Artifacts
By Megan Goeden
By Megan Goeden
In chapter five we learn a lot about the way that non-verbal influences affect our communication. I have a very strong opinion about the artifacts section and I'll explain why. "Artifacts are personal objects we use to announce our identities and heritage and to personalize our environments" (Woods 2012). These objects that we use to define ourselves can be anything from clothes to furniture and can be easily perceived as "style". These are things we use to express who we are to those around us. I can communicate to someone that they are important to me by dressing up to see them. If there was an event that was special to someone and I showed up in sweatpants they may even be offended.
These artifacts in our lives can be a great thing and they can also be a very limiting aspect to communication. Maybe some people can't afford to dress in the nicest clothes and are therefore perceived as "grungy" or "uncool". The part that catches me so personally is knowing that the nicest and most deserving people may get overlooked because they are not dressed for the part. These situations are such a laugh in the face of our culture. Throughout adolescence, artifacts play a huge. Many kids grow up noticing the objects that their friends have and the brand name of clothes. These artifacts can go as far as separating kids into different social groups and ultimately affecting their self-esteem and future. Something like an artifact may seem like a simple object but really it is quite a strong symbol to use in communication.
Below I have a video clip to express a way that artifacts can be a barrier in communication.
Works Cited
Wood, J. T. (2013). Language Defines Phenomena. In J. T. Wood, Inerpersonal Communication (p. 98). Boston: Wadsworth.
I like the statement you made about even in the caveman days we were still probably competing for who had the nicest club. I think what you are talking about is America in a single sentence - all about competetion, with looks being at the forefront of it all.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty crazy that kids are put into different social groups so young because of their clothing, especially when they aren't the ones buying the clothes. You can see why artifacts are such an important aspect of interpersonal communication. Mean girls is a great example of artifacts and style becoming a barrier in communication.
ReplyDeleteThough clothes often are perceived through a person as what socioeconomic class that individual is in, you are more than right when you say that many of them have a big heart. I have previously worked with many low income families who have more care for me and others than several people who would be considered "higher class." I am glad you brought that into perspective within this blog; you did a great job describing artifacts!
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