Episode 2

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The episode starts off with a recap of the first episode. After the recap, we learn that Josh picked Baylor because he knew that they were going to pick Naydia to kick her out. Jon was the person who lost the flint and now they aren’t able to start the fire. I feel bad for Nadyia’s sister because they have never been apart from each other.
For the first challenge, they have to maneuver a ball on a platform without dropping it. If they win, they will get fishing gear. Coyopa team gets to start off the challenge. It is Jon verses Julie for this challenge. This game is so frustrating because they have to start over if the ball drops! I had a feeling Julie would win because she was a lot more patient than Jon. She ends up sending Jeremy to exile island. They wanted to trade their beans for flint; they came off somewhat kind of rude.
We find out after the commercial break, that Jon is somewhat of a racist, but he is still a strong member to the team. For the second challenge, they are acting like Sumo wrestlers over the water. My favorite one to watch was the brother verses brother. It was tied, so they had to do a rematch and water team won. We learn that Val gets kicked out!
After watching the episode, you can tell there is going to be a lot of tension in the next episode between team members.

Episode 2

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In this episode of Survivor the blue and orange tribes are figuring out their individual roles.

The blue team has two main recognition seekers, Jon and Drew, that are causing tribe members to have negative feelings toward them. They possibly are doing this to fill their inclusion needs but its not helping. When Jon on the blue team lost the flint he accepted his mistake trying to fill his affection need because he was hoping by living up to it that they would appreciate him for that and respect him more.

During the challenge the orange team was losing and the team showed John amazing supportive feedback, but could’ve given constructive feedback as to how to overcome the challenge. They could’ve suggested bending his knees more or telling him to go under and then bring the ball after. After the blue team had one, they had to decide having flint or the fishing gear. It seemed as though all team members were showing good assertiveness and sharing their opinions.

The blue team helped Natalie after she found out Nadia was voted off by all stepping up and being supporters and encouragers. It showed great tribe communication and group maintenance. Natalie showed great self- confessor role by opening up and letting them support her.

During the big challenge, both groups showed great constructive and supportive feedback to their tribe members when competing. The only rough part of the challenge was when Missy was focused on her self-centered role of special interest pleader because she didn’t want to hurt her daughter again. The orange team loses another challenge and has to go to tribal council. Just like last episode there is a lot of hidden agendas and making big moves to try to make connections with other tribe members to not be voted out of the tribe. There was a little bit of aggressiveness shown by Val and Baylor at the tribal council, but Val ends up being voted out because the tribe did not believe her lie about having any life-saving items.

Blog #5

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Last week  in class, we did not start with any activity which I really liked previous activities because they were very interesting. However, Julian informed us with APA format and the difference between MLA and APA. It is important for all of us to know how to write in APA format because our final writing and for my other classes writing, it is required to write in APA format. What I notice from my other classes about APA format is that the main body of APA format is the same, but each professor prefer to have slightly changes in APA format. It is not a big difference, but I have to follow the instructor. After learning about APA format, we continue to discuss about analyzing weekly reading. When each student has to talk about their own section, I enjoy listening to their ideas and how differently they analyze the situations allow me to learn new ideas. For instance, I liked it when one student talked about Hip Hop and Rap music that allowed African-American to kind of express themselves by these kind of music. After discussing African-American issues, we return to discuss about Latinos students in higher education. It is interesting to notice that the majority of students in our class have Hispanic background, and I think they should be excited that some of those reading facts and statistics could be happen to them. By these facts and knowledge, they would understand better their situations, and it would be easier for them to face some challenges that we analyzed in class. By understanding about those facts, Latinos in our class must be proud of themselves that they are going to make a huge changes for themselves and their communities. No matter who we are, or whatever our background is; I hope all of us enjoy this educational journey with the best outcomes for each of us.

