Blog 10
Initially, I believed the course to be about culture and diversity solely in the workplace. I expected to learn about conflicts and obstacles that may arise or experiences that I may face in the workplace and how to handle accordingly. Over the last few months, I have learned to compare cultures not only in the workplace, but mentally, by gender, by health, emotionally, cognition, etc. After looking over the course objectives I would give myself an overall score of 100%. I feel as if I have confidently mastered these particular objectives. The assignments, blogs, and artifacts have been benchmarks and point of references for mastering the course objectives. I honestly would not do anything different in the event that I retake this course except possibly look into some different cultures to compare on assignments. Finally, a skill that I have gained in this course is the ability to think critically while writing. Although I am fully capable of writing, I have previously lacked in depth. I have grown in the sense that I am now able to discuss a topic, but now it is not as shallow and mediocre as before.
Blog 9
Throughout out the semester I have learned a plethora of new and engaging information. Prior to taking this course, I had the misconception that it would be strictly about culture and diversity in the workplace. Many of the assignments correlated which I prefer when it comes to learning new information. Repetition has always been my own way of retaining information. This blog post has content that is like Assignment 5. I stated that psychological disorders and mental health plays a role in physical well-being. The clients who are rehabilitating back to their normal selves need constant motivation. They do not enjoy feeling helpless and unstable when it comes to getting better. Having a basic understanding of general psychology can aide healthcare providers when it comes to assisting those patients (whom are usually much older) in recovery.
Blog 8
As Americans, we tend to allow our facial expression as a tell all prior to it being said verbally. While conversing, if someone says something we do not agree with or something absurd our body language gives away what we may not be saying. I have observed that some of my family and friends whom are of Mexican descent display and perceive emotions differently from my self. Also, the display or perception is situational. In a positive situation, they are increasingly more humble. my great-uncle keeps a neutral face at all times, but depending on the situation his eyes and mouth will be a window to display how he is feeling. Personally, I use to expect him to be vocal about his emotions just like he taught me, but growing up he was taught different. In addition to that, he also grew up in a completely different environment which called for his neutral expression and demeanor. Universality and cultural display deems it appropriate because it is accepted by his culture, but for me it is better if it is verbal.
Blog 7
Growing up I had every Disney movie on VHS. The movies ranged from Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Alice in Wonderland. Not only did these films provide entertainment, but they also included life lessons. Majority of the films I enjoyed had females as the leading role whether they were princess, parents, or just a leader/main character. Personally, I believe that today’s fairy tales reflect ‘a shared set of cultural norms and values,’ but the past films do not. In fact, looking at the films “Mulan” and “The Princess and the Frog” reflect the opposite. In one film, the leading character is disobeying her fathers wishes by going to fight in the war and in the other the leading character is obeying her fathers wishes by opening a restaurant. I believe if fairy tales reflected cultural norms and values they would all be similar (such as the current films). Currently, the fairy tales that have surfaced are conforming. They have began to take on cultural and societal issues in the world into films for the younger generation to understand what is going on. The underlying values and lessons are also closely related.
Blog 6
When it comes to academics, I have a clear understanding of what I am doing and what is needed. Especially if it is something I have chosen. Doing something that I enjoy doing is the only thing that will drive and give the feeling of having free will and power. The reason people jump around is because they are not fixated. I hone in on a skill for a feeling of competence. However, when dealing with the realm of academics, autonomy is limited which takes away from the feeling of competence. I personally believe that from kindergarten to twelfth grade the material presented is fixated. It is based on testing and categorized scoring. Even in the first few years of college I had to take classes that were picked out by the university. Those classes were deemed necessary before continuing on to core-requisites courses. The complete feeling of autonomy, competence, and relatedness does not set in until approximately the third and fourth year of college when the courses begin to specifically relate to a chosen minor.
Blog 5
- I am joyful.
- I am intuitive.
- I am witty.
- I am honest.
- I am assertive.
- I am passionate.
- I am self-sufficient.
- I am alluring.
- I am goal-oriented.
- I am conscientious.
Numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are associated with Independent construal of self.
Numbers 1, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are associated with Interdependent construal of self.
Independent self describes an individual specifically. These characteristics are often displayed when the individual is alone, but sometimes around friends/peers. Interdependent self describes an individual from the perspective of their peers. More so, socially and in friendships/relationships. Based on the ten statements listed above, I find myself being both independent an interdependent. While those ten words describe who I am currently, there is still an ongoing process. My sense of self is strong beyond the interdependent aspect. I believe I fall into both categories because I am very aware of my personal characteristics, but also the consistency of the statements from those around me. Joyful, honest, and passionate are descriptive terms I hear from peers quite often. These descriptive terms were chosen off the strength of all of my accomplishments and obstacles thus far. Characteristics as such will also contribute to future accomplishments and/or obstacles.
“I am whatever you say I am; if I wasn’t, then why would you say I am.” – Eminem
Blog 4
Before test 1, I completed a section of the review on a daily basis. After completing the section I reviewed the section from the previous day to ensure I understood the concepts. I did this for all sections leading up to the day I chose to take the exam. After reviewing my test I noted the questions I answered incorrectly. Surprisingly, the questions I answered incorrectly were concepts I have seen previously in other psychology courses. First, I found those concepts in the text book and then wrote them down in my notebook. Lastly, I compared the correct concept to the answer I chose to better understand why it was incorrect. In the future, simply re-reviewing missed concepts and double checking for clarity will alleviate and potentially raise scores.
Blog 3
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I received an “Average” score in each section with the exception of Openness. Openness is where I scored the lowest. After researching, I understand that Openness refers to having a broad range of interest. Personally, I believe I do, but then I find that I am set in my current ways and I do not often venture out. I am not resistant to new things and changes, but I do not like them too often. I believe change is good, but only when necessary.
Blog 2
I decided to further my education for personal satisfaction. Also, an athletic scholarship was more then half of my motivation. Unfortunately, once I began to get more into my studies I had less time to participate in extracurricular activities and decided to focus solely on academics. My parents also encouraged me to go further with my studies. My mom always stressed how she wanted me to be better than her and in order to do so I had to excel academically. Presently, my mom and grandmother are my biggest supporters. Any academic decision I choose (or have chosen) to make I have had their support 110%. Even after commencing I made the decision to declare a minor in psychology for my future profession. In high school, my Senior Seminar and Psychology teachers were encouraging and helpful in writing recommendations and providing guidance. Everyone has played their respective roles in my academic success and even today are still guiding. Throughout my college experience I have succeeded by the quote “Hard work beats talent when talent does not work.”
Blog 1
As I move in to the workforce, this course will be one of the many foundations for success. Instead of disregarding someone because they do not think, look, or speak similarly to me it is better to understand them. As stated before, I will be entering the medical field. I will encounter patients and other employees who culturally differ. In order to communicate respectfully I must understand them. I intend to apply all applicable information I learn in this course and apply it in my personal life and in my career. I chose this image because not only is Grey’s Anatomy my favorite show, but it gives a physical portrayal of how cross-cultural psychology is promoted in their personal lives and also at work. Successful interactions lead to decreased conflict.
