Further Discussion Concept

I wish we could have discussed quite a few more concepts from the book, although it was merely impossible for an online class in one semester.  The concept I wanted to break apart more would have to be communication relating to the professional environment.  Hearing from other students experiences in the office, workforce, and interviews would be have been helpful and enjoyable.  Another student's post included verbal and nonverbal ques she looked for in interviews (thus she was interviewing the client), in which I thought was extremely informational, interesting, and helpful to students looking for a job (or a new job).  Interviews concentrate hard on communication skills, and without practice or knowledge of thereof, individuals have a difficult time conveying their confidence. Maybe having one of the journal entries should be about interviewing experiences, what the employer expects versus the potential employee. I recently had an interview with my now new job this semester, and honestly, "googling" other people's experiences, thoughts, and ways to answer a question guided me into the right direction.  Not only did it bring background information, it allowed me to prepare and feel comfortable that other people felt nervous such as I did.

Most Interesting concepts

The concepts I have found to be the most interesting had to do with relationships.  Particularly, how a relationship is built between between and how factors come into place when a relationship dissolves. I had (not MANY), but a few experiences of my own to read that section of the book and think back on why a relationship didn't work with a person.  I didn't actually think that relationships could be broken down into models, and we would place restrictions or barriers or even "standards" on others for why or why not we would date one another.  I found this concept very helpful in my real life, not just my school work.  Thus, the building of relationships all based around communication was helpful.  I even got quite a kick out of hearing how a partner does "secret tests" on another partner in order to challenge his or her commitment.  I didn't realize that I do secret tests on my boyfriend, and visa verse, it just happened.  Even though relationships are all different, I do believe these "guidelines" or models of answers can be somewhat tied into every relationship just somehow.

Chapter 13 - Research Methodologies

The most interesting popular research methodologies in Table 13.3 would be experimental research.   Experimental research would be fun to administer and come up with creative and different scenarios.  As for a research method for deception, the question "How does background noise effect work performance?".(noise differences, gender differences in performance, tasks given with/without the noise) The method I would choose to answer the question would be a mixed method.  I would want to integrate parts of performance research along with experimental research in order to conclude my findings on a wide spectrum.  The experimental research would further enhance subject's responses to different background noises regarding their performance mentality.  The performance research would analyze the meanings behind the tasks given with the background noise. For instance: a possible outcome can come from a person doing a horrible job counting money with noise, yet doing a wonderful job cleaning the store with the noise.

Chapter 11 - Mcluhan Model

I agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is in the message and thus further not only the meaning of the message, but also the content. McLuhan's idea that television is a "cool medium" because the audience is suppose to fill in the detail.  When I watch television, although believe it or not is actually not as common for the cable bill would be out of price range, I do reflect filling in the plot by myself.  Watching television is a constant, I have to enhance my auditory skills and comprehension to engage in what the story or news is telling me.  As for television, I can turn it on for background noise in doing homework.  For radio, I feel listening in that context and medium, I can envision a greater and more detailed picture of a story, rather than one created on the television.  I enjoy listening to the radio especially driving to school or work and listening to "War of the Roses", because not only do I get to enjoy other people's relationship problems, but it calms down my driving and relaxes my focus to get to my destination not so eagerly.

Chapter 11 Cyberspace vs F2F Friendships

I have made friends that exist exclusively in cyberspace.  These friendships are different from face-to-face relationships because they see and read what I am doing more often than my face-to-face friends.  Because of social networking and all those other websites that allows friends to view random aspects of my life, my cyberspace friends are more up-to-date on what I'm actually doing in my life.  As for my face-to-face friends, they are more involved within my life, for example: hanging out, going to the gym, grabbing a bite etc.  My cyberspace friends, are all people I have met in real life and went to school with, for I do not engage in friendships (unless it is an online school course) with others I do not know personally.  I believe you never can really read into a person unless you have met them on multiple levels of communication (like texting, video streaming, face-to-face contact).  The cyber relationships are realistic because I know and have met the person on the other side of the computer.  I would not form relationships with new or random people because not only is it a trust issue, but also a safety precaution.  I value myself and my personal information, along with my time.

