The workplace can be a dynamic place to spend the day. We potentially interact we a variety of people of different gender, age and so on. There can be fellow employees who are at different stages in their careers as well as different stages in their lives. Some may have already retired from one job and are spending their retirement time working while others are starting out with a young family, hoping to improve their employment status with the company over time...sooner the better.
In some industries competition in the workplace can be vicious to say the least. In the area of sales is one in particular where account management and growth is not only a "good" thing but a requirement. Unfortunately, since we all can potentially differring dynamics going on in our personal lives, our perspective on work can be different from others. Take the worker who has several young children compared to the single, career-focused individual who has little in their life that requires time and attention. If their is a demand to perform of a given high level, those who can invest the additional time and energy may gain the upper hand if you will. As a result, the worker with the family may not only suffer from the demands of the job but also in their personal lives dues too, if for no other reason, from the pressure that associated with the expectation to do well at all things.
Fortunately, some of us are employed at companies where there seems to be a balance. Sure we have to do our job, but the situation is such that we can do the job and still not expend every bit of energy that we have. As a result, the balance at work can have a greater potential for carrying over in the worker's personal life....or vice-versa.
In cases where the present job is taking away from a person's personel/family life, a change in employment may be considered. Enter.....additional stress and anxiety. Although the solution might be the right thing to do, the process can be a bit tough at times.
Friday, August 10, 2007
6.4 Points of View Video
Perception is usually very accurate according to the video. Specifically, our initial impression of someone or something is the more accurate assessment.......not 100% but among the major of being correct. This has been stated by others...that our initial take on something is usually the correct position.
Severa factors can make a significant contribution to our ability to accurately evaluate; sight, sound, small, feel are few. What can enhance or deminish our ability to achieve a correct evaluation are our environmental conditions such as light/darkness, sound, movement and temperature. These elements can create enough of a distraction to us that we lose our focus/attention and thereby arrive at decisions that have been skewed from our norm.
Over the course of our lives we are bombarded with a lot of information. How we process this information can have an effect on our bias' and expectations. If we watch a professional sports team compete we expect for them to do well; afterall, they have been hired to perform the sport....it is their job to do it well.
At different times in our lives we may quickly assess and come to conclusions regarding a given situation while at other times we give some thought and arrive at our conclusion based on a stronger analytical process. Media tends to create the former. Headlines are designed to capture our attention and convince us to read the article. Statements can be made in the media for the purpose to draw the reader in to the story to the point where either knowledge on the subject is gained or a position of the writer is accurately communicated.....or maybe both.
Severa factors can make a significant contribution to our ability to accurately evaluate; sight, sound, small, feel are few. What can enhance or deminish our ability to achieve a correct evaluation are our environmental conditions such as light/darkness, sound, movement and temperature. These elements can create enough of a distraction to us that we lose our focus/attention and thereby arrive at decisions that have been skewed from our norm.
Over the course of our lives we are bombarded with a lot of information. How we process this information can have an effect on our bias' and expectations. If we watch a professional sports team compete we expect for them to do well; afterall, they have been hired to perform the sport....it is their job to do it well.
At different times in our lives we may quickly assess and come to conclusions regarding a given situation while at other times we give some thought and arrive at our conclusion based on a stronger analytical process. Media tends to create the former. Headlines are designed to capture our attention and convince us to read the article. Statements can be made in the media for the purpose to draw the reader in to the story to the point where either knowledge on the subject is gained or a position of the writer is accurately communicated.....or maybe both.
Friday, August 3, 2007
6.4 Points of View - Perception
It is interesting how a given experience under one condition can have one result while the same experience under a different set of conditions can lead us to a totally different conclusion. Our environmental conditions such as sight, sound or smell can create a bias in our assessment of something. Take for example a restaurant setting.......if we see a filthy dining area, we question the quality of the food that is prepared. When the place is in a clean and presentable condition, we usually make the judgement that everything else is in good order. Ofcourse, the latter is not always true. They may be excellent custodians but lousy cooks.
How we view things are impacted by our past experiences. We look at situations with bias.....over time we have developed a set of life-values that provide guidance for us under different circumstances. As a result, our responses from one person to another will vary. Even our visual perception can be different. Studies have been done where a given situation was staged. Once the activity had concluded, the participants were interviewed with vastly different results. During a staged store theft, the description of the robber as given by the witnesses were inconsistent. They proves out that our individual focus can have differing results.