The stories of Suzanne, Matthew, and Ruth are heartbreaking and inspiration of individuals with disabilities that they influence my perception about their life and their effort in higher education. Suzanne who is blind asked several times from the student government president to provide all electronic materials for her in order to be ready for her classes. The forgetfulness of those people who were supposed to provide electronic materials to Suzanne, never made Suzanne to give up from her education. Although those forgetfulness made her frustrated, but Suzanne was determine to finish her education. Honestly, if I were Suzanne, I would be frustrated easily and would be give up soon. The story of Matthew, a deaf student, was as same as Suzanne. He was the student of humanities in which the professor showed a video every week. Matthew asked the professor if there were captioned version of the video, and the professor said no, and Matthew did not give up and contacted a Disability Service member from his university.  Fortunately, Matthew was helped and would be able to watch the video with captioned version. And Ruth who was a wheelchair student could not attended to the meeting because of the inaccessibility place for Ruth. In all of these scenarios, each individual with disability asked for help and their problems were discussed. That is really interesting that  they were persistent and self supported. If they did not ask for help, there would not be a successful outcomes for them. Although in each university and college there is a facility center for students with disabilities, but what about of those who are shy or are not completely informed about those facility center? Who is responsible for them? Disabilities law mandate all institutions that must not discriminate in the admission which is a great law, but they have to make sure that after admission, there are enough facilitations for student with disabilities. Although the students with disabilities represent some 9 percent of the undergraduate population, but I am hoping that in future we would have more percentage of them.

Episode 2

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In the second episode of Survivor, we begin to see what survivor is all about, that being the way groups interact with one another and become whole, or group dynamics.  The tribe members start beginning to see whose good at what and everyone is starting to get understand there role, but its still somewhat up in the air.  On top of that were starting to see relationships being built and established.

In this episode the yellow tribe fell short again, this can be credited to poor decisions and a lack of communication.  There isn’t a sense of camaraderie in the yellow group which is definitely hurting them, there split in two different sub groups as well which is going to be there downfall unless they join hands and get there acts straight.   From personal experience when your working in groups you need to be joined together or else more than one group within your group wants to do things a different way.  Once that happens your team will not only meet its demise but you wont get any work done and will only be taking steps backwards.  In order to fix this they need to communicate, and create relationships. The yellow team also lacks a strong sense of leadership and that may be why they lost yet again.  Once they establish a leader they could then start wining and wont send another tribe member home.

Task roles, maintenance roles, and self-centered roles are the three fundamental roles and they can be seen both tribes, as everyone is starting to come into there own.  In this game you need to remain neutral but realize your ultimate goal and thats win. However if you continue to pick up one of these three roles you’ll be a valued member to your group and they’ll need you.  Therefore you have to be willing to make yourself available and still realize your in this game for yourself.  

 

Blog#5 by Scott (part1)

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Last week we started off class by getting some useful tips from Julian about proper APA style format. This will be useful for me in completing my schooling here at CSUCI. I spoke with Julian today, at the DIG meeting, and he plans to send these APA guidelines to us all via e-mail.  We next finished up our discussions on the African-American readings. My group discussed the inclusion of this group through hip hop culture. I think we all can all agree that African-Americans can use this music as away to speak their mind and also to become rich and famous and at the very least it gives the youth hope and allows them to dream and believe they can be successful like so many of their idols who have had similar backgrounds. And as far as my question about whether this positive outweighs the negative that this music is often offensive and sends a bad message, I think that was unfair. African-Americans have created great music for along time, such as blues, soul, r&b and disco to name a few. The lyrics in these genre’s have been positive and uplifting. The fact that some of the rap and hip hop are degrading can be easily reasoned that it is this generation of audience who supports these lyrics and because of this the African -American artist keeps churning them out. And I’d also like to add, this type of music is not the only music that is sometimes degrading. A lot of pop music, written by many different ethnic groups, are degrading as well in their lyrics. It was also nice to hear from the students in our class on their thoughst on being latino/latina in our educational system and how their family and upbringing played a role in them making it to a university.

Survivor Blog 2

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This week on survivor the infamous John Rocker showed how one group member can disrupt a tribe.  Before I get into a few of the member roles that I noticed I want to quickly rant about how terrible of a strategy Mr. Rocker employed.  The blond girl in his group pretty clearly stated during the vote session, sorry I dont remember what it is actually called, that the group alliances were thinking of going in a different direction.  That should have tipped Rocker off then and there that something was amidst.  Foolishy, or maybe due to a ego complex, Rocker did not fully comprehend what was going on.  The other members that were in on the plan realized the boneheaded mistake that the blond girl had made.  They attempted as best they could to cover up for her.  That didnt work as the lady once again very clearly stated that a curve was coming in the vote.  How Rocker did not see the giant red flags that were being waved all around him that he was about to be voted out did not make any sense to me or my wife.  I mean how oblivious can you be.  Even if you have the slimmest possiblity that you might be voted out shouldnt you play that immunity necklace.  If something happened that I didnt notice please feel free to let me know in the comments.

