Definition Rewrite—PinkDuck

Posted on December 3, 2024 by pinkduck

Cellular Privacy: Harmful or builds bonds?

An environment where the person feels safe and respected is necessary especially with family, they are supposed to be the ones you call closest to you. In any family, maintaining a healthy relationship is crucial for emotional stability along with personal growth. As much as love and care are the foundation of these connections, one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of a strong family bond involves the setting of personal boundaries.

Boundaries allow for the individual(s) to interact with one another in a manner that shows they are both equal. Among these boundaries, having privacy is particularly important. Those who maintain clear personal boundaries, including phone privacy, within family relationships allow for an environment where the individual feels secure, respected, and reassured that their own space both physical and digital is heard and given. Personal boundaries are the emotional, physical, and mental limits we create in order to feel secure and define how we interact with other people such as our own family. Personal boundaries are vital in a family without them, drifts between the child and their guardian can be highly affected and turned into an unstable dynamic that doesn’t allow for any room for growth.

Setting personal boundaries does not only mean to allow your child to have their own room but also includes respecting cellular privacy. Cellular privacy is crucial for allowing children to have their own space online, where they can freely express themselves through words, posts, and interactions on social media. This sense of indepence promotes trust between parents and children, as it shows the child that they are trusted to make decisions about their digital presence.

For parents, the ultimate goal is to protect their child both from outside dangers and from potential risks in the digital world. However, the line between protection and over-suffocation can be pretty thin. When parents become too controlling or invasive, they may begin to act more like “helicopter parents” than protectors. Helicopter parents take an unhealthy amount of information from their children in order to know every single aspect of their life without allowing them to have a sense of self in their own lives.

This can create behaviors that even my very own parents adapted when I was a bit younger, such as banning certain platforms or insisting on knowing every password to monitor my every move whether it be texting my friends and wanting to know our conversations, or wanting to see my every move on social media. While these gestures may come from a place of care and concern, they can ruin trust and slow down the progress of a healthy relationship between parents and their own children. 

Over time, when the dynamic between a parent and child starts to become strained, it starts to feel as though everything you’ve known about your parents is suddenly just a false narrative. Personally, when I was younger, I would find myself doing everything I could to delay coming back home such as joining different clubs, and going out with friends whenever they offered to hangout. It was a temporary fix along with the feeling of relief.

However, the constant need to know my business and every move made my father and I’s relationship one that I wouldn’t want anyone to have. There were constant arguments whenever there seemed to be a glitch in my location, or anytime I caught him using my phone without asking me first. It was extremely frustrating to know my parents could use my phone whenever, especially when they were the ones who had created all of my passwords, including the one to unlock my phone. It felt absurd and ridiculous. While my parents would lecture me on the importance of my safety, it never felt as if it was for safety but more to have more control in my life and the things I do in my own spare time.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself to be more discreet around my parents. I tend to find ways to not allow for them to know everything that is going on with me, it makes me feel more independent due to the fact that back then I didn’t have much of it. I’ve also grown to be more distant around my parents, when there are arguments I don’t feel as angry any more. While I do wish for things to be different it’s just how things have grown to be. 

However, I’ve come to realize that most parents genuinely want to support their children in every way they can, even if it doesn’t always come across that way. Which unfortunately does lead to them often struggling to understand why their children react so negatively when they try to monitor their activities, especially when it involves something as personal as checking their phone. Parents typically see this as an act of protection, not as a disturbance or a threat to the bond they share with their child.

My father once told me, “I’d rather have you mad at me than not being able to look for you if you were to ever be lost,” I couldn’t fully understand his over-suffocating behaviors since I have no children of my own but, I took his words into account. Even though he meant well, I didn’t and still do not agree with how he invaded my phone privacy. Before even handing me my first phone, he shared my location with himself and my mom along with installing two apps to ensure I couldn’t change or hide my location. While he did this to ensure I was always safe, it felt over-controlling and caused a lot of tension between us because I saw it as a violation of my privacy.

While phone privacy might not seem like a major issue within families, restricting or taking away a child’s cellular privacy can have more harmful effects than many parents and even their children may fail to realize. What might seem like a smaller issue now has the possibility to grow into a much larger problem over the years.

References

It’s a research paper, so there’s gotta be sources.

Posted in Definition Rewrite, PinkDuck | 2 Comments

Definition—PinkDuck

Posted on December 3, 2024 by pinkduck

Cellular Privacy: Harmful or builds bonds?

An environment where the person feels safe and respected is necessary especially with family, they are supposed to be the ones you call closest to you. In any family, maintaining a healthy relationship is crucial for emotional stability along with personal growth. As much as love and care are the foundation of these connections, one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of a strong family bond involves the setting of personal boundaries. Boundaries allow for the individual(s) to interact with one another in a manner that shows they are both equal. Among these boundaries, having privacy is particularly important. Those who maintain clear personal boundaries, including phone privacy, within family relationships allow for an environment where the individual feels secure, respected, and reassured that their own space both physical and digital is heard and given. Personal boundaries are the emotional, physical, and mental limits we create in order to feel secure and define how we interact with other people such as our own family. Personal boundaries are vital in a family without them, drifts between the child and their guardian can be highly affected and turned into an unstable dynamic that doesn’t allow for any room for growth.

Setting personal boundaries does not only mean to allow your child to have their own room but also includes respecting cellular privacy. Cellular privacy is crucial for allowing children to have their own space online, where they can freely express themselves through words, posts, and interactions on social media. This sense of indepence promotes trust between parents and children, as it shows the child that they are trusted to make decisions about their digital presence. For parents, the ultimate goal is to protect their child both from outside dangers and from potential risks in the digital world. However, the line between protection and over-suffocation can be pretty thin. When parents become too controlling or invasive, they may begin to act more like “helicopter parents” than protectors. Helicopter parents take an unhealthy amount of information from their children in order to know every single aspect of their life without allowing them to have a sense of self in their own lives. This can create behaviors that even my very own parents adapted when I was a bit younger, such as banning certain platforms or insisting on knowing every password to monitor my every move whether it be texting my friends and wanting to know our conversations, or wanting to see my every move on social media. While these gestures may come from a place of care and concern, they can ruin trust and slow down the progress of a healthy relationship between parents and their own children. 

Over time, when the dynamic between a parent and child starts to become strained, it starts to feel as though everything you’ve known about your parents is suddenly just a false narrative. Personally, when I was younger, I would find myself doing everything I could to delay coming back home such as joining different clubs, and going out with friends whenever they offered to hangout. It was a temporary fix along with the feeling of relief. However, the constant need to know my business and every move made my father and I’s relationship one that I wouldn’t want anyone to have. There were constant arguments whenever there seemed to be a glitch in my location, or anytime I caught him using my phone without asking me first. It was extremely frustrating to know my parents could use my phone whenever, especially when they were the ones who had created all of my passwords, including the one to unlock my phone. It felt absurd and ridiculous. While my parents would lecture me on the importance of my safety, it never felt as if it was for safety but more to have more control in my life and the things I do in my own spare time. As I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself to be more discreet around my parents. I tend to find ways to not allow for them to know everything that is going on with me, it makes me feel more independent due to the fact that back then I didn’t have much of it. I’ve also grown to be more distant around my parents, when there are arguments I don’t feel as angry any more. While I do wish for things to be different it’s just how things have grown to be. 

However, I’ve come to realize that most parents genuinely want to support their children in every way they can, even if it doesn’t always come across that way. Which unfortunately does lead to them often struggling to understand why their children react so negatively when they try to monitor their activities, especially when it involves something as personal as checking their phone. Parents typically see this as an act of protection, not as a disturbance or a threat to the bond they share with their child. My father once told me, “I’d rather have you mad at me than not being able to look for you if you were to ever be lost,” I couldn’t fully understand his over-suffocating behaviors since I have no children of my own but, I took his words into account. Even though he meant well, I didn’t and still do not agree with how he invaded my phone privacy. Before even handing me my first phone, he shared my location with himself and my mom along with installing two apps to ensure I couldn’t change or hide my location. While he did this to ensure I was always safe, it felt over-controlling and caused a lot of tension between us because I saw it as a violation of my privacy. While phone privacy might not seem like a major issue within families, restricting or taking away a child’s cellular privacy can have more harmful effects than many parents and even their children may fail to realize. What might seem like a smaller issue now has the possibility to grow into a much larger problem over the years.

Posted in Definition Argument, PinkDuck | Leave a comment

Causal Rewrite – Softball1321

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Softball1321

Cell Phones and Broken Bonds

Despite the fact cell phones are a way of keeping us connected, the nature of these devices has created a culture of failure in our special bonds. Social media use leads to changes in communication patterns and social behaviors. We all know cell phones are apart of our daily lives, which offers us instant communication, access to different information, and even provide entertainment. However, the use of cell phones has also brought negative effects on personal relationships. 

One of the many ways cell phones negative affect relationships is through distraction. Especially in today’s world, we find many people attached to their phones, checking emails, checking social media platforms, viewing entertainment, playing games, and many more distractions. This constant engagement with our cell phones can lead to a significant reduction in the quality time spent with our partners, family members, or friends. When individuals prioritize their devices over the time spent with their loved ones, it sends a message that the relationship is not that important. Although it is not technology itself that is the biggest distraction, rather the way in which we use it has the potential to impact our connections. 

Miscommunication is another major effect of cell phones usage on relationships. Online communication, such as texting, lacks the tone and emotion of face-to-face conversations. The result of non-verbal communication can lead to misinterpretations and misunderstandings. These conflicts that come from text communication can strain the relationships we have and endure. A time where I have experienced something like this is when I was applying to a job, my friend who was also applying to the job, was related to the boss, he was his uncle. I texted my friend about hanging out, and he immediately responded with “my bad I was talking to my uncle, you’re not getting hired…jk.” Personally, that “joke” was not funny to me, and although his message intended to be humorous I perceived it as offensive, which caused me to distance myself for a little bit during the hiring process. Over time, these small miscommunications can eventually create a larger issue, which could threaten the trust and understanding between our loved ones. 