Those who have the ability to draw and design things able to visualize/see things a certain way while those of us think in a more linear way can be completely innept in our artistic abilities.
Conditioning through life's experiences can lead us to have a given set of expectations when approaching/viewing a specific situation. This can actually be very beneficial at times. Sure we may be prejudicial; however, knowing when to cross the street, that the element on the cooking stove is potentially hot persuades us to act in a certain manner.
How we view things are impacted by our past experiences. We look at situations with bias.....over time we have developed a set of life-values that provide guidance for us under different circumstances. As a result, our responses from one person to another will vary. Even our visual perception can be different. Studies have been done where a given situation was staged. Once the activity had concluded, the participants were interviewed with vastly different results. During a staged store theft, the description of the robber as given by the witnesses were inconsistent. They proves out that our individual focus can have differing results.
Those who have the ability to draw and design things able to visualize/see things a certain way while those of us think in a more linear way can be completely innept in our artistic abilities.
Conditioning through life's experiences can lead us to have a given set of expectations when approaching/viewing a specific situation. This can actually be very beneficial at times. Sure we may be prejudicial; however, knowing when to cross the street, that the element on the cooking stove is potentially hot persuades us to act in a certain manner.
6.3 Persuasion
Persuasion is almost an art. In sales, the ability to persuade can have a direct relation on the success in closing the deal. In order to effective in persuading a person or group to agree to a certain point of view we should "know" our audience to some degree and prepare our case accordingly. When at a boardroom meeting with top executives you might want to assemble you data in such a manner that best communicates what you want them to see and hear. Use of graphs, spreadsheets, etc. having the same data can communicate a slightly differenct message simply by where the emphasis is placed......changing the format from numbers to percentages, changing the scale of a graph to accentuate a score when the score is marginal at best. We can do this in a fair and balanced manner which then allows others to accurately assess for themselves or we can skew the message by providing additional emphasis on some points and very little, if any, on other points.
Whether it is in the setting of the home or business, our ability or inability to effectively persuade can have varying results. At times it is of the utmost important that our persuasive ability is critical.......in raising our children we need communicate to them a variety of information that is not only for their general development, but also for their safety. On the other hand, we have seen company CEOs completely dismantle large businesses as a result of persuading others within the company to follow a certain business model. Enron is one example: this company falsified documents and continued to do so over time until the company no longer was capable to operate.
Instructors at different levels of our educational system have a fantastic opportunity to provide direction to others in how one can effectively listen and evaluate information. Lacking the such assessing skills can leave a person to come to inaccurate conclusions after hearing a speech or reading an article. Persuation in the media can not only consist of what is being presented but also how it is presented as well as what is left out of the discussion. Depending upon how the information is presented can determine how the audience responds.
Whether it is in the setting of the home or business, our ability or inability to effectively persuade can have varying results. At times it is of the utmost important that our persuasive ability is critical.......in raising our children we need communicate to them a variety of information that is not only for their general development, but also for their safety. On the other hand, we have seen company CEOs completely dismantle large businesses as a result of persuading others within the company to follow a certain business model. Enron is one example: this company falsified documents and continued to do so over time until the company no longer was capable to operate.
Instructors at different levels of our educational system have a fantastic opportunity to provide direction to others in how one can effectively listen and evaluate information. Lacking the such assessing skills can leave a person to come to inaccurate conclusions after hearing a speech or reading an article. Persuation in the media can not only consist of what is being presented but also how it is presented as well as what is left out of the discussion. Depending upon how the information is presented can determine how the audience responds.
6.2 Attribution
In listening to various radio talk shows, it is somewhat dissapointing in how some recklessly make attributions about certain subjects, situations and people with apparent ignorance....and they do so without shame. For example, we read a news article....at that time we make the choice to formulate an opinion to some varying degree. If it is an emotional-charged subject, we may be more defined in our position regardless of the fact that we could be lacking quite a bit of pertinent information on the subject. I have listened to people calling in to the radio talk shows and offer an opinion that seems to be lacking foundation, realizing that most of the public are not privy to the entire set of facts. Nevertheless, an attribution is made.
What drives us to making quick, off the cuff assessments. Some psychologists have made the correlation between this and the set of values that we have either been taught and/or subscribed to over the course or our lives. We have developed a set of expectations, discriminating thoughts, and prejudices when it comes to a certain subjects; as a result, we make certain attributions. It may be safe to say that most people make reasonable and healty attributions throughout the course of life..........if we see a bear eating a fish, we are most likely not going to run up to it and try to take it away. Why? We have been trained to attribute injury to an angry bear.