Now as far as how the chapter correlated to the show I found that the group roles were on display while the tribe was discussing who to vote out.  Several of the tribe members were opinion givers.  The girl Baylor was very adamant about expressing her opinion that Rocker should be voted out.  She also became an elaborator because she laid out exactly why Rocker should be voted out .  Josh took on the task of being the group coordinator because he concoted the plan that eventually worked out.  Rocker took on the self-centered role of dominator.  As soon as the challenge ended he was pushing his thoughts and plans onto the other tribe members.  The tribe did not like the way in which he had been conducting himself and in the end it ended his time in the jungle.  Hopefully next week the fish that the orange tribe is now eating will help to encourage better brain function than what has been exhibited so far.

 

Survivor II

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In this episode of Survivor, Chapter 3 is quite evident in many cases. William Schutz, a psychologist who studied and focused on group members interpersonal needs within that group. Schutz developed a Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation Theory (FIRO) that explains needs we share when in a group. The first need is the need for inclusion. We all want to be included and accepted among the people we are around which is exactly what both tribes have illustrated. The second need is the need for control in terms of feeling confident and making decisions for yourself. The last is need for affection as in being well liked.

The Coyora tribe attempt to be included amongst their group when it comes to them losing their battle. In other words, they want to make sure they are included in the getting to game plan against other tribe members and want to be accepted by tribe members in order to not be voted off. For the Hunahpu tribe, the need for inclusion is different because their team is working in harmony. Their need for inclusion stems from the mentality of not wanting to let their teammates down since such strong bonds have developed through the success of their tribe.

The next need from Schutz is the need for control. Several of the Coyora tribe demonstrate their need quite firmly. John Rocker desperately tries to influence the rest of the tribe and seize control since he probably feels the most competent on the team being a former professional athlete. Reed also demonstrates a high need for control as he is constantly aware and strategizing the pecking order of the tribe. I’m sure this takes place in the Hunahpu tribe but winning disguises a lot of flaws.

The final need is the need for affection. I think this need goes without saying is pretty obvious. Human nature is we all want to be liked and loved to some degree. It is no different with both the Survivor teams. At the end of the day, it still is a competition and everyone is looking out for themselves, but they would still like to walk away with friendships and bonds.

John Rocker was voted off and Baylor may be on deck. I think Wes and his buddy are up to something. Seems like they are always in cahoots. Coyora needs a victory! Val needs to be reunited with her husband.

Episode 3, Alliance with Strangers

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coralsunset

 

In the third episode of Survivor Blood vs. Water, we see the apparent divide among the opposing sexes in the Coyopa tribe.  After a tribal council of voting off Val, which retired Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker swore to her husband Jeremy on Exile Island that he would not do, the tribe returns to camp one less female.  John Rocker is a prime example of both the need for control and the need for inclusion in William Schutz’ theory of Fundamental Interpersonal Relationships.  Rocker portrays his need for control by actively staying engaged with both sides of the fence.  He talks to the girls when the guys alliance isn’t around and gives them false hope of the next person the tribe is going to vote out.  For example, at the end of episode 3, while the girls are laying down on their make-shift hut, Rocker sits down and tells them that the group is wanting to vote out Dale because of his old age.  Without invitation, John completely interrupts the ladies because of his feeling that what he says is most important. By Rocker feeding them this lie, he believes that he is controlling which way the opposing votes will go, and is making sure no votes will be cast his way.  To Rocker’s dismay, his need for inclusion with the group has become so annoying, and negative, that they conspire within themselves to pull a blindside and get rid of the nuisance… John Rocker.

When it comes to the third aspect of Schutz’ Theory, the need for affection; another member of the Coyopa tribe comes to mind, Josh.  Josh is a homosexual man that feels that he has a “connection with both sexes” and is the link between the two alliances.  His need for affection becomes increasingly obvious when after each tribal council, he goes up to whoever he feels he wronged and tells them his side and reasoning to why he did it.  He then follows his statement with “please don’t be mad at me.”  Josh really can’t stand the feeling of not being liked by his tribe members and will do whatever it takes to make sure he is on everyone’s good side, and so far, he’s doing well.

A tremendous amount of drama unfolded during this episode between the two tribes.  With John Rockers past history and arrogant demeanor, he made it quite easy for people to paint a target on his back.  His being a physical threat would seem to be most important for a tribe plagued by loss’s in all challenges, but what the camera chooses to hide is the outspokenness of John Rockers’ character traits both back at camp, and during competition.