Weekly Blogs

BLOG 10

This is a look back on my first entry. I think I done decent enough when it comes to understanding the objectives of the course. It has really opened my eyes to what I thought I knew in terms of being culturally aware.

I think my attitude stays the same. I do see where there are still gaps of research done. It seems they did more research between Asian countries and America then anything else. That is annoying, but it leaves the door open for others to pick up where they slack off. It also let’s you know that there is typically one voice when doing research, and that also is good in welcoming others with different perspectives to come in and do more research.

If I had to take this class again, I wouldn’t work. This class has a lot of elements to it, and with a super busy and almost 60 hour a week schedule, I find myself stressing out to get the assignments done and can’t really enjoy the class like I want it.

I have grown because I have identify that there is a lack of research about Black Americas, and it made me realize that we have a long way to go when it comes to understanding our cultural differences from Africa and other areas where there is a large Black population. There more research we have, the more we can understand not only us, but other people of color in the world.

Working in medicine I know I can take what I have learned, especially OCEAN, when I work with others in research topics. What I think is important might not be as serious as what others may think it is. So being able to understand the thinking and actions of people around me is going to beneficial to research.

BLOG 9

This week we are supposed go talk about what we have learned and how we can relate it to any other courses we have taken and the like. But honestly I know that this isn’t going to go this way.

The top three things I have learned in this course so far are:

1. Cross Cultural Psychology has done a lot of research into different cultures making it easy to pick up with they left off.
2. There still needs to be a lot of research done on minorities from other cultures living in the US.
3. I know that I have a lot more to learn, but I am happy that I have the tools to go forward in my goal.

When I think of what needs to be done in reference to Blacks and culture I think of this picture. The foundation of Blackness begins in woman and the universe. and this class made me see we are far, yet close at the same time.

BLOG 8

1. I need to get back into blogging like I used to as it really does help to express myself and clear my mind.
2. I have seen how having a cultural idea of those around you will most definitely help you, to help them. This goes well with my Psychology of Women class as it gives you another side to look at when we read about how women are being treated, and then the cultural aspect of their lives as well.
3. The last thing I have learned is that I have a lot more to learn and study on my way to realizing my goal, and I am looking forward to this journey.

The eportfolio section of pictures aren’t really my favorite this semester. As they are just what I have around. I don’t have time to go around and take pictures of exciting things due to stress at work and trying to mentally keep it together for all these classes.

When it comes to connecting this course to another, the only thing that I can think of is more. There is so much missing from all these classes as the voices of these texts, don’t resonate with me, and they are one-sided. So it gives me hope that this field will have a lot of growth that is sorely needed.

This image gives me hope that we will have better mental health for women of color, and for society as a whole.

Blog 8

I work in a hospital lab and we are 100% diverse, representing at least 30 countries from my last count. So of course we have a lot of occasions to notice how people express themselves.

When we are receiving information that tells us we are going to have a long night, there a few reactions. The Americans, we sigh, roll our eyes and reluctantly take the information and prepare for the night. The techs from Asian countries are more welcoming of the negative information without any extra additives that the Americans in my lab do. Our Caribbean coworkers go a little bit stronger and give the third degree to the previous shift, in asking them what did they do wrong, that in 8 hours it still isn’t fixed and bleeds over into our shift.

The behaviors are as expected, as I have been in a lab setting for years now and there are rarely any changes in the reception or giving of information. The slight difference that I may notice is that those who are raised in America, tend to be a little bit ore off putting than their counterparts from their mother country.

The cultural display would explain some of the reactions, but to honestly think about it I do seem it as a universal for those of different countries.

In looking at some emoticons I noticed that Japans angry emoticon looks like this ≧ ≦, while our angry emoticon looks like >:(

BLOG 7

Okay, so this blog deals with representations of fairy tales or how they, for the most part, interact with the values of a culture.

