Saturday, February 20, 2010

Re: Week 4 February 14-20 Question 2: "White Men of Privilege"

Question 2. Explain the concept "white men of privilege". Do you agree with the concept? Why or why not?

In Chapter 5, the white men of privilege apply to the upper and middle class, and wealthy white European male in our country. In Harris and Sherbolm’s text who mention, “The overriding assumption of social, economic, and political power in this country has long resided with upper-class and upper-middle class white European males of wealth and privilege” (Harris/Sherbolm 99). In these sentences, the authors both reveal the white European males who resided in the United States since eighteenth century. Due to the inequality and injustice in the society in the past centuries, the white Europeans males possessed the social and economic power that brought them as the upper and middle class among the other individuals who also held the hierarchies of power to their group individuals in the following centuries.

In my opinion, I do not agree with the “white men of privilege” in the society in the twenty-first century because the presidential election in 2008 had given us the right answer. In this election, Mr. Barrack Obama has been elected as the first Black American president in the American history. Additionally, the white presidential candidates who completely lost their privileges to possess the social power in the election as well.

Conclusively, the “white men of privilege” can only apply in the eighteen century because of injustice in the society at that time. In terms of the change of political situation, environment, and the philosophy by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1960's, we have found the lower class residents, the Blacks, the women, and the poor people who are completely awakened and fight for the equality and justice in the society.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Re: Week 4 February 14-20 Question 3: Language Use

The language use is the concept that I am very interesting to discuss in chapter 5. Literally, language is a form of verbal communication to share the understanding and motivate them to take immediate response to our message. In Harris and Sherbolm’s text who say, “Language is the principal way we cross the barrier between our own interior world and that of others (Neuliep, 2000)” (Harris/Sherbolm 94). In this statement, the authors express that the language is a tool to break through the barrier of human beings and ultimately help the individuals to share their own meanings of the messages. In the United States, speaking English is the main language to communicate with people in the society. In the English criteria, grammar is among the most important things to demonstrate in a sentence. Generally, the English sentence structure has several grammatical forms. On the other hand, in the Chinese sentence, the sentence structure has only one grammatical form. Clearly, English links correct numbers of objects with correct nouns and tenses, but the rules of Chinese grammar cannot be applied to constructing the English sentences.

The oral examination is an important part to claim the American Citizenship in the United States. Most of the Chinese people who cannot speak fluently English that might take the particular class to improve their English language use before they process the application for citizenship. In that particular class, the use of correct English grammar is the most important thing for the Chinese applicants to learn.

Conclusively, the language use in different ethnic groups is completely different. If we want to communicate with different culture people, we might learn the proper language use that will be helpful to share and satisfy other individuals’ needs.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Re: Week 4 February 14-20: Question #1 Stereotyping

The stereotype means the people tend to make their assumptions to some particular individuals. In Harris and Sherbolm’s text who say, “Stereotyping as a form of categorization is part of the human condition" (Harris/Sherbolm 92). In this statement, the authors express that the stereotyping is a category which particularly describes a group of individuals. Literally, I agree with Harris and Sherbolm’s idea mentioned in the paragraph. In our Chinese community, most of the parents want to send their children to Ivy League schools for the university. In addition, if their children become a doctor, an accountant, an engineer, and a lawyer after graduation, these successes are the desires to the parents. Undoubtedly, this particular group of Chinese parents and their desires to their children are stereotyped by other individuals.

In year 2004, my daughter studied in the University California, Irvine and majored in performing arts and dancing that brought the echoes and astonishment to most of the parents in the Chinese community. In terms of their opinions, they do not expect that my daughter, who has a strong ability in science subjects and does not major in science for the path to attain the professional careers in future. Harris and Sherbolm also state, "If the person behaves in a way noticeably different from our stereotype, we may attribute that to the person's being an exception, rather than to the stereotype's being inaccurate or inappropriate for gauging our responses to members of that group" (Harris/Sherbolm 92). In these sentences, both authors reveal that if a person is different to the stereotype, he or she may belong to the exceptional individual rather than the members of the group. Under my daughter's issue, I always faced lots of scorns by most of the Chinese parents in the community in the past years. Clearly, I understand my identity is the exceptional individual in their groups at that time.

