From the beginning of the course till now, I have noticed a lot of changes. For one, my note taking has completely changed. I don’t write as many notes, I do a lot of summarizing, I print out the figures and make notes and I have discussions with myself and a classmate and we figure out what in the world to do!

With how people are now, I am content being an introvert. I just know I want to make the people a little better by having them be able to enjoy it. One thing I have noticed is that I really am not as harsh towards people, but now I just look at them with such sadness and it really saddens me. But it lets me know that people need help and we have lost our way and we need to get to the point where mental health is a better priority and is not something that people still stigmatize.

I think I could have done better with the course objectives, though I feel I do understand them a lot better. This book was very interesting and the class as a whole is amazing. Only thing that has changed was that Social Psych has made me a more curious person, and I am now even looking at people more like what is going on in their head. If I took the class again, I would firstly buy the newer version as the 13th edition didn’t have a lot of info that I was actually needing. Thankfully my classmate had the newer one and scanned the pages to me lol. But honestly I think I would rather take it in person, even though that is not possible. Or even have a chance to be in a zoom meeting to be able to discuss, or make some discussions and then upload them.

One way that I have grown academically is that I am more focused on what my goal is. I have been able to pinpoint what paths to take and classes to take and interns to look for.

The major skill that I can utilize is just how I can be a tad bit more sensitive to people, and just really give them a wide birth and seeing if people need help, to see what I can do without suffocating them.

I choose this photo, because one, it is hilarious! And two, this is the start of a whole new beginning for me. I am finally on the path to what I have started way back in middle school and this class just helped to solidify that I did choose the right path and headed in the right direction.

Blog 9

What I learned in this class can’t really be summed up by my previous blogs or takeaways that are already up. What I learned is that people are weird and social psychology has opened my mind to a lot of different views with people that I normally would not have had. It is even more a fact that I do not have time to take pictures or even find pictures. I may take pictures but over the past few years they have been far and few in between, so matching pictures with my blogs has been more of a dreaded aspect then anything else.

I can’t think of a class that relates to this as the last classes I have been in where health related and we didn’t discuss really anything in this book and my last psych class was roughly 6 years ago, so I am at a lost. I have enjoyed how it seems that what I have learned this semester is more present in the news with the protests for equality and justice, and how I view associates that have very dangerous views and concerning views. It has been a real eye opening class, and I love it.

Blog 8

This week we are discussing men and women and how they are in their relationships with the opposite sex, regarding sexual relations. Now I can attest to men wanting to spread wide and women being a bit more reserved, but that was years ago. Nowadays it is almost equal that if one of the partners is feeling that it isn’t enough they will step out to be with another person. To them sex is mistaken for love so when they get that high of an orgasm they kind of become addicted to it. There are people who see sex as an intimate cycle between their partner and would prefer only one, no matter if they are man or woman, but nowadays women step out just as much as men.

As far as the first slide of how men irk women, I can say their lack of compassion, their indifference to certain situations, lack of empathy if you will. Or they can be very emotional and too “soft” and that can get on a woman’s nerve.

For a woman who gets on a man’s nerve, it can be nagging, constant conflict, being extremely jealous and suspicious, and also being dependent. From personal experience my independence was a problem, some men don’t like a woman that can fend for themselves, so they seek out a “dependent woman who they can screw and make them feel like a big man. It all boils down to the ego when a woman irks a man. And for men irking women, it can be lack of emotion.

Blog 7

This weeks blog post deals with Self-Regulation and Emotional Intelligence. For me these are 2 sides of the same coin. How you regulate yourself always comes after your emotions are riled up. For me I can let my emotions get the best of me, I can even try to calm them down and it gets worse! Go figure right, but I like to say that is how us Scorpios roll!

Emotional Intelligence to me means that you have control of how your emotions affect your behavior. You know that when you feel that blood boiled, or you feel the blues coming on, you know how to pause and combat it so it won’t affect your behavior. Or you know what you have to do and ride out this emotional outburst. Either way you know what needs to be done.