I have always had an odd outlook when it came to fairytales. I don’t like the flowery ones they tell today. I like the dark and disturbing ones that they truly are. So I think the fairytales today reflect a false narrative of cultures. They are hidden parables that were made to tell heart wrenching stories but to lull kids to sleep at night. They represent a perfect a supposed perfect society with a clear cut story and how to make it right. And they usually end on a happy note. We all know that is not how it is. Fairytales are just lies. The only thing they do is take you away from reality for a couple of hours to just dream, and wish.

For fairytales they always have had women being used, disobeying orders, or getting into trouble, or being a damsel in distress. The older ones not the newer ones of today. How the girls need guidance, how the young women needed to act a certain way to get a husband. Having kids and how their life is no complete with kids and taking care of the husband. Plus the “girls” are particularly younger then their male counter parts so that has always been an issue with me.

Now as far as a movie or novel that influenced me there are none. I mean I read a lot of genres. I am a dark person . I love supernatural shows and movies, thrillers, horrors, psychological thrillers, slaughter books and movies. Anything blood and gore and demonic filled. I love period films, historical films, pretty much the only genre I don’t watch a lot of is “chick” flicks, or tear jerkers. It just is nothing that I want to watch.

There are movies I love to watch and will catch them no matter what part they are on. They are Orlando, Like Water for Chocolate, Constantine, National Treasure, Afflicted and others along those lines.

This is the closest I have gotten to fairytales, and I typically watch anime so here is a picture of some anime that I watch.

BLOG 6

This weeks blog deals with the Self-Determinant Theory on our book. Here I am going to try my best to explain autonomy, competence and relatedness working into my academic life.

Autonomy

I absolutely adore the fact that my classes are online, as I really get burnt out and irratated with too much people interaction. Even prior to the pandemic, my degree was online. It gives me the space and time I need to myself in order for me to my studying done at my pace. It also allows me to have the bare minimum contact of people interaction in the form of discussion board replies, and group me chats. I can take my time with my scheduling my studying and homework days. I can also take more mental health days and breaks instead of being in class and having anxiety attacks in class and having to deal with crowded classrooms and hallways and social areas. I mean my Community College had to 2 shooters in there and I just happen to be on the floor when it happened, and being a war Vet, it wasn’t good at all. I like that I can feel safe and protected, for the most part, at home, then being out on campus.

Competence

Again it is similar to the above for me. I feel that when I have my schoolwork in front of me, I am seemingly more alert to doing the assignments. At times I would skip on campus classes because it was to overwhelming, or more often than not the teacher was making us feel stupid or ignorant. Here, with these online classes I fell more sure of myself and if I have questions, there are tutors and the teachers seem more responsive and not ignorant.

Relatedness

This ties directly into my overall professional goal and I know that the way I have been going about it. I will feel comfortable bringing these ideas into a working environment.

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BLOG 5

This week we are taking a look at who we are, based on 10 “I am” statements our teacher gave us. I would in my answers that I have a mix, of course of interdependent and independent construal of self. From my ten statements 6 of them (1-5, and 7) I am interdependent on others around me. The other 4 (6, 8-10) I am dependent on myself.

It seems that I am more interdependent, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. Very interesting.

The next portion is to think of proverbs that reflect either independent or interdepedent, and I cannot think of one. The only ones I see are the ones that the teacher wrote for an example, but other than that, I am at a total lost. I was never good with proverbs.

BLOG 4

This week we are to review the test and check the answers we got wrong and look them up. This is my least favorite blog, but here I am completing it anyway. Sigh.

As normal I made stupid errors on the test, and even though I didn’t fail, I didn’t do as good as I wanted to. Which honestly is not surprising. There are things that I will always hate, and will, during my academic tenure, and that is taking exams that are multiple questions. In my previous blogs I am sure I addresses me annoyance of being over stimulated, and that is what multiple choice test do to me. They over stimulate me. It gives me to many choices and I end up always second guessing myself, or having a breakdown in the middle of the test, and just stare at it for 5 minutes or more. I have to constantly modify my studying technique depending on the class material and what I feel is important for an exam. I will always see exams as just a way to see if you can regurgitate the information. With me, and classmates, when we speak about an exam, we cannot recall anything. Its like a dump and go, and I feel that is how my entire college tenure has been. Probably why I can’t speak technical terms but can perform the operations. Science seems easier because you can’t just learn and dump. It is constant application. But not for the social sciences. I am not practicing psychology with anyone, and definitely not in a professional setting as you can’t get anything until after your Bachelor’s and into your Masters, so practical application isn’t even helpful in your under grad. Unless you join the psych club.

