Applied Health Communication

Every time someone watches television, it is almost guaranteed that during commercial breaks there will be a health care commercial. Whether the commercial advertises medicine or is an eye opening "truth" commercial a television viewer is bound to watch health adds during a television program. Liberty Medical applies the theory of planned behavior to their advertisement. 

To begin, the advertisement is making the audience aware that medicare "may" cover someone's testing supplies who has diabetes. The man tries to sell Liberty Medical's coverage by affecting a viewers attitude. He suggests many pros that align with signing up with Liberty. He claims clients will receive a free testing meter, free shipping, medicare will cover their testing supplies, and that Liberty will take care of all the billing. 

Liberty Medical subtly focuses on the subject norms during their commercial. In this particular commercial they do not discuss any family members that would help influence health behavior. However, the character of the old man illuminates the persona that the company is trying to reach out to. Almost instantly this clarifies the main demographic Liberty Medical is trying to attract. 

Finally, the advertisement strengthens the viewers perceived behavior control because the ad makes Liberty Medical's program sound so simple. He tells the viewer to call the number and that Liberty will be ready to assist you. Also, throughout the advertisement he discusses how they take care of the dirty work, such as bills and mailing testing supplies. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXQaMaBxwRg

Personal Blog

Health communication in people's lives often goes unnoticed. I never realized the theories and models that take place in effective health communication until this chapter. Also, all of the models really opened my eyes to the roles health communication has played in my life. When we were discussing it in class, I realized my life definitely maintains the stages of change model for exercising. 

For instance, I never thought anything of my work out cycle, even though I have noticed that unless I am in a rhythm it will be hard for me to go to the gym. For example, I could go work out everyday for a week, and it is not hard; it just becomes part of my thought process. However, the first day I do not work out, it suddenly becomes the hardest thing in the world to return to the gym the next day or whenever i finally talk myself into it. 

The stages of change model perfectly displays my thought process during these cycles. The cycle begins with pre-contemplation, my thoughts about wanting to get into shape. Then during the contemplation stage I acknowledge that I can work out in efforts to get in shape. Once I decide I am finally ready to get in shape, this will lead to my action of going to the gym. The difficult part after I have started going to the gym is maintaining this is my agenda. Especially since any day that I miss can allow me to relapse, in which case I would stop going to the gym. This cycle is very prominent in my work out schedule. I'm either on or off, and thankfully right now I'm on. :)

Definitional Health Com

"Health communication encompasses the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions that enhance health. It links the domains of communication and health and is increasingly recognized as a necessary element of efforts to improve personal and public health" (webstie). In "Communicating Health Strategies For Health Promotion," Nova Corcoran discusses cognitive theories, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior to illuminate the significance of the study of health communication. 

To begin, the Theory of Planned Behavior states (TPB), "the closest determinate of behavior is the intention to perform (or not perform) that behavior" (handout). A persons intention to perform a behavior is based upon three factors: attitude toward the behavior, subject norm, and perceived behavior control. First, at person's attitude toward the behavior balances the pros and cons, as well as,  the risks and rewards that parallel the certain behavior. Next, the subject norm factor plays a role when someone thinks of performing a behavior because social pressures, such as pressure from family, media, or friends will impact a person's decision. Finally, one's perceived behavior control is to be considered while one determines their intention to perform an action because this is a person's perception about their ability to carry out the intentions. "This simplistic version of the model proposes that the more positive the attitude, supportive the subject norm and higher the perceived behavior control and the stronger the intention, the more likely it is the person will perform that behavior" (handout).  

TPB is important for health practitioners to examine. If health practitioners discover ways to effect their patients attitudes they can increase patients intentions to perform behaviors by suggesting risk and rewards that correspond with the necessary actions to assist in healing a patient. It is most imporatant that doctors strengthen an individual's perception of behaviors because people must be confidante in their actions in order to make them believe it is beneficial. The three components that define TPB are crucial in successful health communication. 

