman year of college, I lost all motivation and wanted to drop out before a friend of mine introduced me to Dr. Kevin Muchiri. He empathized, genuinely wondered why I felt the way I was feeling, and worked to help me find a solution to my current problems. It made me feel welcomed, and as if I belong on earth. I chose to pursue higher education in hope of preventing the abuse of drugs, and the repairing of broken families. I took AP Psychology in high school and did not truly care much about the course up until the drugs portion. Realizing how many young adults fall into the trap of harmful, and extremely addictive drugs was heartening. As long as I am breathing I hope one day to lower the number of overdoses, accidental deaths and substance abuse. My peers around me motivated to pursue this dream. Many of my close friends and family members relay to me that I am amazing at giving advice, and that fueled the fire to pursue this dream even more.

Blog 3

For this blog I went and looked in and really studied myself. The OCEAN personality is an essential tool into finding out one’s personality. For O, it stands for Openness. I’d say I am vey open to new ideas, and new challenges. I recently started to step outside my comfort zone and learned photography. It has allowed me to step out my comfort zone, it has also allowed me to open up my brain and become more creative. Drafting ideas from showing off my creativity. I noticed how I display Conscientiousness when driving. I tend to stick to the speed limit when driving. At times I feel as if I am doing my due diligence as a citizen to stick to the limit, its a part of me that I carry everywhere. I notice exhibited extraversion this school year specifically joining the E-board of my organization The Summit, which has allowed me to be more active on on campus more often, and connecting with younger class men. I show Agreeableness being extremely mindful for others and their feelings. I go out of my way many times to offer family friends rides to school, and even at times I help baby sit their children. I noticed neuroticism appears when I am in the Webb or the first floor in the library, I tend to put my head down or fake look at my phone to avoid looking at people.

BLOG 4

            After reviewing my test results, it marveled me how I missed a majority of questions that I found very easy. I reviewed by, “retaking the test” and comparing my answers then, and what I have decided now. To my surprise many I once again missed many of those same questions. It proved to me that I need to change my studying habits. I focused so much on memorizing the material and not so much on actually learning it for it to stay in my long-term memory. A majority of my notes were just shortened phrases, and I only reviewed them hours prior to taking the test. If I had spaced out my studying, and actually used the review sheet, I would have performed better. Although a 76 is not failing, it’ll make it difficult for me to achieve the dream grade I am desiring. Instead of cramming the day of/night before, I will actually dedicate more time to study and make the information stick. This course is one I enjoy and to show how much I enjoy; I should put forth more effort. Writing notes with color, highlighting, actually writing instead of typing as well.

Blog 5

            For this assignment, I took plenty of time to think about myself, and realize who I truly am. For my independent construal of self, I realized when I really did not have statements that associated with this theory. I was leaning more towards the theory of interdependent construal of self. I used statements like, I am necessary, and I am funny and so forth. I resonate more towards the interdependent construal of self-ideal. I see myself as one who lives for the benefit and uplifting of others. I hope to see that my actions, decision making, words, choices, and thoughts live thru other people, and it changes their lives as well. 

            A proverb by Erik Erikson states, “life doesn’t make any sense without Interdependence. We need each other and the sooner we learn that. The better for us all.” I whole heartedly agree with this sentiment. Capitalism has brainwashed many individuals to believe in a me vs the world mindset, and it creates more divide than it does unification.

eP Blog 6

            I feel as if I satisfy my needs for autonomy in various ways. When I wake up in the morning and fill out a checklist/ plan my day according to how I want to level up or grow as a person, I feel as if I’m satisfying my needs for autonomy. I also feel like I satisfy that feeling of autonomy when I am taking responsibility for things that go on in the house, or decisions I decided to make myself regarding my future and my car. I feel more of a man, and more of just an adult in general.  The way I satisfy competence in my everyday life, or specific goals comes in three parts. Firs, I make sure I try my best to create some kind of structure, or a guideline for the goal I have in mind to accomplish. Next, I do my best to receive information, and let out information as well. Clear communication creates opportunities for multiple ways of getting problems accomplished. Lastly, at the end of the day I tally what I did get to, what I didn’t get too and go over how much time I dedicated to different things during the day. Whether that’s by checking my screen time or noticing how much time I dedicated for lunch/dinner/snacks through out the day. Using that info, I try and formulate better strategies for the next day/task. Lastly, I satisfy my needs for relatedness by engaging with my classmates, and those who have taken the class before me. Getting comfortable and talking with classmates helps remove the isolation and the feeling of being alone one would have in class. Doing this helps you network, and gather good people skills.

Blog 7

Blog 8

Growing up as a first generation Nigerian-American, I’ve experienced this reality more times then not. For example, in the U.S a sign of respect and engagement is looking others in the eye when being spoken to or simply speaking to others. However, in Yoruba culture looking someone in the eyes when being spoken to or speaking to them (especially if they’re older) is seen as a sign of disrespect. In addition, from my personal experience, Americans often tend to be more outwardly expressive with their emotions (for example: huge smiles, laughing and hitting people/running around) while in Yoruba culture people tend to more reserved with their actions and emphasize their emotions through their words first and if needed possibly through their actions. Growing up in two cultures simultaneously, I noticed the differences but wasn’t surprised because I was aware that my upbringing compared to my friends for instance was different so I accepted that fact. I believe that universality and cultural display rules can be used to explain my experiences because each culture is different and has various cultural norms as to what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior within society: 

ep Blog 9

ep Blog 10

            Initially when I started this course, I didn’t have much interest in it due to the fact that it was online, and we did not have a meeting time. I initially just thought it would be a regular psychology class with such easy assignments that really did not challenge you to think critically and work hard. Overall, I must say I truly enjoyed the class. The method of having to submit a blog gave me memories of my childhood when blogs, twitter (it’s still big now), and Tumblr we’re big forms of communication. As I wrote in blog 1, I indeed took the time to learn about cultural diversity. This course truly helped me understand the world in a more complex way and helped me understand the true importance of diversity. I believe I achieved well in this course, not only from the assignments, but the intake of knowledge as a whole. My attitude of Cross-cultural psychology changed tremendously, I used to be a close-minded thinker and just believed everyone should just belong to their own group, when in actuality we can learn something from our neighbors. Something we’d have no idea we could accomplish.

            If I were to take the course over again, I would plan better, and do my best to complete blogs before the weekend, latest Friday morning. It sucks trying to fiddle in responses when I could have used more time to think of more thorough responses. This class has helped me grow to understand the value of time clearer. I already know blogs are due at 11:59 on Sunday, and yet I still wait till the last minute to complete them. Luckily, they’re not pages that we have to submit, but If I cannot produce with the little assignment’s I have now, I can’t do with bigger assignments. So, this class has really taught me the importance of time, scheduling & time management. I was supposed to start this assignment on Thursday and here I am Sunday morning/ Sunday night completing it. Since week one of this class, I have learned that I often use Cultural frame switching, and how much it impacts my identity. Since studying chapter 5, I’ve just learned to love myself and be myself in all situations.