All meat and no potatoes wrote a reviewer for the heavily research based “Falling Behind –
How Rising Inequality Harms the Middle Class” by Robert H. Frank.
This is a book, while does not give direct professional direction for personal development, gives a context to understand our current economy. The world is a complex place, yes. Is one book going to give a whole perspective? Of course not. But I found this to be an immensely interesting book, supported by modern psychology experiments and ventures into understanding where we are, and where we are going.
Frank argues four points
1. People care about relative consumption more in some domains than others
2. Concerns about relative consumption lead to “positional arms races” or expenditure arms races focused on positional goods
3. Positional arms races divert resources from nonpositional goods, causing large welfare losses
4. For middle-class families, the losses from positional arms races have been made worse by rising inequality.
Robert H. Frank puts a lot of interesting points into a context: the growing inequality of income between the rich and poor, the stagnant wages of middle class families, the increased 200 extra hours women are working every year, the less comparative “good jobs” for educated individuals, and the growing work hours.
What I really enjoyed is that Frank puts all of this into psychology terms. For example he has this fantastic example about how middle class families can not live within 50 miles of Aspen, Colorado. The real estate is too high, too expensive. The residents of Aspen, Colorado, those who can afford the real estate, do not want to do the remedial jobs to support the local economy. Every weekday, there is a mass transit into Aspen, Colorado, and mass exodus away from Aspen Colorado, the driver depending on their ecomomic status.
Frank doesn’t write all this too criticize the rich, or point figures. He shows the data, shows the research between the psychological factors and the visible ecomomic behaviors, and shows the disconnect between what we want and what we have.
On a cartoon graphic with two affluent golfers, one about to tee,
One says “Researchers say I’m not happier for being richer, but do you know how much researchers make?
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Frames of Our Lenses
‘So we see the world, so it is’.
I was bored between a standardized test, just completely exhausted and weary, wanting to get away from an uninspired school day. Luckily, the math section and science section were over...but there was still more to do. I was talking to a friend between a testing period, and we talked a little bit, and she gave my a jolly rancher. It was sweet, delectable, the perfect sugary renewing force. After the test was over and I got the results, I did far better then I thought I would do. Did I get an extra couple points on my ACT because of the jolly rancher? Probably not, but it instantly changed my mood and how I felt. Oh the difference perspective makes.
A book is suggested to me is a great organizational development book called “Reframing Organizations” by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal. Finally getting into it now, I find it a paragon example of excellent organizational learning. There was a particularly interesting section about taking a perspective.
There is an interesting story about a woman wanting to learn about organizations. She read four books, all with a different viewpoint on what an organization is. Here’s what she thought an organization could be.
• A Factory
• A Family
• A Jungle
• A Circus
Each of these organization viewpoints contains with them an individual focus:
If you see the organization as a factory, you might focus on the processes, the structure,
If you see the organization as a family, you might focus on the relationships, the people,
If you see the organization as a jungle, you might focus on the politics, the uncertainties
If you see the organization as a circus, you might focus on the culture, the perception of the organization
When trying to learn more about organizations, there is a particularly difficulty in trying to pin-down a vague construct. Some ways of understanding the organization might be more accurate or give us more information. It’s important to take into account the lenses we have when looking at an organization. Ultimately the views we take, the color we give to the perspective, is something we have to take responsibility for.
I was bored between a standardized test, just completely exhausted and weary, wanting to get away from an uninspired school day. Luckily, the math section and science section were over...but there was still more to do. I was talking to a friend between a testing period, and we talked a little bit, and she gave my a jolly rancher. It was sweet, delectable, the perfect sugary renewing force. After the test was over and I got the results, I did far better then I thought I would do. Did I get an extra couple points on my ACT because of the jolly rancher? Probably not, but it instantly changed my mood and how I felt. Oh the difference perspective makes.