Rules of Professional Behavior- Week 11

For the concept of Chapter 8, I dug my thoughts into Table 8.6 on page 222, "Some Rules for Professional Behavior".  In the workforce, I constantly have to deal with new or regular employees that cannot and do not know the difference of behavior while being at work compared to being outside of work.  Especially since my work deals with customers, they need to realize that showing the utmost respect is what is needed.  I believe high school students should have at least a course or a prep class for professionalism.  Coworkers are not your personal friends, although it does feel like it over time since you see them the most and communicate rather frequently.  Also, the most important reason of being at work, is to be productive at work.  We have a couple girls who attend school together and every time they work the same shift, it's like all the work priorities go out the window.  Being in charge, I find it hard to scold another coworker for slacking off because the coworker / friend line has been crossed.  Just because you are close friends with your boss or manager, doesn't mean you have the right to slack off and be unproductive.  I have seen this happen several times, and unfortunately it is a very difficult problem to fix.  I am happy that my coworkers get along, but it does get irritating when their relationship takes over their job duties. Another example of professionalism comes from experience as well.  This young female I worked with didn't like to talk to anyone, and she always focused only on herself and her job.  Not very many coworkers liked her because she came off rude for not participating in small conversations.  I had to disagree on whether "liking" her or not was appropriate, the fact that she did her job well made her an amazing coworker, in whom I liked.

Etiquette - Week 11

Etiquette Rules - 

Cell Phones - I believe that cell phones are distracting and should not be answered, especially in public gatherings (whether a restaurant or movie theater), because it is distracting, irritating, and rude.  I have learned to take my calls outside, call back later, or just send the other person a text.
Answering Machines - I think answering machines should have a prerecorded professional voicemail for the callers to leave a message.  Also, jokes and such fun is okay with personal friends, but for business phones that is not okay.  I always insure my answering machine has a professional call back greeting because you never know when a job offer is calling, or a medical or insurance place.
Conference Calls- It is always nice to always identify and say who you are during a conference call.  Although I lack experience in this department, I agree.
Faxes - I couldn't tell you how many times my work has received faxes with random numbers or information on it from customers.  If they don't call us to immediately check the fax, and notify who and what it is for, we can mess up orders and so forth.  Calling ahead of time is key.
Timing Communication- One time I answered a call back from a job while on the treadmill at the gym - BAD TIMING!
Screen names/Ring Tones - Screen names should only contain part of your real name, and maybe some number if that is possible.  I cant reply to "sexyredlips" or "hotjuicybooty" and take that person seriously.  How awkward.  Also, having a song play as a ring tone with lyrics is embarrassing as well. 

I have been bothered by electronic devices.  One time, this customer was ordering while on her cell phone the entire time, and told me when I should stop talking and "hold on".  It was extremely annoying and rude.  Your taking up my time as well, and have some respect. Call waiting is annoying, but it's reasonable when there is a wait and transferring calls can not be done instantly. I have been put on hold to answer another phone call, I didn't find it offensive since it was a quick wait, not a couple hour hold.

Organizational Ties - Week 11

Organizations are tied into the environment because they surround the people involved in the community and influence the rest of the people.  Organizations are "everywhere" as the text concludes, thus they relatively have an influence when it comes down to communication structures.  The relationship to the school I attend is that myself and all other student are attending the college in order to achieve a "common educational goal".  Since the location of the school is in Rocklin, California, the college is related to such area by exposing it's curriculum to those jobs in that city.  You wouldn't find a course for mining or farming because it would not necessarily be relevant to that area.  Because Rocklin has a suburb feel with several businesses surrounded, many opportunities are connected to the life of the city through the college.  The ethical obligations that Sierra College has to the local community is being able to provide a substantial education for all of it's students in order to allow the city itself to grow.  The school is entitled to communicate to it's fellow students to strive and become certified ( or obtain a degree etc), while posing local job and career opportunities.  Also, the administrative and faculty staff, and professors and coaches must provide the correct teachings to guide to the students in the right path.  Could you imagine if a professor taught misleading to a group of students, where this aspect of factual information became apparent in their everyday lives?

Week 10- Knapp's Relationship Model

The most intriguing concept that I couldn't stop reading into was Knapp's model on relationship development. The stages in coming together and the stages in separating and what determines that in a relationship really opened my eyes.  After I read what brought a relationship together, I saw my previous/current relationships built upon this model. First we initiate the other party for a common communication ground.  Then, we experiment by talking about iffy subjects. For example, "how many girls have you slept with" is a personal subject to ask another party right off the bat.  Then, came intensifying stage, where the constant thinking of each other and calling nicknames became relevant.  Finally, integrating immersed when I felt like I was dating myself in a different gender! He started copying my sayings and I said his jokes. (kinda creepy on the outside).  Now comes the utterly dreadful stages of a breakup being determined within a relationship. The differentiating stage of arguing with your partner based on not understanding their feelings or attitudes.  "How can you like her outfit, it's so ugly!" is a prime example of not understanding the relational culture.  I disliked finding out things about my partner in which I thought to be disgusting. Next is the circumscribing stage, where our communication fell off. "I dont want to talk about it" really grinds my gears, because I want to talk about it. I would feel an absentee of trust, and completely shut off from the "real" person.  The stagnating stage is when our relationship became silent and just awkward and hostile.  Everything being said wasn't happy or pleasant, and our communication was barely there.  You could live with a person, yet never say more than 3 words the entire day. The avoiding stage is almost breaking up, I couldn't stand to be around or close to them; especially sexually. And finally, the terminating stage, where we did break up, either mutually or not.

