Assignment 4 Takeaway – Styles of Love
If we would all take the Styles of Love Questionnaire before we committed to a relationship, we might have a better understanding of the partner we choose. Even if we are already in a relationship, knowing your style of love and that of your partner might be a good way to understand each other in terms of what each partner values in the relationship.
I think if we would combine the knowledge that there are different styles of love with the knowledge that there are differences in Emotional Intelligence, we might be able to communicate more of our own feelings. By focusing on what we know best, ourselves, we can avoid making judgements (and mistakes) about other people’s feelings and attitudes
Assignment 3 Takeaway – Prejudice…or Narcissism?
In hindsight, one issue that I might have considered in addressing the behaviors of Michael Richard and Mel Gibson is narcissism. When someone has an overrated view of themselves, their abilities, or their importance, they can strike out against anyone that threatens that view.
It is possible that Michael Richard was, in the moment, carried away with the importance of his act. He may have been annoyed that members of the audience were not giving him the attention he thought he deserved and lashed out at them with the first words that came to mind.
In Mel Gibson’s case, or cases, he too, may have narcissistic tendencies. He is a well-known celebrity with a lot of money and power. While he may, or may not, normally keep narcissistic traits under control, the use of alcohol impairs his cognitive processes and strips away that control.
Taken from Branscombe and Baron (2017), page 340.
Assignment 2 Takeaway – Self-portrait
In my self-portrait, I wrote about several of my roles in life. Some of concepts I have thought about since are self-control and ego-depletion, specifically in social context. Each of the roles I inhabit are dependent on some social context. My self-control is usually dependent on the role, the stereotype I associate with that role, and my self-image or self-presentation.
To preserve my self-image as dutiful, easy-going and flexible, I often forgo activities of my choosing to meet the needs of others whether it be husband, child, employer, or animals in my care. Learning the concept of “ego-depletion” helps explain why I indulge in things over which I should exert more self-control, such as too many unhealthy snacks. Let’s hope that being able to recognize and name the phenomena will also help me correct it.
Assignment 1 Takeaway – Heuristics
While completing this assignment, I struggled to think of examples of the various heuristics that may affect initial perceptions and decision making. However, I think I am beginning to recognize them more often since working on the assignment. An incident at work made me think that representativeness heuristics were somehow involved.
On this occasion, one co-worker rebuked another for not wearing his uniform and for being disrespectful of the first’s authority. Considering that this workplace is a retail warehouse and that the uniform “policy ” is somewhat flexible due to weather conditions, I would have considered the violation a minor one at best and would not have made an issue of it. I also didn’t understand how the second employee could have been perceived as disrespectful, because I have never witnessed anything slightly disrespectful from him. The representativeness heuristic is the only explanation I can think of in this situation.
The criticizing party has had to deal with many young people who have often, and openly, defied her authority. So, when this young man responded that he didn’t wear his uniform because it was not warm enough, I think the first employee automatically thought of past experiences and excuses.
The question I have now is, how can situations like this be diffused? How can both parties be persuaded to see the other’s point of view and to recognize that their initial perceptions might bear reconsidering? Why create unnecessary ripples in the pond?