Jealousy and trust issues are also common consequences of excessive cell phone use in relationships. Social media platforms provide the easiest ways to interact with other people, even some we may not even know. These constant interactions with other people that isn’t your significant other, most definitely will lead to trust issues. For example, if your partner frequently interacts with someone of the opposite sex, which can simply be just liking their posts, can raise suspicions on the trust in the relationship and cause doubts in the other partner’s mind. This constant behavior can be overwhelming and draining to a relationship, especially because trust is one of the main factors in a relationship. 

Dependency and addiction to cell phones can further strain relationships. Relying on our cell phones for entertainment and social interaction can lead to neglecting our partners, friends, and family. As convenient as our cell phones are, they are just a major distraction to life in general. Instead of watching a movie on your phone, go to the movies with a loved one and spend time with them. Instead of texting a loved one and expecting such a quick response, talk in person. Partners spending hours on the phone can leave the other partner’s feeling lonely and disconnected. For example, especially nowadays, you see many couples out at restaurants not enjoying the time they have together. Instead, there is always one or both partners on their phone, avoiding one another. That must be such an embarrassing feeling. This lack of attention and engagement can lead to emotional distance, weakening the relationship. 

Privacy invasion is another significant issue that is caused from the over usage of cell phones in any relationship we may endure. Personal information and communication messages that are in our cell phones can lead to privacy concerns. If a loved one feels the need to check our phone without permission, it can result in a breakage of trust. As we discussed before, trust is a major factor in any relationship. Whether it is with a friend, family member, or significant other. Moreover, the constant looking at each other’s online activists can create insecurity, again, straining the relationship. 

There are many ways we can limit the use of cell phones. One is setting boundaries. Designate certain areas of time where our cell phones are off limits. This will ensure that everyone is present and engaged in the moment. Another is communicating openly. Discuss the impact of phone use on your relationship and agree on mutual goals to reduce screen time. Open communication can lead to a better understanding and commitment to change. To add on, another way is using apps wisely. There are apps designed to help manage screen time, and even the IPhone provides a way for you to see your screen time, and what apps you spend the most time on. Noticing these tools can be useful to help us stay mindful in our phone habits.

In conclusion, while cell phones offer numerous advantages, their misuse can have many effects on person relationships. Distraction, miscommunication, jealousy, dependency, and privacy invasion are just some of the main ways cell phones can threaten relationships. It is essential for all of us to set boundaries to our cell phones, and prioritize face-to-face interactions to maintain a healthy and strong social life. By being mindful of our cell phone usage we can focus on ourselves, and our loved ones. Cell phones have dramatically transformed the way we communicate, but their impact on personal relationships is more important. Although they offer convenience and connectivity, allowing us to stay in touch with everyone across the world, on the other hand, their use has been proven to weaken social bonds and personal interactions. The constant distractions, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to be always available can break our bonds. 

References 

“Effects of Mobile Technology on Human Relationships” – Abu Naser, M., & Samy, S. (2017). Effects of Mobile Technology on Human Relationships.

“How have cell phones changed us socially?” UoPeople, W. of. (2024, June 19). University of the People.

Posted in Causal Rewrite, Softball1321 | 1 Comment

2nd Person – yardie

Posted on December 3, 2024 by yardie
  1. Taxpayers wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference. Based on what parents with children who go to more expensive schools say, yes, it does.
  2. Different types of injuries occur in sports. Would objections arise if it were known that surgery performed before injury could strengthen an athlete?
  3. When a body is consumed by a drug, the individual goes to any lengths to get the drug, disregarding the consequences associated with it.
  4. Inviting Syrians causes more problems than it does in solving them.
  5. Does the idea of not actually having money on hand seem trivial?
  6. That little green piece of paper in a pocket holds no actual value beyond the cost of production, yet people work their whole lives to acquire more of those little green pieces of paper, only to deposit them in a bank.
  7. Remember, the next time a bank statement is read or a dollar bill is examined, that it represents a made-up value someone decided to set it as. Without it, the world would probably be relying on trading goods like livestock and produce.
  8. A dollar is understood to be only worth what it can buy someone.
  9. Being able to acquire money without physically holding it is similar to the concept of stone currency, as physical possession of Bitcoins is unnecessary for ownership.
  10. The American Dream often depends on financial stability, which requires acquiring these pieces of paper. Upon deeper thought, it becomes evident that life revolves around receiving money and basing existence on it.
  11. Money is an interesting concept where pursuits of it span a lifetime. The goal from the beginning of schooling is to become a part of the process of acquiring enough money to make life more fun and acceptable.
Posted in Banned 2nd Person, Yardie | 1 Comment

Research – Unicorn

Posted on December 2, 2024 by unicorn45678

Pit Bulls: Misunderstood, Not Aggressive

Pit bulls often have a bad reputation for being aggressive, but this isn’t true. A dog’s behavior all depends on how it’s raised, trained, and treated, not just the breed. When these pit bulls are well cared for they can become loving and friendly pets. Although pit bulls are seen as an aggressive breed, it’s important to know that Individuals can’t judge this breed just because of their behavior.

If a pit bull is abused or is shown aggression by their owner it may act out like any other dog, And I completely agree with this statement. In one of the articles I read “Pit bull bans and the Human factors affecting Canine behavior” it summarized how abusive behavior towards pit bulls may affect how they behave. They also mentioned how a child was mauled to death by his family dog, after this event they banned all pit bulls in their city. Before this family had this pit bull the previous owner was a teenage boy, he would often train the dog to become a street dog fighter and also abuse it as well.

These canines are known to be violent, this idea frequently overlooks the important factors that can contribute to any dog’s aggression. It’s more reasonable to think about how human behaviors have a greater influence on a dog’s behavior no matter the breed of the dog. Pit bulls’ hostility tends to be a trained habit rather than a natural one. However, If a pit bull is raised in a positive environment these canines will be taught to be more pleasant and well-behaved just like any other breed. A dog is more vulnerable to experience behavioral issues if it is mistreated, abused, or trained to be aggressive. Pit bulls are unfortunately regularly victims of careless owners who promote them in dangerous conditions, which adds to their problematic reputation.

Because of these dogs’ history, misunderstandings and fear, people often treat pit bulls harshly. As Lifestyle mentioned in an article referring to this topic:

 “Responsible ownership, proper training, and a loving environment can make a huge difference in a dog’s behavior, regardless of its breed.” 

These breeds of dogs were popular in illegal dogfights, they were bred to be tough and strong. Pit bulls needed to be aggressive to survive in these hostile environments. However this made many people start believing that all pit bulls are naturally vicious because of news reports about dogfights and attacks involving these animals.

The way people think of pit bulls are strongly influenced by the media. Attacks by other dogs tend to receive less attention than those with pit bulls. Just by hearing or seeing these allegations in the media, people start  to treat pit bulls strangely or even cruelly as a result of this growing anxiety. This anxiety that is created by the media has serious consequences. The public’s fear is influenced by dramatic stories and often overlooked by reality. The media has a major effect on how people think about dog attacks, They only talk about specific events instead of blaming the breed as a whole. This he 

If pit bulls are shown the proper attention, kindness, and affection, they can recover from being mistreated and neglected. As Butzke stated in an article: 

Positive training methods are especially important when trying to build trust with a dog that has experienced abuse. The last thing a traumatized dog needs is any form of punishment, which may cause them to shut down or become aggressive. When dealing with challenging behavior, remember that your dog does not “know better.” They need your guidance and lots of encouragement when they get something right!

 However, Creating an enjoyable, peaceful and safe environment for children is the first step. Since abused dogs often suffer from fear and dread, having a calm environment where they feel safe helps their process of healing. Helping a pit bull recover requires patience as well. Having a regular feeding, walking, and training schedule might help the dog regain the trust of people, however it might take some time. To show to the dog that they are no longer in danger, the owner or keeper must handle them kindly and react composedly. Another way that may help abused pit bulls would be reward training. This includes giving the dog goodies, compliments, or affection when they behave well. This kind of teaching allows the dog to learn freely, which is important for abused dogs in particular.

Based on their history, the ability to fight and the way they often appear in the media results in pit bulls being more aggressive than average dogs. Pit bulls have a reputation for being violent dogs since they were originally made for power and fighting. Pit bulls are considered to be more dangerous than other breeds because of their strong jaws and muscular appearance, which can result in more serious injuries when they attack. Attacks by pit bulls are often reported in the media and it starts giving the idea that they are more likely than other dogs to be involved in violent situations. 

The negative opinion of pit bulls has been encouraged by these limited reporting and breed-specific laws. However, it’s very important to realize that pit bulls and other dogs’ aggression is influenced by a majority of factors, this includes safe surroundings, training, and proper care. The same factors that have an impact within all dogs also impact pit bulls’ behavior even though they might be more capable of doing more harm during an attack. Pit bulls are not always aggressive than other dogs, however with the appropriate training, and careful management they can make kind and caring pets.

Pitbulls are often misunderstood due to their reputation and how they’ve been portrayed. This view usually overlooks important elements that may lead to any dog’s aggression, even if pit bulls are well known for being violent dogs. Instead of blaming them as a breed, we should consider that human behaviors have an impact on this breed behaves.

Abuse, neglect, and poor instruction can have a stronger influence on how a dog reacts to certain situation. Many pit bulls had been bred to fight other dogs because of their strength and commitment, however breeders also like dogs to be more trustworthy around other people. This requires choosing a dog that is pleasant and faithful, all these traits were bred into dogs to make them responsive to people. Pit bulls have a reputation for getting along with people, and, as a result of that, they weren’t bred to be aggressive. People just have that idea about these dogs because of what they hear and see. As Enos stated in an article related to this topic:

They were bred as working dogs and family companions prior to being bred to bull bait and then dog fight. Animal aggression and human aggression are not synonymous in the canine world, as they are in the human world, and it is often difficult for people that are unfamiliar with the breed/s to understand that dog-aggressive does not mean human aggressive.

