More Than Reproduction

More than Reproduction
There are many aspects that make a relationship successful, whether it is from a romantic point of view or even a friendship. While some believe that interaction and the idea of bonds between people are nothing more than chemical reactions or the mere fact that as humans we are supposed to find “the one” and reproduce, others know there are many more factors that make a relationship successful. Even though some professionals will continue to compare human unions to those of animals and scientific theories, others are convinced that it takes much more than science in order to create a lasting bond. No matter what statistics or professionals say in the end, each relationship is unique with its own ups and downs, as well as what really goes on behind the scenes in order to keep the love alive.





Not every aspect of life needs to be broken down into the overall goal of mankind: reproduction. In Helen Fisher’s After All, Maybe it’s…Biology she constantly makes connections between modern dating and previous civilization offerings in exchange for mating (Beedles and Petracca). While there is clearly evidence that behavior stays similar throughout history, not all actions and emotions can be broken down this way. This particular author also completely drags love at first sight through the mud by reducing a romantic act into nothing more than something squirrels do in order to procreate (Beedles and Petracca). For most people finding a lasting, loving relationship is much more important than simply having children, although it usually is a part of marriage. There are several complex aspects each person is looking for in a partner that go much farther beyond.


Attraction to prospective dyadic relationships: Effects of fate control, reflexive control, and partner's trustworthiness by Grzelak, Kuhlman, Yeagley, and Joireman discusses different aspects that make a relationship stronger such as: the overall trustworthiness of their partner, how one views the other in terms of social interaction, and attractiveness as well. Psychologists also note that interpersonal attraction includes experiences, liking, friendship, admiration, lust, and love (Weiten). What is known as the “Matching Hypothesis” also says that individuals will select a partner that is equal to their own physical appearance (Weiten). This type of connection typically produces a stronger bond and the pair is less likely to end their union (Weiten). A romantic union will rarely be successful and happy if those within the relationship are not attracted to one another. Professionals and typical people cannot deny the fact that sexual attraction to their partner is an important factor in committing to a long- term relationship, but it is not the only factor anymore. In today’s world finding a suitable mate over a short period of time and attempting to procreate is not on anybody’s list of goals to accomplish.




As mentioned previously, our relationships have become far more complex in modern society. Simply being handsome, strong, and capable of putting dinner on the table does not cut it anymore. Trust, items in common, communication, and the ability to grow as a couple are just a few of the traits most look for and strive to achieve in their relationships and marriages everyday. Couples who are committed or dating also typically have age, race, religion, social class, education, and values that are similar (Weiten). Love can be broken down into two categories: Passionate and Companionate. Ellen Berscheid and Elaine Hatfield have done extensive research on the topic of love and define Passionate love as intense emotion usually revolving around tender sexual feelings while companionate love is trusting, warm, with lots of affection as a couple’s lives become more and more combined (Weiten). Committed people find themselves in the deep end with companionate love which creates more satisfaction in a lasting relationship (Weiten). Commitment itself is the factor that makes a relationship more meaningful and stable.


Each connection is unique, using individual aspects of love, attraction, and communication in order to make it successful. Something as complex and intense as love and lasting relationships should never be reduced to simply chemistry or biology. Love is never easy or as simple as finding a mate who can reproduce the fastest; it is rather a great mystery that has captured the lives of millions across the globe for centuries. Love has given us great stories, lessons, and joy within our own hearts that can never be replaced. Even though the author believes scientifically love fades after only a few years, hopeless romantics will prevail and keep the multi-layered aspects of true love and relationships alive.







Works Cited:
Beedles, Bonnie, and Michael Petracca. Academic Communities/ Disciplinary Conventions. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001. Print.


Fisher, Helen E. "After All, Maybe It's... Biology." 2001. Anatomy of Love: The Natural History of Monogamy, Adultery, and Divorce. W. W. Norton & Company Inc., 1992. 303-05. Print

Grzelak, Janusz L., Michael D. Kuhlman, Erin Yeagley, and Jeff A. Joireman. "Attraction to prospective dyadic relationships: Effects of fate control, reflexive control, and partner's trustworthiness." PsycINFO. Discovery Links. Web. 3 Dec. 2009.

Weiten, Wayne. Psychology: Themes & Variations. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.

Selecting the "Greatest Hits!"