A book is suggested to me is a great organizational development book called “Reframing Organizations” by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal. Finally getting into it now, I find it a paragon example of excellent organizational learning. There was a particularly interesting section about taking a perspective.
There is an interesting story about a woman wanting to learn about organizations. She read four books, all with a different viewpoint on what an organization is. Here’s what she thought an organization could be.
• A Factory
• A Family
• A Jungle
• A Circus
Each of these organization viewpoints contains with them an individual focus:
If you see the organization as a factory, you might focus on the processes, the structure,
If you see the organization as a family, you might focus on the relationships, the people,
If you see the organization as a jungle, you might focus on the politics, the uncertainties
If you see the organization as a circus, you might focus on the culture, the perception of the organization
When trying to learn more about organizations, there is a particularly difficulty in trying to pin-down a vague construct. Some ways of understanding the organization might be more accurate or give us more information. It’s important to take into account the lenses we have when looking at an organization. Ultimately the views we take, the color we give to the perspective, is something we have to take responsibility for.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Applying to Ph.D. Programs - Mistakes to Avoid
I thought it would be timely to talk about ph.d. programs as some students might be considering getting involved for a doctoral program in the following year, the Fall 2011 semester.
Okay, so this is all from personal experience. Take it with a grain of salt, haha.
So at some point, you might decide that you want to pursue more school after getting a bachelor's degree. There's probably a good chance you know this. Let's face it, people doing well in their program, or those who have been successful in a particular area want to specialize in it. Of course there are all sorts of options after completing a bachelors - certifications, graduate school masters programs and of course ph.d. programs.
The field I am in is psychology, and I think early on the better idea you know of what you want to do, the more successful your application will be. If you are just entering college now, or are still a lower classman, consider finding ways to get experience outside of the classroom. In psychology for instance, you can take labs with professors to work on research. Other subjects require tutors, and have additional experiences that would be helpful; it really would be program specific.
In 2009, I applied originally for 13 doctoral programs in the field of I-O Psychology. I got accepted to one program (Alliant University), and had interviews with several, and the whole process was just riveting. While I didn't get accepted this year, I learned a valuable amount of information about how to apply in the future.
Learn from my mistakes. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when applying for ph.d. programs
1) Limiting Schools You are Applying Too - Okay so here's the thing. Each application is going to a very long time to finish. You have to complete an application, have transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay for the school, and also supplemental forms usually too. Each application cost me at least $40 dollars, usually more, and took over an hour to complete.
Now the more schools you apply for, concievably the better your chances. For instance one of my peers was accepted to a midwestern school and applied to 16 schools. Do what you feel is right, for your time and resources, but be realistic about the number of programs you can connect to.
2) Essays, Make them relevant to the Program - You need to be insanely specific about the type of program you want to be in, the research you plan on doing, and the professor you want to work with. If you don't know, create experiences to learn what intersts you. Join clubs, become active in research labs, travel the globe, read a book.
The more planning you can do on your front-end, the more likely that will reflect well in your personal essays. And your one step closer to being accepted.
3) Letters of Recommendation - Lots of programs are going want to know who recommends you. Letters of recommendation can make or break your application. A positive letter can make up for a poor GRE score, or maybe even a bad score in a class. This is the closest the panel of reviewers will come to learning about your character outside of actually meeting you.
My advice. Be upfront. Ask for a strong and positive letter of recommendation. In most situtations, you will not read these letters of recommendation, so it's essential that you have that verbal trust with the person you ask to recommend you. Ideally, the people you ask a) have a lot of experience with you work b) have relevance to the program your interested in.
Most people are more then willing to help you in this process, but very clear about your expectations for a letter, and even recap the experiences you've had with that professor or manager.
4) Ask Relevant Questions, to Relevant People - Again, most people are willing to help, but it's on you to guide them. The more information you have about what you want: your school, your research, your personal goals, your future; the more specified answers someone can give you.