Pit bulls are naturally friendly and sociable due to their breeding ability to work with people. Pit bulls are well known for their loyalty and have an urge to develop close relationship with their owners. These animals are friendly and loving when they are brought up in a structured and caring environment. Many owners’ experiences with pit bulls are not often aware with the fact that they are inherently dangerous, in reality pit bulls are no different from any breed of dog, with the proper care and training these dogs can develop to be decent dogs. As Rain mentioned in an article: 

There hasn’t been any evidence to show that Pit Bull breeds are more aggressive than other dogs, and in fact, studies actually show the opposite. Temperament tests by the American Temperament Test Society measure each breeds ability to positively interact with humans in different situations, and Pit Bull breeds each scored at 85% or higher, which is better than the general dog population

How a dog is raised makes a big impact on how they behave. Pit bulls are no different from other breeds in regard to this. A dog’s behavior is greatly influenced by how it is handled, trained, and cared for, however if a dog is abused, ignored, and taught to be harsh, it may become hostile. Many people tend to point the finger at the dog, and in reality, it’s not the dog’s fault that he behaves this way it’s how the dogs owners treat their pets. As Rain explained in this reading:

Another study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior compared canine aggression in Golden Retrievers, known for being sweet, docile and loving, with Pit Bull breeds and found no differences whatsoever.

Pit bulls that are raised in safe and caring environments tend to be properly trained and well behaved. They also become very passionate, entertaining and great family pets as well. Even when it comes to kids many pit bull owners will tell you that their dog is very affectionate and kind. Pit bulls are just like other dogs that live in a clean and well-trained socialized home. Socialization is also a very important factor for dogs so that they can interact safely with both animals and humans. Pit bulls usually show hostility as an outcome of how their being treated, not just because they are innately violent. It’s important to not pay attention to these stereotypes and realize that pits bull require proper training, socialization, and a loving home just like any other dog. As Alex states in this text:

Due to their history ‍and use in dogfighting, Pitbulls have ​gained ‍a negative reputation in some circles. This can‌ lead to prejudice and discrimination against the breed, making it challenging⁣ for‌ owners to find proper training resources and support. Overcoming these stigmas and providing a positive training environment for⁢ Pitbulls is essential‌ in their overall success.

Pit bulls or any dog in pictural cannot control how they react to certain situation. Pit bulls usually show a pleasant and polite attitude when they receive proper care and are raised in a welcoming household. If they are not given proper care any dog might turn hostile. A dog may become aggressive as a form of defense or a response to fear if it has been neglected, mistreated, or trained to be mean. This does not mean that the dog is inherently hostile, it indicates that negative events have influenced its behavior. As Enos states in an article relate to this topic:

Animal aggression and human aggression are not synonymous in the canine world, as they are in the human world, and it is often difficult for people that are unfamiliar with the breed/s to understand that dog-aggressive does not mean human aggressive. Even breeders who selected dogs for reproduction specifically for dog fighting would not tolerate dogs that showed any signs of aggression; they had to be able to pull their dog out of a fight without getting bitten, and to trust the dog with the family at the end of the day.

Not just pit bulls but all dogs share this trait. Because pit bulls were used to guard dogs and street fighting dogs many people believe that these dogs are the most various dogs ever. Although it may seem like it, but this isn’t their fault, blaming the breed for human behavior is just unfair. The main point of this is that all dogs including pit bulls require training and care in order for them to show that they are genuine and kind pets. They are as lively and friendly animal, as any other breed if they are raised properly. The way how their treated by their owners has a greater impact on their behavior than their breed.

Many Individuals believe that pit bulls are naturally aggressive, however this isn’t the case. This thought comes from thinks like myths, fear and lack of acknowledgement from these breeds. It’s often sad to see what these breeds have to go through all because of what people think about them. If individuals did more research and look at the important factors about this breed, it’s very clear that pit bulls are not born aggressive. It all depends on how they are trained, raised, and treated. Indvidual’s often forget that they’re the main cause of their dog’s aggression, however just by taking your time to truly understand what these pit bulls have to go through, will give you a better understanding that this breed is not the main issue in this case.

People often say that pit bulls are dangerous because of their breed, however, there has been no proof found that pit bulls are aggressive because of this. If the dog is being abused and neglect at home by their owners, it’s pretty obvious that they’re going to have a sense of reaction to it. The way they reaction to these types of situations may be attacking other dogs and human being. As Rain mentioned in an article:

There hasn’t been any evidence to show that Pit Bull breeds are more aggressive than other dogs, and in fact, studies actually show the opposite. Temperament tests by the American Temperament Test Society measure each breeds ability to positively interact with humans in different situations, and Pit Bull breeds each scored at 85% or higher, which is better than the general dog population

Dogs acts the way they were raised, If the owner isn’t training their dog well enough it may become aggressive no matter what breed the dog is. Some people raise their pit bulls to become street fighting dogs or to scare other people and dogs away, which tends to make it seem like pit bulls are the real problem. The real problem in this situation is the owners of these poor dogs. However, if pit bulls are raised in a caring and loving home none of these allegations would be put on them because they wouldn’t be seen as aggressive dogs, they would be seen as loving and playful dogs instead. Many pit bulls are sweet, calm and good with children as well. Most people probably didn’t know this, but pit bulls also work as therapy dogs, service dogs and even recuse dogs. How a dog of any bred is treated has an impact on how they behave. As Rain explained this factor in an article:

Another study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior compared canine aggression in Golden Retrievers, known for being sweet, docile and loving, with Pit Bull breeds and found no differences whatsoever.

Being strong and looking muscular has nothing to do with dogs being dangerous and harmful. Studies show that smaller dogs are actually more likely to bite others than pit bulls. The media also plays apart on how we see these dogs as a bred, if a dog attack happens the media is so quick to make it big news. However, if it were another bred that took part in a dog attack the media wouldn’t give it as much attention as they would with pit bulls. It’s really sad that this bred has to go through this, this tends to create fear, and it starts to spread the idea that pit bulls are dangerous dogs and worse than others. As Eastman stated in an article:

 One common misconception is that all pit bulls are aggressive or dangerous; however, this could not be further from the truth. In reality, most pit bulls are gentle companions who can make wonderful additions to any family if given proper training and socialization.

Many cities and town like to ban pit bulls so that they can decrease dog attacks. However, research shows that banning pit bulls doesn’t help make communities a safer environment. Instead of banning these breeds for a safer environment Individuals should focus on how to care for their dogs. If anything, the law should hold careless owners accountable for their dogs’ actions. As Kennedy mentioned in an article related to this topic:

critics argue that BSL is ineffective and unfairly targets specific breeds rather than addressing the root causes of aggressive behavior, which often stem from factors such as poor training, neglect, or abuse by irresponsible owners. This is why pit bulls should not be banned, instead, efforts should focus on promoting responsible pet ownership and proper training.

There are many events where pit bulls were seen as great dogs. For example, A pit bull name Sergeant Stubby helped soldiers in the battle and also saved some of their lives. And now pits bulls work as service dogs, therapy dogs, emotional support animals, and in search and rescue teams. Pit bulls also save lives in their homes as well, there has been several cases on the media on how pit bulls would protect children, warn their owners about any fires or danger that take place in the home. Majority of these stories prove that Pitbull’s are loving and caring animals.

In conclusion, Pit bulls are not intentionally aggressive by nature. How they act all depends on how they’re treated, just like any other dog. If they’re raised in a caring and loving environment, they can be sweet, loyal, and friendly animals who form strong bonds with their families. Instead of blaming pit bulls as a breed, individuals should start focusing on how to take care of their dogs and understand their specific needs. Proper training, socialization, and partaking in positive activities plays a big role in shaping their behavior. Every dog has its own personality and deserves an opportunity to improve. Pit bulls like all breeds, can be gentle companions if given the right upbringing and care. They have so much love to give and they often seek to please their owners. It’s time to stop judging them unfairly based on stereotypes and instead, recognize them for the loving pets they can be. Each pit bull has the potential to be a wonderful part of a family.

References

The Woof (2024) 7 Reasons Pit Bulls Aren’t as Scary as Everyone Thinks. Lifestyle https://thewoof.org/animal-welfare/7-reasons-pit-bulls-arent-as-scary-as-everyone-thinks

Dr. Sharon Butzke (2024) How to help an Abused Dog Recover: 8 Tips and Tricks. Hepper Blog https://www.hepper.com/how-to-help-an-abused-dog-recover-vet-answer/

Sara K. Enos (2014). The Problem With People, Not Pit bull. TIME https://time.com/2927759/the-problem-with-people-not-pit-bulls/

Oil Alex (2024). The Truth About Training Pitbulls: Tips and Challenges. https://www.oliandalex.com/the-truth-about-training-pitbulls-tips-and-challenges/

Kim Rain (2021). The Truth About Pit Bulls: Dispelling Myths About This Misunderstood Breed. The Daily Wag https://wagwalking.com/daily/the-truth-about-pit-bulls-dispelling-myths-about-this-misunderstood-breed

Alexis Kennedy (2024) Why Pit Bulls Should Not Be Banned. https://woundedpawproject.org/bsl/pit-bulls-should-not-be-banned/

Amanda Eastman (2023) Should Pit Bulls Be Banned? Examining the Pros and Cons.

Posted in Portfolio Unicorn, Research Position Paper, Unicorn | 1 Comment

Research—Softball1321

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Softball1321

Cell Phones and Broken Bonds

The use of cell phones ruins relationships between friends, family, partners, or any person you share a connection with. Communication over the phone is not healthy. Face to face confrontation is radically superior. These cell phone devices can offer significant risks to the quality of personal interactions. 

The use of cell phones “ruins” relationships means that it causes significant harm to the quality or strength of a relationship. While it is agreeable that cell phones are very useful for communication, it can destroy a relationship in many ways. One of the most important factors of a relationship is being able to understand each other and their feelings, although this is very difficult via text. 

The meaning of communication is where “one individual conveys their thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and emotions to another individual in different meaningful or even non meaningful situations.” Communication exchange carries additional weight in the context of romantic relationships, where ineffective communication between partners can lead to many problems that threaten the relationship. For example, if you are having a disagreement with someone through messages, it is almost impossible to understand their tone of voice, simply because they are not speaking. 

