By the due date, post your response to one of the following three questions on the
discussion page. Please remember to label your initial posting with your name and
the question you are answering (i.e., Dr. Brandhorst – A). This will help organize the
postings for the class and inform your fellow classmates on which question is being
answered.
Video A: Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4&feature=plcp
Description: At least in Western culture, extraversion is a highly valued trait. As
Susan Cain argues in this clip, it can be difficult and even shameful to be an introvert
in our culture. She argues that introverts also have many important talents and
abilities that should be encouraged and celebrated.
Questions:
Do you agree that our culture is biased toward extraversion? Why or why not?
Do you agree that we should place more value on introversion? Why or why not?
Can you think of any other traits that we may be biased against but that might
actually benefit society?
Video B: What Do Our Words Say About Our Personality?
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuOGpzSYxt8&feature=relmfu
Description: In this clip, Dr. James Pennebaker, Professor of Psychology at the
University of Texas at Austin and the author of The Secret Life of Pronouns: What
Our Words Say About Us, discusses the ways in which personality is reflected in
language use. His research also demonstrates how many of our common
assumptions about language use may be incorrect, such as the idea that men and
women differ greatly in their use of words like “I” and “we.”
Questions:
How much conscious control do you think people have over their choice of
words? Do you think people can change how they are perceived by changing the
words they use? Do you think there are differences between spoken and written
language in terms of how accurately they reflect people’s personalities? Can you
think of any other ways in which personality might be manifested in language
use?
Video C: Teens’ Overconfidence
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWuLjjUHBkw
Description: In this video, Dr. Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego
State University and the author of Generation Me, discusses her research on
generational changes in personality.
Questions:
Do you agree that today’s college students are more confident than in previous
generations? Why or why not? Do you think it’s possible to be too confident? Can
you think of any situations where extra confidence could be beneficial and others
where it might be problematic? Do you agree with Dr. Twenge’s hypothesis about
the sources of young adults’ overconfidence? Can you think of any other
explanations for the differences that she found?
