Emotional Appeals

The speakers that I have seen that I found to be most credible, used the emotional appeals of fear and sadness. These speakers later went on to explain how this fear and sadness was or was not turned around and if it was not, how the situation could be different. These speakers are often people who have been through hard life experiences and are looking to help those in their previous situation. This type of speaker is most credible to me, since they have personal experience with the subject at hand and are living proof of the existence of a problem that has happened and does happen. Speakers that I have seen with this appeal, often provide several other examples that give their topic credibility. For example, when a man from Uganda came to campus to speak about the issue of warfare in his country and its effect on it's children, he provided his personal story, as well as a video that detailed and documented the vivid and terrible life that many people of Uganda must lead. He stood in front of us, and we saw the emotion in his true story. His presence and moving story enlightened the audience and left us feeling as if we should do something to help the people just like him. He used some humor and upbeat comments, to show the audience the hope in the life of darkness that he lived. This addition of a light mood is essential in showing the audience that this person is just like you and I, and that this person is also able to laugh and overlook hardship to appreciate life despite the circumstances. When some speakers talk of an experience that is immensely depressing, the topic turns from one that offers insight, to one that overwhelms and leaves the audience feeling upset and helpless. Have you ever been to a talk that did not motivate or enlighten you, but instead left you feeling depressed and overwhelmed?

Groups and Leadership

I was a part of a group of friends in High School that wanted to perform a senior prank. The group participated in group think as we sneaked around the school grounds at night, avoiding any outdoor cameras for fear of getting caught on them the following day. This was a ridiculous idea that on person came up with and everyone else seemed to just go along with. Even though this act could result in all of us getting into huge trouble, both at school and at home, nobody spoke up. We all ended up trashing the front lawn of the school and while none of us were OK with it, nobody wanted to speak up because everyone else was doing it. We were all very quiet the entire time we put streamers and toilet paper all over the lawn. In fact, none of us said a word. And while I exchanged glances with a friend of mine, whose uncertain expression matched my own, neither of us said a word. After our act of High School rebellion, the guys laughed and talked about how great this all was. A few of us laughed along nervously. But all the while, these comments sounded more like us convincing ourselves that this was an OK thing to do. We all knew it was a bad idea and that we could all be in pretty big trouble, but it happened anyway. The power of groupthink is pretty huge. In order to minimize groupthink, we should have gone together with people we were good friends with, who would be comfortable talking about the possible problems with our plan. I could have made myself the "devil's advocate" to question the group's actions. We also could have gotten other people's opinions within our group, so that not just the person leading it was expressing opinions and ideas. I could have encouraged others to express their opinion about our idea at the time. We also could have asked the opinion of those outside the group of people who had decided to pull a prank.

Do you think groupthink happens more often in formal or informal situations? Which informal situations in college can you see groupthink playing a role?

Nonverbal Communication

The nonverbal gesture of raising your hand to your forehead, palm inward, can be taken three different ways. This nonverbal behavior could mean the person is upset, has a headache, or is lost in thought. This behavior can mean all of these three messages. I do not believe there is one specific message behind this behavior, but there is instead, a variety of possible messages because the meaning changes with the accompaniment of a facial expression, specific environmental setting, or other nonverbal cues.

I believe the statement that 'the one who possesses and controls information has power' means that those who are with knowledge are able to no only educate and enlighten people, but also assure that they are given this information in a way that is understood by them. Those with new and true information are the guru's, leaders, and disciples in our society that are highly respected. Also, whoever controls this information has the ability to decide who can or cannot access this information. Thus, the person who knows and controls the information holds the keys to the way a group of people is capable of expanding and growing, giving them ultimate say and power. An example of this is the president of any university or head of admissions department. This individual has obtained the knowledge to attain such a prestigious position and therefore has the "educated say" in who is permitted into the university to become further educated. A specific example of such admission/non-admission by an educated individual who held the keys to information was was Abner McCall. Abner McCall was the president of Baylor University in Tennessee who denied many individuals their right to an upper level education solely because he would not admit people of color. One such individual was Vivienne Malone-Mayes who later went on to become the 5th African American woman with a PhD in Mathematics and an esteemed faculty member of Baylor University after this man had retired. This man had education which gained him respect and prestige, entitling him to a position which determined the acceptance or rejection of individuals who could continue learning.

Have you ever felt overlooked because of a lesser degree of education? Did you feel frustrated or powerless?