Blog 10

All in all, I feel I successfully learned how to understand others, how to be opened minded more and how one’s attitudes influence the way others act and form certain behaviors. Going into the class really not understanding a lot about what affects how others act toward certain situations or appearances gave me the eagerness to learn and by the end I learned that sometimes the way people respond to situations is simply by the way they were taught or exposed to to.

I feel that Social Psychology is a endless open book of the world. It has an endless amount of circumstances to be view and studied, knowledge of it is just waiting to be experienced.

The diversity of situations and people will definitely be beneficial in becoming a probation officer or any other type of helper of people because of the complexity of the world in which we live. To do these jobs effectively,  you need to understand different people and their attitudes. I feel that I accomplished this knowledge through this class, however, if I had to take the class over again, I would only had taken this class and tried not to take on the responsibility of others. I felt I did not absorb as much as I should have.

Just A Piece of the Puzzle

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHnfq-ovXeAhUCuVkKHeYuAZcQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jigsawatwork.com%2Fnlp_and_communication&psig=AOvVaw1E0xyMPHAXcbetOntImI7k&ust=1543431924852783

I chose this image because it shows that we are just a puzzle that needs the pieces to fit together to be successful in society. Once we figure out the puzzle we have succeeded.

Blog 9

The three things  that I have learned most in this course were about perception, decision making and how it effects ourselves and others.  Along with knowing ourselves, we need to know why others act the way they do to better function in society as a group.

The assignment takeaways refreshed my mind and sort of gave me a review of what I had read in the chapters. For instance, by choosing photos of myself (archive items in module 6) and telling what I  perceived my personality as being in different situations, this  also lets you think of how others may see you. A photo captures to you what people see on a day to day basis as a memory of you. The greatest part is that everyone has their own interpretation and each person will respond differently. This was just a continuance of items that we archived in Module 5. In  that assignment we had to give examples of what we could do to make ourselves appear better in different situations like  a job interview or meeting new people for the first time. Often times, this is why we stereotype certain people. We judge them without really knowing who and what they represent.In Module 8, we were asked to think of words that describe our own particular group. With that in mind, is that truly how we are represented?

Sometimes situations may involve aggression. Aggression is often times a big part of life, how we  decide to respond to it is even bigger. In the archived items for module 12, a list of statements were presented to show what our reactions were to each. Depending on who reads them and how they perceive them, these demonstrates the many ways that aggression can occur. A good one is the statement that says, ” An angry son purposely fails to write to his mother, who is expecting a letter and will be hurt if none arrives”. One may say this is aggressive behavior, but another may simply think  it is not because it does not physically harming anyone.

This semester I am also taking a criminology class and several things that we have read in Social Psychology intertwine. Take for instance the cognitive theory and the information-processing theory through the eyes of theorists. These therorists perform research to determine what and how certain behaviors effect criminality. Being able to go into depth in different ways has helped me understand why some behavior leads to criminal ways.

 

This picture represents how I printed out the assignments and archives and reread what I had already done. I chose modules that were the most interesting and fun to do and learn from.

Blog 8

I could probably write a book on the subject of  what is it that angers women about men? Over the span of my interesting relationships, I would have to answer at this stage in my life, everything angers women. Men seem to hold a whole different outlook than women on everything! However, how one reacts to it is the key. So, does the situation just tick you off a little to where you can dismiss it? Or does it make your blood boil? I spoke to my coworkers, which are men, and they all seem to hold the same opinion about women, that they too hold different outlooks than men on things. Hummmm……..So if women make men mad, and men make women mad, why do we even bother? Needless to say, it was a conversation that got extremely heated. I believe they are enjoying this class as much as I am. Its almost like a little counseling session at break time.

I thought about the times that my husband had made me the most upset and came up with only two that really stood out. It probably makes me the angriest when he doesn’t understand that I am too tired or just not in the mood to perform my “wifely duties”. With work, school, children, grandchildren and all the other things that need to be done, sometimes a little help would be appreciated. There is laundry, vacuuming, cleaning, with the list going on and on. Help out a little, geez! The procrastination of other chores is next on the list. I have been waiting on mulch since April. So, let me see, “I’ll wait until June to wash your clothes!” Of course that would never happen because I just couldn’t stand it. The interesting point of it all, is the men that I work with had the same basic complaints about women with infrequency in the sex department top on the list. While they discussed the topic they said women changed their minds, griped too much and wanted things done right then with no exceptions.