Applied

"Nonverbal/nonvocal communication involves only gestures and appearance" (Tubbs 105.) Often times it may be difficult for one to correctly interpret anthers nonverbal/nonvocal communication. However, visual cues such as, facial expressions, oculesics, body movements, hand gestures, haptics, and one's physical appearance are all visual cues that help others interpret nonverbal/nonvocal messages (Tubbs). In the show, Lie to Me, nonverbal communication is studied to determine when someone is telling the truth. 

The show reveals all of the normal characteristics that constitute a liars nonverbal communication. To begin, the scientists of the show were trying to figure out the truth behind a rape case. The first sign the scientist noticed was that the woman must have been lying because of the eligible victim's hesitant frown as she told her story. It was impressive to me that the scientists could even acknowledge these frowns because the facial expressions did not last long.

Furthermore, the scientists are trained to learn emotions at a glance. They have a computer systems that places someone's face and expression on the screen, and the scientists must be able to instantly identity the nonverbal communication through the facial expressions.  One of the new employees on the show was getting frustrated because her new boss was picking up on every emotion she had; she claimed she could not understand how people work in this environment with everyone constantly knowing each other's train of thought. I was shocked to how much nonverbal communication our facial expressions and other visual cues revealed, and I would definitely feel extremely subconscious and uncomfortable in the environment of the Lie to Me scientists. 

Personal

In sports nonverbal communication is essential in order to defeat the other team. When I played softball nonverbal communication was a strategy, that each girl must have conquered. A single misinterpretation of the nonverbal signs could cost the team the game. 

To begin, not only before each at bat, but before each pitch my third base coach would give the batter a nonverbal sign. The nonverbal signs typically would be interpreted as hit and run, bunt, drag bunt, fake bunt, or do what ever you choose. These strategies can be key to winning or loosing a game. For example, if our coach puts on fake bunt and the batter does not do it, but the on base runner continues to run anyway it is more likely that the runner will get thrown out as they proceed to run to the next base. One may not think this is a big deal, but when that runner on second is the winning or tying run that miscommunication of the sign is huge. 

Furthermore, I use to be a catcher in softball when I was younger. The nonverbal communication between myself, the coach, and the pitcher between each pitch was essential. Normally, the coach would sign to me with different numbers, and I would then have to relay the message to the pitcher who would either continue to pitch that pitch to the assigned spot or shake it off. It was necessary for my pitcher and myself to be on the same page because I would not want to be expecting a curve ball when she threw a change up since that would effect my approach and reactions to the pitch. 

Ultimately, throughout my softball career nonverbal communication played a major role, and the difficulty of comprehending the signs strengthened when the competition did as well. 

Definitional

"Communication in general is process of sending and receiving messages that enables humans to share knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Although we usually identify communication with speech, communication is composed of two dimensions - verbal and nonverbal." (website). In Human Communication, D'Angelo and Stwewart propose that there are four different types of communication if one distinguishes vocal from nonvocal and verbal from nonverbal.

First, the most common form of communication is verbal/vocal. Verbal/vocal communication suggests that people communicate through spoken word (Tubbs). For instance, Mike and Josh discuss their plans to to go to the mall. 

The next form of communication is verbal/nonvocal; "words are involved but no speaking takes place" (Tubbs). When someone writes a letter, e-mail, blog, Faceboook message or comment, verbal/nonvocal communication take places because words are exchanged, but no sound is made. 

The third form of communication is nonverbal/vocal communication where vocoalizations such as a groan will constitute the form of communication (Tubbs). Often times these can be people's subconcious mannerisms such as clearing there thoat or saying "um" a lot while they speak.

The final form of communication is nonverbal/nonvocal. Nonverbal/nonvocal communication only involves appearance and gestures (Tubbs). An example of a nonverbal/nonvocal message would be a smile or a frown. Nonverbal/nonvocal messages can easily be interpreted the wrong way, for someone may lose eye-contact during a conversation which may suggest to the other person that they are uninterested when the conversation truly holds their attention.  

