Blog 10
Initially I wanted to learn more about Cross-Cultural Psychology and improve my critical thinking skills. I also hoped to gain from this course insight on how to approach or handle situations with people in general. I know that different cultures expect and express a different level of politeness and respect; however, I would like to know how theory and research play apart in what I will observe over this class period and beyond. I wanted to see if there is a common psychological bond to the human race or is it really solely based on culture, values and beliefs. Is it how we are socialized into the world or what we make social about ourselves that makes a difference in what and how we perceive things.
I have learned that it is how a person is socialized and what they are surrounded by that allows them to perceive life differently. It is the environment of a person and what they are exposed to in life.
I did not get to study as much as I wanted to for this class to do to unfortunate life circumstances. I did learn that academically the summer session is seriously hard and a lot shorter than expected. I know that I need to be a little more focused no matter what. I just have to get things done.
Blog 9
I learned that I am intrinsically motivated and interdependent. I also thought that I was an introvert and I found out differently in this class. I have relearned that culture plays a big part in what passes for politeness and how people are treated. I have learned that people from other cultures express emotions differently and for different things. I have also realized that different classes define things differently. I took a language, gender and power class and for that class we discussed gender as being what the culture defines it to be. Since there are so many different cultures, there are many ways to define gender. Some things are masculine and some things are feminine, but I have learned that gender has nothing to do with sex. Sex is the physical, biological state of the person. It was interesting to learn in a different class that sometimes doctors determine the sex of a child based on what the genitalia looks like at birth. As the sunsets on another great semester, I will make sure to keep learning. Overall, this class has been a great learning experience.
Blog 8
When I have watched people from different cultures display emotion it has been interesting. I know a few people from the Democratic Republic of Congo and they show expression through dance. They puff up their bodies and round their shoulders to show haughtiness and having a good time. They lower themselves toward the ground and slump over when they are expressing sadness. It is different than a facial expression, but the way it is danced provides the same feeling and that emotional state. I also know some Jamaicans. They are very vocal and let you know how they are feeling through words. Their facial expressions and their eye gaze makes a difference as well. The Jamaican friends have a way of furrowing their brow and squinting when they are angry. I think my American friends have the best “if looks could kill” stare. I think some call it “the mom stare.” I know I hear a lot of friends tell me that if their mother looked at them a certain way that they would behave correctly and not act up again. I think that universality has provided society with a way of recognizing certain emotions. It is good that we have those because it allows us as a society to communicate without knowing each other’s language at times.
Blog 7
This blog almost didn’t make it because I couldn’t find a picture. It depends on what you are including and what you are wanting to exclude. You can’t include every culture, subculture or being into every remake of a film because someone somewhere will be offended by the representation or under representation of their specific group. Why is there such a need to feel included in everything. It is like poking your nose in business that isn’t yours. I understand that Disney wants to make money, but there has to be a line that says stop, we can make a different movie about another subject and find a way to include those who were left out of the last movie. Trying to add too much to characters that are too developed for children’s movies send a message to children that they should act more grown up than they are. Allow children to be children and live in their fantasy. Don’t pressure them. Everyone can’t come in first place at the same time and every one doesn’t deserve a medal at every race.
Blog 6
I am definitely intrinsically motivated. I do things for the sake of doing them and to say I accomplished it. I lost my outside motivation when my mother died and I had no one else to cheer for me so I had to learn to be my own best cheerleader. I set goals and do my best to attain them because I need something to cheer about. If I did not have the self-determination and just sheer will, I am sure that I would be on depression medications or maybe even far worse. I like being intrinsically motivated because that also sets the bar a little higher for my celebration after the fact. There are also times where the classroom is not enough and I have to learn what I need to learn on my own. I know that I have mastered something when I can teach it to someone else and they understand. I know I am not great ant everything; however, the things that I am good at, I know I can teach someone else. That is how I relate to the world and other people, by teaching people. I do not know how to connect any other way just yet.