Even though the world has come a long ways with men being more involved with the duties around the house, men still hold a type of stereotypical bias. Not saying all men, but it seems the case with this particular age group that I am in contact with. Again, looking back over my life, these issues have not always been a problem. I feel different stages of a relationship triggers different emotions and these emotions have different effects of how we deal with them.

How Men Upset Women

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjKt9ip2sreAhWhTN8KHRNUBwIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanresourcesonline.net%2Fwork-women-household-chores%2F&psig=AOvVaw3hhvErTs38OetSuJk7T__m&ust=1541900515087020

Women Upset Men

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiOxOuW3MreAhUKZd8KHeeICwYQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myacuhealing.com%2Ffrustrated-man-sitting-bed-front-woman%2F&psig=AOvVaw2JWTVsQoihcADPEpja1j8h&ust=1541969980687395

Blog 7

Self Regulation and emotional intelligence intertwine. A very broad spectrum, however, easily put, it is how a person thinks , reacts, responds and controls themselves in situations while holding a certain level of maturity. To me, self regulation and emotional intelligence is the ability to control my reactions and the way I deal with certain people. I believe it is a learned process that starts in childhood.

With much room for improvement, I sometimes have difficulty controlling how I react to circumstances and people, especially if the circumstance causes me to become angry. I have a co-worker that jumps ahead of me to do tasks that are not even in his job description. It makes me feel like he is trying to prove that I am not needed at my place of employment.  I have to mentally have a conversation with myself every day to not react unhealthy.  A reaction that would give everyone around me the impression that I am out of control or crazy. And, it is not just me that he does this to. I have reported him several times to my boss to no avail. What I am already doing is almost as the doctor discussed in the video.  In the days to come, I will practice the techniques that Dr. Ferguson discussed. Hopefully it will help me deal with this difficult co-worker a little better because at some point I know I will build up enough steam and eventually blow.

EQ TEST RESULTS SUMMARY

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/personality/emotional-intelligence-test

 

 

Blog 6

Prior to watching Jean Kilbourne’s Killing Us Softly III video, I had not really thought about how sexist and degrading some advertisements are to women. I would imagine that advertisement for products and businesses would have changed their approach over the years as the video was quite a bit dated. However, I find that in today’s world, it is just as sexist. Women are still considered to be the lesser gender between male and female as the advertisement for a real estate company depicts in ad number 1.

1https://www.scarymommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/real-estate.jpg?w=700

In this ad, Chase and Jeffrey Costello, the owners of the company, pictured to the right, insinuates that a mother represents a nonprofessional position and can not do as good of a job as a man, a statement that speaks volumes about their business and themselves. It is possible that they have this mentality because of the fact that they have seen other ad antics using women as the bate and making tons of money for industries. Another approach that is often used as an attempt to attract consumers is sex itself.

Take image 2, it is perceived that skinny women are the sex appeal that sells, that such bodies are perfect.

2/people.com/style/victorias-secret-changes-controversial-perfect-body-slogan-find-out-the-new-campaign-name/

It is understandable they want to parade around and flaunt their bodies but this may be the reason our gender  loses respect by males. Would they want their mother’s modeling underwear? Not to mention, why is that skinny is considered the perfect body. Victoria Secret caters to this idea way too much and it is offensive. Adidas did just a good of a job by degrading woman in their ad as well.  Ad number 3 is catchy and definitely gets one’s attention but at what price for our next generation of women? It implies that if she likes your shoes, well you know what you will get!

3https://www.pinterest.com/pin/493144227921707456/?lp=true

Ad torture doesn’t stop with degrading and using just the gender of women but also the race of women like in the Dove ad in image number 4. The ad implies a tasteless impression that by using their product it would make you so clean that a black woman would become white. Not a wise choice of images for dove to imply that one color is better than another.