Selecting Romantic Partners - Week 10

In the process of eliminating others from my personal romantic selection, some characteristics and behaviors tie into place on what is considered unattractive.  In friends and potential lovers, I look into personality first.  A person must have a sense of humor and know how to have a good time in order to be socially personal.  Also, I tend to find attractiveness to others who are respectful and polite, and have goals in their life. Then, comes personal beliefs and attitudes.  I may not have to agree with everything another person believes in, but if they perceive life the same way I do, we are definetly going to have a strong relationship. And lastly, in becoming a partner or lover, I do seek outer beauty and body type.  Although it may sound shallow, in all honesty, I feel as if I need to bare a sexual attraction with another person in order to chose them as a romantic partner. These are my personal filters, although they can differ depending on the person as well.  I tend to meet people with no goals in life and have an opposite agenda, yet seem to still find a mutual attraction in building a friendship.  Since every person is different, and their "first impression" may expose the wrong or right sides, building relationships based on these filters vary.
Duck's theory does in fact make sense to me. I have "eliminated" people based on sociological cues because the "long-distance" relationship or friendship would be to hard to bare.  I would want to see a person often and frequently if we were dating.  Also, I have "eliminated" others by preinteraction cues as well.  It may seem harsh, but I am being honest.  I always see myself befriending another person no matter their looks, but entitling them as a potential boyfriend/girlfriend is hard when you really don't know them personally.  Nonverbal behaviors like watching a guy pick his nose in class can really signal an elimination.  I think my exboyfriend is a perfect example of later on building a relationship after interaction and cognitive cues.  When I first met him, he disgusted me and I hated the way he dressed and said things, then after getting to know him, I accepted his "flaws"(although I shouldn't say flaws), and ended up building a wonderful relationship.  His personality clicked with mine, and you realize the kind of person YOU are, because of another person.

Rigid Role Patterns - Week 10

The pattern rigid complementary would be the most difficult to change because it implies one partner showing dominance, while the other partner is submissive.  Rigid complementary is very common, and used in most types of relationships (from personal experience and based on where I was raised) because it serves a negative/positive balance in the relationship.  The common phrase "who wears the pants in the relationship" directly showcases what rigid complementary is and how it does take affect.  Changing this pattern would be the most difficult because the partner in dominance usually is a natural leader, and wants to show off authority.  Like the book entails, a parent-child relationship is complementary, thus changing it would ruin the empowerment of the parent. Also, the submissive partner, usually chooses to be submissive because they wish not to argue, participate, or make the decisions due to easiness.
The competitive symmetrical pattern would be the most damaging to a relationship because it would constantly be a battle between two people. Although gym partners are competitive symmetrical, relationships between lovers, parents, and even coworkers can cause harm when competing becomes a priority.  If I was constantly fighting with my boyfriend/girlfriend on day to day issues, it would become emotionally and physically exhausting to eradicate decisions.  Parents arguing how they should raise a child can ultimately destroy a family.  Coworkers competing does give motivation to be the best, but can also harm the environment in allocating intense relationships.
The most damaging to individuals involved is a close tie to both the rigid complementary and competitive symmetrical.  I would dislike not being in control ever or always being in control.  Sharing a mutual standpoint and allowing both parties to speak is needed to pursue a happy relationship. (unless playing an up or down role is okay with personal beliefs).  Also, the competitive symmetrical would wear and tear on my emotional self esteem by making me feel down about myself.  What if I could never win and life was a constant battle with my partner? I would be damaged and distraught of the exhausting idea of trying to constantly regain control and my stand point.

Chapter Concept - Week 8

The concept in intercultural communication that caught my attention the most was "cognitive biases used to maintain prejudices" on pg. 339. Being prejudice is a negative attitude towards a different group of people by one group.  The attribution bias defines as classifying a person of a group to be rude, because they are that way naturally, not because of a stressful day or event.  I have come across this situation numerous of times, being an outside onlooker of people judging others for their act of rudeness.  Yes, a person should not act rude to another in venting after a day, but it does happen.  We are all human and we have emotions that reveal themselves time to time.  Labeling a person of a group as rude because "they" as a whole are all rude, it prejudice. In customer service, an individual must be patient and not assume because a person is a certain race, gender, culture, religion, or even hair color, they are going to come off rude by nature.  I have had experience with others assuming I was rude, even based on my culture, hair color, and skin tone, when in reality, the others never gave me a chance to speak, or interact to provide my kindness. It is heart-breaking that these biases constrict the intercultural communication from furthering and benefiting the community as a whole.

