Week 6 Discussion part 3

Failure and Success

Success and failure are two things that cannot always be measure by wins or losses or by the grade received. Failures can be measured and broken down into many different types of learning experiences. Communication can sometimes be something that people can fail at and still be successful. Communication is something that can make or break a team and many times learning to communicate will lead to successful group interactions. Failing is not always a bad thing, it can be a chance to learn from past experiences. Just like communication, leadership and role distribution can also be issues that can break a group. The reason these are a problem is because many people assume roles that dont fit there skills and personalities and it may not be a lesson that a group would learn but individuals will learn about themselves. Successes dont always have too much to learn from because things went well. Teams can find the things that went right and make sure to try those techniques again. Group feedback is also necessary because each member will have a different view of what was successful and what things were failures.

Week 6 discussion part 2

Outline and discuss the guidelines for providing observer feedback to a group.

When an outside observer comes in to observe and give feedback to a group there are guidelines they should try to follow. The first of the rules is to be specific on your feedback and do not generalize. Generalizing leads to misunderstandings and if you do not specifically say what’s good and bad improvements may not be made. Another key is to aim to change things that can be fixed and changed. For example you cannot change group members personality traits and types but you can improve how they interact. When observing a group the observer has to know that their opinion and tips may or may not be received by the group. The key is to give the information and if they do not accept it, do not argue with the group. As an observer be very clear and concise with instructions and feedback. The reason is many times words can be misinterpreted and the best way to clear up any confusion is by writing it out.

Week 6 Discussion part 1

Why use a consultant or an observer for a small group?  (Remember, carefully think through your answer.  Your final project is based on this very concept).

Using an outside consultant or observer is a great way to get new eyes on a situation. When a group uses a member that is actively involved to observe it causes conflict because they are evaluating their own situation. When a person is connected to something they tend to become biased and give feedback that is useless and very general. The reasons for this type of reply could be the fact that they believe they have a group with no problems or they simply cannot see the problems. Another problem is that people do not want to hurt other peoples feelings and cause drama or trouble. They will not say anything of use because they dont want to add conflict. Having an outside observer brings a fresh and new viewpoint to the situation. The observer can spot the problems and issues that member may not be able to detect. Issues such as content, critical thinking skills, communication and willingness to listen to others. These may seem like issue that group members can solve themselves but people often ignore issues that involve them. An observer will also be able to give proper feedback so that group members can get information and tips that are accurate and correct.

Week 4 discussion #3

Even though we look to accept differences from group members we also look for similarities. The pressures of conformity may seem wrong but they are necessary in groups. In groups it is very difficult to find cohesiveness initially but when it interrupted it becomes an issue. Each member of a group must be on the same thought process and line of thinking. When someone acts otherwise and disrupts the flow of the group, that "deviant" is usually out casted from the group. Although differences are usually accepted because they spark ideas and allow for creativity. When a member of a group refuses to go along with a groups plan or acts outside of the norm it disrupts the groups chemistry. "There is frequent discomfort or outright hostility toward those members who consistently raise seemingly irrelevant issues or who refuse to go along with what appears to be majority opinion" (pg. 84). Group cohesiveness is important and essential for success of a group.

Week 4 discussion #2

When I think of “white men of privilege” or “ White Privilege” is a term many Americans understand and have opinions about. I am from a mixed family and I have seen the effects of the privilege and the non-privileged. I do agree with the concept because when a person looks at another person they identify them initially with Race and Gender. So my experience is very different because I have seen both parts of the cultural phenomenon. Many people in this area may not believe or want to believe this style of treatment or action is true but it certainly is. The White privilege to me is being judged before you are met. White is trustworthy, familiar and harmless, Black is strange, unfamiliar and untrustworthy. I don't create the statistics on Black families being rejected for positions of power and denied loans for homes. I also did not create the Civil Rights Act that purposely denies White applicants into schools because they are seen as privileged. Are either of these two actions right, no but this is reality. The fact is that in the south people still judge you on color first, sex second then qualifications last. My mother never accepted the fact that she received a different level of acceptance til she witnessed her children receive the opposite. We had all went to the store to look for household goods and I had stopped to ask someone for help. The clerk did not know the white woman near me was my mother and she told me “The tape is over there and pointed and walked away.” My mother instantly walked up to the same lady moments later and asked the same question and the clerk replied “Its right this way ma’am follow me.” My mom instantly asked the lady why she blew off her son and why she received different service and the girl turned white and couldn't answer the question. Since then my mom realized that people do see color first.

