Body Ritual Among The Nacirema.

People are most likely to react differently in similar situations because no two brains are a like, which means no ones brain works the exact same way; so it is not guaranteed that any two people will think to react to a similar situation the same. Naciremas believe the body is ugly, meanwhile others believe their body is their temple. Each morning family members must show respect to the charm box, in my household we get up in the morning and shower, brush our teeth, dress and go.Naciremas perform what would seem to outsiders as sadistic task to rid themselves of the evils they believe are possessing their bodies. I know as a Christian we get baptized in 'holy water' to wash ourselves free of sin, and therefore we are "reborn" and "pure" again. Horace Miner writes, "Our review of the ritual life of the Nacirema has certainly shown them to be a magic-ridden people. It is hard to understand how they have managed to exist so long under the burdens which they have imposed upon themselves. But even such exotic customs as these take on real meaning when they are viewed with the insight provided by Malinowski when he wrote (1948:70): Looking from far and above, from our high places of safety in the developed civilization, it is easy to see all the crudity and irrelevance of magic. But without its power and guidance early man could not have mastered his practical difficulties as he has done, nor could man have advanced to the higher stages of civilization." I completely agree when going into the reading I told myself I would keep an open mind and refrain from judgement but, once I got further into the reading and learned of Nacirema sadistic rituals I couldn't help but to pass judgement because of the cruel and unusual punishment that they bestow upon themselves and they continue with tradition no matter how painful or unsuccessful the rituals are. To my outside point of view their way of life is unrealistic and sadistic, but for Naciremas it's normal everyday life; maybe our way of living is wrong, unrealistic and impure, in the eyes of a Nacirema.

Signed; The Outlook Blogger.

Sense and Nonsense About Surveys.

Howard Schuman, speaks about the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of surveys. I do think that some survey can be very effective it depends on what is being tested and how broad of a search the tester is giving his survey. Your population, are based off of what exactly you are surveying. Schuman believe that focus groups and online surveys are ineffective ways of testing and gathering information. The effectiveness of how a survey is answered can also be effected by the way questions are worded ; if people don't exactly understand what the questioner meant by the question asked then their answer will not be accurately expressing what they feel, think, or believe. Surveys are only as effective as the questions asked, the way questions are worded and the population that the survey applies too. The qualities of an effective survey are very strict. To better understand people, society and the diversity in how people think it is best to, and the changes that will occur through the reaction that people will have through the responses they will give. Surveys measure the opinion of the public through broader search or test theories and ideas.

Signed; The Outlook Blogger.

Quiet Rage: Stanford Prison Study..

I've heard about this experiment in my AP English class, my senior year in high school.. I do not remember exactly what the lesson was but I do remember that is had relation to how people behaved when they were given power. The teacher mentioned that college students were chosen to play the role of guards and prisoners; when given power over the other students the, students in charge (guards) treated the other students (prisoners) inferior and sadistically. 
Coming to college and having to watch this video as part  of my lesson I found it to be very interesting how these people were brought from natural environment, with little to no psychological differences and no criminal history, but portrayed this experiment as well as they did. I have never personally had any negative experience with the law, but I do know people who have and they have told me about there experiences and what I saw in this experiment was very similar to the stories I have heard.
In chapter two  it is  explained that experiments are one of the variety of research methods that sociology uses to understand the relationship of individuals and groups to society. In this experiment the goal was to study the behavioral consequence of becoming a prisoner or prison guard. In the beginning the experiment was conducted just as chapter explains; as the experiment goes on it become unethical, with the way the "prisoners" are treated.
I found it interesting the way the experiment guards became sadistic like real prison guards would and that the experiment prisoners would become hysterical and feel that had they stayed longer they would leave the experiment filled with hate, like some prisoners would when leaving a real correctional facility. This experiment became real and all the test subjects including the conducting psychologist became involved in the experiment as if it were a real thing and no one realized the situation was unethical until they were told by a graduate student that came to observe the experiment. The experiment was successful although unethical the goal; of studying the behavioral consequences of becoming a prisoner or prison guard, that was intended when the experiment begun was acquired through the reactions and treatments of the prisoners and prison guards.

Signed; The Outlook Blogger.

Who Am I?

My personality makes me the person I am; a few characteristics I posses are that I am, easy going, kind, fun, intelligent, ambitious, enthusiastic, etc.. My biggest influences in life is the drive I have to become better, and to become successful at what I decide to take up as a career. I want to lead by example for my younger siblings, and make myself and loved ones proud. My goals in life are to gain as much knowledge as I can pertaining to the things I wish to aspire toward, graduate college, pursue a career as a psychologist, to own my own practice and to have my novels and a autobiography on my life published. I believe my main purpose in life is to make a change in my family to go to college and become successful in what ever career I choose to pursue, I also believe my purpose in life is to be a role model for my younger relatives. My life will not turn out as a pattern continued on by my previous generations, I was born into this world for a purpose; I will make a change.

The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth. From this almost mystic affirmation there comes what may seem a strange conclusion: that education must start from birth.
— The Absorbent Mind (1967) by Maria Montessori, Ibid.

Signed; The Outlook Blogger.