Q3 Last post for the semester

The social constructionist model of communication is a concept that I feel needs further discussion. I had a hard time grasping this concept. The other posts gave me a better perspective of this concept but I still would refer to this concept as somewhat in the twilight zone. It is hard for me to comprehend that “most of what we know and believe about the world comes to us through communication rather than through direct experience” (Trenholm, 2008, p. 30). I guess I have to be more mindful with my perspective of this concept and realize that it does not exclude direct experience, hence the word most.

Q2 Interesting Concepts

The concepts in the class that I found most interesting were the ones the dealt with interpersonal communication. I have always found it fascinating the different stages one experiences when developing a relationship. One particular concept I found interesting was relational development: stages in intimate dyads. The paths to and from intimacy was something that I have experienced myself and I am sure many of us have. For instance, the stages of coming together consist of initiating, experimenting, intensifying, integrating, and bonding. The initiating stage involves, initial impressions, observing cues about personality, attitudes, and willingness, and open communication channels. Experimenting is where couples find common ground to build their relationship. This is where most relationships stop. An aspect of the intensifying stage could be described as the usage of “we” or “ours” and may even complete each other’s thoughts. When they become a couple in both their eyes and others this is considered the integrating stage. Bonding in couples may incorporate marriage (Trenholm, 2008, p.153 -154). I have personally gone through all of these stages and the result: marriage.

Q1 Research Method

In my opinion ethnography as a research method is the most interesting. According to Trenholm (2008), “The researcher observes behavior in its natural setting….the researcher may actually “go undercover” as a participant…the researcher avoids imposing his or her own values and assumptions on the data…he or she allows conclusions to emerge from observation.

If I were researching deception between students communication with faculty a suitable research question would be; what excuse do college students use for turning in late assignments? I would use the survey research method to question faculty. It would be easier to question the faculty with a face-to-face interview and get generalized answers to see how far students will go to make excuses for late work. It would be interesting to research the student’s perspective through ethnography and see if the findings coincide.

Q3 Need Gratification

I found the concept of need gratification interesting. The research that has been done regarding this topic is now being used “to understand how consumers use the Internet and cell phones” (Trenholm, 2008, p. 310). The earliest study mentioned was by Herta Herzog on why women listen to radio soap operas. The outcome surprised me; I didn’t consider that the listeners used the soap opera for emotional release or advice on how to deal with their own problems. The channel of communication is radio not television which makes a difference. It does kind of disturb me that these women would use the soap operas for advice. I have watched soap operas and I would not use what I see as advice. Women poison their husbands, there is usually someone black mailing someone, and someone is pregnant but not buy their husband. I don’t know if the soap operas that were listened too on the radio were like the ones we see today on television but I sure wouldn’t use them for advice.