It is important to be able to visibly notice someone’s body language or tone of voice while interacting with them. Being able to notice these things is crucial because it provides additional information on what someone is saying beyond just texting. Facial expressions, gestures, even posture is essential in a meaningful conversation. These things may not be evident in words verbally, but definitely not in words via text messages. Tone of voice conveys many emotions and attitudes that someone may have. It is easier to notice if a conversation is warm and inviting or critical and angry through the tone of an individual’s voice. Paying attention to these little things is important to have a meaningful conversation that can maintain a possibly healthy relationship. 

Although there can be both positive and negative influences on using a cell phone as a way of communication, technology introduces a potential to misinterpret messages between close connections, which can lead to a downfall in the relationship. Communication via text can cause a decrease in intimacy levels in a relationship by misinterpretation or not being able to understand your partner’s feelings. 

The dependency on cell phones for social interaction can destroy the development of essential relationship skills. Active listening is such an important factor for building and maintaining relationships. Although it can be useful to talk through a problem with your partner via text in a quick manner, overusing it can be harmful to the relationship. It is hard to constantly explain yourself with your two thumbs and a cell phone, rather than just speaking. Text messaging lacks the non-verbal signals that are crucial for conveying emotions and intentions. 

Computer-mediated communication are not replacements for normal face-to-face conversations. Obviously communication via text is non-verbal, but how can you understand an individual’s thoughts or feelings if you can’t even listen to them? Studies have shown that the higher the share of texting out of all the communication, the less satisfied people are with their relationship. This is the definition of the concept that the use of cell phone communication ruins connections. 

When individuals spend more time on their phone, it is easy to neglect in person experiences or activities that you can share with your partner. Experiencing different things together with your significant other, family, or friends is very essential for building and maintaining a strong bond. If you are constantly on your phone and not enjoying the moment with whomever you are with, it can cause an emotional distance between your relationships. 

For instance, when couples spend excessive time on their phone during shared activities, such as going out to lunch or going to a store, something that is so little yet meaningful, they miss out on opportunities to engage in special conversations or experiences. The feeling of knowing your partner’s phone is more important to them than a conversation with you, can lead to isolation and loneliness. Overtime, the lack of genuine interaction can lead to emotional distance or even dissatisfaction in the relationship. 

As we all know, cell phones are a big distraction. Either when you are at work, in class, or even talking to someone, it is easy to get distracted by a notification on your phone. Specifically when you are having a meaningful conversation with someone you share a genuine connection with, constant notifications, calls, and messages can disrupt that conversation you are having and cause frustration which then leads to neglect and then other negative feelings that person may endure. It can be easily shown if your partner is more interested in their phone then you. 

Furthermore, social media is obviously a large contributor to consequences in a relationship, specifically a lover relationship. Popular platforms, mainly Snapchat or Instagram, often portray pictures of people that your significant other may come across and heart. Seeing that your significant other has “liked” or “double clicked” someone else’s picture that isn’t yours, can create unrealistic expectations that you may feel pressured to live up to the “perfect” picture they encountered through social media. 

It is very arguable that cell phones offer numerous benefits. Although, the overuse of cell phones has many negative effects. Miscommunication, distraction, and a decrease in productivity with your partner are just some of the few ways cell phones have negative consequences in different relationships. It is important that individuals need to set boundaries for their use of cell phones, especially in important and meaningful situations. Being fully present in any situation shows respect and appreciation for the experience. Being able to put the phone down shows that you value the time or moment, whether it is a special event, deep conversation, or simply spending time with loved ones. I believe it is important to minimize distractions and prioritize more face-to-face interactions rather than computer-mediated interactions to maintain and build a fulfilling relationship. 

Social media use leads to changes in communication patterns and social behaviors. We all know cell phones are apart of our daily lives, which offers us instant communication, access to different information, and even provide entertainment. However, the use of cell phones has also brought negative effects on personal relationships. 

One of the many ways cell phones negative affect relationships is through distraction. Especially in today’s world, we find many people attached to their phones, checking emails, checking social media platforms, viewing entertainment, playing games, and many more distractions. This constant engagement with our cell phones can lead to a significant reduction in the quality time spent with our partners, family members, or friends. When individuals prioritize their devices over the time spent with their loved ones, it sends a message that the relationship is not that important. Although it is not technology itself that is the biggest distraction, rather the way in which we use it has the potential to impact our connections. 

Miscommunication is another major effect of cell phones usage on relationships. Online communication, such as texting, lacks the tone and emotion of face-to-face conversations. The result of non-verbal communication can lead to misinterpretations and misunderstandings. These conflicts that come from text communication can strain the relationships we have and endure. A perfect example of this is simply just texting a friend a simple joke, although your friend may have taken it a different way. A message intended to be humorous might be perceived as offensive, which will cause unnecessary problems. Additionally, the length of text messages can cause incomplete or unclear communication, stretching the result of misunderstanding. Over time, these small miscommunications can eventually create a larger issue, which could threaten the trust and understanding between our loved ones. 

Jealousy and trust issues are also common consequences of excessive cell phone use in relationships. Social media platforms provide the easiest ways to interact with other people, even some we may not even know. These constant interactions with other people that isn’t your significant other, most definitely will lead to trust issues. For example, if your partner frequently interacts with someone of the opposite sex, which can simply be just liking their posts, can raise suspicions on the trust in the relationship and cause doubts in the other partner’s mind. This constant behavior can be overwhelming and draining to a relationship, especially because trust is one of the main factors in a relationship. 

Dependency and addiction to cell phones can further strain relationships. Relying on our cell phones for entertainment and social interaction can lead to neglecting our partners, friends, and family. As convenient as our cell phones are, they are just a major distraction to life in general. Instead of watching a movie on your phone, go to the movies with a loved one and spend time with them. Instead of texting a loved one and expecting such a quick response, talk in person. Partners spending hours on the phone can leave the other partner’s feeling lonely and disconnected. For example, especially nowadays, you see many couples out at restaurants not enjoying the time they have together. Instead, there is always one or both partners on their phone, avoiding one another. That must be such an embarrassing feeling. This lack of attention and engagement can lead to emotional distance, weakening the relationship. 

Privacy invasion is another significant issue that is caused from the over usage of cell phones in any relationship we may endure. Personal information and communication messages that are in our cell phones can lead to privacy concerns. If a loved one feels the need to check our phone without permission, it can result in a breakage of trust. As we discussed before, trust is a major factor in any relationship. Whether it is with a friend, family member, or significant other. Moreover, the constant looking at each other’s online activists can create insecurity, again, straining the relationship. 

There are many ways we can limit the use of cell phones. One is setting boundaries. Designate certain areas of time where our cell phones are off limits. This will ensure that everyone is present and engaged in the moment. Another is communicating openly. Discuss the impact of phone use on your relationship and agree on mutual goals to reduce screen time. Open communication can lead to a better understanding and commitment to change. To add on, another way is using apps wisely. There are apps designed to help manage screen time, and even the IPhone provides a way for you to see your screen time, and what apps you spend the most time on. Noticing these tools can be useful to help us stay mindful in our phone habits.

While cell phones offer numerous advantages, their misuse can have many effects on person relationships. Distraction, miscommunication, jealousy, dependency, and privacy invasion are just some of the main ways cell phones can threaten relationships. It is essential for all of us to set boundaries to our cell phones, and prioritize face-to-face interactions to maintain a healthy and strong social life. By being mindful of our cell phone usage we can focus on ourselves, and our loved ones. Cell phones have dramatically transformed the way we communicate, but their impact on personal relationships is more important. Although they offer convenience and connectivity, allowing us to stay in touch with everyone across the world, on the other hand, their use has been proven to weaken social bonds and personal interactions. The constant distractions, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to be always available can break our bonds.

It is true that the use of cell phones can be a distraction from face-to-face interactions, which can possibly ruin relationships between friends, family, partners, or any person that we have a shared connection with. Although, it is important to recognize that these devices can actually enhance and strengthen our relationships. 

Firstly, cell phones provide us a way in staying connected with loved ones, regardless of distance. In the past, maintaining relationships with friends and family who lived far away required significant effort which made it much more difficult to stay connected. In today’s world, cell phones allow us to communicate instantly through phone calls, messaging, and various apps that are used to communicate all across the world. Keeping in touch constantly helps close the gap created by long distance. For example, a person living in a different country can easily stay in touch with their family or friends back home, and consistently keep them updated on their everyday life. The level of connectivity can strengthen and maintain relationships and bonds we have without having to worry about the struggles of long distance. 

Moreover, cell phones enable us to maintain friendships and relationships through social media platforms. Different platforms provide us to share our experiences and milestones with a bigger audience, including friends and family members. Engaging with each other’s posts can show support, possibly offer encouragement, and also celebrate each other’s achievements. For instance, if a friend moved to a different city, state, or country, sharing their experiences and friends and family liking their posts, or positively commenting on them can give them a sense of belonging and make them feel like they are still connected with their loved ones. 

In addition, cell phones can enhance relationships by using special apps to strengthen bonds. For example, there are apps that offer relationship advice, communication exercises, and ideas to improve relationships. Such tools can help couples navigate challenges and strengthen their relationship skills, which can create a longer and fulfilling partnership. On the other hand, we can find many apps that can help families stay organized, such as shared calendars, task lists, and messaging platforms. By using these different apps, families and people in intimate relationships can improve their communication and coordination, ensuring that everyone feels supported. 

Cell phones can play a crucial role in maintaining relationships during times of emergency. For example, if something happened to a friend, family members, or any loved one, help can just be one call away. Cell phones can be a lifeline. They allow us to quickly reach out to loved ones, check on their safety and offer tons of support. The ability to offer and receive reassurance in situations where it is immediate is valuable to maintaining strong relationships. 

It is also important to know that cell phones allow us to stay organized which is essential in maintaining strong and healthy relationships. Being organized helps us keep track of plans, remember important dates, and generally show that you care. Being organized makes it easier to stay on top of your friends and family’s when they need it. Itis a way of showing reliability and respect for their time, which is undoubtedly important to keep a healthy relationship with your loved ones. 