What drives us to making quick, off the cuff assessments. Some psychologists have made the correlation between this and the set of values that we have either been taught and/or subscribed to over the course or our lives. We have developed a set of expectations, discriminating thoughts, and prejudices when it comes to a certain subjects; as a result, we make certain attributions. It may be safe to say that most people make reasonable and healty attributions throughout the course of life..........if we see a bear eating a fish, we are most likely not going to run up to it and try to take it away. Why? We have been trained to attribute injury to an angry bear.
6.1 Self Esteem and Self Efficacy
Some motivational speakers make the correlation between one's personal assessment and their general success in life, whether it be in their personal life or in a professional setting. When a person maintains a positive focus on who they are and their capabilities, success is usually closer at hand. However, as we down-grade our self-assessment, it is believed that our potential also suffers as a result. Needless to say, we all have the potential for experiencing highs and lows in our self-esteem (SE) simply as a result of going through life. When we experience success such as in a sport or on the job we probably are on the higher end of the SE scale. Failure on the other hand may have a negative result......it would probably depend upon the importance of the subject. And then there are those who, after failing at something, end up coming back even more determined to succeed. Having a high self-esteem can be invaluable is situations such as in an job interview. High self-esteem, not nacissism.
Self-efficacy relates to a belief that we have the skills to accomplish a given task. We can have a sense that we are capable of performing a long list of things while on the other hand have another long list of things that we have some apprehension about. Improving our self-efficacy with regards to let's say public speaking we will probably have to do a lot of speaking before audiences. We will have to develop the conviction that is needed in order to improve. Once we have applied ourselves and begin seeing improvement, our self-esteem will no doubt increase.
Self-efficacy relates to a belief that we have the skills to accomplish a given task. We can have a sense that we are capable of performing a long list of things while on the other hand have another long list of things that we have some apprehension about. Improving our self-efficacy with regards to let's say public speaking we will probably have to do a lot of speaking before audiences. We will have to develop the conviction that is needed in order to improve. Once we have applied ourselves and begin seeing improvement, our self-esteem will no doubt increase.
Friday, July 27, 2007
5.2 Social Thinking and Social Influence
In the news of late there has been some discussion in reference to being overweight. The articles suggest that there can be a correlation between our weight and that of our social circle. In essence, we become like those we spend time with whether it be personal time or professional time. Can this be actually be proven? A conclusion can be drawn that athletes who socialize together may have some physical similaries when it comes to weight and build; however, is it because they socialize together or because the demands of their employment is making the impact? What about relationships that are inconsistent with this notion....ei; big/tall person and small/short? I suppose that there will be a margin of error in this theory.
Interestingly enough, people tend to gravitate to others with similar interests, employment, etc........ or to whom they admire. Stereotyping and Social Catagorization are two terms that the text elaborates on. Catagorizing may include gender, sex, national origin and religion to name a few. From our life's experiences and applicable education that we may have received we form a collection/series of points of view of a given class. Whether it be good, bad or indifferent, we will have some form of opinion.
Stereotyping deals more with the thought that we have a given set of characteristics that are based on our membership to a particular group. As a result of our participation in this group our behavior will reflect/imitate that of the "group". In the final analysis what can often happen is that we end up hearing the same message regardless of who is speaking simply because of the fact that "they" are a representation of the group. This reminds me of a comment someone had made with regards to employment with a specific company in town. He stated that a personal has to be "GQ" to get a job there......you have to be an avid golfer because it was part of the social expectation that was placed on the position, your "professional style" had to be inline with that of your co-worker (or counter-parts). Failure to fall within this criteria places the applicant at a great disadvantage in the employment selection process.
Perhaps, to some extent, we do meld in with our surroundings....and then there are those situations where can be drawn in to a group simply because we have been catagorized or stereotyped.
The text brings up another issue in Social Thinking/Influence: The Fundamental Attribution Error. According to the text this refers to the tendency to explain other people's behavior as to the result of personal, rather than situational, factors. It goes on to say that a person's vehavior at a given time may or may not be relective of his or her personality. Nevertheless, the observer may tend to assume that it is fully representative. Immediate, spontaneous evaluation of a person based on minimum knowledge of their character may be an inaccurate assessment. But, on the other hand, we could be right on target if we just so happened to can them at the right moment........this could be either positive or negative in nature.
