Blog 10
This course fully met all of my expectations. I had expected that I would be able to better understand how culture impacts who we are, how effects our environment, and its effect on the people around us. This course did all of that and some.
I feel that I full achieved all of the course objectives. Also, that I will be able to apply the knowledge learn in the objectives to other courses, professional life, and personal life.
My attitudes regarding Social Psychology have defiantly changed. I have always taken psychology from an individualistic stand point and this has shown me that social is extremely important for the shaping of the individual.
If I could take the class again, I would try to start the semester off better and spend more time focusing on this course.
A way that I have grown academically, is I now have knowledge on various theories that I am able to apply to my future studies. I also now know more about psychological research that I will need in an upcoming research intensive class.
A skill that I have gained from this course is the ability to better effectively communicate with individuals from other cultures.
https://images.app.goo.gl/btTJsq1fcdwJNi1S8
Blog 9
Top 3
1. Assignment Activity One (ATA 1)- Bennett’s Developmental Model of Cultural Sensitivity helped me to understand the stage that I am currently at in the model. This gave me a greater understating of how I relate to other cultures.
2. Blog 6- Self Determination Theory. This gave me more insight into my culture influences how my psychological needs are met.
3. Blog 5- Independent Construal of Self and Interdependent Construal of Self. Gave me a better understanding about my sense of self and who I am based on context and relevance to others.
Applied to Another Area
The information in Blog 8 (Emotion and Culture) was centered around how people from different cultures express themselves. This was easily applied to Assignment Take Away Three were we viewed study abroad blogs. The particular topic I discussed in my take away was about the importance of language and communication and the use of speech illustrators in culture.
Connection to Another Course
The information about NEO personality testing (Blog 3) learned in this course can be easily related to the Big Five Personality Factors that is discussed in Psychology or Personality.
Blog 8
I grew up next door to a family from the Philippines and my family was very close to them. On many occasions, we were present at gatherings that they would hold. Most of the events were fairly quiet. During these events you see that they were emotional more reserved. They were subtle in their expressions. I also grew up around individuals from an Italian background, and they are on the other side of the spectrum. All of their events were loud. They were very expressive, you never had any problem telling how they felt in a situation.
Both of these cultures expressions are different than my own, I sit somewhere in the middle. So my expectations were not met. To me, too subtle makes it easy to miss the intended emotion and too expressive can be a bit overwhelming. Yes, the concept of universality and cultural display rules does help explain my experiences. The way that the display rules modify expressions accurately explains some of my difficulties reading people in these experiences.
I choose the above image because it gives an accurate representation of emoticons between Western and Eastern cultures.
https://images.app.goo.gl/3etG4rRFVz8JrfUL6
Blog 7
In my opinion, this is a yes and no type of question. It all really depends on what fairy tales you are viewing. Those that are older have themes that are more relatable and set around the culture in which it was developed. Newer tales represent more culturally diverse themes. Shared cultural norms differ depending on where you are at.
When characters’ model egalitarian roles to younger audiences, it can open that audience up to new opportunities that they may have never considered. For example, the movie Brave had a female lead that was strong and dared to go against what other people wanted to make her happy and live her own life. This could change a young girl’s perspective on how she can make choices to live how she wants. Another example that comes to mind is the movie Mulan, in the movie she goes against her culture to become a solider when no one believed a woman could do so. This shows a young girl that she can do anything she wants.
A novel, more like series, main character that I identified with that positively influenced me was Clary Fray from the Mortal Instruments series. Throughout the series she grew from a weak character to a strong one, ultimately becoming a standout heroine.
https://images.app.goo.gl/PjZsyQjoD9uxHW3d7
Blog 6
Self – Determination Theory states that people from all cultures share basic psychological needs, but the way these needs are met differ according to context and culture.
Autonomy- need to control one’s self or actions.
The way I satisfy this need academically is by controlling my schedule. I place set times in which I do my course work. I work full time and need to put together a to do list to make sure I get everything done.
Competence- need to be effective dealing with one’s environment.
The way I satisfy this need academically is by making my educational experience conducive to me. I am a fully online student, so I am able to learn the way that is best for me.
Relatedness- need to have close relationships with others.