While it is important to recognize the values of cell phones, it should also be noted that we should not rely on these devices on every situation that occurs in a relationship. It is important to acknowledge that cell phones can have a negative impact on relationships if used improperly. Excessive screen time, constant notifications during personal times, the negative uses of social media platforms, and the temptation to check our phones in conversations can all degrade from the quality of our relationships with the use of cell phones. However, these issues have nothing to do with the technology itself, but rather how we intend to use it. By being mindful of our phones usage and setting boundaries, we can minimize the negative effects that the overuse of cell phones can cause and allow us to enhance our relationships, rather than block them. 

When individuals spend more time on their phone, it is easy to neglect in person experiences or activities that you can share with your partner. Experiencing different things together with your significant other, family, or friends is very essential for building and maintaining a strong bond. If we are constantly on our phone and not enjoying the moment with whomever we are with, it can cause an emotional distance between your relationships. For instance, when couples spend excessive time on their phone during shared activities, such as going out to lunch or going to a store, something that is so little yet meaningful, they miss out on opportunities to engage in special conversations or experiences. The feeling of knowing your partner’s phone is more important to them than a conversation with you, can lead to isolation and loneliness. Overtime, the lack of genuine interaction can lead to emotional distance or even dissatisfaction in the relationship. 

As we all know, cell phones are a big distraction. Either when you are at work, in class, or even talking to someone, it is easy to get distracted by a notification on your phone. Specifically when we are having a meaningful conversation with someone we share a genuine connection with, constant notifications, calls, and messages can disrupt that conversation we were having and cause frustration which then leads to neglect and then other negative feelings that person may endure. It can be easily shown if our partner is more interested in their phone then us.

Arguably, cell phones offer numerous benefits. Although, the overuse of cell phones has many negative effects. Miscommunication, distraction, and a decrease in productivity with our partner are just some of the few ways cell phones have negative consequences in different relationships. It is important that individuals need to set boundaries for their use of cell phones, especially in important and meaningful situations. Being fully present in any situation shows respect and appreciation for the experience. Being able to put the phone down shows that we value the time or moment, whether it is a special event, deep conversation, or simply spending time with loved ones. I believe it is important to minimize distractions and prioritize more face-to-face interactions rather than computer-mediated interactions to maintain and build a fulfilling relationship. 

In conclusion, while it’s true that the use of cell phones can have a negative impact on relationships if used improperly, it is important to know that they also offer opportunities to enhance and strengthen our bonds with friends, family, and partners. By providing constant connectivity, communication through social media platforms, offering tools for building relationships, and acting as a lifeline in emergency situations, cell phones can play a crucial role in maintaining and fulfilling long and healthy relationships.

References

“Effects of Mobile Technology on Human Relationships” – Abu Naser, M., & Samy, S. (2017). Effects of Mobile Technology on Human Relationships.

“How have cell phones changed us socially?” UoPeople, W. of. (2024, June 19). University of the People. 

“What Is Your Phone Doing to You Relationships?” Roberts―Meredith David and James, Dec. 2024. 

“Cellphones help build stronger relationships.” De Lima, N., & De Lima, N. (2020, September 4). Cellphones help build stronger relationships.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958821000361(2021, April 29). A daily-diary study on the effects of face-to-face communication, texting, and their interplay on understanding and relationship satisfaction. Computers in Human Behavior Reports.


“How our phones impact our relationships – Beverly Hills therapy group”. (2023, February 5). Beverly Hills Therapy Group | Counseling and Mental Health. https://bhtherapygroup.com/how-our-phones-impact-our-relationships/ 

Whats Your Cell Phone Doing to Your Relationship – SMART Couples – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS. https://smartcouples.ifas.ufl.edu/dating/communicating-with-your-partner/whats-your-cell-phone-doing-to-your-relationship/ 

Posted in Portfolio Softball, Research Position Paper, Softball1321 | 2 Comments

Causal Argument – Softball1321

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Softball1321

Cell Phones and Broken Bonds

Social media use leads to changes in communication patterns and social behaviors. We all know cell phones are apart of our daily lives, which offers us instant communication, access to different information, and even provide entertainment. However, the use of cell phones has also brought negative effects on personal relationships.

One of the many ways cell phones negative affect relationships is through distraction. Especially in today’s world, we find many people attached to their phones, checking emails, checking social media platforms, viewing entertainment, playing games, and many more distractions. This constant engagement with our cell phones can lead to a significant reduction in the quality time spent with our partners, family members, or friends. When individuals prioritize their devices over the time spent with their loved ones, it sends a message that the relationship is not that important. Although it is not technology itself that is the biggest distraction, rather the way in which we use it has the potential to impact our connections.

Miscommunication is another major effect of cell phones usage on relationships. Online communication, such as texting, lacks the tone and emotion of face-to-face conversations. The result of non-verbal communication can lead to misinterpretations and misunderstandings. These conflicts that come from text communication can strain the relationships we have and endure. A perfect example of this is simply just texting a friend a simple joke, although your friend may have taken it a different way. A message intended to be humorous might be perceived as offensive, which will cause unnecessary problems. Additionally, the length of text messages can cause incomplete or unclear communication, stretching the result of misunderstanding. Over time, these small miscommunications can eventually create a larger issue, which could threaten the trust and understanding between our loved ones.

Jealousy and trust issues are also common consequences of excessive cell phone use in relationships. Social media platforms provide the easiest ways to interact with other people, even some we may not even know. These constant interactions with other people that isn’t your significant other, most definitely will lead to trust issues. For example, if your partner frequently interacts with someone of the opposite sex, which can simply be just liking their posts, can raise suspicions on the trust in the relationship and cause doubts in the other partner’s mind. This constant behavior can be overwhelming and draining to a relationship, especially because trust is one of the main factors in a relationship.

Dependency and addiction to cell phones can further strain relationships. Relying on our cell phones for entertainment and social interaction can lead to neglecting our partners, friends, and family. As convenient as our cell phones are, they are just a major distraction to life in general. Instead of watching a movie on your phone, go to the movies with a loved one and spend time with them. Instead of texting a loved one and expecting such a quick response, talk in person. Partners spending hours on the phone can leave the other partner’s feeling lonely and disconnected. For example, especially nowadays, you see many couples out at restaurants not enjoying the time they have together. Instead, there is always one or both partners on their phone, avoiding one another. That must be such an embarrassing feeling. This lack of attention and engagement can lead to emotional distance, weakening the relationship.

Privacy invasion is another significant issue that is caused from the over usage of cell phones in any relationship we may endure. Personal information and communication messages that are in our cell phones can lead to privacy concerns. If a loved one feels the need to check our phone without permission, it can result in a breakage of trust. As we discussed before, trust is a major factor in any relationship. Whether it is with a friend, family member, or significant other. Moreover, the constant looking at each other’s online activists can create insecurity, again, straining the relationship.

There are many ways we can limit the use of cell phones. One is setting boundaries. Designate certain areas of time where our cell phones are off limits. This will ensure that everyone is present and engaged in the moment. Another is communicating openly. Discuss the impact of phone use on your relationship and agree on mutual goals to reduce screen time. Open communication can lead to a better understanding and commitment to change. To add on, another way is using apps wisely. There are apps designed to help manage screen time, and even the IPhone provides a way for you to see your screen time, and what apps you spend the most time on. Noticing these tools can be useful to help us stay mindful in our phone habits.

In conclusion, while cell phones offer numerous advantages, their misuse can have many effects on person relationships. Distraction, miscommunication, jealousy, dependency, and privacy invasion are just some of the main ways cell phones can threaten relationships. It is essential for all of us to set boundaries to our cell phones, and prioritize face-to-face interactions to maintain a healthy and strong social life. By being mindful of our cell phone usage we can focus on ourselves, and our loved ones. Cell phones have dramatically transformed the way we communicate, but their impact on personal relationships is more important. Although they offer convenience and connectivity, allowing us to stay in touch with everyone across the world, on the other hand, their use has been proven to weaken social bonds and personal interactions. The constant distractions, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to be always available can break our bonds.

References

“Effects of Mobile Technology on Human Relationships” – Abu Naser, M., & Samy, S. (2017). Effects of Mobile Technology on Human Relationships.

“How have cell phones changed us socially?” UoPeople, W. of. (2024, June 19). University of the People.

Posted in Causal Draft, Softball1321 | 4 Comments

Rebuttal Rewrite- iloveme5

Posted on December 2, 2024 by iloveme5

Rethinking Human Emotions

In the debate on the nature of emotions, arguments that separate emotions as an internal and personal phenomenon to make them entirely biologically driven ignore the contribution of social, cultural, and physical environments in determining our feelings and emotions. For example, the norms of a culture explain how emotions are to be enacted and interpreted. Although in all cultures it varies, In some cultures, individuals are socialized to suppress their emotions-for example, anger or sadness whereas in others, most forms of emotional expression are more tolerated. This proves that emotions are biologically and socially influenced by the surrounding culture in which the individual lives.

Moreover, it’s basic to suggest that emotions can be divided into clear categories and neatly packaged as distinct, universal states such as “anger” or “happiness.”. Research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that emotions are much more complex and fluid than this approach would imply. For example, emotions such as sadness and fear might share some overlapping underlying neuroanatomy, making diagnostic boundaries challenging to cut clearly. Further, people frequently report experiencing multiple emotions simultaneously, challenging the discrete, definite conception of emotions. One may feel happy and sad when thinking over a bittersweet memory, such as leaving a familiar home for a new life. This complexity points to the need for more theories attempting to reduce emotions to a fixed set of types or reactions.

On the contrary, focusing only on the biological side of emotions ignores how much our thoughts influence how we feel. Cognitive appraisal theories are based on the idea that emotions result not directly from automatic biological responses to an event but from a person’s interpretation and evaluation. One might consider a neutral experience, such as receiving critical feedback at work, as threatening and feeling anxious or defensive. Instead, one might appraise this experience as an opportunity for growth and feel motivated or determined. In this example, emotions are occasioned by biological responses and mental frameworks through which we understand the world and make sense of what happens to us. By leaving out the cognitive aspect, we only see emotions as biological reactions, without understanding how people think about and react to situations.