Prejudice comes in many forms and can come in to play in our social interaction process. Person vs Person, Race vs Race, Gender vs Gender, Group vs Group, Company vs Company, Athletic Team vs Athletic Team.....the list goes on. Social catagorization can place stress on relationships, whether personal or professional. Who is in the group, who is not? If we desire to be in the group our response will be that of obedience to the group's value system. We have to compromise or modify our behavior in order to be a part. This is not to say that conforming is good or bad; but, it is a fact of life.
Interestingly enough, people tend to gravitate to others with similar interests, employment, etc........ or to whom they admire. Stereotyping and Social Catagorization are two terms that the text elaborates on. Catagorizing may include gender, sex, national origin and religion to name a few. From our life's experiences and applicable education that we may have received we form a collection/series of points of view of a given class. Whether it be good, bad or indifferent, we will have some form of opinion.
Stereotyping deals more with the thought that we have a given set of characteristics that are based on our membership to a particular group. As a result of our participation in this group our behavior will reflect/imitate that of the "group". In the final analysis what can often happen is that we end up hearing the same message regardless of who is speaking simply because of the fact that "they" are a representation of the group. This reminds me of a comment someone had made with regards to employment with a specific company in town. He stated that a personal has to be "GQ" to get a job there......you have to be an avid golfer because it was part of the social expectation that was placed on the position, your "professional style" had to be inline with that of your co-worker (or counter-parts). Failure to fall within this criteria places the applicant at a great disadvantage in the employment selection process.
Perhaps, to some extent, we do meld in with our surroundings....and then there are those situations where can be drawn in to a group simply because we have been catagorized or stereotyped.
The text brings up another issue in Social Thinking/Influence: The Fundamental Attribution Error. According to the text this refers to the tendency to explain other people's behavior as to the result of personal, rather than situational, factors. It goes on to say that a person's vehavior at a given time may or may not be relective of his or her personality. Nevertheless, the observer may tend to assume that it is fully representative. Immediate, spontaneous evaluation of a person based on minimum knowledge of their character may be an inaccurate assessment. But, on the other hand, we could be right on target if we just so happened to can them at the right moment........this could be either positive or negative in nature.
Prejudice comes in many forms and can come in to play in our social interaction process. Person vs Person, Race vs Race, Gender vs Gender, Group vs Group, Company vs Company, Athletic Team vs Athletic Team.....the list goes on. Social catagorization can place stress on relationships, whether personal or professional. Who is in the group, who is not? If we desire to be in the group our response will be that of obedience to the group's value system. We have to compromise or modify our behavior in order to be a part. This is not to say that conforming is good or bad; but, it is a fact of life.
Friday, July 20, 2007
3.4 Happiness
Thoughts on the family and happiness.
In studying world ethics we find that different philosophers, and civilizations for that matter, have varied viewpoints on what is true happiness. In fact, some belief systems do not place happiness on the "radar". Their focus is in a different area. In the family setting these same dynamics can exist; albeit, not usually to the degree that two different societies may differ. As a family matures together there is sometimes a strengthening of relationships. As a result, happiness may evolve into something that is very simple in nature. Going back to a previous blog on coping with stress, happiness can be impacted either negatively or positively depending upon the family dynamics. If the parents assume their proper role and take responsibility in guiding the family then there can a balance......as a result, everyone has a better chance of defining and achieving happiness..what ever it might be. However, if there is selfishness and disfunctionality then there is the potential for chaos. It is then where our happiness is looked for outside the family at an early age through peer groups, etc.
Happiness...What is really important to us when the day is done. We sense some happiness in a job well done, a hobby that we enjoy participating in and are successful at, seeing the success in others such as our spouse or children (or students if we are a teacher), etc. Oftentimes happiness is defined as having something that we lost and regained or almost lost but didn't. Our health is one example of this......we can be diagnosed with a serious disease and completely lose it all....stressed out and so on. But, if we are fortunate enough to overcome it, we (hopefully) develop a renewed respect and value to our health.......happiness is then defined as having good health.
Indivual happiness in the family unit may be in constant flux due to the fact that we live in close proximity. This has the potential of both giving and taking a measure of happiness. This can be source of strength for us. Imagine what it would be like to always have your way, always satisfied, nothing to challenge you. Didn't spell check or review this posting.
