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concepts

1. Whorf's Linguistic Determinism

     Benjamin Whorf and his collaborative partner Edward Sapir developed this theory, stating that vocabulary and patterns impact society as a whole and its interpretation. For instance a society without a word for "war" is theorized the be more peaceful than a society with ten words for it. By this idea, a culture without a firm concept of the meaning cannot act upon urges that require said meaning.

2. Dewey's Problem Solving Method

     An educator by the name of John Dewey developed a method for taking a problem and solving it step by step. There are many adaptations of it, like this one:

  1. Define the problem

  2. Analyze the problem

  3. Identify possible solutions

  4. Evaluate solutions

  5. Select the best one

  6. Develop an action plan

  7. Implement the solution

3. Coping with Stress

    Stress can overwhelm you in everyday life. Thankfully, as long as you're willing to alter your perspective, there are multiple ways to improve your stress levels and solve problems, whether it be with time management and organization or adding exercise, health awareness, and relaxation in with your plans.

how I apply them

  1. America is the most diverse country in the world. Understanding the boundaries of language, including a difference in culture linguistically, can allow me to socialize better with members of different cultures and religions without confusing or upsetting them. For instance, if a classmate of mine was struggling with the ideas of American law, relating the concept to something more common in their culture can lead to a more comfortable mutual understanding.

  2. Problems encounter us in every stage of life, even daily. Following a mental map of options and steps can allow me, a busy and stressed student, to overcome issues regarding schoolwork, home responsibilities, and other adolescent problems. Rather than becoming upset and frustrated with my lack of solutions, I can examine all the choices I have and implement the best one.

  3. As stated above, I and many of my classmates are adolescents stressed with home life issues and the pressures of succeeding in school. Coping with stress is something that all people have to have throughout their life no matter what their situation, otherwise it can lead to further stress, health problems, or breakdowns from a lack of coping skills. The options, such as managing time and having outlets like exercising, allow for different perspectives on solving problems and getting past things that cause you stress.

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