Theory 11 (&tasks for today)

Theory 11: Social Penetration Theory 

States that as relationships develop, people's level of communication go from superficial to much more personal topics, slowly penetrating a persons public face to their more private, personal face (or toward their sense of self). It's considered to be a cyclical and dialectical path rather than just continuous. Persons have to work through tensions in the relationship, sometimes reverting back through stages and then quickly penetrating forward again- this is the cyclical. Sometimes though people within relationships need their space or are busy with other things that the relationship suffers to be less open. Social Penetration Theory argues that these  cycles occur throughout the entire relationship, it does not just simply stop because the people involved have become best friends, or married.

How I apply to my internship, two ways:

First, I think that on Facebook and Twitter, TNM is constantly advocating to build stronger relationships with our audience. Attempting to penetrate the public persona to learn about people in a deeper sense so that they not only support us, but we can support them to build our TNM community. I think this is applicable to the SPT, because we are constantly negotiating the cycles of STP.

Second, after yesterday I think this is really applicable with me and my boss Rodney. I thought that we had a stronger more OPEN relationship. Unfortunately, if I'm not persistent to maintain contact with him, then like the theory states the relationship suffers and becomes less open. I had known that Rodney was launching in Seattle, I just didn't know he was moving up there. Because my perception of our relationship this news was not only shocking but kind of disappointing. I mean, if they're going to be more successful in Seattle then that is awesome for TNM. Rodney and I only met a few times this semester anyhow, but I'm still just slightly surprised and taken aback, because I thought we had gone further in our relationship and didn't think we would retract so much.

Tasks: this theory piece, planning out interview questions, looking up Rodney and tweeting.

Total Hours: 140

April 8, 2013

Finally got a hold of Rodney. Apparently they've moved the offices up to Seattle, which is why he and I haven't been in contact. I kind of feel like an idiot, because I just kept posting and tweeting, without having him check in on me. Well, after the brief conversation him and I had today I know two things; (1) He's been impressed with how I'm doing and (2) I can schedule an interview with him for this week, well when I say "schedule" I mean just call him sometime.
[Along with that conversation I've also posted/Tweeted today]
I'm disappointed that I hadn't herd they were moving. I'm not sure why he's been keeping me out of the loop. Luckily since it's all media and online I don't need to physically be present.

Total Hours: 137

Theory 10 and an update

Theory Piece 10: Social Judgment Theory

What the Theory says:
 Muzafer Sherif; people make implicit comparisons between other people's positions on subject matters and their own; persuasion occurs when persuasive targets perceive that the advocated position is similar to their own

Basically a person's attitude or their own beliefs form a foundation which all of their other positions are based. If they think that an advocated position is similar to their own than they will accept it, this is the assimilation effect. If they think the position has a significant difference from their own views they will reject it, this is the contrast effect.

How it relates:
I know that I won't download a cell phone app unless I've seen a friend have it or talk about it. I relate this Theory to text no more in a sense that if someone strongly believes that they should be allowed to do what they want while driving, than it doesn't matter how cool the rewards, or how strongly we advocate against texting and driving, the contrast effect will ensue and our target would not download the Text No More app. But! This opens up, in my mind, another perspective. Focusing on the assimilation effect, if someone feels strongly about any other "No ______ and driving" then we can reach positively appeal to them. This opens a branch to drinking and driving, talking on the phone and driving, as well as smoking and driving (while children are in the car) which is an upcoming initiative here in Oregon [especially Portland].

Just an update: (The evening of April 4th to the morning of April 7th)

I've been preparing questions for my interview with Rodney although I have not herd from him. This is rather awkward because I see his posts and updates on Facebook... I've also been tweeting and posting, as well as researching for these theory pieces.

Total Hours: 135

Theory Piece 9

Theory Piece 9: Plausibility Theory 

The theory states that "something is plausible if it is conceptually supported by prior knowledge." It gives a more in depth look into decision making when risks are not know. Plausibility Theory is typically an application within the financial industry. However, I think it is applicable to the growth of Text No More by my boss Rodney.

He started with "A Safe Way Home" his cell phone application to help prevent drinking and driving, by networking friends through an app that says "So and So is going out tonight and may need a ride home, would you be available?" and then any friends linked with So and So on the app can then reply saying no or if yes, when they would be. 

How this relates to Plausibility Theory in my opinion is that when he was coming up with the idea for Text No More, Rodney thought carefully about the successes of his first cellular application and the potential risks of adding another. He thought about the aspects that mattered to him in a business and wanted to add a "giving back" portion to his community and a community abroad. All these factors made Rodney think about the Plausibility that this application would also help to grow his company or if it would be too big of a risk.