In studying world ethics we find that different philosophers, and civilizations for that matter, have varied viewpoints on what is true happiness. In fact, some belief systems do not place happiness on the "radar". Their focus is in a different area. In the family setting these same dynamics can exist; albeit, not usually to the degree that two different societies may differ. As a family matures together there is sometimes a strengthening of relationships. As a result, happiness may evolve into something that is very simple in nature. Going back to a previous blog on coping with stress, happiness can be impacted either negatively or positively depending upon the family dynamics. If the parents assume their proper role and take responsibility in guiding the family then there can a balance......as a result, everyone has a better chance of defining and achieving happiness..what ever it might be. However, if there is selfishness and disfunctionality then there is the potential for chaos. It is then where our happiness is looked for outside the family at an early age through peer groups, etc.
Happiness...What is really important to us when the day is done. We sense some happiness in a job well done, a hobby that we enjoy participating in and are successful at, seeing the success in others such as our spouse or children (or students if we are a teacher), etc. Oftentimes happiness is defined as having something that we lost and regained or almost lost but didn't. Our health is one example of this......we can be diagnosed with a serious disease and completely lose it all....stressed out and so on. But, if we are fortunate enough to overcome it, we (hopefully) develop a renewed respect and value to our health.......happiness is then defined as having good health.
Indivual happiness in the family unit may be in constant flux due to the fact that we live in close proximity. This has the potential of both giving and taking a measure of happiness. This can be source of strength for us. Imagine what it would be like to always have your way, always satisfied, nothing to challenge you. Didn't spell check or review this posting.
Chapters 1 and 2
Adjusting to modern life....shoot, considering the rate at which today's society is moving, how my parents adjusted, how I am adjusting, how my children are and will adjust, and so on.....definitely varies. There was a time when life moved at a slower pace. This provided us more time to spend on one thing. Sure progress has assisted us in becoming more efficient; however, all that seems to have achieved is that we now have the opportunity to deal with multiple things at the same time.
Over the years many studies have been done on the human being; specifically, the psyche. What makes us tick, what are the trigger points, what is the basis for happiness in a persons life.....the analysis that has been done can come up with "averages" if you will, but are not definitive. Each of us have developed interests that vary from one person to the next. How we learn, how we respond, even what we prefer to eat can vary depending upon where we live, our up-bringing, even the time of day. Yet through all of these variances, we seem to be able to meld with society fairly well.....speaking for the majority. Bandura, Skinner, Pavlov, to name a few, have persued segments of the psychology....specializing in a concentration of the subject. Even with their vast amount of time invested and resulting analysis', they too sometimes reach different conclusions. Maslow's dealing with the hierarchy of needs is a very important issue...society has as a whole has a set of requirements....and then each of us individually has a set of needs. This creates a very dynamic/every-changing world that will continue to be analyzed by psychologists on a continual basis.
Over the years many studies have been done on the human being; specifically, the psyche. What makes us tick, what are the trigger points, what is the basis for happiness in a persons life.....the analysis that has been done can come up with "averages" if you will, but are not definitive. Each of us have developed interests that vary from one person to the next. How we learn, how we respond, even what we prefer to eat can vary depending upon where we live, our up-bringing, even the time of day. Yet through all of these variances, we seem to be able to meld with society fairly well.....speaking for the majority. Bandura, Skinner, Pavlov, to name a few, have persued segments of the psychology....specializing in a concentration of the subject. Even with their vast amount of time invested and resulting analysis', they too sometimes reach different conclusions. Maslow's dealing with the hierarchy of needs is a very important issue...society has as a whole has a set of requirements....and then each of us individually has a set of needs. This creates a very dynamic/every-changing world that will continue to be analyzed by psychologists on a continual basis.
Coping
In reviewing the text on coping with stress there seems to be a very long list of ways that people can, and do, deal with stressful situations. Anywhere from confrontation to avoidance to everything in between we have a box full of tools to draw from. Time to go to class....will be back to finish.
Okay, back from class. The text has about 30 pages on stress and its effects. It is interesting that the text has also dedicated about the same number of pages on coping. On to the subject.....while raising children parents have the power to regulate the stress in their lives to a great degree. This power usually begins to weaken over time as the kids get older and begin "finding their way" through dealing with situations that might bring on stress. At least when the kids are still in their formative years we as parents can, and should, seek ways to maintain stability in our children's lives while at the same time deal with the influences/pressures that we have to deal with in our own lives. By providing for the emotional needs of our children early on in life they will have a better chance of effectively dealing with issues on their own later on in life. Do we as parents fail at this? From time to time. This is not to say that we are going to lead our children down the "easy" road. One way of strengthening their constitution is to show them how to work through a situation as opposed to avoiding all together.