Rational, Perfect, Mutual -Week 8

The rationality premise of the belief that most people are capable of discovering truth through logical analyisis is somewhat true. I can only agree that because of institutions like trial by jury, that truth may be revealed after time.  But then again, we tend to be want to be seen as "good" rather than "true" or honest at that matter.  I believe it is extremely hard to discover truth through annalysis because there are so many sneaky, conniving, and manipulative people out in the world today. Wrongful convictions have occurred by trail by jury.  Also, as a relate-able example, to find out if your significant other is cheating, they are going to deny deny deny at first, and may or may not reveal themselves.  You may be crazy thinking your boyfriend (girlfriend) is cheating on you when they are not, or they may just hide away the truth.  I think humans want to be seen as "good" and wholesome for a frontal aspect, yet we cannot convey the truth and boil it down into an ultimatum, it is almost impossible.
The perfectibility premise that humans are born sin but are capable of achieving goodness through effort and control is true. The book "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding attributes this idea extremely well.(Spoiler alert) Some children are put into a lonesome island without any rules or restrictions or adults, and eventually come around to being savages and end up murdering a fellow child. Humans are born sinful, and without government and control, bad things will happen because goodness is not recognized by a higher authority.
Mutability premise that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors is true as well.  Prime example is this is advertising, the media, and even political gossip.  People are surrounded by these influences that generally shape our culture and beliefs, and because of this, a negative (or positive) impact can be directly related. Wanting to look "sexy", have "clear skin", and become like a "celebrity" is constantly in our face showing us the "right" way of doing things. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to attain a strong founded education to abide by these factors, and choose what they want to believe in because their is no other or former source of education. If education was universal, than the belief of shaping our social and cultural behavior may be attainable. 

Creatures of Our Culture - Week 8

Ruth Benedict stated we are "creatures of our culture" and our habits, beliefs and possibilities are shaped by our culture, in which I agree.  Because of my culture and the way my family has raised me, I am accustom to follow into the same habits, beliefs and impossibilities.  Not only my parents, but my family and American attitude has justified what I choose to believe in, what I choose to inhabit, and how I choose my possibilities.  I see how a culture can definitely sway or persuade an individual to act upon a certain way, but I also do believe there are individuals whom rebel against "tradition" and "customs" for further individualism.
We can "break the limits" of our cultures by adhering to what personal beliefs speak to a person, also known as individualism.  Yes, it would be hard to break from a culture, but accepting other values may determine a better or different fate. Having an open mind, or even studying intercultural behaviors and communications, can also alter a person's perception on how they see their own culture. Honesty, it wasn't until I had an open mind to others customs and cultures, that I realized people are indeed different, think different, and act differently based upon their characteristics of growing up. 

Week 7- Chapter Concept

In Chapter 5, the concept of how furniture arrangement can effect communication caught my attention.  In this section, it entails how seating placements of chairs on a table can elaborate whether two people will end up cooperating, competing, or working independently.  The closer the chairs are, the more likely people will talk to each other, versus if they are spread out or separated, defines competition.  Through experience, I can relate that seating arrangements do greatly effect how my communication is directed towards another individual.  For example, when I went into an interview, I sat across the authoritative person, and took direction, answered questions, and the tension grew between us like the barrier (table). On the other hand, when I went in for a "walk through" interview, I sat next to the authoritative person and felt less tension and more at ease because the seating wasn't as nerve racking.  Dominance and power also tie into seating arrangements, just look at the way college classrooms, debates, and theaters are set up.  The audience or group of students are suppose to face the professor, politician, or show and focus their attention on the most important person(s).  I already acknowledged that seating arrangements effected communication, but the Figure 5.1 on page 121, really outlined the meaning on how crucial seating can be used or interpreted.

Week 7- Nonverbal Differences

Nonverbal messages retain different meanings in different cultures.  From experience, in my culture and as a family on how I grew up, putting your feet up on the couch and showing your heel was okay.  In Arab culture, my brother-in-laws, who are Jordanian,  it is considered disrespectful and belittling to show the bottom of one's feet.  In Arab culture, the sole of an individual's feet (or foot for that matter) is seen as the lowest point and dirtiest part of the body, and to show that or direct it towards another person is extremely rude.  In my family, we didn't see this nonverbal message perceived as disrespectful, because it was just a form of relaxation.  Of course, we do our best to be respectful towards every culture and would never intentionally disregard different cultures. I have also encountered another clash of nonverbal messages between cultures due to work experience.  My coworker, who is Chinese, takes orders from customers politely, but does not stare at the individual directly in their eyes.  Some customers of different cultures find this rude or annoying, yet my coworker was raised that giving direct eye contact is rude in his culture.  In this case, I do find it sad that nonverbal messages can clash between cultures due to ignorance and not being accepting or forgiving that maybe it is different for every culture.  Unfortunately, I have not traveled within this region or noticed regional differences.

