Dual Coding Theory

Dual Coding Theory deals arose in attempts to describe how the mind processes information. Paivio's Dual Coding Theory mainly deals with how visual information is processed and stored in memory and gives equal weight to verbal and non-verbal processing.

According to the theory, the human cognition consists of two subsystems that process knowledge simultaneously, one processing the nonverbal objects (i.e. imagery) and one dialing with language (verbal). The two systems have different functions; the verbal subsystem processes and stores linguistic information whereas the visual subsystem processes and stores images and pictorial information. While the two subsystems can be activated independently, the interrelations and connections of the two systems allow the dual coding of information.

We use dual coding theory in everything we do. For example, when I was in the process of purchasing a new phone, I was thinking about how much I have liked the color pink since I was little so I chose the pink phone. Dual coding theory also has spilled over into advertising. Advertisers incorporate the fact that people like pretty, bright colors; they use this because they know consumers make personal associations with colors and are more likely to buy something they have positive memories of rather than a bland, generic color.

How Far is *TOO* Far?

Blogging is a relatively easy way to express yourself to an audience of millions of people so you should be careful about what you blog about. I feel that it should be okay to express your personal feelings about your job and how your day went as long as you do not use names or the name of the company. If employees were not allowed to do that, it is as if they have no rights to their freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is the concept of the inherent human right to voice one's opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. Despite that, many companies have clauses that they have the employee signs that states that they may be penalized for using the company's uniform or name for anything other than work. If you don't use the company's name or anything affiliated with the company, I believe they should be allowed to express their opinions any way they feel necessary. A good deal of people find blogging therapeutic. By spewing about a bad job online they can receive comments from other people that may have a similar situation and they may not feel as if they are alone in the situation. All in all, people should be able to express themselves any way they want to without violating any ordinances their employers have in place.

In order to avoid any problems at all, try keeping a personal journal rather than broadcasting your hostility against people and your job on the Internet highway; too many people have access to the information.

*HEAVY SIGH*

The project is moving along slowly but surely. We continue to add ideas to incorporate on the website with each meeting. The agendas Crystal creates for us helps A LOT during meeting times. They give us a general layout of what we need to cover; usually by looking at that, we are able to remember the other things we need to cover during that meeting. We are going to continue to clean-up the main components of the website but our main focus right now is our proposal.

For the proposal, we are going to have to break it up in different sections so that we can get it done before Wednesday. Everyone is having *EXTREMELY* busy schedules before Spring Break so I don't really know how much time and energy each group member will be able to dedicate to their portion of the proposal. Despite time constraints, we will try to make this proposal as professional as possible.

Other than that, our group has been working pretty well in all arenas of designing the website and getting together to discuss ideas and future plans. Pray for us this last week before Spring Break; tests and projects are going to be *CRUCIAL!*