Blog 5
I am interdependent. I know that no man is an island even if pulling oneself up by their own bootstraps. You can’t sell and buy from yourself. I know that I rely on my surroundings to provide me inspiration, but I also rely on my friendships with others to help me through everyday life. I am an African-american female. I am a cook. I am a counselor. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a trainer. I am a poet. I am a businesswoman. I am a friend. I know that I need people in my life to assist me. I know that I like to do some things independently and I do need my alone time, but I do like my network of friends. There is an African proverb that states “It takes a village to raise a child.” With that being said, I will take my interdependence.
Blog 4
I did not know how to find my test answers or grades before so this will be helpful for later. I failed myself for this test. I did not print out the study guide and I missed reading something. I need to do better at studying and plan better for the next test. I missed a lot of questions because I did not take my time to re-read the chapters before the test. I looked over the information on test taking and I need to make sure I follow these for the next test. The photograph that I chose shows what my study page looked like. I know that I need to study because I definitely need to pass this class a lot better than I am doing now. I will do what I need to do now and research my answers. I will prepare for next time.
Blog 3
| N | E | O | A | C |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 29 | 33 | 36 | 21 | 28 |
Above is my chart from taking the NEO Five -Factor Inventory. I must say that it is almost accurate. I am very open to new experiences, my activity is moderate and I am enthusiastic about stuff. I enjoy company, but I value my privacy greatly. I prefer to find my own road and not follow in the footsteps of others and make my own way. I am very hardheaded, quite skeptical and proud of my accomplishments. I don’t think that I am competitive nor do I express my anger directly. I hold my anger and then let it explode like a crock pot and sometimes it isn’t directed at the person that it should be. The neuroticism and conscientiousness categories are quite close. I thought I was an introvert who had a problem saying “no” and it turns out that I am quite near the opposite. Maybe I need actively engage in some behaviors that will assist me in changing some of my ways. I read that habits and ways are usually set by the time a person reaches adulthood, but I think with a little time and cognitive therapy, I think I may be able to change some of these traits and work on bettering myself.
Blog 2
Looking over the book and wondering what a great mission statement would be, values like integrity, respect, patience, tolerance, commitment, courtesy and effort come to mind. Love, cooperation and caring are also a few other values that would make the cut. Not knowing where this pursuit is going to complete the actual journey is still to be determined. The pursuit of and the actual degree will allow for further financial pursuits and make those pursuits a lot easier. I decided to continue on because every time I go on an interview I am turned away only because I do not have a four year degree and that is tough to hear, but I know it is one of the qualifications that have to be checked off and that is the only one I am missing. I have the experience and the skill sets required, I just don’t have the confirmation that I can stick with something long enough to obtain that piece of paper that states I actually went to class.
My parents did not play a role in my education. They pushed very hard for me to go to college, but it was like a status accomplishment for them. Like to say, “My child graduated from college.” I am actually the only child of four who does not have a college degree and I am only getting one because I want to make more money in an office setting. I have other trades and they are great just in case the economy crashes and I can do a lot with the diplomas and the knowledge that I have; however, corporate America wants a four year degree and that is what I have to complete now.
Blog 1
Day one of class and I already have to think about what I want out of this course and what I want to gain from it. Critical thinking skills that I hope to gain from this course will allow me to gain insight on how to approach or handle situations with people in general. I know that different cultures expect and express a different level of politeness and respect; however, I would like to know how theory and research play apart in what I will observe over this class period and beyond.
I hope to gain a better understanding of the American culture as well as those abroad. I want to see if there is a common psychological bond to the human race or is it really solely based on culture, values and beliefs. Is it how we are socialized into the world or what we make social about ourselves that makes a difference in what and how we perceive things.
I do not have any intended strategies for this class to ensure a successful outcome for this class. I do plan to do my work in an efficient manner and I hope to put my best abilities into my work so the work is recognized.