Week 7- Nonverbal Mistake

Because nonverbal messages can be ambiguous, they can be misinterpreted often.  I have been wrong, as so I assume everyone else has been wrong, about misinterpreting a nonverbal message.  For example, one time I misinformed a person putting out his arm as a hug, when he really meant to give me a handshake.  I guess I overlooked the way his arm was positioned, and the way his body was as well.  Because I had been recently giving hugs to other individuals when leaving an occasion, I misunderstood and assumed a hug was in place.  The situation was slightly awkward, for he didn't want to hug me.  But I just laughed it off and apologized and informed the other person that is what I'm used to doing when leaving.  He understood, and thank goodness it wasn't anything like an interview or professional setting, because I could have easily offended a person.
People can increase the accuracy of how they interpret nonverbal messages by looking at outside sources first.  If a girl scoots away from a person and turns her head down like she smelt something awful, that may not be the case.  She may have to sneeze, got a sudden pain, or is reacting to an outside source.  An individual should take note if she has severe allergies when talking outside, or she complained about a stomach ache all day.  Noticing not only, another person's surroundings, but also their personality and background, may help with interpreting the right forms of nonverbal communication. 

Chapter 3 Concept - Week 6

In Chapter 3, the idea of different styles of listening and ways of responding cued my interest.  The book repetitively states, "We can not not communicate", for even not saying anything, is a form of communicating! When I would wait for a response, and the "silent" treatment is given, I know that reaction obtains anger in the other individual, and he or she is upset and wishes to end or not continue on with the negative conversation.  Active listening is crucial, very crucial, in today's environment for allowing other to feel comfortable and overall connect.  As I have experience in customer service, I believe it does make a difference when I respond to a customer's "story" about his or her day by active listening.  1) They tend to tip more because he or she notices you are engaged into the conversation respectively. 2) A customer can relate and show positive feedback because you are signifying an actual intake of information, not just a head nod or small laugh.  Empathetic listening is listening to another person and responding by paraphrasing what he or she has already said.  I love how the book also states, "You need to respond to what is not said as well is what is said".  Sometimes the answers to other people's problems lie in depth of what he or she has not told you.  Empathetic listening shows that another person is actually engaged especially they can repeat what the speaker just said.  I get frustrated when I express myself and the responder can't even adhere or repeat the material I just said.  Listening is extremely important, I mean it's half of the holy grail of communication. And to be a superior listener is excellent, because follow instructions for a job can determine whether or not opportunities will grow for an individual.

Women vs. Men Language - Week 6

Women and men both has different ways on how they use language, but they also have similarities.  I truly believe it does reflect mainly on an individual's personality and liking in whether or not they are using language "like a woman" or "like a man".  Because young boys and girls are raised on a gender-driven society (and yes, I took a woman's studies course, so this is present today), they are inflicted behaviors on how to act, and what to say.  Based on how a child is raised, growing up does effect the "expectations" derived out of a female or male individual.  For example, I was raised with male and female siblings, a mother and a father all present, and my abilities to act "like a lady" were never more influenced because I had both genders available when growing up.  My boyfriend, on the other hand, was raised in a house full of females, without a male figure present until later in life, he however, wasn't told to "act like a man" either and show autonomy, because it was not present as much.  Now, these aren't concrete examples, just everyday (random) examples, of how men and women based on their raising of gender culture, can grow out of holding language speaking connected to his or her gender.  But, of course, men and women do not act stereotypical all the time, because even though we are taught how to identify our gender roles (unfortunately it is not justified for the LGBS&T community), we ultimately choose our own path to follow.  I also do believe, that women contain similarities in how they prefer to communicate, and same goes to men. We may categorize this concept, as women being attached to emotions, details, and mother nurturing, only because it is built as an instinct (inside DNA coding) or maybe because it was influential behavior as a child. I do see the relation, but I would not conceptualize women communicating in only in those particular means. ( same goes for male dominance, achievement, and superiority)

Week 6- Judging and Categorizing

In some cases, it is possible to perceive others without judging or categorizing, only if you have a clear mind set on the actual presentation of what is being presented.  In most cases though, I do believe sometimes that person prototypes, personal constructs, and scripts enable use to judge others.  Person prototypes can effect the way an individual wants to listen to another because he or she is already put into a category.  I do see how this can help us recognizing when listening is important, (i.e. teachers, professors, coaches), but it can also damage our process preferred listening and ignoring others.  Constructs are events that cause an individual to think a certain way after a certain event.  This to can be bitter sweet depending on if the individual had a good or bad day.  Scripts are a process based decision that an individual inhabits due to routine.  A person knows how to act or react because the situation has come up before and often. So back to judging others, I do see that listening actively to a person is hard if a prior judgement hasn't already been made, either conscientiously or not. For a personal example, sometimes my educational level gets judged or categorized as "low" by others due to my hair color and gender.   A person may spend more time focusing on whether the information is valid based on his or her beliefs, attitudes and customs.  Categorizing others information negatively should not take effect as often as it does today, but as individuals ( and like the book states ) we will believe what we want to believe.

