Week 4/23-4/29: Comm & the Mass Media: Part 3

This chapter encompassed many interesting and eye-catching terms, but the one I would like to focus on is the broad idea and characteristics of media. Last semester I took a Communication and Media class, and it opened my perception of what we define media as, and how and where we interpret those messages. Charles Wright touches on the model of the four media functions which are surveillance, correlation, cultural transmission and entertainment (Trenholm, 2011, pg. 285). Although these are terrific points, they briefly talk about the hidden agenda media has. I find media’s communication to us extremely interesting as most people do not think about how the media misinterprets news articles, and purposefully exclude information to make particular victims’ and offenders’ stories appeal to the mass public. Children are usually the receivers of all media subliminal messages, I only use this word because their brains are not developed enough to comprehend what the meaning or the commercials are trying to say. Studies have shown children who watch more television and do not have a parent monitoring their television intake, are more likely to become obese in their adult life. Some of these statistical numbers could be from a non-participating parent, but much of it has to do with why they make the decision to eat a McDonald’s burger verses a salad- the media and those bright vivid commercials.

Week 4/23-4/29: Comm & the Mass Media: Part 2

Marshall McLuhan believes the channel (i.e. television, radio, newspaper, and internet) is often times more important than the message communicated to the audience. In some cases this is true, but for others I do not. I have recently been hooked on different podcasts which are essentially either a video or a radio station (depends on how you would like to hear the message), and they are fascinating. I have been simply listening to the information through the radio channel. In my experience, I retain and am less distracted when I use this channel method. I am driving my car and am not viewing if the speaker is drinking his soda, or itching his/her nose thus I am less distracted, and I retain more information. When Marshall McLuhan discusses television as a cool medium, I do not agree with this theory. We are NOT forced to fill in any information since the information is given to us and we lazily watch our shows and movies. We are not forced to analyze detail and hidden meaning, and this is a wonderful marketing tool for the marketing teams selling products. A person may come across as a cool person and may be more successful but it cannot be fully attributed to the channel they have chosen to communicate on.

Week 4/23-4/29: Comm & the Mass Media: Part 1

I have never made a friendship or made any other relationship on cyberspace. I have definitely stayed in touch with a lot of friends and family that have moved out of the area. My mom lives in Oregon, my cousins and aunts live in Arizona, Idaho, Missouri, Tennessee, Nevada, and in other areas of California. It has allowed me to see what they are all up to, and if there is family events planned. I remember my cousin-to-be sent me a wedding pre-invite on Facebook. It was a way for her to gather everyone’s addresses she did not have, and see if anyone were not able to attend. At first I thought this was ridiculous, but then I figured she saved time and money in obtaining this information. I have not formed cyberspace relationships because I have all the friends I would like to have and more family than most people. It is difficult to find good friends, but finding friends on the internet seems odd to me.

Week 4/16-4/22: Organizational Comm.: Part 3

The rules for the professional behavior caught my eye this week. Some of these rules are outrageous and I do not see them in my current professional environment nor have I seen it in the past. Most of the rules are straight forward and I completely agree with. Remembering that one is at the workplace to actually work is totally true, and a manager cannot stand it and may fire someone due to the amount of time Facebook, personal email and/or personal email is accessed. Managing time and responsibilities effectively is a true rule, but not the extent the book suggests. When an employee arrives at work, when the business opens, and leaves, when the doors close, could be an impossibility due to the number of shifts. However, on the opposite side, you never want to work too many hours because your manager gets too comfortable with you working 9-12 hours a day and leaves you with no personal life.

