Lesson 7 : Reading as a Psycho- Social Process

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Broaded awareness of the impact of reading to the world
An appreciation of purposeful social communication
Motivation to further develop one’s reading abilities

Lets reflect awhile

Not much has been said about the psychological-social aspect of reading,
which possibly account for our lack of appreciation of it. Have you stopped to reflect
that reading is not only an individual activity, but one that has broad psycho-social
dimensions? In the globe, not only ordinary citizens read, but people in the corporate
world, mans call acquire higher reading skills, then possibly progress, peace and
development in the world can advance at a faster pace.

Global Facts about reading

Every second of the day, people read messages from official communication,
mass media and the Internet. Through the Internet alone which is today’s most
popular form of communication, people can read and interact immediately to e-
mails, news and information web-sites, other forms of
information/commercial/political/developmental web-sites, as well as blog-sites
which are interactive journals on all facts of modern living.

Needless to say, reading is a social activity that engages humans in the world. It
is also purposeful social communication, as it involves all facets of life from what is
private to what is official, from what is personal to one that is public. The workings of
businesses, industries, schools, government, foundations and international agencies
like the APEC and the United Nations would be stalled without reading as a human
activity. Imagine the load of messages that we would miss without reading-personal
e-mails and letters newspaper news and commentaries, government documents,
agency plans, international policies, etc.
 Reading is also professional as it is a form of communication done in all the
professions and human pursuits including scientific and technological research and
studies. As you graduate, you would want your prospective employers to read your
job application paper, resume and samples of your written work.

Also, reading is a unique activity which you can adopt every day. Speaking of
reading as a skill like other skills-dancing writing, acting, sports-it is something youcan
continually improve upon. Countless hours have been spent in these other skills and
so we should not be reluctant to accept the suggestion that our reading abilty, too,
needs constructive development. In sum, reading can mean the difference between
the amateur and professional, as well as successful career person you wish to
become.

ACTIVITY

Surf the Internet and list down the many positive avenues for reading that are
available to modern man take note of the negative/harmful messages from the
internet, inclusive of spam, pornography, etc. Report to the class your surfing
experience.