Did I review the study guide? You darn right I did. Went through my notes and follow the guide, mad extra notes, tried putting everything together. It still was a major fail. I felt like nothing in the exam study guide was actually on my sheet. Though it was but in pieces that were scattered and I didn’t like it.

Some questions I was able to knock off 2 and focus on the other two. But then I get to the to the answers and feel like they both can work, and then I focus on the wording, and of course it is tricky so I have to go back and really read the question. Then it becomes a sweating game. Then I grab what hair I have, since I keep cutting it off, and just scream. I will never forget why I expressly, and deeply hate multiple choice exams. I have taken them in grade school on up with mixed results, but my trade school really ticked me off and solidified it. My Cell Culture teacher in my Biotech class had given us a multiple choice exam. On one of the questions I got wrong I had asked her, and this is was the most ignorant response she gave me. “Yes I can see how you thought B was the answer, but C was the answer because it is closer to what I was thinking.” Not because the cell development was stunted do to a genetic defect, but because it was closer to what she was thinking when she wrote the freaking exam. LIKE WHAT IN THE GOOD BLUE MOON TYPE OF ANSWER IS THAT! I don’t want an exam based on what you think, I want an exam based on what the material says. That was ten years ago, and it still haunts me.

Sad to say critical thinking is not my forte. I am a Medical Scientist and a Biomedical Engineer Researcher and I deal in (almost) absolutes. But I can utilize formulas, calculations, the physical sciences, tests and other hands on approaches to achieve my goal. And yes there is thinking but it is easier for me to comprehend and apply it to what I need to perform, research and write up. I can make physical models and see my info come to life.

For Psychology and the other social science it is a lot more difficult. You should have seen me in my Philosophy classes and Sociology classes. I am pretty sure the teachers were glad I was gone, because I just couldn’t get in to hypothetical reasons that made no sense to me. Like imagine your cat is blue and by that logical all cats are blue. I am pretty sure my Philosophical teacher who was teaching ad hocs at that time, went home drinking every night. I have made it those far, but I just can’t apply the principles because how can you practice psychology when you can’t get your foot into the door until after your BS, or MS. You can’t volunteer because you have no experience, but to work you need experience. You can take all the classes, and read but how can you apply any of this, if you are not in a club, or fighting for the very few internships they have. It is just something I struggle with, and I work hard so I can actually do my goal of helping women with their imbalances through medical and more importantly psychological methods.

So I decided to do the same (yet modified for each class) learning style. For this class I have printed out the module page so I can keep everything in order. I have an orange folder (since this class is color coded orange),and in it is a copy of the class schedule only. It is highlighted for the blogs, assignments, and takeaways. For the next modules 7 through 10 I have them planned out so I will be finishing them within 10 days. So on today (Mon Feb 21) I am scheduled to take notes on chapter 5, and write up my blog which is what I am doing now. I have already read and hi-lighted both chapters and printed out the power point presentations. So when I write my notes, i am going back and really trying to understand what I read. The videos I watch as well and take notes. Then I do the archives and the extra work like assignment and takeaways at the same time so I can get them out the way. Then I move on to the next module. I have Module 10 being completed by the 28th, but I have extra days because my work is unpredictable at times and I need that buffer.

Then my notes will be in sections. All definitions together, all diagrams and their explanations together. Like in the next chapter the Five Factor Model (FFM) is in multiple sections so I will put them all together instead of writing them under different sections. That way I can really see the big picture. I am definitely writing down the years the people came up with them, as that got me on the last exam and I was livid. Then I can take my time and really read to comprehend so I can do better on this exam. I take it one exam at a time. Because I never know when I may need to change crap up.