Today, my daughter works in the dancing company as a professional dancer and a teacher in a dance studio. Sometimes, she acts as a choreographer in the dance programs in some particular events. For me as her mother, I am very proud of her little success. More importantly, I should give her the great support and I also believe that she applies her interests to her career.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Re: Week 3 Question 3: Chapter 9 -Concept to be discussed

The problem identification and information gathering are the concepts that I want to discuss in this post. In Harris and Sherbolm’s text who say,” Asking questions is at the heart of group decision making. It is essential to identifying the problem to be solved and to gathering the prevent information to solve it” (Harris/Sherblom 184). The both authors state that the asking questions is the main concern in group discussion. Thus, Harris and Sherbolm suggest to gathering all related information that is the crucial way to solve the problems.

In the class project, we always have lots of questions and problems on the topic, criteria, and the research. In order to solve these problems, we may try every effort to list all questions at the first beginning. Secondly, we gather all related information to discuss with my group members. Thirdly, if we cannot solve the problems in the project, we try to consult with our professor who will give us his or her opinion at the end.

Conclusively, I am very confident to solve the problems with my group members in the class project because we understand the cohesiveness and cooperation are also the most important things in group discussion as well

Friday, February 12, 2010

Re: Week 3 - Question 2: Function of norms in group

The functions of the norms in groups base on mutual acceptance of rule and behaviors. In Harris and Shelbolm’s text who mention, “Norms establish the accepted rules of behavior. These rules represent the shared values, procedures, and beliefs that guide group members in their communication and actions” (Harris/Sherbolm 48). The authors reveal the sharing of values and beliefs, the setting of procedures and guidelines for members’ communication and actions covering the forthcoming events or projects are the rules and behaviors in groups that are also the must.

In accordance with my previous experience, one of my norm groups expressed their spiritual support to me when I did not know how to work with our project at the first semester in the university. During working of projects, the members sent me the related links and reference books of research for my study. We also set up the procedures and guidelines for the entire project. In order to have the updated information of the project, we usually sent email or text messaging for our communication. Hopefully, we had completed the project on time and deserved the good grades at the end.

For the violation of a norm issue, I understand the violation of a norm based on the humanity of the members. In Harris and Sherbolm’s statement, “ A crucial norm, when violated, usually brings some type of censure” (Harris/Sherbolm” In addition, the authors also states, ”Violation of a peripheral norm – such as poor social etiquette, occasional bad manners, or mildly inappropriate behavior-make us uncomfortable” (Harris/Sherbolm 48). The authors expressed that violated norms show the unfriendly behavior and uncooperative attitude to other members that make the uncomfortable situation in discussion. Generally, I have not met any violated norms in our groups because most of the members are very cooperative, friendly, and patiently to me. In my opinion, the good behavior and habits are the primary impacts in the group norms. If the members can behave themselves, then the violation in norms will be avoided.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Re: Week 3 - Question 1

In Harris and Sherbolm’s text who mention, “Knowing the norm means you have a map, or traveler’s guide, for navigating the territory of group behavior and processes” (Harris/Sherbolm 48). The authors explain the norm seems like a map and a traveler’s guide that can let the group members have the right directions to share their behavior and processes. At school, we have group norms in the class. During the small group discussion or doing our projects, we share our beliefs, values, and ideas that will be very helpful to have the best result and conclusion at the end. As speaking English is my second language, I always have the language blocks in our discussion. Hopefully, the norms have their own patience to give me the guidelines how to complete the discussion and project as well. I can say my group of norms is the crucial norms. Harris and Sherbolm say,” A crucial norm has a primary impact on how well the group performs it tasks” (Harris/Sherbolm 48). In this statement, the authors clearly reveal the crucial norms have their own primary impact to regulate the group members to accomplish the tasks. In last two semesters, I have the crucial norms in class that strengthen my confidence and give me a proper guideline doing the projects and presentations. Under this issue, I want to express my sincere thanks to all of them.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Re: Week 2 Question 2 - Entropy and Equifinality

