Postformal thinking
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Discussion 11: 2. In their early 20’s most young adults have enough neurons and neuronal connections to be able to think about both sides of any issue and see things from not only theirs but from other perspectives. They are also more likely to be able to hold their emotions in check and focus on reasoning about a situation. Dialectical reasoning becomes possible; the PowerPoint explains this rather well. For your assignment describe a situation where you have faced a complicated problem and been able to think clearly about all the possibilities and choose the best long-run solution.
For example: as you must know by now I’m deeply concerned about racism in America and have for decades tried to overcome the unconscious, internalized racial crap (excuse my French please—this issue bothers me deeply) we all absorb/introject to use Freud’s term, from our racist culture. It is evident in kids in kindergarten, especially if their parents never talk about it or always brainwash kids with it. Here is one dilemma I face. Audre Lord wrote a poem to white women who want to be my friend in which she says: forget that I am a black woman … but … never forget that I am a black woman. And that is our dilemma today; how do we treat everyone as equal without recognizing that our pasts have marked us? It is essential to be flexible in an encounter with someone of a different history so as not to punch a button and remind them of all the negativity of that history while being honest and sincere and open and honest (I know I said ‘honest’ twice—for it is so essential we be truthful and open without dissembling but without hurting inadvertently).
Another example where I had to wrestle with my conflicting values in a mundane situation. I was driving an old GMC suburban, in which I had driven a group of colleagues to a retreat up the country—good memories, that kept breaking down … often! At great expense! I needed a new car! If I bought new I would be less likely to continue to have problems. I couldn’t pay cash; I’d have to borrow; I did not want a loan to have to pay back. What to do? Obviously, something had to bend; public transportation doesn’t go everywhere! So, I mustered all my mental resources, used dialectical reasoning and flexible thinking by getting consumer reports, learning that Nissan pickup was among the most dependable, reading Wednesday newspaper where they list all cars for sale, finding Nissan pickup for $8888 in Conroe, driving up there and putting the ad on the counter and saying I want this car. It did not have a radio, right rear mirror or back bumper; it did have A/C so I bought it and drove it 14 years at little expense except for regular maintenance, oil changes, etc. on time. I now have an awesome credit rating so bought last new vehicle at 0.99% interest for 3 years. Clearly made the right decision.
So, for your assignment: describe how you used postformal thinking (use the key terms and describing the thinking that fits those terms) to deal with an issue. College versus work is a big one for lots of people; I could tell you my story there—graduated with little debt paid off with next income tax refund. Family conflicts is another issue; do you have Christmas with your or your spouse’s family? Gay kids? Just found out spouse is gay? Monogamous relationship and suddenly you have HIV? All these issues require critical thinking not to go off the deep end and do something you might regret.
I know this is long, but postformal thinking is important and often people use it without being aware, but understanding it can help in future with sticky situations.
Posted: 2 Years AgoDue: 01/05/2018Budget: $20
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Michelle K
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Psychology homework help
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Discussion 11: Postformal thinking. In their early 20’s most young adults have enough neurons and neuronal connections to be able to think about both sides of any issue and see things from not only theirs but from other perspectives. They are also more likely to be able to hold their emotions in check and focus on reasoning about a situation. Dialectical reasoning becomes possible; the PowerPoint explains this rather well. For your assignment describe a situation where you have faced a complicated problem and been able to think clearly about all the possibilities and choose the best long-run solution.
For example: as you must know by now I’m deeply concerned about racism in America and have for decades tried to overcome the unconscious, internalized racial crap (excuse my French please—this issue bothers me deeply) we all absorb/introject to use Freud’s term, from our racist culture. It is evident in kids in kindergarten, especially if their parents never talk about it or always brainwash kids with it. Here is one dilemma I face. Audre Lord wrote a poem to white women who want to be my friend in which she says: forget that I am a black woman … but … never forget that I am a black woman. And that is our dilemma today; how do we treat everyone as equal without recognizing that our pasts have marked us? It is essential to be flexible in an encounter with someone of a different history so as not to punch a button and remind them of all the negativity of that history while being honest and sincere and open and honest (I know I said ‘honest’ twice—for it is so essential we be truthful and open without dissembling but without hurting inadvertently).
Another example where I had to wrestle with my conflicting values in a mundane situation. I was driving an old GMC suburban, in which I had driven a group of colleagues to a retreat up the country—good memories, that kept breaking down … often! At great expense! I needed a new car! If I bought new I would be less likely to continue to have problems. I couldn’t pay cash; I’d have to borrow; I did not want a loan to have to pay back. What to do? Obviously, something had to bend; public transportation doesn’t go everywhere! So, I mustered all my mental resources, used dialectical reasoning and flexible thinking by getting consumer reports, learning that Nissan pickup was among the most dependable, reading Wednesday newspaper where they list all cars for sale, finding Nissan pickup for $8888 in Conroe, driving up there and putting the ad on the counter and saying I want this car. It did not have a radio, right rear mirror or back bumper; it did have A/C so I bought it and drove it 14 years at little expense except for regular maintenance, oil changes, etc. on time. I now have an awesome credit rating so bought last new vehicle at 0.99% interest for 3 years. Clearly made the right decision.
So, for your assignment: describe how you used postformal thinking (use the key terms and describing the thinking that fits those terms) to deal with an issue. College versus work is a big one for lots of people; I could tell you my story there—graduated with little debt paid off with next income tax refund. Family conflicts is another issue; do you have Christmas with your or your spouse’s family? Gay kids? Just found out spouse is gay? Monogamous relationship and suddenly you have HIV? All these issues require critical thinking not to go off the deep end and do something you might regret.
I know this is long, but postformal thinking is important and often people use it without being aware, but understanding it can help in future with sticky situations.
Posted: 2 Years AgoDue: 01/05/2018Budget: $20
ANSWERS 1
profile
Michelle K
5.0 (51)
4.7 (1k+)
Chat