For example, me when I get completely ticked off I normally take a breather and don’t speak to anyone. My mood gets real dark and I just try to breathe it out and let the mood wash over. I have learned that all I can do is just not say anything. Otherwise it will be some hurt feelings, and I probably wouldn’t care. I try to keep my moods to myself, and I normally can speak about them a few days later. I am very emotional.

I even took an EQ test, 2 actually. The first one is out of 10 and pretty much my relationship management is crap ha! Mainly I don’t have time for pettiness or trying to let people get away with trash they have no business dealing with. That is mainly why the longest position minus the one I have no was the Army. I hate dealing with people who are disrespectful and treat their coworkers and employees like crap. I have a sharp mouth and I am not afraid to use it.

The second picture is from Psychology Today and I scored a 71. I think this could be more accurate because I had to answer 145 questions as the above It wasn’t that many I had to answer. Though in both I need some work I can deal with how I am. I am not the one to sit back and take abuse or let people get away with anything in front of me. You do wrong, you going to pay for it. I have my livelihood and career to look after.

Blog 6

So watching this TEDTalk on The Dangerous Ways Ads See Women by Jean Kilbourne is always good to hear. It lets people know that women are always sexualize and that does allow men and even some women to take advantage of us, and treat us as objects, and not believe us because of the jacked up perception they have us .

These ads make women feel inferior to men, and that we dshould be grateful a man want us and what we need to do to be grateful to men. How we should just let them treat us however we want because we are less then them. It is trifling and it is very disturbing, and we are still fighting this narrative today, only it seems to have gotten a lot bolder and harsher.

These ads teach young girls that they are not worthy unless they look like what a man deems beautiful, or it shames their into making drastic changes of their bodies, which toxicifies the women’s mind even more. It is degrading all around.

The first picture is one of five that support the toxicity of how women are perceived through media. This ad for a cheating website, ran by a woman is pretty bad. It shows that while you may not be a perfect size it is alright to cheat because life is short. She your ugly wife or girlfriend, might as well hurt her even more by having an affair and we will help you. This is one of the most disgusting ads I have seen, that really damages a woman’s psyche and lets men see that this is fine since a woman made it, it can’t be wrong, right? This is mental torture and the fact that this site is so popular means something.

The above ad for lingerie gives body image issues to women everywhere. This ad being label perfect body makes when who aren’t this size inferior and can enhance eating disorders. For women who are larger they can develop a hatred of smaller women, and smaller women can develop a hatred for larger women. The playing the in crowd starts and eating disorders and mental illnesses start. Men play into it by wanting this and inadvertently, if not sometimes on purpose, put this image on their mate. There is no such thing as a perfect body. What makes you comfortable may not make the next person comfortable and here is a prime example. People forget these models may be photo shopped and this might not even be their real bodies.

The above picture is an ad for Weight Watchers. Look at how they over-exaggerated here “before” body. Her after body doesn’t look like its correct with some cleaning up, but it makes you think that eating their food you will lose all the weight and you are find. The problem with these diet companies is that they drain you of money and the restrictions aren’t for everyone. I know, I did this and 4 other weight loss companies and all I lost was several grand! Every persons body is different, everyone’s metabolism is different, but for women, it is pressure for us to look thin and shapely, and to do so at all costs. They do more in shaming when for being curvy and a little thick then they do on men, and these companies are to blame as well.

This ad above is just ridiculous. I know I see harsh but they really think that a kg makes this big a difference. Now maybe it can, but here I see a woman who probably just ate, and then a different woman who exercises all the time. When I see these type of comparisons, I noticed that sometimes, they aren’t even using the same person. But again this showcases that you should be curvy, have a thigh gap, and be tan to feel good about yourself. There is nothing wrong with either picture, but in context of dieting and exercising it again gives a false narrative to young adolescent girls and women of all ages.

Now this is just plain disrespectful. I know plenty of woman who are pear shaped and they love the skin they are in. Again another sexist ad that is shaming a woman for her natural body and implying that you are unattractive if you look like this. You should buy these to look like the female in the ad, who clearly doesn’t have the same body type as you, but you should make yourself in her image anyway. It is always disgusting how men and woman do ads geared towards women. Not to mention they refer to grown women as girls.