4https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.acnEc4Dq85n96fsqiLYJrwHaE5&pid=15.1&P=0&w=279&h=185

Whether advertisement agencies target white, blacks, male, or females, society has proven that sex sells. It is up to the individual whether they will buy into it our not. Again, image number 5 uses a woman to sell Viagra. You don’t see men modeling women’s underwear or makeup.  It seems that women sell everything and to pay the price to man, making their men owned companies rich.

5

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/09/30/article-urn:publicid:ap.org:7b0faf134bdc40e5835fb1808fbd1613-6Syehe5fSHSK2-752_634x494.jpg

1

Blog 5

https://mummydeals.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/24291.jpg

Picture A represents a credible source because of the familiarity of the actor that is representing the product.Consumers often use a product because the manufacturers choose a spokesperson that is easily likable. In this advertisement, the advertisers of Procter & Gamble chose Larry The Cable Guy because he is a famous stand up comedian that  is portrayed as being a person that is honest and tells it like it is. The manufacturer also went a step further to reinforce their product by offering free samples to try. Another sure fire way that their product is worthy. After all, who would give away free samples if they didn’t feel their  product was worthy.

http://www.sigmalive.com/en/application/cache/default/images/news/900×450/Donald_Trump_up_with_first_campaign_ads.jpg

Picture B represents a source that is not credible. Although this particular ad is not an advertisement to sell a product, it is a tactic to sell something. Donald Trump is trying to sell his ideas on Americans for a vote. A vote for is own personal gain, to become President of the United States.

baystatic.com/d/l225/m/mVbTyNerEGCc8gIZONx1Gzw.jphttps://thumbs.eg

Picture C represents a source that is attractive. All advertisers want to make their product appealing. They often put people on their ads that are pleasing to the eye. It may be a gorgeous runway model or in this case a  handsome cowboy such as Matthew McConaughey. In either case, the advertiser is looking to persuade you into buying their product. When consumers see such ads they are lured in by the attractiveness of the model, thus buying the product in hopes that they will be perceived as sexy when using the advertised product.

Blog 4

The first test of the semester is always a little scary for me. I utilized the power points and highlighted what I felt was important information as I read each chapter.  Upon receiving the test review, I was right on target with what was going to be on the test. I spent the entire week studying the definitions, however, not really focusing on scenarios. A mistake that cost me a lot. I believe if I had put examples of situations with the definition, it would have helped me retain the information better. The Jeopardy game was extremely helpful, I think more so than the review sheet.

I did not do as well on the test as I had expected I would, but with this being said, I have an idea of Professor Younkin’s technique now and feel that using her study tips more the next time will improve my retention skills. I hope that after a certain amount of time, the correct answers will appear so that we know without a doubt what the correct answers are. Here’s to next time!

 

 

                                                

Blog 3

Growing up going to dances with my parents in the 70’s taught me how to appreciate good music at a very young age. Thinking back on these dances, music certainly brought strangers together. Maybe they liked the beat or maybe just the lyrics, but whatever it was, it surely worked. People were having fun and I certainly had my share as well. I often find that my mood effects my choice of music. This may be in part because I turned to music to soothe my soul in troubled times. In the past what I listened to usually was not the same as whom I was in a relationship with. At least it wasn’t until  I met my husband of twenty-one years, I may add,  that I had someone that really liked the different genres of music I preferred.  We often play “name that song” on the radio and debate what year it came out. So it may be that the connection between music and relationships is such a thing. My husband and I mesh together in our values for family and life. We are often called by family members as “two peas in a pod” or by friends, “Bonnie and Clyde.”

Today when I hear certain songs, it takes me back to times gone by, some good, some not so good like divorce, the death of my father and the death of my son. Now that I have come out of these bad times, I can listen to these songs and smile and say “You’ve come a long way baby!”

Below is the soundtrack of songs that represent me throughout many stages of my life.