In conclusion, the view of emotions as internal processes must also recognize the key role that social interactions play in emotional development and regulation. Emotions are not experienced in isolation but are deeply connected to relationships with others. From early childhood, humans rely on their parents/caregivers and social environments to learn how to regulate and express their emotions. Emotional intelligence demonstrates that understanding, managing, and responding to emotions in social situations is crucial for mental health and healthy relationships. People often reflect and imitate the emotional states of those around them, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion. This social side of emotion shows that emotions are not just internal feelings, but deeply influenced by social interactions. To truly understand them, we need to consider both their biological basis and the social contexts in which they arise.

References

Posted in GRADED, ILoveMe5, Portfolio ILoveMe5, Rebuttal Rewrite | 4 Comments

Research paper- iloveme5

Posted on December 2, 2024 by iloveme5

The Complexity of the Human Mind

Emotions are fundamental aspects of human life; they influence our thoughts, actions, behaviors and more. Emotions specifically play a crucial role in how we engage with others and ourselves. While all humans experience different types of emotions, the way emotions are expressed differs among individuals, which could be due to several reasons. From how an individual was raised, other situations can vary from male to female. Human emotions are perceived differently and experienced differently, and a person’s expression and perception can change in certain situations. 

To begin with, as humans, we naturally tend to hide our vulnerabilities out of fear of appearing weak. However, when we observe others being open and vulnerable, we often view them as strong for doing so. It’s evident that the human mind perceives emotions differently, but the reasons behind this variation remain a mystery regarding how different emotions are expressed. The mind can be deceptive, influencing how we experience specific emotions, the variety of emotional states with how we view them, including the different types of tears, the perception of emotion through text, and how language perceives emotions. In an article on the National Library of Medicine’s website called, The Role of Emotion Regulation in the Experience and Expression of Emotion, scientists conducted a study that explores the concept of emotional regulation and its impact on how emotions are perceived and expressed. The article also highlights the influence of individual differences and how people regulate their emotions. The article concludes that while some individuals excel in emotional regulation, others can improve with practice.

Understanding emotions can be complex, encompassing a range of feelings, from joy and love to anger and sadness. Therefore, humans tend to confuse our vulnerabilities for fear of weakness or our expressions and actions for vulnerability. Emotions are crucial for human expression, but emotions can be viewed differently. The human mind is wired to perceive emotion, yet how the different emotions come into play is a mystery, as far as expression goes. The mind can play tricks on the human body to modulate feelings of emotion, the breadth of emotional states, and, particularly, the variety of tears. Anja J. Laan, in the journal of Individual Differences in Adult Crying: The Role of Attachment Styles, conducted a study on adults and their crying behaviors and emotional attachment styles (anxious, secure, disorganized, etc.) and how individuals with a secure attachment style had different emotional reactions to those with an anxious attachment style. The study also highlights that the frequency and intensity of crying can serve as a coping mechanism for specific individuals. The study concludes that attachment styles in adults significantly influence how individuals use crying to cope with their emotional distress.

In addition, Judith Rosenhouse, in the Journal of Phonetics: A preliminary report: an analysis of some types of a baby’s cries, conducted a study in which the different cries and tears of a baby were monitored and categorized. “In the present study, different cries of an individual baby are examined in order to better understand the differences between cries which are apparently stimulated by different causes.” Infants express themselves through cries and tears, and adults do the same in their own ways. Studying these emotions, both in humans and scenarios, is bound to provide a broader understanding of emotions and their relationship to human psychology. “Crying, as an infant’s primary mode of communication, provides significant information about their emotional and physical well-being, but this information is often misunderstood without careful analysis.” Rosenhouse highlights the importance of categorizing of infant tears in order to interpret their cries better and respond more effectively. This study could also be relevant to adults, helping us better understand and respond to individuals’ emotions.

Emotions are complex psychological states characterized by three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response. Primary emotions are typically happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. These feelings are usually short-term and appear because of different stimuli. Primary emotions play an adaptive role and promote survival. For example, fear can prompt flight-or-fight responses, and happiness can enable social bonding and cooperation. Recognizing such basic emotions permits the individual to develop ways of responding to stimuli and then find out what kinds of things elicit these responses. 

Secondary emotions also result as reactions to primary emotions and are usually shaped by personal experience or social context. These are more complex and may vary among individuals based on sex, age, etc. Some secondary emotions are shame, guilt, pride, and jealousy. For example, one may get angry because of an incident that took place, that would be a primary emotion. If he responded aggressively to the situation, then he would go into the secondary emotion of being shamed. According to Olivia Guy-Evans, in the article of Simply Psychology, “Secondary shame stems from imagining others’ judgment. You mess up, criticize yourself harshly, then assume everyone sees you that way.” Not only do we, as humans, judge others when they are in vulnerable states, but we also do the same to ourselves. 

Understanding this category can help individuals examine what is happening to their feelings and the causes leading to them. The interaction of primary and secondary emotions together may aid a person in managing their emotional actions more appropriately since they will know how to handle the root rather than the emotion itself. Imagine if we could grasp the various types of tears that humans express. Some might be tears of joy, others of sorrow, and yet others may stem from anger, mainly because our differences such as sex, age, culture etc. How we view emotions is led by these factors that control how we react to them. For example, if I saw a man crying out in public, I would assume it’s out of sadness or anger because it’s not seen often. Since I am a woman, this is how I would perceive it. To another man, they could perceive it as weak. These factors alter how we view this. 

Complex emotions further portray the task of human emotions as a complex one. These emotions usually result from a mix of primary and secondary emotions, including nostalgia, envy, and even empathetic feelings. The complex emotions are generally wider and may well involve more complicated reasoning skills, such as the ability to reflect upon past events or understanding other people’s feelings. The categorization of emotions into different groupings opens our eyes to appreciate the diversity of emotional experiences, the influences of human behaviors, and human relationships. Recognizing the categories of emotions can help in emotional intelligence about how to better negotiate one’s feelings and the feelings of others. Emotional intelligence incorporates the capability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own and others’ emotions. 

Understanding one’s feelings with clarity and categories, reduces misunderstandings in situations. his could benefit us as humans not only for ourselves but also for our relationships. This sort of emotional intelligence is critical for successfully displaying and understanding emotions. Emotions are feelings that affect every human aspect of life. Understanding our emotions allows us to navigate our feelings with more awareness and empathy. Embracing this opens pathways for deeper self-awareness and mutual understanding, enhancing our lives and fostering a more empathetic world.

Humans naturally respond to tears in any situations or emotions that deeply affect us. Whether they are from joy, sorrow, frustration, or relief. Tears physically manifest our internal emotional states, often helping us process and release intense feelings. In times of joy or sorrow, tears express emotions that words often cannot convey, enabling us to communicate the depth of our feelings through a simple yet profound physical reaction. The different types of tears range from person to person, causing emotions and our responses to be perceived differently.

For example, tears of joy are often thought of as the body’s response to happiness or joy. However, joy can be more complex than simply feeling good in a moment of success. Take the example of a soccer team that has lost 42 matches in a row only to win their 43rd match. At first glance, the win is a simple cause for celebration. However, the parent watching this victory unfold may shed tears that are not merely joyful but are instead an outpouring of relief. Relief is crucial in the emotional response to such a long-awaited victory. The team has struggled for months, pouring their hearts into every match without seeing success. The parent, too, has witnessed this struggle, feeling their frustration and anxiety build up with each loss. When the team finally wins, the tears that follow are not just about the joy of seeing their child’s team win but about the end of an emotional journey. The victory represents the release of months of tension, anxiety, and helplessness. In this case, the joy is not just the feeling of success but the emotional relief that comes with the cessation of stress and disappointment.

Aside from tears of joy, we can also compare an alternate example, if you were part of a basketball team and have experienced game losses back to back. If there have no victories by your 43rd game, this will trigger most likely tears of frustration and hopelessness. Some may even have tears of anger. These responses are all expected because of the situation. When angry or frustrated, some people tend to overflow with tears. The other team may perceive it as tears of embarrassment, but to your coach, who has been at all games, recognizes what types of tears they are.

In this example, different emotions and tears can even trigger your opponents. “Why some partners are so triggered by our tears” an article by Yvonne Castañeda, outlines how emotions can trigger specific responses in partners or other people. “For some, seeing you break down in tears can trigger all kinds of discomfort. They might be overwhelmed because they’ve never been taught or given permission to accept and process their own feelings; they have no frame of reference. This is especially true for individuals raised in environments in which emotional expression, especially tears, was discouraged or viewed as a sign of weakness. As a result, they may react with anger when faced with your tears because it challenges their ingrained beliefs about emotional expression.” (Psychology Today, 2024).

If you could remember a moment where you cried genuine tears of joy, would you be able to recognize why you cried them ? For example, say someone is crying over finally getting a car after months of not having transportation. Would the tears of joy be because of the vehicle or because you have transportation now? One could even argue that you only cried because you no longer have to take the bus. These tears could be tears of relief, or they could be tears of excitement. It’s impossible to say precisely what every person is crying about because they could be generally crying over a variety of things or something completely different than what you see.

According to an article by the University Of Miami, an article published in 2024 by Barbara Gutierrez, argues that there are three different types of tears. “It can be because of happiness or sadness. From pain or even relief. Experts say that there are three kinds of tears: basal tears that line our eyes and keep them wet and healthy, emotional tears that are triggered by strong feelings, and reflex tears that are shed because of irritants including chemicals.” These tears are difficult to identify because they generally all look the same. All tears are clear and running down our eyes. Typically, the actions of the person who is crying help us determine their tears and cause us to react a certain way, whether it’s someone on their knees weeping, trying to hide their tears, a person who is laughing and crying, etc.

In the debate on the nature of emotions, arguments that separate emotions as an internal and personal phenomenon to make them entirely biologically driven ignore the contribution of social, cultural, and physical environments in determining our feelings and emotions. For example, the norms of a culture explain how emotions are to be enacted and interpreted. Although in all cultures, it varies; in some cultures, individuals are socialized to suppress their emotions for example, anger or sadness whereas in others, most forms of emotional expression are more tolerated. Cultures also place different levels of importance on certain emotions. For example, pride is often viewed positively in individualistic societies that celebrate personal achievement, while in collectivist cultures, it may be seen as arrogance or self-centeredness, with humility being more highly valued.

