Week 15 Blog # 1

Last post of the semester: Social Construction

     Griffin explains that social construction is the communal creation of the real and the good, and continues to explain that persons-in-conversation co-construct their own social realities and are simultaneously shaped by the worlds they create. This information can be found on page 478 in chapter 36.

     Its interesting to me that after all of the material we've covered this semester, I can still remember the theories that Griffin threads together.  Its so interesting to me that we really do construct our own realities that we live in.  That's why I think every person can be happy in their life as long as they focus on the positives.

~Tornn

Week 12 Blog # 1

Muted Group

According to Griffin, a muted group is a group of, "People with little power who have trouble giving voice to their perceptions because they must re-encode their thoughts to make them understood in the public sphere; e.g., women."  This information can be found on page 455 in chapter 35 of our textbook.  

I find this concept to be an interesting one because whenever I talk about oppression I tend to focus on the silencing of others.  I talk about how one group silences another, not literally, but by making them feel as though they are ignorant or unimportant.  I like that I now have another term, the muted group.

~Tornn

Week 12 Blog # 1

Standpoint

According to Griffin, a standpoint is, "A place from which to critically view the world around us."  This information can be found on page 441 in chapter 34 of our text.  So when people say standpoint they don't literally mean where one is standing and what they are literally looking at, but instead a standpoint is almost a state of mind.  If one's standpoint is abortion is morally wrong, then they will tend to feel that Roe v. Wade should be overturned simply because that is how they are looking at the issue.  

I think standpoints are important for understanding how far and deep you can actually go with another person when discussing issues.  This is because I know from talking to people, many are not interested in hearing anything that differs from view, and I feel that this comes from their standpoint.

~Tornn

Week 10 Blog # 2

Public Agenda

According to McCombs and Shaw, public agenda is the most important public issues as measured by public opinion surveys.  This information can be found on page 361 in chapter 28 of our textbook. 

While McCombs and Shaw did their own survey to find out what the most important issues, most of the public surveys are done through mass media so it is usually biased anyways.  I can see what McCombs and Shaw were trying to prove; they were trying to prove that one affects the other, but I don't feel this is true in they way it should be.  I think that the media played a huge part in people's opinions about what is the most important public issues, but I think it should be the other way around.  I feel that people's opinions on what is most important should shape the media's agenda. 

~Tornn

Week 10 Blog # 1

Agenda-setting Hypothesis

McCombs and Shaw argue that the media has, "the ability to transfer the salience of issues on their news agenda to the public agenda," and they call this the Agenda-Setting Hypothesis.  This information can be found on page 359 of chapter 28 in our textbook.  

I find the agenda-setting hypothesis meaningful because I truly believe the media affects our thoughts far more than most people understand.  There is so much going on around us daily, but we only know what we are exposed to.  The media has the ability to filter what we are exposed to.  I feel the reason our county is at war in Iraq right now is because the media portrayed all the threats of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq constantly.  The media gave people an awareness that Iraq could possibly have WMD's.  This led to a fear that American's are so well known for, causing our invasion into the Iraqi county.  

~Tornn

Week 9 Blog # 3

Semiotics

Semiotics is described as the study of the social production of meaning from sign systems; the analysis of anything that can stand for something else.  This information can be found on page 323 in chapter 25 of our textbook.  

I feel that semiotics are meaningful because I think that analyzing anything can be considered a study of semiotics.  I feel this way because every statement, every action, and every form of communication has symbolic meanings deeper than the actual surface meaning.  I feel that I am studying semiotics everyday when I try to figure out why someone has said something in the way they did, because I know there is some other intentions behind their statements.

~Tornn

Week 9 Blog # 2

Faustian Bargain

According to our text, a faustian bargain is, "A deal with the devil; selling your soul for temporary earthly gain."  This information can be found on page 319 in chapter 24 of our book.

I think faustian bargain is a meaningful concept because companies and corporations are doing things like this daily in American society.  Companies continue to pay the people who create the goods they sell cents a day illegally.  They are ruining the lives of people by supporting what many (including myself) consider "slave" labor.  The rich in our country don't care about human rights or anything other than their own economic gain; thus enacting a faustian bargain.

~Tornn

Week 9 Blog # 1

Overdetermination

Overdetermination is defined as, "Equifinality; a systems theory assumption that a given outcome could be effectively caused by any or many interconnected factors." This information can be found on page 314 of chapter 24 in our book.  

