TOW #3- Introvert Power

In typical American society today, extroversion is favored over introversion. Extroverts are viewed as more successful because they are considered outgoing, popular, and adventurous. While an introvert may still have these qualities, they are viewed as less successful since they would like to be on their own sometimes. This is all explained in Introvert Power, by Laurie Helgoe. Introversion, personality and desire, are Helgoe’s speciality in her writing and psychology. She wrote this book to go against the norms and explain that introversion is ok. Each section of the book is teaching introverts, or extroverts who would like to understand, different aspects of being an introvert, why it is frowned upon in society, and why it really is a gift to those who are introverted. To prove this Helgoe explains many different scientific studies. One she cited was done by Maya Tamir, director of the Emotion and Self-Regulation Laboratory at Boston College and Hebrew University. The study had different extroverts and introverts try to complete an “effortful task.” in their efforts, the extroverts tried to make it more enjoyable. For the introverts, trying to seek happiness made completing the task harder and so they tried to avoid any emotional stimulation. Although this may seem like a bad thing, it showed that the introverts in this study were more likely to complete their task faster or more efficiently. Helgoe also used personal narratives to explain that introversion is not a bad thing. She explains a feeling that is probably very relatable to every introvert. After a long day she goes to dinner with a few of her friends, “the women were exuberant, excited, and exhausting...I kind of wanted what they were having. They seemed to be having so much fun!...What was wrong with me? I wasn’t sharing any of these good feelings!” (73 helgoe). After the anecdote, she explains that this is a normal feeling. She creates a sense of belonging to every introvert who feels they are broken. I believe her purpose was achieved in this book so far. I had always wanted to be extroverted because that seemed better and easier, but now I’m not afraid to be who I am.

TOW #2- Glad Advertisment

This advertisement is meant to make its viewers do a double take. At first they will see nothing wrong, then it hits them. This visual text shows what appears to be a watermelon, but it instead has red meat on the inside. The argument is that if the watermelon were to have been covered in Glad Cling Wrap, it would still be a watermelon. Glad is a very popular choice for household items such a cling wrap or trash bags. The ad was created by DDB ad agency which is owned by the world’s largest advertising holding company. The problem Glad found, is if food is let out it will start to spoil and will taste bad, to prevent this it must be taken care of a certain way. This ad was clearly produced in order to convince consumers to buy this cling wrap in order to protect their food’s taste. Adult consumers are the people more drawn to this ad as they are typically the ones shopping for these types of products. To prove their point, Glad used symbolism to portray a watermelon, but actually showed red meat. They’re not really depicting red meat but they used it in the image in place of watermelon to show what the watermelon would basically become without the cling wrap. Hyperbole is also used as a watermelon will not literally turn into meat or have such a drastic change in taste. This advertisement requires its audience to assume some information. It is not stated why the watermelon is meat, once the text at the bottom is read it is inferred that the watermelon is portrayed that way because it no longer tastes as it should. I believe their purpose was achieved. The ad looks disgusting; it makes me uneasy. Now whenever I see food sitting out without anything to protect it I will picture this ad and will  be grossed out by the food.

TOW #1- The Healing Power of Hugs

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/the-healing-power-of-hugs/?_r=0

No one can deny in times of stress, a hug has the ability to make anyone feel better. Hilary Jacobs Hendel, an experienced therapist, noticed this after hugging one of her patients. After the hug, her patient told Hendel that she felt cured from her life long depression. Because of this, Hendel became curious about the actual healing powers of a hug, and if it should be more popular as a tool in therapy sessions. She wrote this article to explore these thoughts for other therapists or anyone who was curious about hugs and hugs in therapy. To decide on whether or not she believed hugs should be involved in therapy, she started the article with personal narratives. She included the one about her patient who claimed to be cured. Hendel also explained how instead of continuing to hug her, she instead had that patient picture being hugged in her head. Maybe picturing a hug would have the same effect as an actual hug. Hendel also decided to check factual sources to see if hugging was stated to not be allowed in therapy or not. She checked the ethical guidelines from the National Association of Social Workers and the American Psychological Association and it was found that it is never stated that a therapist cannot hug their patient. So although it was mainly known to be taboo, it was legal. In the end, Hendel decided that hugs were not a good idea to use in therapy. She writes, “So even when I think a physical hug would be therapeutic, I continue to rely on fantasy (Hendel).” I don’t believe she accomplished her purpose of proving that. Only in the very last paragraph does she state that opinion. She does not give good reasons for why she believes that. The whole article was Hendel debating either side, so there were good things and bad things to each side, there is nowhere her opinion is favored.

IRB Intro Post #1

The book I chose to read this quarter is "Introvert Power" by Laurie Helgoe. I chose this book because I am interested in how and why people think and act, introversion and extroversion are a big part of that. I am an introvert and would like to learn more about how to deal with the downsides of being one. I have heard this book is a big help for other introverts.