An article published by Psychology Today, How Cultures Shape Emotions, by Marianna Pogosyan, “Almost everything about emotions is cultural: what we call them, how we think about them, how we regulate them. We learn about emotions from observation, but also from how others respond to us when we have certain emotions. We learn prescriptive norms that include rules about when to have what emotions. It’s clear from the infant and child literature that we learn a lot about our emotions from our interactions with our caregivers. But social learning continues in adulthood.” She explains that while emotions have biological and universal components, their expression, understanding, and significance vary widely across cultures. Different societies have distinct emotional norms, vocabularies, and expectations, leading to culturally specific emotional responses. Similarly, emotions like anger may be considered disruptive or inappropriate in some cultures, while in others, anger can be a powerful tool for asserting one’s rights or standing up for oneself. This proves that emotions are biologically and socially influenced by the surrounding culture in which the individual lives.

Moreover, it’s essential to suggest that emotions can be divided into clear categories and neatly packaged as distinct, universal states such as “anger” or “happiness.”. Research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that emotions are much more complex and fluid than this approach would imply. For example, emotions such as sadness and fear might share some overlapping underlying neuroanatomy, making diagnostic boundaries challenging to cut clearly. Further, people frequently report experiencing multiple emotions simultaneously, challenging the discrete, definite conception of emotions. One may feel happy and sad when considering a bittersweet memory, such as leaving a familiar home for a new life. This complexity points to the need for more theories attempting to reduce emotions to a fixed set of types or reactions.

On the contrary, focusing only on the biological side of emotions ignores how much our thoughts influence our feelings. Cognitive appraisal theories are based on the idea that emotions result not directly from automatic biological responses to an event but from a person’s interpretation and evaluation. One might consider a neutral experience, such as receiving critical feedback at work, as threatening and feeling anxious or defensive. Instead, one might appraise this experience as an opportunity for growth and feel motivated or determined. In this example, emotions are occasioned by biological responses and mental frameworks through which we understand the world and make sense of what happens to us. By leaving out the cognitive aspect, we only see emotions as biological reactions without understanding how people think about and react to situations.

The view of emotions as internal processes must also recognize the vital role that social interactions play in emotional development and regulation. Emotions are not experienced in isolation but are deeply connected to relationships with others. From early childhood, humans rely on their parents/caregivers and social environments to learn how to regulate and express their emotions. Emotional intelligence demonstrates that understanding, managing, and responding to emotions in social situations is crucial for mental health and healthy relationships. People often reflect and imitate the emotional states of those around them, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion.

For example children with “helicopter parents” react emotionally different to being monitored at all times versus children who are already used to that by now. In the article, Helping or Hovering? The effects of Helicopter Parenting on College Students WellBeing, by Holly H. Schriffin studies how over involved helicopter parents negatively affect college students. While their intention may be to help it can often lead to mental health issues, change in psychological well being, and lower levels of academic performance. Nelson says,

The generalizability of the results is limited by the relative homogeneity of the sample. Although helicopter parenting has primarily been described as a phenomenon in relation to middle- to upper-middle class populations similar to this sample, the ways in which helicopter parenting behaviors are manifested and perceived in economically and ethnically diverse populations are not fully understood and deserve further research.

This also supports the idea that individuals react different because of diversity, economic statues, gender and more. This social side of emotion shows that emotions are not just internal feelings but deeply influenced by social interactions. To truly understand them, we need to consider both their biological basis and the social contexts in which they arise.

In conclusion, emotions are essential to human life. Emotions influence our thoughts, actions and interactions with others. They are complex and difficult to understand and navigate in all individuals ranging from adults to infants. We all have ranges of emotions like basics such as happiness, anger, sadness etc. to more complex emotions. How we express them depends on numerous circumstances of an individual including our past, personality, sex, age, and more.

An important factor affecting emotional expression is attachment style. Research shows that people with different levels of attachment such as security or anxiety cope with emotions in different ways. For example, those with secure attachments manage emotions well, while those with anxious attachments struggle more. These studies suggest that our emotional attachments and responses are shaped early in our lives and follow us as we develop. As mentioned in the examples it’s known that emotions aren’t exclusive to adults. Expressions and different cries in infants offer insights to how we can recognize and communicate our feelings. By understanding how we express our emotions at an early age it becomes easier as we grow to communicate and regulate our emotions and behaviors.

References

Menefee, D. S., Ledoux, T., & Johnston, C. A. (2022). The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Mental Health. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(1), 28–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276211049771

Rowan University Federation. (2024). Rowan.edu. https://go-gale-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=rowan&id=GALE%7CA287750494&v=2.1&it=r&aty=ip

Rosenhouse, J. (1977). A preliminary report: an analysis of some types of a baby’s cries. Journal of Phonetics, 5(4), 299–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0095-4470(19)31201-x

Guy-Evans, O. (2023, February 17). Primary and Secondary Emotions. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/primary-and-secondary-emotions.html

Why Some Partners Are So Triggered by Our Tears. (2024). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-of-parallels/202406/why-your-tears-might-make-your-partner-angry

Gutierrez, B. (2024, October). Why do we cry? Miami.edu. https://news.miami.edu/stories/2024/06/why-do-we-cry.html

‌Pogosyan, M. (2018, March 30). How Culture Shapes Emotions. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201803/how-culture-shapes-emotions

Helping or Hovering? The Effects of Helicopter Parenting
on College Students’ Well-Being
Holly H. Schiffrin

‌

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Research—Phoenixxxx23

Posted on December 2, 2024 by phoenixxxx23

In The Pursuit Of Lost Time: How Smartphones Are Destroying Our Minds and Connections

As a child, each year on my birthday, as I blew out the candles, I made the same wish: that life would be generous enough to give my mother more time. When she passed away from cancer, I learned the hardest, yet most important lesson of my life: time is the most precious thing we have, for it is inseparable from life itself. In that moment, I understood that we often take time for granted, failing to recognize its fleeting nature until it’s too late.

In today’s world, we fill our days by mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds, watching TikToks, or checking notifications—not because we’re seeking something meaningful, but because we want to escape the harsh truth of time’s passage. We have a complicated relationship with time. On one hand, we fear it, and on the other, we desperately try to outrun it. But the problem lies in how we’ve convinced ourselves that time is an infinite resource. It’s not. We act as though it stretches on forever, but the reality is far different.

Consider this: the average adult spends about 4 hours and 37 minutes a day on their phone. This seemingly small chunk of time quickly adds up to nearly a full day each week, 6 full days every month, and a staggering 70 days every year. By the time an average person reaches the end of their life, they will have spent roughly 12 years staring at a screen. Even knowing these jarring statistics, we still find ourselves reaching for our phones without a second thought. It has become so ingrained in our daily existence that, in many ways, it dictates our lives. Our phones are indispensable tools in the modern world, capable of extraordinary feats: connecting us with people across continents, capturing moments through high-definition cameras, and providing a window to endless possibilities. Yet, as powerful as these devices are, they are equally capable of pulling us into a trap of constant distraction, transforming something that should be a blessing into a curse.

It’s easy to get lost in the endless stream of notifications and updates, as we trade authentic connections with people for fleeting likes and comments from strangers. As we become more absorbed by our phones, we risk disconnecting from the real world—the one filled with people, experiences, and memories that truly matter. This is where balance becomes key. We need to use technology in ways that enhance our lives rather than letting it take control of our time and, ultimately, our well-being. In this digital age, it’s not enough to just use technology; we must be intentional in how we engage with it, ensuring that it serves us, rather than the other way around.

In an attempt to reclaim my time, I decided to start a personal journey by keeping a journal. I document my victories, my missteps, and the lessons I’m learning along the way. This journey has been anything but easy. Between the demands of college assignments, my three part-time jobs, and constant communication through emails and texts, my phone is a tether that seems impossible to break. Yet, I keep trying. I want to transform my phone from a source of stress and distraction into a tool for productivity and connection.But the more I try, the more fragile that balance feels.

The first chapter of my journal is titled “Awareness.” Awareness is the first and most critical step in breaking any addiction, including the one to our phones. We are constantly bombarded with articles and studies on the time we waste on our devices, yet the concept of time slipping away feels distant, almost abstract, until it hits home. My own moment of awareness came when I realized that when I thought of “time,” my first association wasn’t a clock, an alarm, or a calendar. It was the vivid, cherished memories of my life: the first time I saw my dog and his fluffy ears, the stunning sunsets at the beach, the flowers I used to grow with my grandmother in the backyard.

This realization struck me: the issue isn’t the phone itself—it’s how we’ve come to forget what time truly means. Time is no longer something we experience or savor; it’s become something abstract, distant, and endless in our minds. I used to share that perspective—believing time was infinite, that there would always be more of it. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve faced the painful reality that time is finite, that it’s not something to be wasted.

One article that helped me grasp this was “Validity Test of the Theory of Planned Behavior in College Students’ Withdrawal from Smartphone Dependence.” It explored the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), a psychological framework that sheds light on how intention and action are interconnected. The theory reveals something powerful: when it comes to reducing phone use, having a strong intention is essential, but it’s not enough on its own. Intentions without understanding won’t lead to lasting change. If people don’t fully comprehend why it’s necessary to reduce their phone usage—whether it’s for their mental health, relationships, or academic success—no amount of willpower can truly alter their habits.

There is a need for both intention and insight. To break free from the grip of smartphone addiction, we must first understand how this behavior is harming us. We must connect the dots between our phone use and its impact on our mental and physical health, our relationships, and our sense of time. Only then can we start to make meaningful, lasting changes. It’s not just about limiting screen time—it’s about reclaiming time for the things that matter, rediscovering what it means to live fully, and ultimately, taking back control of our most precious resource: time.