Works Cited

Tubbs, Stewart L., and Sylvia Moss. Human Communication : Principles and Contexts. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities, Social Sciences & World Languages, 2007.

http://www.fhsu.edu/~zhrepic/Teaching/GenEducation/nonverbcom/nonverbcom.htm

Confused Child (Applied)

In this YouTube Video the gender traits society assigns to males and females becomes apparent through a three and a half-year-old's observations. This little boy discusses his life when he becomes a father. The video begins with the boy stating that he wants to have 10 kids, all boys. He continues that the boys will never have to be disciplined or get spankings. This idea is parallel to the social norm that must must develop a sense of independence on their own. Julia Wood acknowledges that research displays that parents are typically more assertive to a young boys individual rights, and this young boy is accepts this idea for he is clearly ready to let his ten sons learn their own ways (Wood 10). 

Furthermore, the three and a half year old boy strengthens social norms as he discusses the roles his wife will play within the household. This young fellow hopes to have the perfectly domestic house wife. He mentions that she will stay up all hours of the night to cook food for him anytime he wants. Moreover, this little boy suggests that she will clean the house, do the laundry, stay at home with the kids, and once again cook. However, societies effects on gender identity become most apparent when the young boy state that his wife will be doing all of these chores while he is at work! Man, does this young potential father figure have nerve to assume his life will perfectly align to the social norms society has developed within him. 

Work Cited

Wood, Julia T. "Gender Relatioships And Communication." Gendered Relationships. Ch. 1. 3- 19.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru4k5ygePFk

Who Am I? ( Personal)

I am Mindy Treon. My sex is female, but what is my gender? Gender is something that I have learned throughout life. I have two older brothers who I have shadowed my whole life. I use to be the biggest Tom Boy ever. Girly girl was never a term I had wanted to be associated with. My whole life I was aware of the stereotype that girls were suppose to have cute hair, play with dolls, like pink, and be fashionable. However, I rarely did my hair, loved sports, liked all colors, and wore my brothers clothes. Does this mean I am a boy? Obviously not, my XX female chromosomes are inevitable; however, my brothers more than society had a huge role in assisting my gender identification. 

Furthermore, when we conducted the experiment of assigning adjectives to women and men in class I found that I did not specially fit one or the other, but both. What was really strange to me was that even though many women are athletes our class only assigned athletic as a male trait. I for one do believe it is more fitting for the male stereotype, but thought it was ironic because it is a trait I have associated with myself my whole life. Also, as I have seen my father, brother, uncles, and cousins be amazing fathers, but I do not associate "nurturing" as a male characteristic; even though, it is definitely an essential trait for men to posses. This experiment helped me recognize the stereotypes society assigns to men and women, and my own personal choice to accept the stereotypes but not follow them. 

Sex Vs. Gender (Definitional)

Many people use the terms gender and sex interchangeably. However, it was interesting to discover that these terms are not synonyms at all. Julia T. Wood's article "Gender Relationships and Communication" emphasis the differences. 

She clarifies that "Sex is innate, but gender is socially created and learned by individuals" (Wood 1). Sex is determined by genetics and hormones; the terms male and female, boy and girl, man and woman refer to one's biological sex. Sex is to be determined by one pair of chromosomes: the patterns XY for males and XX for females create one's sex. 

On the other side, "Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviour, activities and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women." Additionally, one's interactions and relationships with others continue to strengthen one's gender identity. To begin, "our earliest relationships in nuclear families weave gender into out basic self-concepts" (Wood 1). However, people's gender identities continue to grow through their romantic relationships and friendships individuals experience on their own. It is important to acknowledge "gender is both created by and creative of relationships" (Wood). Specifically, relationships help one determine gender; similarly, gender constructs the foundations of relationships. Ultimately, people must recognize that gender is dynamic, and life experiences will continue to alter a person's gender identity, for people can only identify  their gender through experiences.  

Works Cited

"Gender Quotes." World Health Organization. 1 Mar. 2009 .

Wood, Julia T. "Gender Relationships And Communication." Gendered Relationships. Ch. 1. 3- 19.