It's so simple, but so important. This is a good time to get in touch with professors and others who have been through a similar process. Just make sure you respect their time, their intelligence and their resources, and you will be creating even stronger bonds.
5) Stay in Touch with the Programs - Learn what is going on at those universities. Reach out to students and professors currently there. Act in a way that assumes you are going to get accepted to that school. It's just like applying to a job - do your homework, do your follow-up.
People hire who they like, and if you are putting yourself out there as a serious student who wants to be involved with the university, you are going to receive a positive reaction.
Do you want to send 500 emails to the professor you want to research with? Nooo.
But make yourself known.
Good Luck!
Okay, so this is all from personal experience. Take it with a grain of salt, haha.
So at some point, you might decide that you want to pursue more school after getting a bachelor's degree. There's probably a good chance you know this. Let's face it, people doing well in their program, or those who have been successful in a particular area want to specialize in it. Of course there are all sorts of options after completing a bachelors - certifications, graduate school masters programs and of course ph.d. programs.
The field I am in is psychology, and I think early on the better idea you know of what you want to do, the more successful your application will be. If you are just entering college now, or are still a lower classman, consider finding ways to get experience outside of the classroom. In psychology for instance, you can take labs with professors to work on research. Other subjects require tutors, and have additional experiences that would be helpful; it really would be program specific.
In 2009, I applied originally for 13 doctoral programs in the field of I-O Psychology. I got accepted to one program (Alliant University), and had interviews with several, and the whole process was just riveting. While I didn't get accepted this year, I learned a valuable amount of information about how to apply in the future.
Learn from my mistakes. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when applying for ph.d. programs
1) Limiting Schools You are Applying Too - Okay so here's the thing. Each application is going to a very long time to finish. You have to complete an application, have transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay for the school, and also supplemental forms usually too. Each application cost me at least $40 dollars, usually more, and took over an hour to complete.
Now the more schools you apply for, concievably the better your chances. For instance one of my peers was accepted to a midwestern school and applied to 16 schools. Do what you feel is right, for your time and resources, but be realistic about the number of programs you can connect to.
2) Essays, Make them relevant to the Program - You need to be insanely specific about the type of program you want to be in, the research you plan on doing, and the professor you want to work with. If you don't know, create experiences to learn what intersts you. Join clubs, become active in research labs, travel the globe, read a book.
The more planning you can do on your front-end, the more likely that will reflect well in your personal essays. And your one step closer to being accepted.
3) Letters of Recommendation - Lots of programs are going want to know who recommends you. Letters of recommendation can make or break your application. A positive letter can make up for a poor GRE score, or maybe even a bad score in a class. This is the closest the panel of reviewers will come to learning about your character outside of actually meeting you.
My advice. Be upfront. Ask for a strong and positive letter of recommendation. In most situtations, you will not read these letters of recommendation, so it's essential that you have that verbal trust with the person you ask to recommend you. Ideally, the people you ask a) have a lot of experience with you work b) have relevance to the program your interested in.
Most people are more then willing to help you in this process, but very clear about your expectations for a letter, and even recap the experiences you've had with that professor or manager.
4) Ask Relevant Questions, to Relevant People - Again, most people are willing to help, but it's on you to guide them. The more information you have about what you want: your school, your research, your personal goals, your future; the more specified answers someone can give you.
It's so simple, but so important. This is a good time to get in touch with professors and others who have been through a similar process. Just make sure you respect their time, their intelligence and their resources, and you will be creating even stronger bonds.
5) Stay in Touch with the Programs - Learn what is going on at those universities. Reach out to students and professors currently there. Act in a way that assumes you are going to get accepted to that school. It's just like applying to a job - do your homework, do your follow-up.
People hire who they like, and if you are putting yourself out there as a serious student who wants to be involved with the university, you are going to receive a positive reaction.
Do you want to send 500 emails to the professor you want to research with? Nooo.
But make yourself known.