This chapter of my journal is called “Distraction,” because that’s what I’ve become: a slave to the pull of the next thing, always chasing something quicker, brighter, easier than the moment before. I remember the first time I tried to memorize a scene from Shakespeare for my acting class. I was excited for the challenge, but as I worked through the lines, something unexpected happened. I couldn’t focus. Instead of absorbing the emotional depth of the character, I found myself skimming over the words, rushing through the scene in search of the easiest path to completion. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand the language; it was that I couldn’t feel the words. My mind wasn’t settling, unable to linger on the weight of the text, the nuances of the character’s journey. I was skimming—not just the script, but the experience itself.

This struggle to stay present is not limited to my acting. I began to notice a similar pattern in my academic work. Whenever I sat down to read a complex text or tackle a difficult concept, my attention seemed to splinter. My phone would buzz, and I would immediately reach for it, distracted by notifications, quick hits of dopamine that pulled me away from the task at hand. What was once a sustained flow of thought, an ability to immerse myself in a topic, now felt fractured and shallow. I couldn’t seem to focus for more than a few minutes before my mind drifted, and the material I was reading felt more like a checklist to get through than something to deeply engage with.

The internet, I realized, was shaping my brain in ways I hadn’t fully understood. In “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, Nicholas Carr warns that the Internet is reshaping our minds, eroding our ability to focus and think deeply. We consume information in smaller, bite-sized chunks, constantly switching from one link or app to another. The brain, in turn, rewires itself to accommodate this type of multitasking and quick task-switching, which is less conducive to sustained focus. The result is a decrease in our ability to focus deeply for long periods. A phenomenon known as “cognitive overload” occurs, where the sheer volume of information we are exposed to on the internet starts to outpace our cognitive resources, making it harder to engage with one topic for an extended time. Our brains become accustomed to quickly processing and discarding information, weakening the mental connections needed for more profound comprehension. In fact, studies show that working memory—the mental system responsible for holding and processing information over short periods—is less efficient when we’re constantly distracted by online content.

This shift in focus or brain scramble has become painfully evident in my daily life. A simple stroll into the university dining hall feels like a scene ripped from a dystopian sci-fi movie. Groups of friends are sitting together, yet the air is thick with silence. Their heads are down, but they’re not even texting each other—they’re sending Snapchat pictures. In the blink of an eye, a photo is sent to 20 people, each one absorbed in their own tiny screen, endlessly scrolling. They’re physically there, but their minds are somewhere else—somewhere far from the present, far from each other. This is the culture we’ve built—hyper-stimulation, constant distractions, our attention splintered into fragments that we can barely hold together. It’s as if we’ve trained ourselves to live in a world of noise and chaos, and we no longer know how to sit still, to truly listen, to be with one another. The relentless bombardment of stimuli, this overwhelming rush to send, share, scroll, and consume in which the more we seek it, the more we lose ourselves. We’re addicted to distraction—and we don’t even notice it.

Jean Twenge’s research on Generation Z, particularly in “Has the Smartphone Destroyed a Generation?”, offers some insight into this. She argues that smartphones and social media are reshaping how we interact with one another, making face-to-face communication a rarity. Virtual conversations, while convenient, are often shallow—just a quick exchange of words without the depth that comes with in-person interaction. Over time, this erodes our ability to read body language, understand tone, and pick up on the subtleties of human connection. We’re still communicating, but not in the same meaningful way. And in the absence of true connection, a certain loneliness settles in.

I feel this loneliness in my own life. The more I try to make meaningful connections, the harder it becomes. Even when I’m surrounded by people, I often find myself feeling disconnected. It’s not about being alone—it’s about the absence of a deeper bond, the kind of connection that can only be built through extended, uninterrupted conversation. The ease of texting or scrolling through social media might offer quick responses, but it doesn’t provide the emotional depth that face-to-face communication can. And the more we rely on our phones to bridge the gap, the more isolated we become, not just physically, but emotionally.

This all raises an important question: Are we becoming less responsible for how we engage with the world around us? We’ve always had choices, even before smartphones. In the past, we could choose between reading a book or watching TV, between engaging with a friend or retreating into solitude. Now, the choices are more abundant than ever, and technology is constantly offering us new opportunities for distraction. Yet, we still control how we engage with it. The problem is not technology itself, but how we choose to let it shape us. If I want to be the kind of actor who can deeply inhabit a character, I need to reclaim my ability to focus. If I want to form meaningful relationships, I need to invest time and presence into real conversations, not just text messages or social media posts.

This is the challenge of living in an era where distractions are endless and attention is fleeting. If I want to connect with a character, a concept, or even a person on a deeper level, I need to make a conscious choice to pause, to sit with the complexity of the moment, and to resist the pull of constant distraction.

After two weeks of trying to minimize my phone use, I struggled and only kept failing my mission. I felt the weight of this growing emptiness. The phone has become this constant companion, offering the illusion of connection, but leaving me feeling more disconnected:“My phone makes me feel empty.”

Despite the endless stream of notifications and the illusion of connection, it’s like trying to warm your hands at a fire that’s already burned out: “It’s a hollow kind of dissatisfaction, one that lovers know all too well when separated by distance. They hear the sweet, comforting words of affection and might trust the sincerity behind them—but as sincere as those words may be, they can never replace the depth of a physical embrace, the warmth of touch that transcends what words can convey.” Similarly, I thought online therapy would offer the answer I had been searching for and help me go through my challenging unplugging journey. It seemed like an ideal way to access help without the hurdles of time, scheduling, or proximity. No more waiting for an appointment or worrying about commute times—just a click, a conversation, an instant connection. What could be simpler? But over time, I realized that the very convenience that drew me in was also what left me feeling even more drained. The sessions, meant to offer solace, felt more like a distant analysis—detached, clinical, lacking the depth and humanity I had come to expect from real-world interactions. It was therapy without warmth, without the presence of another person in the room to help anchor the process.

Joanna Rodriguez and Nadine Page argue in their article “Your Smartphone Could Be Good for Your Mental Health,” that technology has the potential to improve mental health through innovations like telemedicine, mental health apps, and even video games that reduce stress and help with conditions like anxiety and depression. They suggest that these tools, available at the touch of a button, offer new, more accessible ways to seek help. And while these developments are undeniably convenient, they miss a crucial point. Convenience doesn’t always lead to better outcomes.

As much as apps like SPARX, an app designed to gamify mental health treatment, or telemedicine platforms offer quick fixes for those seeking support, they don’t address the complexities of mental health issues. SPARX, for instance, uses role-playing games and interactive tasks to help users manage their feelings of depression, making it a useful tool for those seeking self-help. However, while it may offer some relief, it oversimplifies the emotional work required in therapy. These apps and platforms tend to provide surface-level relief rather than truly confronting deep-seated issues or navigating the complexities of mental health. The benefits they offer, though valuable in some contexts, are not enough to replace the long-term, transformative effects of in-person therapy.

Moreover, these tools often create a false sense of connection. In the article by American psychiatrist Alex Curmi, “The Big Idea: Is Convenience Making Our Lives More Difficult?” a concept called evolutionary mismatch is introduced. This idea suggests that our natural instincts, honed over thousands of years of hunter-gatherer life, are out of sync with the modern world of convenience. We evolved to face challenges—both physical and emotional—that required effort, resilience, and social bonding. In contrast, technology offers ease and instant gratification, removing the need for effort or struggle. But this mismatch can have serious consequences. As we retreat into digital spaces to avoid discomfort—whether it’s the discomfort of a difficult conversation or the vulnerability of in-person therapy—we miss out on the growth that comes from confronting challenges head-on.

This evolutionary mismatch is crucial in understanding why online therapy, despite its accessibility, can fail to meet our deeper emotional needs. Our brains are wired for face-to-face interactions, where we can read subtle cues like body language, tone of voice, and physical presence. These cues activate parts of the brain responsible for emotional empathy, creating a deeper sense of connection and trust. We keep forgetting that we are, at our core, human beings with instincts and biological needs that can’t be bypassed by convenience. We’ve become so accustomed to the idea that technology can fix any problem that we overlook the simplest, most fundamental aspects of human interaction. These cues aren’t just “nice to have”—they are essential for effective communication and emotional connection. This disconnect is evident in the growing challenge of maintaining long-distance relationships, where the absence of physical presence undermines the depth of the connection. No matter how many video calls we make or messages we exchange, we can’t fully replicate the nuances of being in the same room as someone, the subtle shifts in expression, the unspoken bond created by shared space. And the same is true for online therapy: without that real-time, face-to-face presence, something is always missing.

Minimizing my reliance on technology became a conscious decision to restore balance—focusing on real connections that nourish my well-being and encourage emotional growth. By stepping back from the constant stream of notifications and curated lives, I was able to remember what genuine presence felt like—something that apps and social media often cannot provide.

I didn’t seek to disconnect entirely from the digital world, but to minimize its hold over my life. By doing so, I created space for relationships that heal and help us grow—relationships rooted in presence, vulnerability, and shared experience. True healing and emotional growth don’t come from algorithms or digital distractions—they come from real, unmediated moments with others, where we are fully seen, heard, and valued.

Three months ago, I was a slave to my phone—distracted, disconnected, and numb to the preciousness of time. Today, I am far from perfect, but I’m not the same. Through journaling, self-reflection, and constant awareness, I’ve started to reclaim the time that once slipped away unnoticed. It hasn’t been easy, but every small step has brought me closer to a life where I’m present, focused, and connected in ways I’d forgotten were possible.This journey is far from over, but the progress I’ve made shows that change is within reach. The key is not perfection, but intention: “change is possible, no matter how entrenched we feel in our habits. With time, reflection, and determination, we can reshape our lives—taking back the moments that truly matter.”

References

“Has the Smartphone Destroyed a Generation?” The Atlantic. 15 September 2017.

“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” The Atlantic. 15 August 2008.

“In Pursuit Of Lost Time ” Elizaveta Valkova’s Personal Journal. December 2024

“The Big Idea: Is Convenience Making Our Lives More Difficult?” The Guardian. 4 November 2024.

“Validity Test of the Theory of Planned Behavior in College Students’ Withdrawal from Smartphone Dependence” Springer Link. 16 September 2020.

“Your Smartphone Could Be Good for Your Mental Health” The Conversation. 28 May 2015.

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