Week 4/16-4/22: Organizational Comm.: Part 2

Becoming a more responsible communicator comes with understanding the etiquette rules for our new technologies. For many of the textbook’s references, in a real-life situation it varies from person to person, and workplace to workplace. Cell phone can be annoying and rude if used in an inappropriate setting such as a client lunch, during a movie, and in a library. There have been a few incidents where I have asked politely to have the person relocate or lower their voice. For answering machines, I have definitely been the teenager who had the silly pager love songs, but once I became a professional adult I had to record the professional message. There is nothing worse than calling someone after an interview, and I hear a song or weird message. Conference calls are always serious especially because you never know who is on the other line (if it is a webinar). Normally, I am the presenter, so I am the main speaker. It is helpful when someone states their name because they may call after the call to discuss a question further. Faxes are only sent when our recipient knows we are sending it, and when someone sends us a fax it would be helpful if they could follow up with an email or phone call. Timing is everything when contacting a friend, family member or client, so I never call at 7:30am when I start my work day. I would probably get screamed at or lectured in some way. Screen names and ring tones should always be appropriate. Could you imagine being at a client meeting and all of a sudden your phone rings, “I Like Big Butts?” That would be the ultimate death or me and a total embarrassing moment.

Week 4/16-4/22: Organizational Comm.: Part 1

Organizations are tied to the environment in many ways. When a corporation forms management systems are put into place to lower the impact they have on the environment, especially larger businesses. There are recycle programs for common used items, computer materials, and recycled products are also considered before purchase. Many businesses must implement forms of transportation for their imports, exports, and their items form of arrival. Transportation and manufacturing CO2 output is considered when creating a product.

San Jose State University and our community are tied together by the students, faculty, and staff that attend this school. The location of the school also affects how the safety of the city is managed. If crime is high, the number of applications for students may not be up to par, so the school could potentially fail. Standards of the city are raised, so the school is obligated to keep its campus clean, and up to city standards.

Week 4/9-4/15: Interpersonal Comm.: Part 3

Relational maintenance was one of the concepts I found interesting in the textbook chapter we read this week. While reading this section I analyzed my past relationships and the current relationship I am in now. The difference seemed to be all of these strategies in maintaining a successful and loving relationship. Positivity, openness, assurance, networks, task sharing, conflict management, and advice are all the behaviors in keeping the relationships at a preferred level. Staying positive is important because once one’s self esteem lowers resentment begins, and this is a ticking time bomb. Openness is one of my top behaviors because once you stop communicating to one another, then it is not much of a relationship. Talking and understanding the other person is important. Networks are VERY important because if you plan on spending a huge chunk of your time with someone your friends and family usually comes with that package. It is a two way street, so all of these thing may be something you do, but if your significant other does not it could be a red flag to stay away or improve those behaviors.

Week 4/9-4/15: Interpersonal Comm.: Part 2

The characteristics and behaviors the lead me to judge others as unattractive are usually the cognitive cues such as how their attitude is towards traveling, if they are a driven person in school, work and life. In my life the sociological and incidental cues are important. I never would engage or agree to a date if I knew the person lived too far away. I was not willing to have a living situation damper a relationship in the very beginning stages of getting to know another person. I had tried in the past to see if this would work, but after a few dates I knew this could not be a possible romantic partner. Initially the preinteraction cues are imperative. Many people say that beauty is not the main thing when they look for a partner, but if you are not physically attracted to a person then the relationship WILL fail. Duck’s theory makes complete sense, and I agree 100%. We go through a process of elimination in any dating scenario, and we do this to find our life partner and our friends. If someone does not interact with you smoothly and easily, one can predict this relationship will not go far.

Week 4/9-4/15: Interpersonal Comm.: Part 1

The rigid complementary pattern would be the most difficult to change. In the example in the text, a mother teaches a child most things in life, and the child is influenced by her. The child is powerless and has no say in how he or she is raised. As a child you rely on your elders to provide for you and hopefully raise you in a safe and loving environment. This would be the hardest dynamic to change due to the simple age factor.

The rigid complementary pattern is absolutely more damaging to a relationship. When you have one partner or friend that is more powerful or dominant and controlling it can escalate into an abusive one. I know many people who have been in unhealthy relationships, and this pattern was always the initial trait. One shows dominance and the other is too submissive, so the controlling culprit takes advantage of the power and it becomes an out-of-control situation. This pattern is also potentially most damaging to one’s self esteem. If you are the submissive person, you have let go of all self worth and look to the dominate one to uphold your esteem. This rarely and often never occurs, so the self esteem is not rebuilt until the relationship has been terminated.