BLOG 3

This week I am taking the NEO personality test, to see how accurate it is with my personality. And honestly it is pretty spot on! I am actually not surprised about the results. There are 5 dimensions and I will let you know how I stacked up on all of them and some examples within.

OPENNESS

This is correct. I love to try new things and I always want to travel. That is why I quit my permanent job as a Transfusion Specialist and became a traveling tech. I get to see different areas, new scenery, eat different foods from different regions arrange the country. I am all for it.

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

I do have high standards for myself. Always have. I know what I want and deserve, and I plan accordingly for it. I am super organized, with multiple planners and journals, and I always use color to coordinate my classes for school. I make sure everything has a place, as it makes it easier for me to stay on track.

AGREEABLENESS

This is good to a point. Mainly when I am working with a team. I prefer to work alone as I know I can get everything done right the first time. But when I work with people I just try to cooperate, because from experience there is always the one person who is in charge that tries to do to much, or the one person who is loud and wrong and the project needs to be modified. I just get tired of the crap, and prefer to work on my own.

EXTRAVERSION

Is not me at all. Well with people I am close to yeah, I don’t shut up. But on the regular I keep to myself. I relish and enjoy being alone. I have me time, I have my own space, and I like it that way. Traveling gives me that autonomy, the time to enjoy the world around you, and still time for me.

NEUROTICISM

I am pretty much neutral, laid back, but there are times I freak out, panic and lose it. I am not too sensitive and I am not to relaxed. I am a good balance of both. Like I stress out over school and work for a few and then once I get it all out, I am good to go.

Overall, the NEO was consistent with who I am.

BLOG 2

This week we are to reflect on some life values that are important to us, that is relevant to our careers. So for me, there are some values that I have been taught by my parents that are relevant to my career pursuits. one is to treat people with kindness. Nowadays we have absolutely no idea what people are going through. We do have a big hint. Covid-19 has pretty much destroyed a lot of lives, business, jobs, and families worldwide. We are isolated (supposedly), and physical separation is non-existent (well supposed to be). We have even more blatant and just absolutely dangerous racist attacks on Black People and people of color and allies. Throw in a financial crisis and you have a pretty strong pot pie of “let me off this planet, I am waiting for the aliens to come and get me.” Serve this bad boy up with the normal, everyday factors that people had prior to this, and yeah. Nice meal. SO showing kindness should be the least and honestly most important thing we should do.

Sharing is caring, helping people when you have the means to do so, or just because it is an afternoon. It doesn’t pay to be selfish in this world, when we all need someone. Even if we feel isolated, there is always someone that you should, or hopefully can reach out to. Even if it is via internet.

Being true to yourself. DO what makes you happy. We have to stop living for others. There is no point of making others happy and thinking that is going to extend to you. The worst thing is to be someone’s else happiness and when you are along you realize that you are lonely or depressed. No one can make you happy but yourself. In other cultures, from what I have been learning, you are last because you think about the welfare of others. Which is a noble thing. You have to take into consideration how your actions could affect others around you. Only in the personal case have I seen, that accepting a promotion meant more responsibility and money for the person, but decrease time at home, which was cause for some tension.

These values are why mental health is important to me. I want to help women, be the best they can be without feeling they are failing themselves or their loved ones. Different than last year when I wanted to focus on certain mental illnesses. I have just taken the time to really focus on a better and holistic goal.

When I was pursuing my first degree I was doing it because I felt this is what I thought I should (Business Administration and Financial Accounting double major). I thought I needed to have a business degree because we need more Black Women (and people in general) to open their own business to help the community. But it was boring and I didn’t like it. I had no support from my then husband, and I kept quitting school to focus on my marriage and it just wasn’t right. Fast forward years later, a divorce lead me to focusing on who I am and what me original dream was. I am now on track with 3 more degrees to complete my goal for my career on the way.

