Systems Theory

This power point outlines the basic qualities of Systems Theories. The question for communication is "what do we learn about families if we consider them as systems?"

Some of the things that we have to consider is "How do outside influences change the way the family operates at home?" "Are 'bad kids' just bad individuals, or are they elements of a bad system?" "How much is an individual's behavior constrained by the way the larger system works?"

A Great Discussion

Thanks to all of you for a great discussion today.

It was helped by the fact that many of you had read most, or all, of the article - and had experiences to contribute.

You enriched that article, turning it from a good exploration of an interesting theory into a dynamic piece that sparked thought. Good on you.

Conversational Analysis

More to the point that the Social Exchange Theory, here is the slide show on Conversational Analysis. This one will be in test materials.

Social Exchange Theory

We discussed Social Exchange Theory in class, but I thought you might appreciate an opportunity to review the Power Point. It is an important theory concerning how and why we make connections with others.

The Shortsightedness of the 18 to 20 Year Old

I'm concerned about one of the posts on Anna's blog, concerned enough to write about that post. I think that the post has something to say about Interpersonal Communication, so I'm including it here.

What bothers me is the line: "If this is how it is going to be, it is going to be a long season…especially with Cantrell. Most of the Ju-Co players are looking at transferring next year so they do not waste it on this program. I do not blame them. We went from the best in conference to the worst…great move Bethany College…"

Now, it may be that my reading of this is clouded by the fact that I am feeling exceptionally stressed out. But I have to take exception to the assertion that the college, qua institution, made a big mistake by hiring Cantrell. I do that in my response to the post.

It also seems to me that this cheap shot at Cantrell is motivated by feelings, strong feelings, colored by the fact that the poster has a BF on the BB team. She's hearing disgruntled players - who are labeling themselves as losers on the lookout only for themselves - in other words, very negative people who aren't seeing very far into their own future.

The result, of course, is to blame the coach, the institution, all the places except where the blame in fact belongs - on the players. Neither the coach, nor the institution was out on the ball field during that game.

Moreover, while the baseball team was winning last year, it came at a tremendous price. Faculty were highly distrustful of the coach last year (and had good reason to be so) and that mistrust spilled over into other athletic areas where it was not quite as justified.

But - and this is my big but coming in here - when you're 18 - 22 years old you don't know or don't care about the history. Your communication tends to be driven by the emotions you feel right at the moment you're writing. I know. I was that way.

I was easily excited to shout "injustice!" at every turn.

The first issue of the Augustana Observer I edited had one such shout. A dorm mother inspected a student's closet. We cried "racism!" and "facism!" It was nothing of the case, but I was sure we were speaking up for justice, and that the student, of whom I was very fond, had been abused.

We were almost sued for libel. I learned about slander. I learned about my emotions and my need to keep my emotions in check when trying to deal rationally with the world.

Pete Seeger at 89

I just added "Pete Seeger at 89" to my CD collection. It is a huge collection of cuts from this legendary figure in folk music.

One that I think might become my favorite is his song about babies growing to adulthood and the melancholy caused for parents by that growth. It is what we hope will happen to our children - if we're functional parents, but it is also painful to see. We may battle with our children when they're little, but we remember those days with great fondness. The memory of the battles fade, even become funny, while the memory of the waddling little baby just learning to walk, with a whole world of possibilities ahead, remains as vivid as any memory we have.

For those who've never heard Pete Seeger, here's a Youtube video from his younger days.

Interpersonal March 17, 2009

Interpersonal March 17, 2009

Housekeeping - Review the rubric and date for Verbatim.

Reading for Thursday

 Reading for Today

Adult Children Experience

What were the Research questions that drove the work?

What were her findings?

How did the research arrive at these findings?

What was her methodology?

What theoretical basis is there for her methodology?

How confident can we be in her findings?

What is the significance of the findings?

Do the findings in any way parallel your experience with managing privacy in your family?