Book Concept

One concept from our book that I wish would have been further elaborated was Chapter 11 on mass media.  The internet part of mass media I would have liked to be further discuss. I liked when we discussed the difference between cyber and face to face conversations. I think that would have been a great section to cover so that we could find out the percentages of people who actually carry on friendships or relationships via the internet. Not only do I think that could have come in and handy, but also the topic of discussions. I would love to know what a lot of people speak about that they felt they couldn't talk to their friends face to face about. I really enjoyed speaking about the differences of mass media. My favorite topic and chapter in the book.

I think this could also deal with our chapter 13 where we have discussed the differences in the research methods. Finding out what people actually speak about could be a type of research as well that most definitely has a lot to do with communication. 

Interesting Concept

The concept I found the most interesting in this class was the concept of that attracting is the process of elimination. I really enjoyed the blog we had to do on our potential romantic partner because it gave me a real thinking process where I had to think about characteristics and behaviors that could turn me off from someone. I feel like when it comes to the process of elimination you may just look at someone and feel attraction, but after that it is like you start getting to know them and certain things about them start to become unattractive you.

The reason I felt that this was very interesting to me is because I really enjoyed this concept. I felt like I learned something new and never felt like I could look at attraction as a process of elimination. After reading the section on this I looked at this concept something to consider when having an attraction to someone. 

Research Method

The most interesting research method in my opinion is the survey research.  “To survey groups of people, researchers use either written questionnaires or face-to-face interviews to question subjects and record and code their responses. Researchers question a representative sample so that findings will be generational ” (Page 355) I feel like survey research gives the questioner a better chance to explain. They get to elaborate more on their answer and it doesn't generalize anyone into one category. The person taking the questioner has the opportunity to be in other.

If I were studying an aspect of deception, my number one question would be “When it comes to deviance who engages in the act of deviance more?”  I definitely feel like this would be under the Ethnography.  This could be in any setting and apply to any behavior. The researcher avoids imposing his or her own values and assumptions on the data. Instead of testing an existing hypothesis, he or she allows conclusions to emerge from observations. (page 354)

Selective Processing

A useful topic that I liked was the section on selective processing.  “We are capable of ignoring messages we don’t like, of tuning out tedious or irrelevant details, of interpreting messages in original ways, and of forgetting inconvenient details.” (page292) I have to agree. We do tune out things we do not want to hear or because we don’t think it is important. It’s just like sometimes I have to tell my boyfriend that he doesn't listen to me when I tell him something I think is important or he says he forgot. I have to say that this deals with selective retention, meaning he only remembered a little bit of our conversation. My mom always has a saying “You only forgot because you weren't listening, but if I told you I was giving you a million bucks you would listen”.  I also thought the term selective perception, meaning we perceive something in a different way than someone else.  

Medium Is The Message

“According to McLuhan’s theory, each medium has its own internal logic, and each affects how we experience the world.” (page 291) I can agree with this! It is important that you know which medium is best to make sure that the message is delivered properly. I believe TV is a great medium.

I do agree with McLuhan that TV is a cool medium, especially in today’s era. We use television in everyday life, to watch the news, entertainment, speeches, and music.  With television you can see and hear at the same time it gives the person watching an easier way to receive the message. TV shows everything that you wish you saw once you heard it. I believe television gives everyone that believability they may need to understand facts. For example, we may read a newspaper article on a killing and may by pass it. Once you've tuned to the news and they show you how the investigation is going and what the murderer looks like I feel like you could get more involved. Even with newspapers still around some people may just prefer watching the news than reading it. 

Cyber Friendships

When it comes to being friends with people in cyberspace I actually have when I was in high school. I remember long summers and I remember seeing my oldest sister talking to people in chat rooms and I would walk up behind her being nosey. I would ask her what she was doing and who she was talking to. I believe that was my start to finding out that you could chat with people who were all over the world and the same age as me.

The difference between my face to face conversations and Internet conversations aren't really different! You meet someone and you get to know them! I mean the conversations would be the same, but you just can't interact with them in person. If you have a web camera you can video chat. This question came just in time as a TV show on MTV just premiered last night called CatFish where people who met online get to see each other on person. I have to say that would be a little cart especially if they turn out being someone totally different. That's part of the reason I don't use my Internet as a friendship tool. Some people will turn out not being exactly who you think they're. 

Interview Skills

One of the topics from Chapter 8 that I felt was interesting was the section about interviewing skills. I had actually had a short lesson on this last semester in my business class, but I liked reading and going over some of these things again. I really liked the fact that there was a whole part about questions. It gave the questions that some employers may ask you and the importance of asking the employer some questions. It wouldn’t be right if you got yourself into a job you had no idea what a regular day could be like.

“Interviews are like exclusive parties: you can’t crash the gate; you have to be invited. That means sending out resumes and cover letters that catch the eye of potential employers and make them want to meet with you.” (page 213) It is very important to update your resume and make sure it is spruced up and can catch the attention of the employer you are applying for. You want them to see why, on paper, you are the best candidate.