I decided to continue my education because I needed to know more about the mental health of humans, I needed to know how to properly deal with women, and all the avenues that I can utilize to help them reach their full potential. I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goal, if I decided not to keep moving forward.

My parents have always been in favor of me reaching my goals. When I was in school I have always been in the STEM field. It peaked interest when I was child and whenever I wanted to go forward to learn more, my parents did everything that they could to help me move forward. I told my parents I wanted to be a Solider and a Brain doctor when I was younger. After serving 3 years in the Army, I am now on my way to goal number 2.

When I reach out to teachers and advisors, I get positive feedback that direct me on a better and concise path.The road is a winding one with a lot of bumps and turns but it is totally worth it.

BLOG 1

In this weeks Blog post I will be discussing how the objectives to the course will relate to my future aspirations. I will be sharing the objectives, what I hope to gain from the class, and how I plan on keeping ahead and making sure this semester goes smoother than last!

Acquaint upper level undergraduate students with psychological research and theory that examine the influence of culture and psychology throughout the world

The first objective above deals with familiarizing the higher level student to psychological research and theory. In Cross-Cultural Psych, I feel for me, this will help me when working with women of color to include their cultural identity and makeup into aspects of their treatments and healing. We can’t expect everyone to heal through only a few tried and true methods, but change it up and make it more individual. So bringing in cultural items or healing, will give a better fit for the healing and treatment process.

Understand cultural diversity and the impact of culture on human life.

This objective is understanding how the culture affects your life, and will help me in understanding each woman’s imbalance, and give me a deeper insight into what is going on in her world. Different cultures have different pressures, or ideals they put on women, so I would need to be able to know and understand so I can be sensitive when working with her. Working form their viewpoint, will help me gain insight.

Develop greater understanding of people from other cultures and skills for successfully interacting with them (intercultural competence)

In this objective, the benefit of learning and working with people from other cultures is that you start to build an arsenal of information from across the globe. This can help me build for future women from similar or same cultures, who need treatment. You can make great connections with mental health by understanding your patients holistically.

Develop critical thinking skills and apply them to psychological theory and research that examine the influence of culture

With these cultural differences, and learning about them, it will face you to think outside of the box when it comes to treatment. Have you getting creative and using other methods that you may have never thought of before. CBT may actually not work with some patients, so you would have to think of other methods, and knowing about their culture and what is values and what they value, will help me with breakthroughs in helping them heal.

To be able to make connections, or integrate learning, between courses and to outside experiences

Being able to bridge a gap and connect to patients is what will keep me thinking in this field. Finding new and improve therapies, creating them to help heal the body, mind and soul is definitely worth taking this class and applying it to future goals.

I expect to have a deeper understanding of what culture is and how it plays into a person’s psyche. What it really means to people. I expect this class to be challenging, and keep me constantly reevaluating my own thinking in terms of what culture is and isn’t. I want to be able to utilize what I learn for when I become a psychiatric nurse, and when I open my own practice.

I am hoping to gain a new found clarity in different cultural ways of being. I am looking forward to new avenues of learning and new information.

Unlike last semester, I am hoping for a smoother ride. It was rough, with Covid just coming out, being in the hospital and having to adjust on the fly daily with the new restrictions and changes, and then mentally preparing for the storm of the pandemic. I just was mentally exhausted and beyond stress, and I barely made it out the class. But since it has been a whole year, I have a better grip, and since I took the fall semester off; I am more than ready to come back and finish my last year! To make this semester easier I still have my color coded classes. From the picture up top you can tell this class is orange. I have days that I work on the class, reading days, and days that I just spend them typing up assignments, blogs and papers. I find that when I write them out on paper, it makes it easier to type them all up in one day instead of typing them from the beginning online. It never works for me. I also print out everything so I can always bring it with me, whether I am at work or the laundry mat. I also print the instructors info in orange so when I see that color it triggers that this is cross cultural and not my stat class or psychology of women class. I look at the deadlines within a two week time frame and I try to get everything down as quickly and correctly as possible. That will leave me with a few days that I can focus on me, focus on work and sleep to recharge.