Are 3 Heads Really Better Than One? Blog 9

In the movie we are watching in class "Failure to Launch", Trip and his buddies are in their mid 30s and all still live at home with their parents.  Some may argue that one of the reasons for their "failure to launch" is because of Groupthink.  The term Groupthink was coined by social psychologist Irving Janis (1972). It is when a group makes faulty decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of “mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment”.  Groups affected by groupthink ignore alternatives and tend to take irrational actions that dehumanize other groups. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background, when the group is insulated from outside opinions, and when there are no clear rules for decision making. It is like peer pressure on steriods.

Share another example of Groupthink in action that you know from history, personal experience or observation. Because we are social beings, we are all prone to Groupthink. What might we do to prevent becoming prey to the power of Groupthink?

Are 3 Heads Really Better Than One? Blog 11

The term Groupthink was coined by social psychologist Irving Janis (1972). It is when a group makes faulty decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of “mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment”. Groups affected by groupthink ignore alternatives and tend to take irrational actions that dehumanize other groups. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background, when the group is insulated from outside opinions, and when there are no clear rules for decision making. It is like peer pressure on steriods.
Share an example of Groupthink in action that you know from history, personal experience or observation. Because we are social beings, we are all prone to Groupthink. What might we do to prevent becoming prey to the power of Groupthink?

Overcoming the Fear of Rejection- Post 10

The dissolution of a relationship leaves many scars. The fear of rejection is a common scar left after the ending of a meaningful relationship. It can leave one emotionally immobilized, stagnated, depressed and lead to self-destructive, self-defeating irrational behaviors, and regression. Share with us, how you think one can learn to overcome their fear of rejection and be open again to engage in current and future relationships.

Breaking It Up- Week 9

Break ups are usually messy. Your book doesn't talk about all of the tug-of-wars that happen after dissolution. (Getting back together over and over, trying to be "friends", jealousy when you see them with someone new, etc.) During this time, it's difficult to know when the relationship is completely over and it's time to move on. Share with us your thoughts and experiences on this whole "after the dissolution" phase. How do you know when it's REALLY over? When do you stop trying to rekindle the fire? When do you know that you're ready to move on?

Can Money Buy You Happiness? Week 8 Post

We are all familiar with the saying, "Money can't buy you happiness". However, a recent Gallup poll shows that the number one issue that causes problems in relationships today is cha-ching....MONEY, MONEY,MONEY, MONEY! Other studies show that couples that deem themselves "poor" are more likely to end in divorce than financially healthy families. Post your views on the topic. Does money make you happier?

Diversity in the Workplace- Week 7 Post

Studies show that 52% of people perfer to work with people like themselves. This begs the question, "What about diversity in the workplace?" Since most of us cannot choose who we will have to communicate with at work, how do we navigate through the complexities of a multicultural workplace? The top 4 diversity issues that cause problems are:

1. Language Differences
2. Differences in Values and Etiquette
3. Tone of voice
4. "Clustering" (hanging out with others from similar backgrounds)

Post an example of how a difference in one of these areas has caused a misunderstanding due to diversity. Offer some suggestions on how you think communication between people from diverse backgrounds can relate better to each other.

Best Stressed- Week 6 Post

Feeling Stressed Out? Studies show that how you deal with stress may be dependent on whether you are a male or a female. Read the study done on how men and women differ in how they deal with stress. Men- fight or flight vs. Women- tend and affiliate. Tell us what you think and how you tend to deal with stress. Do you agree with the study's findings? Are you a typical male or female in your responses to stress?

How Women Vs. Men Handle Stress

Science of the BFF- Week 5 Blog

As we study the development of relationships and you put together your self-concept game, I'm sure you are reflecting on people who have been significant in your life. This week's blog looks at friendships.

What makes a good friend? Trust? Shared interests? Emotional support? Acceptance? Tell us about someone who you consider to be a BFF. What qualities do they possess? Was there a pivotal event that strengthened your friendship?

IQ vs. EQ- Week 4 Blog

Hi Y'all,

First let me apologize for missing class this morning. The flu bug has hit and I thought you would appreciate me keeping my germs to myself today. I was going to cover chapter 7 (Emotions and Communication) with you today- so please read the chapter on your own. I was also going to go over your Self-Concept project with you. You can find the assignment on PALS under FILES. Check it out, and we'll go over it in more detail Tuesday.

This week's blog goes with today's lecture on chapter 7. In 1995, Goleman did a study and wrote a book on Emotional Quotient (EQ). He argued that one's EQ is more important their IQ (Intelligence Quotient) in predicting a person's success in life. What do you think?

1) Take the EQ test at: www.ihhp.com/quiz.php

2) Post your answer to this question: If you had to choose, would you rather have a high IQ or EQ? Why?

Sure Fire Pick-ups - Week 3 Post

The contact phase only lasts approximately 4-5 minutes. So you've only got a short amount of time to make a good first impression. Share with us your favorite pick-up strategies and experiences that you have either used or had used on you. Did any of them work? Why or why not?

Exxxxxxcuse ME! Week 2 Blog

While most human beings will engage in making some excuses in their lives, the common Ben Franklin saying “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else,” may be more of a self-fulfilling prophesy for excuse-makers than simply avoidance or laziness. Whether excuses are used to shift blame or improve what other people think, it may be easier for excuse-makers to live with excuses than think about living with having tried at something and failed.

Share with us a time when someone has give an excuse to you that you know was a lie. How did you know that it wasn't the truth? What verbal/nonverbal cues were there? How did it affect how you percieve that person?

What Did You Say? Post 1

WE REMEMBER

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see

50% of what we see and hear

70% of what we discuss with others

80% of what we personally experience

95% or what we teach others

- Edgar Dale

You have all sat and listened to each other speak today for 5 minutes. Blog what you can remember from your one-sided conversation. Be sure to comment on each others' entries and let your listener know what percentage he/she remembered accurately. Let's see who the good listeners are!

Welcome to Interpersonal Communication!

As we explore what makes relationships tick, we will be covering topics such as: listening, friendships, intimate relationships, workplace issues, family dynamics, love, and conflict strategies. You will have several opportunities to reflect on your own relationships and communication style to find ways to improve all facets of your life. As part of this journey together, I will post the latest studies and hot topics related to interpersonal communication on this blog.Your job is to respond with an example to either confirm or disprove my posting by sharing insights from your own experiences, or one you've found on a TV show, movie, or research. Feel free to comment on others' postings, and also post any interesting (articles, links, videos, books, tweets, jokes, etc) related to communication and one-on-one relationships. I look forward to blogging with you! Dr. Karin Wilking San Antonio College