The way I satisfy this need academically is by trying to fully participate in my courses and have open discussions with my instructors. Being an online student makes this hard
https://images.app.goo.gl/tcN5njis7dpZ1jhY9
Blog 5
Independent Construal of Self- Sense of self that views self as separated from others. Interdependent Construal of Self- Self that is contingent on context and relevant to others.
Numbers 4, 5, 7, 8 are associated with independent construal of self.
Numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 are associated with interdependent construal of self.
- I am… dependable
- I am… compassionate
- I am… caring
- I am… stubborn
- I am… unique
- I am… warm
- I am… loving
- I am… loyal
- I am… attentive
- I am… trustworthy
Based on my answers above, I believe that I am more interdependent. I know this to be true. I have tendencies to think of other people before I think about myself.
Independent self – “Know yourself”
Interdependent self – “Think of others”
It was much easier for me to think of the “interdependent self” proverb than it was to think of the “independent self” proverb. As I stated above, I have a tendency to think about others and want to take care of them. This reflects a lot in my thinking.
Blog 4
I realized throughout this process that I relied too much on the study guide and the PowerPoints. It does not help that I waited two days prior to the exam to start filling it out the study guide. I did not spend enough time going over the information that I should have. It is also necessary to take more detailed notes while reading. Viewing the test feedback helped me understand that, in order to be successful on future exams, I need to focus more on the content of the book and less on the information provided in the PowerPoints. Also, that I need to spend more time preparing.
Blog 3
Openness: Average I would agree with this assessment. I am very open to new experiences. I frequently like to try new types of foods. I am also open to trying different activities that I have never tried before.
Conscientiousness: Low I do not agree with this assessment. I am fairly well organized; I do a daily to do list. If I have a goal, I work until I reach this goal, granted it may take a little longer than expected but it always gets done.
Agreeableness: Average I would agree with this assessment, but I think that I am on the higher side of it. In my opinion, I am a warm compassionate person. But I defiantly can be stubborn, I do not take it well when people try to push me to do something I don’t want to do.
Extraversion: High I would have to disagree with this assessment. I and defiantly an introvert. While I do not being around people, I so prefer my privacy or being around select few people. In my opinion, I should have scored on the lower end of the scale, maybe more average to low end of the spectrum.
Neuroticism: Average I agree with this assessment as well. I really am a calm person. My ability to deal with stress is fairly high (depending on the type of stress). I am a relaxed individual and let a lot of things go so I don’t have to stress them.
Done with Heart
Blog 2
Values that are important to me:
- Hard work- You need to work hard to get where you want to go.
- Commitment- You need to be able to commit yourself if you want to see it through.
- Persistence- You need to be persistent to keep you from getting discouraged.
- Passion- You need to be passionate about the things you do.
- Caring- You need to care about something in order to do it.
- Love- You need to be able to love what you are doing.
When I graduated from high school, I went to college because it was what was expected of me. I did get two Associates degrees. Then I got a job working in higher education (community college), not even one that uses the degrees I received. Five years later I decided to come back to school to get my Bachelors. This decision was prompted by the baseball team that was newly established at my college. Working with and being around those guys made me want to go back to school so that I can ultimately work with the student athlete population. I was literally standing on a baseball field turned to my friend/ coworker and said I want to work with them. The next day I submitted my application for ODU.
Those baseball players are the whole reason I went back to school. I told very few people about the fact that I was going to go back. Those that I did tell were very supportive. More people know now and I have received a great amount of support. The best response that I got telling someone I went back and why was from one of the baseball players. He looked me right in the face and told me that I would be good at that and I was the type a person that someone like him needs. Him and others that have shown be that support are the reason why I have stuck to this and will be graduating in spring.
Blog 1
By understanding the various objectives that will be covered in this course, I will be better equipped to work and effectively communicate with a variety of individuals from widely different cultures and backgrounds. I expect that this course will give me the ability to view the psychology and theories behind how culture impacts who we are, how it effects our environment, and how it influences those around us. This course will also give me the ability to better interact with people from many different cultures. I hope to gain the ability to learn more about myself and the people around me. That I will be able to use this information to better my understanding of other people’s views.
In order to ensure my success in this course I will have to keep an accurate account of the assignments and their due dates. I will also need to read all of the information provided in Blackboard and in the book as well as actively take notes on the information being covered.
Change
This image was chosen because this course is about helping us understand culture and help us change some of our perceptions of it.