I suppose as to why my short comment here on coping is regarding children is that I believe coping skills should begin to be developed early in our life in order for us to be able to effectively deal with times of stress later on. In order to cope we may use avoidance, become emotional-charges and lash out, internalize and blame ourselves, turn to alcohol or drugs to take the edge off, seek professional council, talk with a friend, exercise, immerse ourselves in to a hobby, etc. There are a lot of good and not-so-good ways of coping. Regardless, the means that we use can be critical to our success in dealing with the issue. Didn't spell check this nor proof read it.
Okay, back from class. The text has about 30 pages on stress and its effects. It is interesting that the text has also dedicated about the same number of pages on coping. On to the subject.....while raising children parents have the power to regulate the stress in their lives to a great degree. This power usually begins to weaken over time as the kids get older and begin "finding their way" through dealing with situations that might bring on stress. At least when the kids are still in their formative years we as parents can, and should, seek ways to maintain stability in our children's lives while at the same time deal with the influences/pressures that we have to deal with in our own lives. By providing for the emotional needs of our children early on in life they will have a better chance of effectively dealing with issues on their own later on in life. Do we as parents fail at this? From time to time. This is not to say that we are going to lead our children down the "easy" road. One way of strengthening their constitution is to show them how to work through a situation as opposed to avoiding all together.
I suppose as to why my short comment here on coping is regarding children is that I believe coping skills should begin to be developed early in our life in order for us to be able to effectively deal with times of stress later on. In order to cope we may use avoidance, become emotional-charges and lash out, internalize and blame ourselves, turn to alcohol or drugs to take the edge off, seek professional council, talk with a friend, exercise, immerse ourselves in to a hobby, etc. There are a lot of good and not-so-good ways of coping. Regardless, the means that we use can be critical to our success in dealing with the issue. Didn't spell check this nor proof read it.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Stress
In reviewing Chapter 3 of the text book regarding stress and its effects, there was one section on page 92 was interesting in nature....Posttraumatic stress disorders. Each of us has a capacity to deal with a certain amount of stress before we feel a bit overwhelmed. Some of us may experience the inability to cope with a given situation right in the middle of it all while others have the constitution to get through it all only to "crash" sometime later. Posttraumatic disorders can be a result of a traumatic situation that we experienced. And then we have chronic stress disorders as a result of an ongoing stressful situation a relationship, work, school, medical condition(s), etc. Medication, and its use, appears to be on the rise......well, if the increased amount of tv commercials for prescription drugs is any indication. ADD, Bi-Polar, stress, and all of the side effects that they can have effect on us have pushed us in to a state to medicate. As a result, physical illnesses can become a concern. Stress is commonly associated with negativity. Yet, in some cases if we fully realize and assess a given situation that might be what we are responding to in a way that elevates stress in our life, we can turn it around....in to a positive thing. The stress can be what pushes us to be proactive in doing something beneficial.....maybe create a blog for psychology class.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Greetings Psychology Class.
While reading this weeks assignment on personalities I became reaquianted with the studies of individuals whose workds I have not read in years. People such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Albert Bandura and Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov wrote about the "classical conditioning in everyday life"....how life's experiences have a way of contributing to the forming of our personalities. The example in the textbook spoke of when each time the family was about to cross a brdige, the father would stop and explain how dangerous crossing the bridge would be. Needless to say, when the child grew up she developed a fear of bridges (and highway overpasses) so severe that she would not travel over them. This seems to be a bit extreme; however, each of us have been influenced to some degree by an experience or through education to believe or respond a certain way in a given situation. Either we are conditioned or we condition ourselves. I would suppose that some of this conditioning is for reasons of defense while others are simply the result of a process that we put our selves through as we travel through life.
While reading this weeks assignment on personalities I became reaquianted with the studies of individuals whose workds I have not read in years. People such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Albert Bandura and Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov wrote about the "classical conditioning in everyday life"....how life's experiences have a way of contributing to the forming of our personalities. The example in the textbook spoke of when each time the family was about to cross a brdige, the father would stop and explain how dangerous crossing the bridge would be. Needless to say, when the child grew up she developed a fear of bridges (and highway overpasses) so severe that she would not travel over them. This seems to be a bit extreme; however, each of us have been influenced to some degree by an experience or through education to believe or respond a certain way in a given situation. Either we are conditioned or we condition ourselves. I would suppose that some of this conditioning is for reasons of defense while others are simply the result of a process that we put our selves through as we travel through life.
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