Be the Answer.... Sarah McLachlan

I've searched and searched, videos, speeches and commercials to find one that would fit Maxwell & Schmitt's Taxonomy Influence Tactics. I think that this video of Animal Abuse with the musician Sarah McLachlan fits perefectly for this weeks post.

From Maxwell and Schmitt's Influence tactics, the most predominant one is the Negative Self-Feeling. The video starts off by sharing small facts about animals being abused. It then shows clips of various animals looking sad or distressed. Trying to make you feel bad about animals that are being abused every hour. What are you doing to help? If you haven't or didn't know then you should do something and be the answer.

Then I feel it does the flip side to that with the Positive Self-Feeling. If you are to help donate and be the answer to these poor mistreated animals, then you will be a better person. You have done something to help those animals in need by taking action and being the answer.

There is also some Moral Appeal, if you are a dog or cat lover, you will do something to help their cause. Help an animal today by calling or going on line to sign up and pay a monthly donation to help change from the life they once lived.

Lastly of the tactics there is the Reward because you help donate you will be rewarded with a monthly gift. You will also receive a beautiful tote bag if you sign up today.

All of these tactics are used in this video to help motivate you to donate and be the answer to these animals lives. The process premises in this video under Maslow's Hierarchy is safety and belonging. They portray that these animals were abused from their previous owners and hope to give them that safety and belonging. They were not safe before and can only get that through your help. Make them feel that they belong and can have a happy place to live.

One of the biggest is the emotion they use in the entire video. Guilt. They want you to feel bad for the animals that they show and encourage you to be their answer. It is a guilt trip to get you to help donate for their cause. Make you feel bad and that you have to do something, acting on your emotion. This was a great video to do on Maxwell and Schmitt's tactics and help me see how and what people do to persuade you for their cause.

Out of Class Presentation

For my out of class presentation I was able to see my family down in Las Vegas last weekend. I had all of my siblings and their spouses there as well as my parents. Their ages ranged from 20-63. Some had a little bit of a college background and some never went on past high school. Their work background ranges from landscaping to front desk at the MGM and even pharmacy tech to building maintenance. 

For my speech I had them all gathered around after a Sunday dinner while all the kids ran off to play outside so as not to disrupt this time. I talked to them about the effects of soft drink beverages, soda. I started off by asking some questions; who would want to drink something that would lower your pH levels? Lower your immune system? or even something that would lead to gaining weight?

Of course none of them said they would but I told them that they already have. Soda is one of the most consumed beverages. I then explained what our pH levels are and what they mean. Soda is the most acidic drink that you can consume which lowers your pH level. Your body always wants to stay at an equilibrium. A state at which your levels are at normal. If you throw something in the mix, it imbalances those levels and it drops your pH level.

I explained how the body reacts and what it does to get back to an equilibrium. Some of them already knew what soda can do to you. My mother agreed with me because she has quit drinking soda for about a decade. 

I then transitioned into what it does to the immune system because it is already lowering levels in your body which need to stay at a normal range. Some of them knew this because my mom has shared the information she already knew with the family. It brought a reminder to some of them and the importance of trying to drink more water. Although some still drink it from time to time and some don't worry too much because they felt they were alright.

Then I transitioned into my last segment of the speech with weight gaining from it. They were told of the links and connections with gaining weight and how our body can not break down the fake sugars in soda.

After collecting all of my survey papers I calculated my data. Based on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. No surprise I got some 10 but that is probably because some of them wanted to be nice. I wish that I would have explained a little better on the rating so they could have given me their complete and honest answer. My weak points from what they rated me was the use of filler words: "like," and "umm." I also could have been more clear in my explaining so they could completely understand. It helped my understand and try to get out of my comfort zone when all eyes are on me. It was a fun experience for both my family and me. They were willing to help me out with my school work.

Life Happens... Christopher Gardner

I was curious to learn more about Reich's Cultural Parables, the Triumphant Individual. From the example we were shown "The Pursuit of Happiness," I wanted to know more about Christopher Gardner the one who overcame adversity. There are many stories of those that over came trials in their life to get where they are now. Christopher Gardner is a perfect example of Reich's Cultural Parable. He worked hard to get where he is now and became a successful person in society.

This isn't a full video of his speech but gives some life examples of how he grew. You can click here to get a brief bio on his life.

The Triumphant Individual is the little guy who works hard, takes risks, believes in himself, and eventually earns wealth, fame, and honor. It's the parable of the self-made man (or, more recently, woman) who bucks the odds, spurns the naysayers, and shows what can be done with enough drive and guts. He's a loner and a maverick, true to himself, plain speaking, self-reliant, uncompromising in his ideals.

Gardner was determined to be successful in life but had to deal with the life challenges. He had to make the decision with every dollar that came into the house, have it to go to pay for rent or for parking tickets. He paid the rent. He was determined to live and to help support his family. The one and only time he had to serve time.

Gardner had to work hard and overcome the trials he faced while raising his boy. He is an excellent example of a triumphant individual. He took on the risks in life getting every opportunity to grow and strive to do his best. He obviously worked hard to get where he is now in the financial world and becoming a motivational speaker. He took the risk of surviving and doing all that he could for him and his boy.

Even though his ex never believed him he still put for the effort in becoming successful. He truly grew up and became a better man to his son and work.

The process premises in his speech are needs and emotions. Under the needs he gives his audience a reassurance of worth. You can still keep trying to work in life no matter your circumstances. He and his son were both homeless but he kept fighting to try and find a way to survive and provide. Anyone can accomplish anything it just depends on you whether you will try.

In his emotions he expresses some fear of what he had to go through. Hoping that no one has to go through what he had to and the hardship that he faced. Never quit and keep trying. Another emotion is, of course, happiness. The pursuit of happiness. Gardner doesn't specifically talk about it in this speech but if you have seen the movie you can see what challenges he faced and how he kept pushing until he was successful and gained that happiness.