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.