Chapter Concept - Week 4

WOW! Chapter 9 is filled with numerous topics that I would enjoy to discuss, but unfortunately I can only pick one, otherwise I would fill up my entire blog with these engorged thoughts.  One of the concepts that captured my attention the most, had to be the "Attitudes" section on pg. 244.  To start off, I was particularly surprised that attitudes came in three different dimensions: cognitive, affective, and behavioral.  I knew that attitudes are a mental structure which an individual acts upon based on his or her perspective.  Yet the three forms revealed more depth.  Cognitive dimension is basically our attitude towards a subject based on what an individual believes, or known factually, about the topic.  Affective dimension is an individuals reaction or response to a topic emotionally.  Behavioral dimension is the act, or the thought of an act, of what should be done, in which an individual portrays his or her attitude on a topic.  The first thing that I think of when I describe attitude is "positive", not only because we were taught to express that in an interview or resume', but also because attitudes should reflect positive connotations.  Then, after reading this section of chapter 9, my scope broadened a bit, for I felt as if I didn't truly understand the meaning of attitude.  These three stages has allowed me to understand the importance of breaking down what attitude is, and being able to use the definition properly.

Well- Known Speaker -Week 4

The well-known speaker I would like to consider is Steve Jobs, although he is (unfortunately) not currently with us today, I do believe his speeches and presentations were ( and still are) strong, boastful, and engaging.  Steve Jobs strongest characteristics as a speaker are definitely credibility, power, and attractiveness in that order.  To start off, Jobs' credibility as a creator, inventor, and overall a life changing go-getter, able him to pursue interest with his audience.  Steve Jobs co-founded the company of Apple, which is extremely popular in the nation as of today.  Since then, he has integrated making life easier and more enjoyable through the products of Apple.  The fact that Steve Jobs allowed his passion and ideas to go to work in such a company, has attracted many fans, followers, capitalist, and the general public.  Steve Jobs has the ability to give such presentations about his products, because they are "his" products.  Now, I am not saying he created each "iPhone" individually, or even the first Apple personal computer at that, but he did allow his ideas and works of others around him to become the best product for the people.  Steve Jobs has power, in the first three years of Apple his company became a multi-million dollar embassy and 50% of all personal computer owners had Apple.  Not only his money, but also his products gives Steve Jobs power.  Then comes attractiveness, Jobs created a product that the consumer wanted and were attracted too, then presented it at huge presentations nationally. Steve Jobs could build ethos in these areas by incorporating his family into presentations, talking about his personal life and usage, and displaying a sense of character of why he was presenting these products of Apple to consumers.

Influenced Speaker - Week 4

Last spring semester, during "Love Your Body Week", my current professor, Kathleen Taylor, delivered an immaculate speech called "Selling Desire".  Kathleen is an amazing speaker, her words are overall flourished with power and quick stamina.  "Selling Desire" did not only contain a particular concept that captured my interest, but also the way the speech was presented, organized, and laid out gave me a positive reaction.  Kathleen Taylor was able to layout her presentation with a picture-to-picture based power point.  She discussed each slide with slight humor and allowed her audience to guess where each picture display could be found.  For example, she displayed a picture of a young girl's lacy bra and matching pantie set, then described how this is for sale at the local Wal-Mart (hence, selling desire at a young age).  Kathleen was quick and intuitive with her thoughts and words, she knew how to react timely with the audience's reactions, and explain every aspect of her presentation.  Her vocabulary was superb, yet understandable to the common people.  I remembered the most how she was so accurate in matching her words to her visuals; I was extremely impressed and focused on her speech.
The worst speaker I have ever heard, would probably be a first timer college student giving a speech and/or presentation in a class.  Obviously, because most students are nervous, new, and not an expert on public communication, labeling them as a "speaker" wouldn't exactly be accurate.  I also think of certain politicians ( I wish not to name), that I conclude are horrible speakers.  The main aspect I can remember about a politician being a horrible speaker is the opinionated, offensive, and not intelligent material they choose to recite in their speech.  Yes, they have a right to their own opinion, yet when the material gets offensive to certain groups of people in society, I believe that person is not a good public communicator.  Also, with first time college students giving a speech, most of the time they seem to embarrassed and not confident.  I couldn't even make out the concepts of their presentation because of the lack of "taking a stand" to their audience.  I have come to realize, sometimes people who don't really give great context in their speech, yet deliver it with a strong, boastful manner give great speeches as well, which is another aspect of communication (nonverbal, verbal).