Aubrie:
Another class together this semester =). I really enjoyed reading all of your work for this semester. Every time your writing was clear, concise, and kept me interested throughout each time I read one of your papers. It is very easy to follow your train of thought and keep up with the interesting topics you have chosen to write about which makes it so much easier for me not only to read your posts but to also grasp exactly what your point of view brings to a particular subject. The ability to make your work easy to read is a very valuable trait you have possessed throughout the course, and will make reports and other writing assignments for the future successful just like your work for this class. You have also been a great help to me as well when I was struggling with citations because yours are always correct, so for that I thank you immensely!

As far as “greatest hits” go I really enjoyed reading your post entitled, “The Regulator.” The facts you presented were well researched and relevant to the topic, but I especially enjoyed the section in which you gave your own opinion on the topic. These two sections were very eloquently written and really showed how greatly you feel for government restriction or lack there of. It is difficult for most Americans to decide on which political party to follow because it is like choosing the lesser of two evils, which is why millions of others cannot decide on which to join. I also really enjoyed your post, “That Golf Game is looking a Little Rusty.” The title was so perfect for the situation and it was really interesting to see your writing from a more playful side! I do not think it would be the best choice for our final project, but it was a really nice break from the serious side of your writing.

Another favorite of mine was “The Fracturing of the Family” post we did at the start of the semester. I really liked how you incorporated the fact that technology is always changing and how these seemingly amazing, tremendous advances for the electronic world have actually created suffering for the typical family setting. I think this particular post would be a great one to expand on. It seems like individuals who have lived in different decades have so many issues with our technological advances. Older people are always saying how teens are always on the phone or parents always complain that their children do not spend enough quality time with them. This might be a really great topic to expand on just because of the relevance it has on our current society. Overall, great work this semester! Even though I have not been reading your work all semester long, it was a great experience to go through all your writings at once because I feel like you have really evolved as a writer over the semester. Great work this semester and good luck in the future!

Krista:
I had so much fun reading all of your posts for the semester! I have not had the opportunity to read or work with you yet so I was really excited to get started! I first of all love the layout and title of your blog. At the start of this class I did not know how much our personalities would come out through our writings as well as the backgrounds we chose, but right away I was intrigued by your work! I feel like you and I are really similar in the way that our voices and opinions/ personalities come out through what we write. (“Some kind of Purple” was one of my favorites in terms of voice and using personal experiences! My momma says all kinds of catch phrases too.)

“Moving Forward” was another one of my favorites, and one I think you might want to expand on if you have not already. It was not what I was anticipating, but I believe that is the reason why I liked it so much. Your facts were presented really well and the overall stance you wanted to portray on the topic was very well executed and easy to follow. I am such a big advocate of being able to get your point across through your writings and doing such in a clear, concise way. “Working through it” was another one of my favorites to read. I feel like most people believe the idea of monogamy should be preserved, but then their actions do not follow their words. I felt like you chose to side with the idea of monogamy and really backed up what it means to our world and societal beliefs regardless of the trends in human sexual behavior. Definitely look over that post again in order decide whether or not to possible expand it, because it really has potential to be great!

Your final “greatest hit” in my opinion would have to be “Ideas and Thoughts.” Reading your blog was a blast from the past of earlier in the semester. I remember getting this assignment and thinking about how difficult it was going to be to actual discussing what an idea or thought was. I thought you had some really great things to say on the matter and did a nice job of getting your opinion across on the matter, especially with “not all thoughts are ideas.” This is a very interesting topic and with more research I think it could turn into something really great as well as unusual and interesting! I loved your work overall this semester and wish you the best of luck on our final project, as well as in the rest of your college career! Have a wonderful, restful break! (We all deserve one!)

Week 12 Blog Reviews

Lauren: I really liked your first post “Two sides of the spectrum.” I thought you gave really great support for both sides of the issue and then stated how you felt about the topic. You also made great use of the text book and the particular people within it to make your piece stand out. I wish you would have left your personal thoughts out of the introduction though. If you restructure it so that it is all about the rules but not necessarily relating to your personal experiences I think it would make the start of the essay so much stronger and more professional. Other than that I saw only a few grammatical errors, but it was nothing a little more proofreading would not fix. Great job on this post, it has a great deal of potential to make an outstanding complete research essay! =)

Your second post was also very well written. I had a hard time really getting into that particular topic myself, but your essay really broke down the history of finance well. The facts and ideas used from the text only solidified your argument and overall it was nicely done. Great job this week!

