Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed this week, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
I found the section about Physical Appearance really interesting. The book points out that professional designers are trained in arranging elements to create a cohesive piece, and in a way we are all designers.
We use our image as a way to create an overall effect and send a message about ourselves. This section featured a quote by Mark Knapp, "Physical attractiveness may be influential in determining whether you are sought out; it may have a bearing on whether you are able to persuade or manipulate others; it is often an important factor in the selection of dates and marriage partners. (pg. 130)
Parts of physical appearance are body type and dress. No matter the culture, there are always strong reactions to people body types. But within different cultures, what is attractive and acceptable body types differ. What is fat in one culture is beautiful in another. In America most citizens are overweight, but we tend to dislike obesity. This leads to an increased number of anorexic and bulimic people.
Dress is also important. The three main factors of dress are comfort-protection, modesty and cultural display. Because dress is a nonverbal sign it serves as a sign of a persons character, whether they mean it to or not, and it often leads to peoples first impressions.
Best regards,
ImaginePeace
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Hello Imagine Peace! Good post! :) Do you think American culture would be better served if we focused less on physical appearance? Also, why is it that in the late 20th and early 21st centuries we value thinness so much? What is it about thinness that we value so much? Why do you think heavier body types have been valued in the past?
ReplyDeleteI agree with how people displaying themselves through their appearance is huge in determining their first impression they have on people. Dressing with comfort but with style and cultural display will give one more of a modest appeal to society. Peoples physical appearance is highly a determining factor when someone is trying to gain respect and attention from another person they are interacting with. Americans have a good sense of modest style and fitness its just not as common as it is in other countries. People are are going to use these factors to their advantage if they can and it a positive thing that we have been accepting because it is natural and a sign of good health.
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