Good Luck!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Peer Monitoring - A Session with Dr. Goldsmith
The Value of Peer-Monitoring
The gem of the ASTD International conference I recently visited in Chicago was Dr. Marshall Goldsmith discussing finding happiness in everyday life. One of the major factors that contributes to the difficulties of daily life, is our general busyness, he says.
One of the best things we can do is to monitor ourselves. Sure life gets stressful, but what is our attiude going to be. It’s easier to change ourselves then change the world, so how about starting with changing things about yourself to become happier.
As Dr. Goldsmith says in Mojo. “Happiness is not a natural state; vision is not a natural state; inertia is a natural state”. So if we’re going to achieve things, we are going to have to push ourselves to get out of our naturally inert state.
When we monitor, we can do just about anything. Consider the success of weight loss programs like “Weight Watchers” or alcohol anonymous programs where the success rate is continued by our peers monitoring our work. Self-monitoring has its place, but we know that feedback from our peers is more likely to give us a new perspective, more like to give us new ideas, and more likely to keep us honest.
One idea that Dr. Goldsmith uses is a daily monitoring checklist. He wrote out a set of questions, 24 I believe, that he would answer every day. These questions were personally important to him. All questions are about an important part of his life. Some examples include: “Did I do do any push-ups today?”, “What is my weight today?”, “How happy am I today?”.
Goldsmit made it a peer-monitoring exercise, because he had a good friend call and ask him these questions everyday.
Sure enough, with this daily exercise, he soon started to see results. Keeping track of the data in a simple Excel row/column matrix, he is able to see the patterns over time.
It’s not only checking behavior, it’s monitoring our attitudes too. When we monitor how we are perceived against how we want to perceived we start to envision a better future for ourselves. We start to see how to grow in that direction.
It’s a small thing, and something far too few of us do. But peer-monitoring, whether through Dr. Goldsmith’s checklist or another creative method can give us the freedom to say “yes, I’ve made a change”.
In the words of Dr. Goldsmith “Hope you find this practical and useful, and may you have a little bit better life”.
Greg
The gem of the ASTD International conference I recently visited in Chicago was Dr. Marshall Goldsmith discussing finding happiness in everyday life. One of the major factors that contributes to the difficulties of daily life, is our general busyness, he says.
One of the best things we can do is to monitor ourselves. Sure life gets stressful, but what is our attiude going to be. It’s easier to change ourselves then change the world, so how about starting with changing things about yourself to become happier.
As Dr. Goldsmith says in Mojo. “Happiness is not a natural state; vision is not a natural state; inertia is a natural state”. So if we’re going to achieve things, we are going to have to push ourselves to get out of our naturally inert state.
When we monitor, we can do just about anything. Consider the success of weight loss programs like “Weight Watchers” or alcohol anonymous programs where the success rate is continued by our peers monitoring our work. Self-monitoring has its place, but we know that feedback from our peers is more likely to give us a new perspective, more like to give us new ideas, and more likely to keep us honest.
One idea that Dr. Goldsmith uses is a daily monitoring checklist. He wrote out a set of questions, 24 I believe, that he would answer every day. These questions were personally important to him. All questions are about an important part of his life. Some examples include: “Did I do do any push-ups today?”, “What is my weight today?”, “How happy am I today?”.
Goldsmit made it a peer-monitoring exercise, because he had a good friend call and ask him these questions everyday.
Sure enough, with this daily exercise, he soon started to see results. Keeping track of the data in a simple Excel row/column matrix, he is able to see the patterns over time.
It’s not only checking behavior, it’s monitoring our attitudes too. When we monitor how we are perceived against how we want to perceived we start to envision a better future for ourselves. We start to see how to grow in that direction.
It’s a small thing, and something far too few of us do. But peer-monitoring, whether through Dr. Goldsmith’s checklist or another creative method can give us the freedom to say “yes, I’ve made a change”.
In the words of Dr. Goldsmith “Hope you find this practical and useful, and may you have a little bit better life”.
Greg
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