Jess: I really liked the title from your first post, “Two Views, One Country.” This immediately sparked my interest and made me curios about the information you were about to present. You really did this post from your heart I believe. You included facts from other classes and discussed how maybe you cannot trust the government with everything. You really found the balance between having government and living without them although you seemed to tip more towards the less government, more privacy, less power for them side. I thought you did a really nice job!

Your second post was also very well done. I really liked how you eased the audience into the topic instead of jumping directly into the history and current information on finance. This essay grabbed my interest on the subject and then gradually led me to what your actual goal of the article review was. I really think that was a great way to go. It made a topic I struggled with seem more approachable and understandable. Great Job! =)

Deirdre: I thought your first post regarding governmental control was a good read. You were very concise in your writing and made direct arguments for both sides. I thought the piece was a little bit too short for me, just because it lacked a little bit more depth on each topic but you did make a strong case. I would also give more background on an opinion before placing it in your work (i.e. Sameer). Others might not know who this individual is or why his opinion matters.

Your second post was also very concise. You did a great job introducing and explaining the opinions and facts you used from the text this time around though. The history and explanation of finances development was also a really great addition to the piece. You did not really mention the current financial state or how the subject has progressed in the last century though which would have really made a positive impact on your overall essay. Great job this week! =)

Money makes the World go round.

Money and the world of investing seems like a relatively new way of living and working with your hard earned pay check, in reality the world of finance has been around for much longer than we think. Even though it has only recently been created within an academic setting and discipline, it has been around for years. The hype nowadays is the amount of support the subject is getting from other realms of academia such as physics and economics. In Don Chance and Pamela Peterson’s article “The New Science of Finance” they discuss the changes and additions that have really taken the topic to the global obsession it has now become.

Finance used to be an art of formulas and other techniques only mathematical specialists or scientists could decipher. In the modern world, anyone could invest in the stock market or pick up a “How To” guide on finance. This type of accessibility has really made cracking the financial code so much easier for the typical person who is looking to make smarter moves with their money. None of this would have been possible without research and further exploration done into the subject by people like Merton or Scholes (Chance, Peterson 447). Their Nobel Prize winning research has really opened doors for finance in the modern world.

Due to the fact that our current economic situation is in turmoil, economists and other financial experts have really played a crucial role in the lives of consumers. Even though the world seems to be run by corporate greed and everyone’s desire to make as much money as possible, economic experts are so valuable to the economy by determining prices and value of items we buy everyday. Experts use the Gordon Model or other formulas in order to determine the price of items and their overall value to the consumer (Chance, Peterson 448). These formulas and models are another way technology and advancements within the topic have created an easier and more effective way to be successful in the world of finance. Other outlets like the stock market have become more popular and successful over time due to the social changes, such as wanting as much money as possible, our society has grown into. Without people constantly wanting to rise to the top, and without experts being on top of valuation the world of finance would cease to be as successful and powerful like it is today.

Week 11 Blog Reviews

Week 11 Blog Reviews:

Deirdre: I really liked your first blog. My parents often said similar things about toys, or constantly commented on how life is not measured by how many items of clothing I have or the character on my lunchbox. When I was a kid I frequently disagreed but now I see where they were going with the idea. I also really liked your section about Christmas. People do not care about family time or holiday dinners, but rather the best deal they can get on more things for the people around them. I really liked your blog overall!
Your second blog really hit home for me because I wrote about my Polish heritage and relatives. While I liked learning more about this particular ethnic group, I really wish it would have connected more to their lives in America, although you did mention contributions made during the war. Great writing this week! It is always fun to read!

Jess: I really like how you changed your background again! It is always a surprise to see what it will be next! I really liked the title of your first blog, it hit home for me because of my Catholic roots especially. I liked how you incorporated both sides of the issue and stated how you did not know exactly what side of the issue you were on. Overall I thought the support you used on how much Americans purchase as well as personal ideas on the subject made the post really interesting to read.
I also liked your second post about the Armenian race coming to America. I liked all the background you gave on the subject but wish you would have focused on the contributions to the economy more. Great job this week and I cannot wait for the next background!

Lauren: I really liked the title of your first blog. I thought the support you used on the topic was really well put together as well. Materialism in moderation can lead to happiness. It is really important to have a great deal of backup in order to support your points. In your second blog about the contributions the Korean race has given to the American economy was well written too. The statistics and amount of facts regarding their presence in America really supported your topic and overall points you were making. Great job this week! Keep up the great work.