One last thing is that there are no universal sizes in women’s clothing. My clothing ranges from medium to XXL depending on who makes it. So while I may need a size 16 jeans in this company, I can wear a junior size in this other company. It literally gives woman the illusion that they are fat and if they wear clothes from certain companies or stores they will always be different sizes. This is the biggest problem. We then start to diet to fit into an outfit from years pass or a new dress from a week ago. Our bodies change constantly from bloating and water retention and our cycle, but we are still made to feel bad about our bodies. We have to work hard to change the image of women on society, but when you even have other women downing us, it makes that work much, much harder. This TEDTalk just reminded me how long we have come, and how much work we still have to do as a society.

Blog 5

In this weeks blog post I will be giving my opinion on three advertisements and how I view them.

The first advertisement is for a gel souffle, which I am more entitled believe comes from a credible source as the company who produced it is advertising it to you. They can tell you what is does or supposed to do, what products it compliments and how to use it, so I would be more apt to buy and listen to them more than likely

The second ad is a source that is not so credible. It is from a blogger that may be getting compensated fro her review, o even if it doesn’t work for her, she may not give you an honest review. I tend to look at at least 4 reviews, 6 videos and word of mouth before I purchase a sample to see, but through research I have found that the product was really damaging despite the “positive reviews” it was getting.

The third ad is on of attractiveness. I love Essence magazine. They have always had some really great articles and I have never found an product in their ,that had bad press or was kind of iffy to me. So I wouldn’t think twice if a brand said they were in Essence, I would automatically think they were good and try it. I know, it’s bad but it is the attractiveness that gets you , and your wallet in trouble.

Blog 4

This weeks post is reviewing our first exam. I never do well on my first exam, mainly because I never know how to study. But this exam I know what not to focus on and what to expand on. My notes have not changed from the first exam, but for the second exam I know exactly how to write these notes and how to study and utilize the reviews and videos.

I think being able to review the exam and see it right after is a great way to review your study methods. I like doing this as it helps me prepare and feel more comfortable going into the next exam.

Blog 3

How does music move and connect you?

I do feel that music can connect people and create a bond. I know when I normally meet people I always ask what is their favorite band, singer, genre and favorite song. I try to listen to some of their music so I can get a feel for them as a person. Since my associates are from a lot of different ethnic backgrounds, I have gotten some really good cross cultural music in my playlist.

My associates and I don’t have similar tastes or more it’s around 30% or less. I listen to certain rock and roll, I do love country , hip-hop, rap, R&B, are my main go to’s. Classical music is a good source of relaxant as well. With my boyfriend our tastes are similar yet different. He has this laid back skater vibe, and he is always chill so his music tends to be more upbeat, even his rock music. He is not a fan of old school music like the Temptations or The Isley Brother’s. He is Jamaican so he listens to a lot of Jamaican and Caribbean music, and I barely listen to Jamaican. But he has been introducing me to more music when we have time together. I love opera he is not a fan of it.

With my boyfriend and I our values and ideals are very similar considering we do have a lot of opposite tastes.

No as far as music, I don;t subscribe songs per person, more of a feeling or a genre.

My father and mother are complete 50s. 60s, and 70s babies so that is their poison of choice and it reminds them of the times before the hectic world we live in now. When things weren’t so uptight.

My boyfriend is country and pop as he is so laid back and does his own thing, and has his own style.

When I feel in love or a loving mood I listen to Ashanti’s Baby, Ella Mae’s Boo’d Up, anything Jagged Edge or 112, Soul 4 Reals. Candy Rain, anything Beyonce, Monica and Keyshia Cole’s Love.

During my military days (ages 19-23), I would listen to The Cardigan’s. Love Fool was my favorite song off their album, Chumbawamba Tubthumper, Aqua’s Come on Barbie Let’s Go Party, No Doubt, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw (my favorite!), Nelly, down south music (being stationed in TX rubbed off on me), Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain and a lot of Pop music.