Reading Concept - Week 3

The concept of the psychological model of communication in chapter 2 gave me an abundant amount of interest for this weeks reading.  I found the psychological model to be not only familiar, but to spark my interest on how communicating is effective and defective.  When a sender encodes a message, the message travels, and thus the receiver decodes it (straightly from the reading model pg.25).  The noise of a message is the distraction that interrupts the meaning, or overall alters what the message entails.  When the chapter gave us an example of a professor wearing extremely distracting clothes, a windy loud room, and a bad microphone, while trying to present his speech, half the class got the irony, while the other half was still confused.  I believe when a speaker, or any person for that matter, presents his or her self, noise is constantly occurring between the individuals intentionally or not.  I believe some businesses, for this matter, have strict dress codes not only due to professionalism, but also because of the fact the business would like to present themselves and their employees properly and effectively.  A business would want their customers to know what they portray.  If you went to a restaurant and ate possibly one of the most delicious steaks, but couldn't stop thinking about the waiter/waitresses pink frizzy hair and bare feet, the message of the restaurant would be altered.  I find myself trying to decode messages with noise even in classrooms today.  If a professor is giving a lecture and suddenly to A/C unit comes on, I can lose focus on what is being discussed.  Also, if another student walks through the door late, I tend to lose concentration on the subject.  I do believe however, that noise does not necessarily burden or bury the message to where it is almost unobservable.  Some people can multitask, like listening to music while reading a book, and doing so benefits the individual to concentrate more on what is being read.

Pragmatic Perspective- Week 3

The pragmatic perspective is the interaction between two people conceptualized as a game.  Every answer, or question, or even non-communicative feature, needs a response from the other party in order to keep the conversation moving.  To think of communication as a patterned interaction does make sense, but not entirely.  For every action, there is a reaction, yes, but that statement is not always true.  You cannot base the entirety form of communication without incorporating personality, attitudes, beliefs, or even details of why a conversation is taking place.  I do see how communication is a patterned interaction because, like our text states, " we cannot not communicate".  The pragmatic perspective cannot see into the future of what the opposing party will say or do, yet they can reveal an assumption that a reaction will occur in a likelihood related matter.  Communication is like a game, because each opponent participates, and thus bases his or her "move" on the other party.  However, communication is not like a game because not all "moves" can be based on what the opponent communicated.  All aspects of why we say, what we say, tie into communication, for it is not predictable or completely underlined of what each player will or will not do.  A player moves sometimes cannot be based on what the other party communicated, outside references, sources, or distractions of the conversation are all important variables as well.

Social Constructionist - Week 3

The social constructionist perspective basically shows that people in groups become accustom to their culture, which effects the way they see the world through their eyes.  I believe this model does represent a category of how communication is viewed.  Social constructionist perspective indicates that an individuals beliefs, attitude, and tradition of viewing reality is based upon how that individual was raised in his or her culture.  We "build worlds" through communication by taking a part of life, and allowing people to grow accustom to growing up with a specific view point.  For example, my family may "build" a world we are allowed to eat on the couch or dinner table, have our feet up comfortably, and if we can't finish our dinner plate, it is okay.  Another family on the other hand, my brother-in-laws, in which they are Jordanian, may only eat at the dinner table, having the soles of your feet being seen is offending, and not finishing up more than one plate is not allowed.  As you can see, our cultures our different, thus allowing an individual to not actually recognize their perspective on the world is not the only perspective.  This also causes a problem as well, for then stereotypes of other cultures, religions, or ethnic groups may come into place as outsiders may feel that certain individuals are (and always are) different.  Cultural norms may convey a lack of success and may imply a strength of successes as well.  If a female is brought up in her home to never work and always provide a family, she may not gain work experience or knowledge applicable that an opposing individual may contain.  If a man is brought up to work hard his entire life and go to college to create a career, the motivation of success is definitely present, and passed on down to generations.   When in reality, both women and men should be allowed to stay at home and provide for the family, or/and make a career for themselves.  The social constructive perspective model does show a slight model of how others communicate in their world based on their culture and social life, but I do believe it doesn't provide for individuality of people.  Not every "American" likes baseball, and therefore, stereotypes can be easily misused and assumed. 