Week 4 Discussion #1

Does valuing diversity come easily?  Why or why not?  Can you make some suggestions to enhance a group's ability to value diversity?

When it comes to diversity it takes time and education to value it. Growing up in Santa Clara County we are all spoiled because at any given time we can see three or four different ethnicities at any time. Growing up here gives us an insight into the cultures and we are able to learn the value of diversity. Diversity makes each of us unique. Valuing anything that is different from what you currently  is difficult and hard to adapt to. When I was younger I lived in Virginia for several years and seeing the way they saw people of a different color or ethnic background was eye opening. When you are ignorant of other cultures and don't have any education on them people assume and create prejudices about them. I am from a mixed background and when people in rural Virginia saw me they initially were appalled that Black and White people had children. As disappointing as this was it was nice to see people try and come out of their comfort zone and get to know us. Its strange that people look at anyone different from themselves like aliens but they do. My suggestion for a group to enhance a group's value of diversity is to get to know each other. Let each member talk about themselves and let each person connect with them. I think connecting and bonding will increase the value people have in diversity.

Week 3 discussion part 3

Are there group norms at SJSU? What are they? In the group of individuals that you spend time with, are there group norms? What are they? In both cases, how did you identify these norms? How did you adapt to these norms?Norms—Expectations & Assumptions about Behavior, represented in activities & behaviors that occur regularly. Recognize a Norm through negative feedback when it is violated.

I have not had the pleasure of being a part of any groups at SJSU but I can elaborate on groups I have been apart of. A group that I feel connected to at SJSU is the Communication department. I have taken classes other than Comm classes and you can tell the difference between those who are a Comm major and those who are not. For example I took a Business class and there was one other Comm major and we instantly clicked. Business majors think in terms of numbers and hard facts. They are trained to be straightforward, fact based and very conservative. Comm majors are outspoken, argumentative and are very outgoing. We tend to be leaders and very vocal about our opinions. The friends I have the same set of norms. My best friend is a Bio Chem major and he is just as loud and outspoken as I am. I think norms are a part of who we are and they are also learned as well. I have always been the life of a party and love people and Comm was in me. Some people think and act differently and their major reflects who they are.

Week 3: Discussion part 2

Distinguish between internal and external constraints. Provide and example of each one from your own experience. 

There are many goals that I wish to achieve in my life. One of those goals is to graduate from college. I have had many obstacles that have come in the way that I have not let me stray from my goal. Some of the many external constraints are my job and my kids. The way they relate to my goals is that they are both of the reasons I am going to school. For me to get to school I need to get a baby sitter, drop off my kids and also make sure they are ok. This doesn’t seem like a big constraint but kids restrict what and when you can do things. I work full time so I am unable to attend class regularly so I have to take online courses. This creates a problem because after an 8 hour workday I have to go home be a dad then do my homework and that is difficult. The internal constraints are motivation and becoming complacent. The difficulties being motivated can bring is it leaves me feeling like I shouldn’t try or that I should quit. It’s so easy to stop and say I am done. I have a full time job now and it would be easy to say this is it for me. I could stay where I am and not be motivated by wanting more. These are all things that create problems internally and externally in my life.

Week 3 discussion: Part 1

Are there group norms at SJSU? What are they? In the group of individuals that you spend time with, are there group norms? What are they? In both cases, how did you identify these norms? How did you adapt to these norms?Norms—Expectations & Assumptions about Behavior, represented in activities & behaviors that occur regularly. Recognize a Norm through negative feedback when it is violated. 

I have not had the pleasure of being a part of any groups at SJSU but I can elaborate on groups I have been apart of. A group that I feel connected to at SJSU is the Communication department. I have taken classes other than Comm classes and you can tell the difference between those who are a Comm major and those who are not. For example I took a Business class and there was one other Comm major and we instantly clicked. Business majors think in terms of numbers and hard facts. They are trained to be straightforward, fact based and very conservative. Comm majors are outspoken, argumentative and are very outgoing. We tend to be leaders and very vocal about our opinions. The friends I have the same set of norms. My best friend is a Bio Chem major and he is just as loud and outspoken as I am. I think norms are a part of who we are and they are also learned as well. I have always been the life of a party and love people and Comm was in me. Some people think and act differently and their major reflects who they are.