On Course Chapter 5 Summary

Chapter Five centered mainly around interaction with people and the level of maturity displayed by each variety.

Basically, there are four varieties: Dependency, Codependency, Independency and Interdependence. When you are dependent, you believe you cannot acheive your goals without the assistance of others. Codependent people tend to put the needs and goals of others before their own. Independent people prefer to work alone; thereby assuring that their own needs and goals are met. Interdependent people work in groups to ensure that the goals of all are met. As a person progresses from one to the next, they become more mature. Dependent people are at the lowest rank of maturity, while interdependent people are the most mature.

I had to disagree with this. Yes, those who are dependent on others are are far less mature than those who do not. But, when it comes to whether independent or interdependent people are more mature; it is a matter of personal preferance. Not all independent people are incapable of working with others, many of us simply choose not to. I would much rather be responsible for myself rather than have to depend on someone else to be responsible for even part of my grade. Why should I be graded based on someone else's work? It's like asking a peer to review my work; if they have errors on their work, how can I possibly expect them to catch the ones in mine? Or if they are unfamiliar with how I think, how can they hope to correctly interpret what I have written into what I meant to write? I have my 'editor' who knows me and how I think, and he does an excellent job of aiding me in turning what I write into what it's meant to be. I personally see no need for 'class feed-back'.

Yes, the ability to work in a group is essential, but it is not required that a student find this to be the best manner in which to get through school.

Chapter Five also explained the importance of active listening and effective communication. The sum of it all was that a person must listen to understand; not to merely look for a chance to insert their own opinion and they must be assertive in communication, but avoid arrogance.

All things considered, I feel this chapter was at least somewhat beneficial, if only people could get past their bias towards herd-mentality.