I think overdetermination is meaningful because people use it as an excuse to ignore a problem that may otherwise be forced towards a solution if the reason for the problem could truly be discovered.  The book uses climate change as an example and I feel that it shows the full extent to overdetermination.  All the scientists (except six) believe that global warming is happening and caused by humans, so I don't understand why people would ignore the facts and data other than our fear of change.

~Tornn

Week 8 Blog # 3

Phatic Communication

Phatic Communication is communication that is aimed at maintaining relationships rather than passing on information or saying something new.  This information can be found on page 298 of chapter 23 in our textbook.  I find phatic communication meaningful because I feel it is a concept that isn't appreciated like it should be when used in daily life.

When one is in a relationship they aren't expected to continue to communicate through phatic communication, the other person always wants to hear something new, exciting, or interesting.  The odd thing is, the reason those two people have a relationship (this is assuming the relationship is positive in most aspects) is because of how well things work naturally between them.  Phatic communication works to maintain those good aspects of the relationship, but in many situations I've had, the other person in the relationship doesn't want to speak about good aspects of their relationship, but instead new things which can be frustrating.

~Tornn

Identification

Identification is the common ground between the speaker and their audience through physical characteristics, talents, occupation, experiences, personality, beliefs, and attituteds; consubstantiation.  This information can be found on page 290 of chapter 22 in our textbook.  

I think that identification is extremely important because it can be the difference between a speaker's message being accepted or rejected by his/her audience.  If the audience doesn't feel connected and as though they can trust the speaker, then they are far more likely to be skeptical of their message.  This leads the audience to question many aspects of the speaker's message that they may not have questioned had they felt a deeper connection with the speaker. As a speaker one must understand this and try to be the most likable person in every situation where speaking.

~Tornn

Week 8 Blog # 1

Rhetoric

According to Aristotle, rhetoric was discovering all possible means of persuasion.  This information can be found on page 280 of chapter 21 in our textbook.  I find rhetoric interesting because it seems to be an almost "dirty" way to persuade someone of something, but it is extremely important in our society.  

I think rhetoric is important because it is really the process of figuring out how you can persuade someone to feel the way you want them to.  Rhetoric is a practice of getting into someone's mind and basically tricking them into feeling the way you want them to.  When ever politicians, lawyers, preachers, and salespeople try to convince you of something, its rhetoric they have turned to before even trying to convince you.  

~Tornn

Week 7 Blog # 1

Information Model

The information model is a view that communication is merely a conduit for the transmission of information about the real world.  This model can be found on page 263 of chapter 20 in our book.  The information model is interesting to me because it assumes that communication of information is simply for information on the "real world."  

The theory is odd because all the other theories and ideas through our book thus far have felt that social reality is shaped by communication, and tended to ignore ideas involving information about sciences, politics, and other "real world," (as some people may call them) type things, but instead focused more on human interaction, relationships, and the psyche.  I tend to feel that the later things are more "real world" to me than science, or politics anyways.

~tornn

Week 7 Blog # 1

Ethnography

Ethnography is a system of mapping out the social discourse in order to discover who people think they are, what they think they are doing, and to what end they think they're doing it.  Griffin's description of Ethnography can be found on page 252 in chapter 19 of our book.  

I found ethnography to be meaningful because it really reminded me of the Phenomenological Theory in the sense that it was a continual study through a great deal of observation.  I think discovery through observation is simply one of the coolest possible ways to gain a greater understanding of anything.  Plus I've always been super interested in people who are culturally different from me because I always want to know how someone else's feelings differ from mine in any given situation.

~Tornn

Week 6 Blog # 3

Interview with Hirokawa

Giffin asked Hirokawa a question about how sometimes he is so incredibly bored and not stimulated by his groups ideas or discussions that he sometimes tells jokes and feels that according to Hirokawa's theory of group decision making, that it may be hindering the groups ability towards making good decisions.  This interview is about chapter 17 and can be found at www.afirstlook.com.  I found this question to be stimulating because I find myself in similar situations to Griffin quite often and thought it was interesting that he brought the question into play.  Luckily for me, Hirokawa explained that joking can actually be functionally helpful towards a couple of his four essential functions in the theory.  

I'm glad to have heard this information because it means I can continue to joke in groups as long as I'm not too negative and have good things to say in addition to my sarcastic or joke-like remarks.  