In Harris and Sherbolm’s text, entropy means disorganization, stagnation, and chaos. The authors claim, “An overdependence on control or too many limits on new ideas through negative feedback leads to stagnation and entropy” (Harris/Sherbolm 34). Harris and Sherbolm clearly explain based on the small group communication, if members increase lots of their own ideas that reflect disorganization, not focusing as well as chaos. Additionally, if members cannot energize to increase any new ideas in the small group communication that result of stagnation. In order to avoid any disorganization, stagnation, and chaos happening in small group, the members should be responsible to conduct and control their behaviors in the meeting. Under such conditions, the negative feedback will be more helpful to awaken the members and bring them back to the right track for discussion.
Equifinality means that the small group members can take different ways to reach their target. Harris and Sherbolm say, “Equifinality refers to the fact that living systems can take different routes to the same destination” (Harris/Sherbolm 34). The authors reveal that different ideas coming from the members can lead to the same destination. In Harris and Sherbolm’s explanation, we understand every member in a small group may have their own ideas because of humanity. Sometimes, the different ideas may create the best and fast ways to reach the goal. Under this issue, the group members should not be subjective to reject or neglect someone’s idea in the meeting.
Generally, we always face the entropy and equifinality working for the class projects. If the members can monitor how to control their behaviors, be more perspective and more objective to accept someone’s idea in the meeting, then the best result will come out at the end.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Re: Week 2 - Question 3 " Feedback"

The feedback plays the important role in the small group communication. Harris and Sherblom state, "Giving and receiving feedback is an important consideration in small group communication. A group must pay attention both of the feedback that it receives from its larger environment in the form of its initial charge and directions, as well as to the response to its presentation" (Harris and Sherbolm 32, 33). In these sentences, the authors reveal that the feedback comes from other people's ideas, response, and comments which will be very helpful for the small group to codify their systems and the plans ahead. In terms of the feedback, the positive and negative feedback are the two dynamics to enhance the creativity as well as to give the right directions to the small group. Harris and Sherbolm say, " Positive feedback encourages creativity among group members and suggests and appreciation for diversity in thinking, perspectives, and opinions. Negative feedback encourages a reduction in deviation, can fulfill a corrective function to help keep the group on task, but can also reduce creativity" (Harris and 33). In the statement, Harris and Sherbolm explain clearly about the positive and negative feedback must not be ignored because these two dynamics can absolutely bring the creativity, productivity, perspectives, and reduce the deviation to the small group communication.

Regarding to the group project and presentation in class, we always have the positive and negative feedback from the teachers as well as the audiences. However, these feedbacks are very helpful to encourage the creativity, strengthen our confidence, and correct our mistakes for future tasks.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Re: Week 2 - Question 1: Groups must function well

The interdependence and the interrelationships play the important role in a small group. In Small Group and Team Communication written by Harris and Sherblom who claim, "Basic to the synergy of small groups is the interdependence of its members. To the extent that members depend on each other and share in resposibility for the group processs, the group gains the benefit of the shared ideas and interactions" (Harris and Sherbolm 32). In this statement, Harris and Sherbolm cleary explain all members in a team should work as a whole. However, every member has the responsibility to share the job and idea that will benefit their interactions during the group process. In order to reach the goal effectively, all members must function well and cooperate as a team. Harris and Sherbolm also state, "Taking advantage of interdependence requires learning how to work with the other members" (Harris and Sherbolm 32). In this sentence, the authors reveal the importance of collaboration in a team work.

The first example that I want to share is the project in last semester. We understand that each of us have to prepare two pages of contents related to the topic and present in class. At first, we select a member who is the coordinator to set up the meetings covering the whole project. The coodinator seems like the captain of a boat. Secondly, we share together with the ideas and the research in the meetings as these are the important steps to create our story board and power point for presentation. Thirdly, we modify the power point many times that will be very helpful to output our flawless project. At last, in order to present our project within the time limit, we rehearse several times that will not let the presentation overrun.

The second example that I want to share is the moving of my house in last spring. There is no doubt that moving a house is a big project for a single parent with two young and skinny adults. Hopefully, we are depend upon each other and set up our check lists covering all itms before we pack and label all boxes. We also understand that the perfect check lists will be very helpful for us to unpack after moving to our new house. Finally, we reach our goal within our schedule and there are no missing items after upack.

Conclusively, we have learnt that the interdependence and interrelationships are the crucial elements for the group process which seem like the concretes and cement for a building. If the group does not function well, as a result, every member will definitely waste the enery, times and have suffering at the end.