Observation and Interpretation

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Just last week I had the chance to present the topic of observation and interpretation in Inquiry to my First Year Seminar (FYS) students at Quinnipiac University. The idea was well received and I was asked to create a video for the faculty teaching the seminar. Comments welcome. Enjoy!

Understanding Abuse Through SCT

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AbasedSocial Cognitive Theory (SCT) is used in learning and psychology to explain knowledge acquisition as well as beliefs through social interaction. According to this theory, what we learn and believe comes to be in society and not in isolation. This is possible through the interactions of cognitive/biological, environmental, and behavior factors. These interactions are explained through Triadic Reciprocal Determinism (TRD). Each factor interacts with each other but not necessarily balanced. The environment interacts with behavior offering cues of acceptance or rejection, these cues are interpreted cognitively and acted upon as a response to the environment. We are both influenced by our environment as we are influencers of it. We are not in total control of our circumstances but we are not completely controlled by them.

Abuse is a harmful, injurious, or offensive way of treatment. It could be both physical and psychological. Understanding abuse through SCT provides a foundation to depict abuse within a context, and also classification of interpretations and responses to it. For instance, abuse could be classified as an environmental factor or as a behavior depending on the abuser/victim perspective. When a person is abused it is interpreted and acted upon in response. In some cases victims of abuse become perpetrators in response. How a person responds to abuse or acts upon as an abuser depends on cognitive interpretations. Each instance of abuse has a specific context and multiple variables to be considered.

Behavioral cues towards the environment can provide insights of how abuse marked a person’s life. Retraction from social interaction, violence, hot temper, lack of coping skills are some examples of indications of abuse an its effects. Human’s cognitive capacity to interpret symbols and environmental cues provides the opportunity for individuals to surpass or conquer their circumstances using abuse antecedents as a form of a learning experience and motivation to improve their lives and help others find a path for rehabilitation.

FreedomThe scars of abuse might never disappear but how people respond to their past is a choice that is achievable through a renewal of the mind, the soul, the heart, and the spirit. Recognizing the marks of abuse is not an enjoyable experience and cleaning the wounds of the past could be a very painful experience. However, this could be the beginning of healing. Healing is a process that won’t happen in a day but it produces joy that was lost and the chance to enjoy life away from fear.

Comedy and Philosophy

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image-2Once upon a time I was funny. Since a very early age I participated in school and church plays and town events always as the funny kid. After graduating high school I began working as a radio announcer and thought that I found my ‘seriousness’. To my surprise people began inviting me more and more to host events as master of ceremonies from which I began introducing myself as stand-up comedian thanks to a friend who inspired me to do so. That adventure went on for about 14-15 years. In 2006 I decided to quit comedy and immerse myself in pursuing a philosophy doctorate in education while returning to create art. I thought I found my seriousness once and for all. When I went to Uganda, Africa the kids gave me the nickname ‘Munakatemba’ (the funny guy) which confirmed how wrong I was about my seriousness. The fact is that philosophy only fueled more jokes into my head than ever before. Not because of the pursue of knowledge but how people behave trying to validate themselves by proving a point as irrefutable. They are hilarious! After all comedy and philosophy are not so different.

Comedy and philosophy are trying to make sense of our existence rationalizing behavior and intentions in their own special way but neither one is more insightful than the other if you pay attention.  Both are seeking an interpretation of life. The funny of comedy is no different from the cynical of philosophy. The thoughtfulness of philosophy is not more valuable than the sincerity of comedy. Comedians and philosophers seek their paths with passion and risk mockery in the pursue of truth. Both are also largely misunderstood and alienated in a simple-minded, power-thirsty society seeking only self-serving entertainment.

An open-minded audience enjoys both and relate the message to their realities as they also try to cope and understand human behavior. There is always someone who tries to criticize the philosopher or being funnier than the comedian. It is always easier to lash critiques hiding in the crowd than exposing yourself standing on stage. It is always easier to say, ‘Why don’t you post an intelligent question?’ instead of posting an intelligent question. Everyone has an answer, comment, or critique after a question or point of view is presented but very few are capable to initiate a thoughtful and reflective discussion on their own. It is always easier for people to pass judgement as to the merits of the traveler’s path and intentions than to begin  their own journey. Know this: The traveler will keep walking and pass by in search for a new destination.

Assumptions, Interpretations, and Attributions

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I heard a story many years ago. Two men working for a show company were sent to a tribe in the middle of nowhere to scout the territory and inform the company of any possibility of success selling shoes there. The first man makes his observations and informs the company of his conclusions:

– Business here is going to be a complete waste of time and effort. No one is wearing shoes.

The second man also reports back to the company:

– Business here is going to be great and worth the efforts. No one is wearing shoes.

Similarly this happens in every situation in life. One situation, two individuals, different views. It happens in the art world too. Two individuals can look at the same piece of art and have two completely different views of it. Interestingly, every view is subjective.

Photo Sep 06, 2 31 35 PMWe have the capacity to decode the symbolic information we receive and develop our own views to explain what we see, feel, and understand. We give meaning to the world around us through the filter of our experiences and knowledge. Socially, in the meaning making process we examine multiple views, balance them with our own and form our conclusions. These conclusions are explained and could be categorized in assumptions, interpretations, and attributions.

Assumptions are taking for granted a conclusion without proof or facts based on personal biases. It is very natural to us to fall prey of assumptions. That is not a problem. The problem is when no proof or facts allow us to consider other options. We form our view and that becomes the only truth. Interpretations, on the other hand, consider facts balancing these with experience and knowledge, assigns meaning, but remains open to consider other views that eventually help grow and develop a broader picture. Attributions go a step further.

According to Bernard Weiner’s Attribution Theory, broadly used in cognitive psychology, we assign meaning to meaning. In other words, we explain why we reached our assumption or interpretation of an event, behavior, a piece of art, and other forms of symbolic information. We assign internal or internal causes to our conclusions. Interestingly, we switch between internal and external attributions when it come to us and others. If we are successful or received favorable feedback we apply internal attributes and tell ourselves: “I worked very hard on this”. When we fail or we don’t like the feedback we receive we tell ourselves we apply external attributes to justify the results: “I don’t care what you have to say. You don’t know what I had to go through to achieve this”.

Photo Sep 06, 2 34 39 PMThe scene quickly switches when it comes to judging the behaviors or events involving others. When people act in a specific way we attribute that behavior to internal factors concerning personality or character traits like coping skills (or lack thereof), or attitude issues. Rarely we consider external attributes to be the cause for other’s behaviors like a difficult situation they might be going through.

Once again, these views are subjective. All opinions are subjective. Every perspective is as individual as the person who has it. However, we must be very careful how we share these views with others not only for their sake but for our own. Our words can hurt people. We don’t know what they are going through. We should lift people up instead of trying to tear them apart. We must remember that when we apply assumptions, interpretations, and attributions to others we do so based on our own views, biases, experience, and knowledge. When we talk to others or about others, we might be revealing more about ourselves than what we are trying to reveal about them.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:2