ATA5
I chose to analyze comorbidity in alcoholism and Axis I in Germans for this assignment. What was found from the research that I did was that people with alcoholism also tend to have a higher rate of anxiety disorders- especially in females. In men, alcoholism was paired most frequently with PTSD. What I gleaned from this information and from what I learned in my Physiological Psychology class about the activity of the amygdala in people with anxiety, and the effects of alcohol on the amygdala, is that alcoholism and Axis I disorders are somewhat codependent disorders when paired together. Alcohol is often used to damped the effects of the amygdala- which is over active in people with anxiety and PTSD- and because it seems to lessen the effects, it is used more often, creating a dependence- alcoholism.
I included a slide from a presentation done on the topic, linked below. More research to support that alcoholism and anxiety are “bidirectional”.
Image source and presentation found here: https://slideplayer.com/slide/5751910/
ATA4
For this assignment we were to analyze American advertisements and compare to those from a different culture and talk about their portrayal of men and women. What I found was not surprising, but still disappointing. Women are consistently objectified and underrepresented in ads in both America and in Brazil- the country I chose to compare with. This is relevant to me, as a woman, because advertisements shape the standards held for women and subconscious beliefs of women in society. Unrealistic expectations are held in many areas, especially the standard of beauty. In my own research, I have learned that advertisements are used to appeal to the general population while convincing the consumer of something in order to buy a product. This has been supported by the information found while doing this assignment.
I chose the image below because it represents the themes I found to be most relevant during my research. Women exist to serve men in more ways than one. This woman in this Tom Ford ad is nude, ironing the man’s pants while he pays her no mind by reading the newspaper. This to me, says that women are to be used for sexual pleasure and for help with daily tasks but are still not worth his time or attention. This view is degrading and objectifying.
Image source: http://newsactivist.com/en/articles/gendered-world-views-section-10-winter-2016/tom-ford-sexist-advertisement
ATA 3
Assignment 3 was an analysis of a study abroad student’s blog and the related themes of the blog’s contents. I chose a student who studied in Ghana but also had familial ties to Ghana. In her blog you can see her transformation of self identification according to her heritage and ethnicity. In the beginning she was somewhat disconnected and confused. After having the study abroad experience she felt much more confident in her identification with her Ghanaian background. Some of her self identity was formed by the passage of values from her parents, Ghana born. Although she lives in the individualistic culture of America she possesses some collectivistic attitudes from her parents. This makes for a complex but unique set of values and self-concept.
I chose to include a funny little cartoon that I imagine might align with how the student might have felt before visiting Ghana.
Image source: https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/c/culture_identities.asp
ATA2
For Assignment 2 I chose to focus on my characteristic of honesty and openness and my tendency to be very direct and blunt when communicating. I have found that oftentimes people are taken aback by this but appreciate it. I was surprised to learn that this is a shocking thing for a lot of people from other cultures. I did not realize that in many cultures “saving face” is done by being indirect and subtle. In my opinion, it is more respectable and commendable when I can deal with a person that will be direct and open about things. I chose the picture below as a representation of my mantra with my friends that is relevant to this topic. I am always the friend that my people come to when they want a straightforward answer or opinion about something and do not want a sugar coated version of the truth.
