Praise is not the same as flattery. When we flatter someone, we use excessive compliments that are insincere in order to ingratiate ourselves to that person. When we praise, our compliments are in line with the behavior or accomplishment. We express only admiration that we genuinely feel. For praise to achieve its goal and not be perceived merely as flattery, we need to focus the praise on the
specific action and make sure that the message is worded so that it is in keeping with the significance or value of the accomplishment or behavior. If a friend who tends to be forgetful remembers to return a pair of pliers he borrowed that same day, that is a behavior that should be praised so that it is reinforced. But saying, "You're so wonderful, you're on top of everything" reinforces nothing because it is an overly general statement that does not identify a particular behavior or accomplishment. Overly general statements can be perceived as flattery. Gushing "Oh, you remembered to return the pliers! I'm so grateful. That was just unbelievably thoughtful of you" is overkill that will be perceived as insincere. Simply saying something like "Thanks for returning the pliers today; I really appreciate it" would be appropriate. A response like this acknowledges the accomplishment by describing the specific behavior and the positive feeling of gratitude that the behavior has caused. The author describes flattery as
a. genuine.
b. insincere.
c. admirable.
d. neutral.
b
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Se dice que “se vende mejor” en el idioma del (vendedor, comprador).
Patient #2 Symptôme: __________ Diagnostic: __________
What will be an ideal response?
The Bill of Rights is really a list of promises by the government to the people. There is no similar list of constitutional obligations of the people to the government. Nevertheless, for a democracy to work, citizens must be willing to participate in the political process. When Americans work for a better environment, support political candidates, or speak out or organize on public issues,
whether they dissent from established policy or support it, they are participating in the democratic process. Their opinions and actions are inputs to the political system. Freedom to dissent is an important aspect of democracy. In fact, it may be argued that one of the most important responsibilities Americans have is to exercise the rights protected by the Constitution, including those of free speech and dissent. Voting in elections, participating in political party activity and community programs, forming and expressing political opinions, either singly or through groups—all are necessary to the workings of a healthy political system. Many Americans, however, lament that the system is not responsive enough to their interests. They complain that politicians are only interested in getting reelected and lining their own pockets. Often, they are right. But sometimes those who feel this way fail to take as simple a step as registering to vote. Frequently it does seem that the political system is slow to respond to pressures for change, and that ordinary citizens have no way to express themselves to influence political leaders. Yet, at times, individual citizens have shown that it is not only possible to "fight City Hall" but, occasionally, to win. In the first paragraph, the word dissent means a. obey. b. disagree. c. distrust. d. approve.
Where did the narrator get the $4 she talks about?
What will be an ideal response?