In class we have been talking a lot about connotations of words. We have been discussing the difference between whitewashing a house or fence to rid the paint (denotation) or the unification and cover up of something that is embarrassing or looked down upon (connotation). I started to think about not only connotations of words but actions as well. When I was checking my email (on AOL) in my news feed an article came up titled Study: Gay Parents More Likely to Have Gay Kids. This article talks about a recent study to prove whether or not being gay is a nurtured way of life. It mainly features two men and a women: Walter Shumm, the researcher, Paul Cameron, an strong anti-gay voice in research, and Abbie Goldberg, a psychology professor. Instead of focusing on the research itself the article focuses mainly on the connotations of doing the research in the first place. Abbie Goldberg remarks that, "The fundamental problem with this [type of meta-analysis] is such samples tend to be biased". If the results have a direct relation to the data sample pool, it is possible for the researcher to skew the results in their direction. The connotations of performing this test with this result imply the researcher is against gay adoption or rights. The research made me wonder how do connotations of actions differ from connotations of words? And how does the personal aspect of connotations of actions affect the way we view others?
I think that the connotations of actions speak louder than the connotations of words. Connotations of actions could be body language, how one starts talking with another, and even down to how one walks (ie. stomping vs. skipping). Also, actions like helping vs. hurting and facial expressions can be read into much more than words. As for the personal aspect, I'm not quite sure what you mean. If it is how do my actions change the way others see a third person, then I'll give it a stab. If I see someone treating another poorly, I see the one being treated badly in a better light than the aggressor. If someone helps someone else, I see the helper in a better light. Does that answer the question at all?
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! What I meant by the personal aspect of connotations of actions is this: connotations of words can be as simple as a modern or slang use of a word. Because connotations of actions speak specifically to your personality and to those around you they result in the ability to judge you almost directly in relation to your actions.