Now at 40, I am all over the place. If I need to prep for work I listen to rap/hip-hop. Coming home from work 2000s Pop. Relaxing Oldie but Goodies. Cleaning or just acting a fool around the house I just hit shuffle on my playlist and have a random 1000 songs just going everywhere.

Blog 2

I am the type of student that is hardworking and very dedicated to her classes and extra curriculum activities that are close to my heart. At 39, I am still pursuing my dream of having my own research lab. I have never stopped learning or helping others learn and reach their potential. I have taken classes for everything that I enjoy as well as enjoyed leadership positions and President, Vice President and Secretary in several clubs while in college. I have never stopped learning and all that I do encompasses the work I hope to achieve in the future. I am a student that will try her hardest to succeed in all her classes, no matter what.

Currently, I am a confident student. I know my limitations, and I know my strengths. I know how to utilize the academic current to benefit my academic path and all the resources that they have available to me. My confidence has tanked in the past, but I ended that quickly. I used to make myself physically ill in high school and my early college days, striving for nothing less than a 4.0. I thought that would always be better than anything else. I felt that without that I was less of a student, not worthy of competing with my peers. That was an ill way of thinking. My commitment to learning my best, doing my best and asking for help, makes me more confident in myself.

Understanding that I am not in a race with anyone but myself, has helped me. I am working 2 jobs, so I have to give myself a breather when it comes to school and time to breathe. This isn’t the time to beat myself up. All I need to do is adjust my schedule a little more and just make me time count. I have an academic planner that has every assignment for this course set up and broken down into smaller pieces so I can effectively get through the semester knowing that I did every assignment, and it was done when I had it scheduled to make it easier for me.

My self-efficacy results are a 31, which I think is a pretty good observation of where I am at currently. It is not as high as I would like it to be, but I have some objectives that need to be cleared out and worked on. And that will be done when the time is right, and without me rushing. I have come a long way from wanting to be an absolutely perfect student, to just being the normal A’s and B’s I would get. Taking pressure off of myself and just allowing me to enjoy my education and what i am learning has put me in a better mind-frame. I just give it my all and let the universe doe as she feels fit, and trust that the energy I put out will be reciprocated.

Blog 1

This weeks blog discusses the course objectives of Social Psychology and how they will help me in the future.

First thing is that these objectves help me prep in my studying and note taking. I do have OCD maybe OCPD 🙂 )so my notes are colored coded and organized.

This class is very interesting because as an introvert and a person who really doesnt like a lot of attention or to be the center of attention, it will force me out my shell and to be more aware then I normally am. So looking at the behaviors of others will be exciting giving I already make general assumptions about people when I am outside people watching.

With what is going on in the world today, this class is going to bring a lot of more personal insight into how people view others and perceive their own safety and the behaviors of others. This class is needed more now then ever. Peoples attitudes towards race and basic civil liberties are backward if not, distorted. But to understand these views we need to observe them and understand why this exist.

Prejudice and discrimination has become so more prevalent in our society, and as a Black Woman this class will help me on my path to helping other Black women and women of color find help and support amid social pressures and conflicts.

To understand the basis of friendships and how relationships work are very interesting as we all know that people tend to be attractive to those who are pleasing to the eye, and are funny. I look forward to learning more of what we subconsciously do to attract a mate or build relationships.

I am expecting that this class will lessen my harden view of the world and those in it. Times have gotten away from us and society is seeming to breakdown and become unruly. I have a different outlook due to my unique issue in this world, a Black Woman. I dont want to have the basis that I do because of how the world perceives me. I want this class to be a breakthrough so I can help other women of color survive and be productive and stronger in this world, and within their own mental state of mind.

When it comes to taking the course and understanding the class and making sure that I am doing good, I take organized notes. Pictures below.

Studying the way I do, with objectives and answering them, writing down definitions, viewing and taking notes on videos, writing questions in my book for later clarification and reaching out to my TA and Professor, will help me do better.