~Tornn

Week 6 Blog # 2

Problem Analysis

"Determining the nature, extent, and cause(s) of the problem facing the group," is called problem analysis.  This information can be found on page 223 of chapter 17 in our book.  I think problem analysis is the most important function of a successful group, because without understanding what their problem is, they will never be able to get any further than step one.  

Problem analysis is meaningful to me because its really difficult to get a group of people to take the time to figure out the real meanings behind a problem they face.  I find this to be quite frustrating because the solution would be hundreds of times easier to find if the group knew the problem they had to face.

~Tornn

Week 6 Blog # 1

Rules and Resources

Rules are rarely stated aloud, but they are propositions that indicate how something ought to be done or what is good or bad.  Resources refers to materials, possessions, or attributes that can be used to influence or control the actions of the group or its members.  This information can be found in Chapter 18 on page 240.  

I find rules and resources interesting because it really emphasizes how great Griffin does with this book and it's analogies when explaining communication ideas.  But now to speaking of these ideas, I really do notice how rules can silence people in group situations.  One isn't supposed to talk about certain things because its one of those unspoken rules.  Also one of the resources I usually use to convince people in groups to feel the same way as I do is try to present all the negatives in their ideas so they will feel that my idea may be better.

~Tornn

Week 5 Blog # 3

Family System

A family system is a self-regulating, interdependent network of feedback loops guided by members' rules; the behavior of each person affects and is affected by the behavior of another.  This system can be found on page 170 and in chapter 13 of our book.  The idea is that an entire family affects one person simply through the family's interactions with each other and that single individual.

This is meaningful to me because I feel my brother is in a similar situation to the guy Mike in the example in this chapter.  Where he uses simply because his family's interactions really bother him, and the family isn't doing a good job at all working with the young man to help his drug abuse.  I need to remember that everything I do and say affects how my brother feels and what he feels like doing.

~Tornn

Week 5 Blog # 2

Constitutive Dialogue

Constitutive Dialogue is communication that creates, sustains, and alters relationships and the social world.  The information on this idea can be found on pages 161-2 in chapter 12 of our book.

The idea that conversations, and communication in general, can change relationships and situations (the social world) may seem to be a straight-forward idea, and yet with the examples in the book, Griffin explains an idea that seemed rhetorical in a way that makes more situations make sense in my social world.  I've noticed that when two people both have some kind of negative (the scars on Jess' legs so she wouldn't wear shorts, and Joe explaining he had some bad scars too), and they communicate with each other about it, they realize that they aren't the only one in their situation and tend to be far less self-conscious about that "negative."

~Tornn

Week 5 Blog # 1

Hyperpersonal Perspective

Hyperpersonal refers to an idea that CMC relationships can actually be more intimate than relationships that are formed when physically together.  This information could be found on page 144 in chapter 11 of our book.  

I can't imagine this being possible!  It baffles me because the people I feel closest to are people that I love spending time around, and can actually sometimes feel lonely without their presence.  I also feel that I have a pretty good amount of insight on both sides of this situation so that I could make an informed judgment either way.  I have played and sometimes do play online games with a great deal of interaction with many kinds of people.  Some who I still choose to communicate with via email.  But I've never felt that I could feel closer or more deeply connected with any of these people in the way I am with my best friends and girlfriend (all of whom I've met in person).   

With all the online social networks now I understand how people can end up meeting online and starting a relationship through email and instant messaging, but I cannot imagine being extremely close to most of those people without face-to-face interaction.  I've had intimate conversations with people through myspace (could be the same for some with facebook, but I'm newer to it and don't have much interest in building new relationships with it) with people I've never met before, but never has a connection arose simply through written text.  Maybe  hyperpersonal perspective with CMC is only valid for certain types of people.

~Tornn

Week 4 Blog # 3

Anxiety/Uncertainty Management (AUM) Theory.

The AUM Theory can be found in Chapter 10 on pages 131 through 133 in our book.  The AUM theory is, "an intercultural theory that claims high levels of uncertainty and anxiety lead to greater misunderstanding when strangers don't communicate mindfully."  In other words, if one meets a stranger who is culturally different, and is anxious when doing so, they may misunderstand what is being said to them and take the communication in a negative way.

