Top Artifacts

Artifact 3

I chose the artifact from Module 12. This artifact was about aggression and how we define an act as aggressive or not aggressive. I discovered during this activity was that my definition of aggression truly depends on the motivation behind an action of a person. However, when having to choose whether or not an act is aggressive in nature without knowing the whole picture can be difficult.

I am a true believer that there are two sides to every story. For example, number one on the page is a spider eats a fly, but is this truly an aggressive act by the spider? Spiders have to eat to survive and I do not believe that we can consider this an aggressive act if we do not consider a human slaughtering a cow for us to eat. Each species is simply trying to survive. Also, number three on the list speaks of a soldier shooting an enemy, this in my opinion must also be questioned as to whether it would be considered aggressive or not. Because for all we know the soldier did not want to pull the trigger but feels that he must serve to protect his country and that one shot may haunt him for the remainder of his days.

I feel that it is unfair to judge an act without knowing to whole situation or seeing the whole picture. Without the full picture we do not also know what the actual motivation is for a person carrying out the act.

I choose this picture because kids are so often a great example of how not knowing the whole picture can skew our view of the situation. And since I deal with my own kids it is very easy for me to relate this concept to my care of them. For example, I can hear my daughter scream and begin crying and go to investigate, her side of the story will be that her brother hit her and all she wanted to do was borrow his legos for a minute, but upon further investigation I learn that her brother was currently playing with his legos and she tried to take them away from him after he told her to wait until he was done and scratch him in the process. While both kids have done something wrong in the situation, if we only heard one side of the story (on either side) we could interrupt the other ones acts as aggressive but give the other side a pass. When in fact they were both exhibiting some aggressive behaviors.

Artifact 2

I chose the artifact from Module 10. In this module we were directed to go against a social norm. With all the social distancing and face mask rules in place. I choose to go out with a mask to see how others would react and how I would feel about those reactions.

Honestly it was wonderful for me! Maybe not so much for how people reacted. What I noticed was in larger places like Wal Mart people did not really seem to pay much attention when I was just walking through the store but when standing in the check out line I got a few looks from others. And in a small space like the UPS store people tended to look at me more but no one actually said anything to me.

However, after spending over 2 years wearing a mask anytime we left the house and everyday at work all I can say is that I cannot wait for the day when the mask is gone forever!

I’m making a super silly face in this picture but it was from my day without a mask. I was at the gym but I was there so early no one else was actually there to have a reaction. But none the less it was the only picture I remembered to take that day.

Artifact 1

I choose the artifact from module 6. I enjoyed this artifact the most because it gave me an opportunity for some self-examination. I took the opportunity to look at the traits that I am the happiest about and examine when I actually utilize them! I like the traits about myself that I choose to look at. 

It is always interesting to me to examine my own behavior in different situations. Procrastination is obviously not necessarily my favorite trait about myself but at times is avoidable due to the current stage of life that I am. Adventurous is my favorite trait! Since I am a mom, it does not necessarily always get to come out and shine, but it does occasionally. I like exploring that side of myself especially when I get to do it with my husband.

Trait 1: Procrastinator

Situation: Putting off ordering my husband’s birthday gift to the last minute and then it not making to him on his birthday but two days late!

Trait 2: Caring

Situation: Checking in on my cousin after she lost someone, she was very close to.

Trait 3: Observant

Situation: Taking care of my grandmother (she has Alzheimer’s) (noticing that she is overstuffing her mouth and about to choke)  

Trait 4: Humorous

Situation: Dealing with my kids (they enjoy trying to prank me but this time I jumped out from behind the door to prank them)

Trait 5: Adventurous

Situation: Anniversary trip with my husband (I rented us a four-wheeler so we could spend the day exploring a beautiful part of the country! Actually, the whole trip neither of us had ever been to Arizona and knew nothing about it.)

My behavior for the most part was consistent. There are few times when it varies unless it is a time of extreme stress or a situation that is completely out of the ordinary for me. I will admit that my adventurous side does not come out as often because I just do not necessarily always have that opportunity.