Reading Concept- Week Two

One of the most interesting concepts from chapter one is how communication is broadly used in an abundant amount of professions today.  Communication opportunities are widely available for people in almost every existent career.  Whether it is politics, to corporate meetings, speaking itself is much needed, especially a qualified good speaker.  I realized that communication is one of the most important qualities to obtain in life.  The more we know on how to speak to others, deal business, inspire, and teach the more successful we become.  I believe that because communication courses have been integrated into our colleges (and hopefully high school), that great means of learning can benefit individuals all around the world.  Communication is more than just a subject we learn in life, it is a key element needed in life.  The ability to converse with others is what makes communication a necessity.  If you try to think of jobs that don't apply the aspect of communication, you won't get very far. I honesty can't even think of a person being able to obtain a job without using communication.  Our communication as a entire nation(s), should definitely be strengthened, in order to produce massive, enlightening success with one another.  Honestly, before I was given the amazing opportunity to take a communications course, I simple thought it would be a class on giving speeches.  Yes, we did give speeches, but we learned why, how and the overall importance of what communicating is meant to do.  It is a required skill.  The class was a ground work for multiple opportunities that every individual will have to surpass, like: how not to offend others, how you sound describes who you are, and the benefit of being an excellent speaker.

Greek Orator - Week 2

In order for an individual to be an orator, the Greeks believed they had to be morally good, in which I greatly agree.  An orator is given the benefit of publicly speaking to an audience, in order to come to a "truthful conclusion".  I believe the orator should have the qualities of being morally good because unless he(or she) can be truthful to themselves and others, then they shall possess the skill of persuading the audience into good as well.  If an individual wanted to be an orator, yet had an awful past of mischief and dishonesty, their words and perception of intellect would be not as credible, and even worse fraud and faulty.
The connection between goodness, truth, and public communication all underlies in the hands of the audience and how the audience perceives the speaker.  Public communication should always be honest, bare, and to the point because that is what people want.  The speaker who delivers the speech should have a goodness quality to them.  We wouldn't elect a president or even a police officer for that matter whom once was a prisoner of going against justice.  The audience, (like myself), would only want to elect politicians who are heart-felt, morally good because we believe that the politician would want goodness as well for the people.  Although, the world is not perfect and neither are all individuals, public communication does have it's faults (modernly) recruiting speakers who are not truthful.  Most of this is the media, (usually opposing a politician) who conveys lies to the audience to persuade their decision.  All in all, a speaker must be good (morally) and must only speak the truth to enhance honest communication for the public.

Speaker I Admire -Week 2

A speaker I admire is Ray Bradbury, the author of several infamous books, including my all-time favorite, Fahrenheit 451.  Although Bradbury recently passed away, his words of wisdom through literature and interviews will always be remembered.  If you are not familiar with Bradbury, his literature allowed readers to broaden their imagination and view the world in a different perspective.  Also, in his speeches, he was constantly able to convince his audience "Do what you love and love what you do".  Bradbury's power to persuade others into living their life full of passion comes mainly from pathos.  His words dug deep into the feelings of individuals in order to arouse what life meant to them.  He was able to persuade me in believing that your passion in life will not only make you happy, but make you successful, because achieving happiness itself, is a success. 
The personal qualities I have in order to persuade others is: charm, an educational background, reasoning, experience, and organization. I am able to persuade an individual due to the presentation of myself through appearance and proper etiquette of speech.  I have an educational background to various studies due to college and my work force.  Also, my reasoning is proficient due to my experience with a customer service background.  Being organized when presenting topics, ideas, and facts are important because I would not want the audience to get "lost" within my reasoning.
Aristotle's classification scheme works for my personal qualities because I am partly credible, able to use logic reasoning, and imply the overall sense of emotions in context of what I need to persuade.

Introduction- Week One

Hello Everyone!  Because my blog is public, I will go by the alias name of Hazel.  I am 20 years old, and feel as though I can accomplish anything I put my mind to due to motivation.  I have attended Sierra College for about 5 semesters now( not including summer) and have fallen deeply in love with our campus.  This is my first time taking an online course, (out of the 15 units I have this semester I have 2 online classes), and I am very excited about the outcome.  I will obtain my AA in Financial Accounting and AA in General Business by the end of fall semester.  My career goal as of formerly is to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) after transferring into a state college (Either Sacramento, San Diego, or Sonoma).  I have taken a business communications ground course at Sierra, and found it to be the most important and useful course for a college student. Communication is a top priority for the job market today, and without proper etiquette, manners, and attitude, it is extremely hard to be successful. I have the highest hopes in obtaining valuable skills from this course that I can use in the marketplace for interviews, job proposals, and everyday life experiences.  I hope this class can surpass my expectations in allowing me to become more successful day by day.