I find this theory to be meaningful because it really explains how deeply our feelings can effect our ability to communicate.  If someone is extremely anxious, (past Gudykust's upper threshold) then they may not even be able to communicate at all.  I know from all my own personal experiences, I don't communicate well even with people I am closed to when I'm not emotionally sound, so I can guarantee that if I felt threatened by someone culturally and was not emotionally sound, I would do an extremely poor job communicating.

~Tornn

Week 4 Blog # 2

Minimax Principle of Human Behavior

This principle was originally stated by John Stuart Mill back in the Nineteenth century.  It can be found in chapter 9 of our book on page 118.  This principle claims that people, "seek to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs."  This of course is in regards to the benefits and costs of a relationship, not in regards to anything else.  

I find this principle meaningful because it really shows how selfish people can truly be.  We mainly care about ourselves and our own personal well-being.  What is sad is I also see myself doing this all the time when I look into meeting and making friends.  It is extremely difficult to distance myself from my own feelings and just look into whether or not a new person is someone I'd enjoy spending time with.  I guess this is a good thing because it kind of puts up a barrier between myself and those who could potentially hurt me.  

~Tornn

Week 4 Blog # 1

Closeness through Self-Disclosure

This section can be found on page 114 in chapter 9 of our book.  The idea of self-disclosure is to consciously choose to share private feelings, experiences, secrets, attitudes, or values with someone else.  By sharing these feelings, the individual will (in theory) become closer to the person whom they are sharing with.  

I find this section meaningful because the idea is so simple, and yet so complex, deep, frustrating, and wonderful all at the same time.  When one wants to practice self-disclosure with another, he/she must first get a feeling for whether or not it is even the correct time to do so.  It is an extremely personal way of communicating so both parties need to be on the same page.  While self-disclosure is frustrating and difficult, it can be amazingly rewarding when I have a meaningful conversation with someone and can literally feel myself getting closer with them through the sharing of new, personal information.  I hope I can continue to build relationships and gain deeper insight into my friend's thoughts and feelings through self-disclosure.

~Tornn

Week 2 Blog # 3

Thought: The Process of Taking the Role of the Other     

       Blumer's third premise, and the idea of minding can be found in Chapter 5 on page 62.  This section basically discusses the idea of planning what one will choose to say next, as well as taking the role of others.  

I feel minding is an extremely important concept that the American youth needs to take advantage of.  We need to take those few seconds before we begin to speak to figure out what we're going to say.  When much of the youth speaks it is filled with a great deal of filler words such as, "like," or "ummmmm."  Its frustrating to listen to because one feels as though they are listening to someone who has no clue what they are talking about.  In reality, people who say the word, "like" often as a filler may actually have some very important things to say; but if they sound so unintelligent while they try to express what important things they have to say, no one will listen.

~Tornn

Week 2 Blog # 2

Meaning: The Construction of Social Reality

     This concept of meaning and social reality can be found on page 60 in the 5th chapter of our book.  In this area Griffin presents the idea that social reality is all perception.  I completely agree with the idea that there really is no reality, only perception.  

     This concept is meaningful because people in our society are always far too wrapped up in the "social realities," and what everyone else perceives.  When one thinks of reality they think of their own reality and not what the next person may imagine to be reality.  I always want to do my best to look at things, and ideas (as well as people) from as many perspectives as possible.

~Tornn

Week 2 Blog # 1

The Phenomenological Tradition

       The concept of the phenomenological tradition is an extremely stimulating one in my opinion.  The tradition is an "intentional analysis of everyday experience from the standpoint of the person who is living it."  This concept may be found on pages 49-51 of our textbook in the fourth chapter.  

      This concept is meaningful to me because I feel that I take part in the phenomenological tradition daily.  I am always trying to understand how others view their lives, how different people feel in different situations, and what situations and experiences have led different people to their current lives (though this third one isn't too deeply connected with phenomenological ideas, it is still something I do connected with the first two, heh).  

      Through my own experiences, I have noticed that too many people's inner feelings are not in congruence with their external appearance.  Many of my friends, and especially family members, act as though they are perfectly fine even when they are extremely upset and/or irritated.  This bothers me because people need to be more true to their feelings or they will continue to live in an unhappy state, acting as though all is well; they will be lying to themselves daily, which, in my opinion, is one of the least healthy things we as humans can do to ourselves.

~Tornn

Opening it up

Well, this is my first blog entry for class.  

Sounds pretty interesting, blogging as a way of communication for class.  I'm getting excited.

~T