Is Governmental Intervention the way to go?

The debate over government control has been a highly discussed topic for decades and even centuries. In some cases rising against the government and creating change for the betterment of you and loved ones around you can be revolutionary. After all, our great American country was founded and created by individuals who were upset with the state of their homeland’s government. They wanted a better life and did whatever they could to achieve it. On the other hand some believe the government is a greedy, corrupt system that really does not have the people in which they govern best interests at heart. Hopefully one day the world will be able to find the balance of the self-propelled dreams of the people while utilizing the assistance and presence of the government.

There are some individuals out there who will never believe government is the right choice for their particular goals or beliefs. In today’s society, especially in America, it is becoming more and more difficult for citizens to trust those in charge of the leadership in the country. Elections now are filed with petty games, cheap shots at the other nominees, and amazing promises the candidates make have no chance of ever being fulfilled. Americans feel like they have been cheated or lead on by these people who are supposed to be working for us and making our lives and American dreams more attainable. Another reason people are having a difficult time trusting their leaders are because of the conspiracies and events that are questionable throughout history. Events like 9/11 and the JFK assassination are constantly brought up as cover-ups and inside jobs. It is hard for working class citizens who love their country so much to believe their government is capable of such horrible things just for the sake of collecting money. This is the reason why individuals choose to ask questions, get petitions signed, and attempt to make our leaders accountable for their actions. People like Sameer Parekh in “Politics for the really cool” by Josh McHugh have taken matters into their own hands by creating a business that will work against traditional governmental agencies. These people are tired of listening to what the high and mighty officials have to say. They want the leaders to really hear their ideas and needs.

On this particular issue I stand in the middle. I do not like idea of always relying on the government to control my income, the direction of my schooling, or even how I get healthcare. On the flipside of that, however, I understand that without some kind of government or controlling party, people would not be held accountable for their actions which in turn affect everybody. Citizens should be able to be in control of their personal lives and the dreams the want to achieve with the help, not hindrance, of their government. While I do not by any means enjoy the constant bombardment of people asking me to sign petitions for various reasons, I applaud these people because they are taking a stand for what they believe in, no matter how much they are ignored or shot down. Even though this debate will continue to be fought, government needs to find balance between working for its people and keeping its country safe. This is the only way it will ever succeed and fulfill the role for which it was created.

Polish Prosperity

When most immigrants decided to come to America they really did not have a great deal of information about what would lie ahead. “America is full of opportunities!” “Everyone will have the life they have always dreamed of in America!” This idea of achieving the American Dream as well as a leap of faith was all people had to go off of before deciding to make new lives. People from all around the world took this chance and found better lives and greater opportunities to start fresh on the opposite side of the globe. My family, for example, came from Poland searching for their own piece of the great American pie; hoping to increase their chances of living better lives. These great promises of America lead millions of immigrants to this great land in order to create the legacy we are all apart of today.

When my great grandparents came over from Poland to Ellis Island in New York they were actually on the same ship but had never met. They immediately went to find work and grow accustom to their new home. Eventually through fate they met, fell in love and married soon after. I interviewed a relative in order to find out more about their story and how they made their mark in this new home. I was told that my great grandparents, along with other Polish people were really the backbone of middle class America at the time. Most learned English very quickly in order to adapt to their new surroundings and got jobs that would be considered “blue collar.” Men typically worked on assembly lines, in meat packing, or on the railroads being built nearby. They followed their traditions like religion (typically Catholic), received a neighborhood paper in Polish, and continued use of their native language usually outside the workplace. Their hard work and dedication paved the way for future generations to go a step beyond and continue to leave a positive legacy behind.

My great grandparents worked so hard in their new country in order to give their children a better life than they had growing up as well as back in their native land. Even with eleven children to look after they managed to provide great moral lessons and traditions that are still being passed down to me and my younger relatives today. By doing the jobs others typically would not prefer, and by working hard everyday the people of Poland were able to leave a positive impression on the economy and the country itself. This momentum created by their excellent work ethic allowed their children to attend college so they could provide more for their families, which in turn allowed their children’s children to become more educated and fulfill greater jobs and places in the world today. I know that without the dedication and determination of my ancestors and relatives I would not be able to attend a major university on scholarship or dream of one day attending graduate school. The Polish legacy left behind by my relatives is proof that hard work and willingness to adapt to new surroundings without losing who you are can really make a difference.