SMILES TO THE SKY

Teenage Self*  PURPLE RAIN

                       (Prince)

Ex-Husband*      TWO PRINCES

                                     (Spin Doctors)

Ex-Husband*   LITTLE MISS CAN’T BE WRONG

                                       (Spin Doctors)

Early 20’s Self*    HOLD ON FOR ONE MORE DAY

                                     (Wilson Phillips)

Mid 20’s Self*      EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN

                               (Poison)

    Daddy*              ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL

                                    (Lester Flatt- Earl Scruggs)

Friends*                           BILLIE JEAN

                                              (Michael Jackson)

Engaged Self*           ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH TO ME MY MAN?

                                            (Sheryl Crowe)

Husband* HIGHWAY TO HELL

                ( AC/DC)

Husband *  WRECKING BALL

                       (Eric Church)

Husband *       THINKING OUT LOUD

                           (Ed Sheeran)

If you learn from your mistakes, nothing was lost. Its when you stop learning that you fail. Live your life to be happy not what other’s dictate it should be. Always smile.

https://www.capetownchiro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/freedom-sunset-web-header.jpeg

Blog 2

I consider myself to be a very well rounded student. As an older student, and after some hard knocks in life, my time is precious so I believe I need to do a thousand percent in all tasks, not only school. The way I look at it is, I am spending money to go to college, there is no need wasting my time if I’m not going to give it my all and do it right. I do struggle with some things, like comprehending what I read. I know this so I take extra time to read my assignments, often times reading them aloud to my pretend class. (whatever works!) There is always room for improvement and I like experimenting with new ideas to see if they help me learn better. Online classes are hard for the majority of people taking them but they are so convenient. If I had the ability to interact with more of the students in my classes, that would help my confidence. I am a people person and I need that connection to help me build my self esteem and do better with my classwork. Hearing input from your peers of what they think of your work is a big booster in my opinion. Everyone needs reassurance.

My survey results are right on the money! My overall score was 95.4.  My score for Ability Can Grow With Effort was 96 and the score for Believe in Your Ability was 95. I believe everyone needs encouragement to grow. This encouragement is what makes people succeed. A little praise goes a long way!

WORKING TO SUCCEED

These pictures represent student success, confidence building and forming friendships. We were randomly chosen by the librarian at our community college for the I Read, I Lead, I Succeed campaign for the Quality Enhancement Program. Our group was working on a project that we had to present for Children’s Literature. They also represent that interacting with others makes learning fun!

 

 

Blog 1

I hope after completing Psychology 304, I will effectively use the course objectives to be able to explain and discuss with ease the processes in which people use to understand others, how attitudes toward certain things are formed toward prejudices and discrimination and how such attitudes are related to people’s behavior. With this being said, I need some fine tuning in my ability to read people as I have been told that I am very intuitive. Achievement of this will allow me to reach my goal in working toward the career of a probation officer or counselor. People in general fascinate me. I often laughed at my mother when we would go to the mall and she just wanted to sit on the bench in the middle and watch people. She had all kinds of stories to tell when I returned. The older I get, the more I am like her.

I am always trying to come up with a better strategy to make my education work for me with ease. I struggle to keep  on track with reading the material in the book and have admitted this from my very first class. Online classes are the toughest, I know most would agree. At the beginning of each semester I get a calendar and break my reading assignments down into days. You can do this with what you struggle with, not necessarily reading but maybe no due date assignments. It will save you a lot of heartache at the end of a self paced course.  I love our professor’s course schedule but I need something even more fine tuned to stay on track. I work a forty hour job and on top of that I try to do all my school work during the week so my weekends are free for my family. (husband, three daughters, six grandchildren)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi4vqa6uLvdAhVrkeAKHbjQCZIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fcecil-college%2Fbalancing-school-and-life-29ae79c9c39a&psig=AOvVaw2FFbXF6jp017X5ORtMnpkW&ust=1537046998429912

Sometimes this doesn’t work out but most of the time it does. A suggestion to all students, young and old, make a plan, over extend that plan in case of an unexpected emergency, that way you will be ahead some and stick to the plan. Do not wait until the last minute to do your schoolwork.  When you are rushed, you don’t learn it.

Below is a picture of my calendar, Professor Younkin’s course schedule and my other class’s course schedule. I highlight through what I have completed. It seems like a lot, but it works for me.