What did you like about the class?
the concept of Psychology is very interesting. learning how our mind and body works is really intriguing. it helps explain a lot of why we do certain things. my favorite section would have to be social psychology because we just learned it and it's fresh in my head, also cause it explains how we interact with others.
What was your favorite activity or project?
creating brain models with Play-Doh.
What didn't you like about the class?
notetaking.
What do you think I should leave out next year?
a few powerpoints and the sensory perception project.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas for things I could do next year in AP Psych?
not spend so much time on disorders and vary teaching methods instead of just power point and lecture.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas for next semester in AP Econ?
hopefully make it just as fun. maybe a few short interactive projects where we can apply what we learn.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Week 5 - Freestyle
So this week we're supposed to blog about any topic from the links on Mrs. Halfen's blog. I read through the Psych Center Mental Health Year in Review 2008 and I fell asleep about four, five times. I couldn't find any topic that was appealing. Then I asked Amanda how she found her topic and she referred me to the blogs at Psychology Today where I found my topic: "Are Dogs Worth More Than Humans?"
The article was a second edition and an address to the commmentary on the author's original topic of Michael Vick and his crime of dog fighting. In this article, the author claims that the relationship between dogs and humans and the way society views dogs is all man-made. We, humans, seek to benefit from this relationship and we therefore go ahead and domesticate dogs. However, an argument was presented that the mass population of dogs must sometimes be controlled and a canine massacre was supposedly suggested. In response, the author stated that scientists have discovered that dogs actually have an inborn sense of morality and emotion that is significantly higher than human children. Therefore, to support an annual canine massacre would be like to support a massacre of children or retarded adults, which if you think about it, that's just totally wrong. The author's reason for stating this is because humans also have a sense of right and wrong even though it's sometimes violated. But in the bigger picture, dogs don't go through scandals and greedy acts that cause harm. They give back to nature relatively more than humans. As a result, dogs aren't worth more than humans (we're still a superior species) but they do need to be better valued and treated than us humans give them credit for.
The article was a second edition and an address to the commmentary on the author's original topic of Michael Vick and his crime of dog fighting. In this article, the author claims that the relationship between dogs and humans and the way society views dogs is all man-made. We, humans, seek to benefit from this relationship and we therefore go ahead and domesticate dogs. However, an argument was presented that the mass population of dogs must sometimes be controlled and a canine massacre was supposedly suggested. In response, the author stated that scientists have discovered that dogs actually have an inborn sense of morality and emotion that is significantly higher than human children. Therefore, to support an annual canine massacre would be like to support a massacre of children or retarded adults, which if you think about it, that's just totally wrong. The author's reason for stating this is because humans also have a sense of right and wrong even though it's sometimes violated. But in the bigger picture, dogs don't go through scandals and greedy acts that cause harm. They give back to nature relatively more than humans. As a result, dogs aren't worth more than humans (we're still a superior species) but they do need to be better valued and treated than us humans give them credit for.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Personality Self-Assessments
After taking the Jung Typology Test, I came up with the results of an ESFJ profile. ESFJ stands for Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging. Reading the description of my profile, I thought it was overall pretty accurate with maybe one or two variations. According to the type description by D. Keirsey, we are Providers. We take it upon ourselves to insure the health and welfare of those in our care. We enjoy providing friendly social service and making sure social functions are a success in the sense that everyone is involved and provided for. We are highly cooperative and excel in maintaining good teamwork. We are friendly, outgoing, neighborly (gregarious) and become restless when isolated from others. We love social interaction to a point where we are even willing to talk to strangers for interaction. Traditions are important to us. Providers are extremely sensitive to the feelings of others. Therefore, we are both the most sympathetic and self-conscious. We have the need to give and receive love. Personal criticism is hurtful to us but appreciation greatly lifts our spirits.
Next I took the attraction test. My overall rating was 2.42 while the average rating by others is 4.03, indicating that I rated the pictures presented as less attractive than the average person. However, I scored higher than the average person in the dimensions of counter-culture, seductiveness, cheerfulness, and trendy. I scored lower than the average person in the dimension of intelligence. In addition, only scores above 50 indicated that the characteristic was actually important to me. Dimensions that I scored higher than 50 include counter-culture, seductiveness, and trendy.
Life Goals Test:
Financial Success - This goal is reflective of placing central value on personal wealth and material possessions, in comparison to other life rewards. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to value financial success about as centrally as the typical study participant.
Social Recognition - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on admiration from others and fame. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place more central value on social recognition than the typical study participant.
Attractiveness - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on appearing physically attractive and having an image that appeals to others. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly more central value on attractiveness than the typical study participant.
Affiliation - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on relationships, including those with family, friends, and potentially one's romantic partner. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to value affiliation about as centrally as the typical study participant.
Community Involvement - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on improving the world and providing help to individuals in need. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly less central value on community involvement than the typical study participant.
Self-Acceptance - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on feeling autonomous and possessing a stable core of self-regard that is not contingent on the opinions of other people. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place less central value on self-acceptance than the typical study participant.
Valuing of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goals - The six goals that were assessed in this survey are theorized to fall into two larger classes of life goals, termed Intrinsic and Extrinsic goals. Intrinsic goals are thought to directly satisfy innate human needs and are reflective of humans' natural tendencies toward positive growth. The goals of Affiliation, Community Involvement, and Self-Acceptance assessed in this survey are examples of Intrinsic Goals. Extrinsic goals, on the other hand, are largely focused on living up to externally imposed standards of value and being a worthy person in the eyes of others. The goals of Financial Success, Social Recognition, and Attractiveness assessed in this survey are examples of Extrinsic Goals. Psychologists have studied the degree to which people place a strong priority on intrinsic goals over extrinsic goals, or vice versa. Most people place a stronger priority on intrinsic goals. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to prioritize intrinsic goals over extrinsic goals to a lesser extent than the typical study participant.
The Sorting Hat:
Next I took the attraction test. My overall rating was 2.42 while the average rating by others is 4.03, indicating that I rated the pictures presented as less attractive than the average person. However, I scored higher than the average person in the dimensions of counter-culture, seductiveness, cheerfulness, and trendy. I scored lower than the average person in the dimension of intelligence. In addition, only scores above 50 indicated that the characteristic was actually important to me. Dimensions that I scored higher than 50 include counter-culture, seductiveness, and trendy.
Life Goals Test:
Financial Success - This goal is reflective of placing central value on personal wealth and material possessions, in comparison to other life rewards. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to value financial success about as centrally as the typical study participant.
Social Recognition - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on admiration from others and fame. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place more central value on social recognition than the typical study participant.
Attractiveness - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on appearing physically attractive and having an image that appeals to others. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly more central value on attractiveness than the typical study participant.
Affiliation - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on relationships, including those with family, friends, and potentially one's romantic partner. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to value affiliation about as centrally as the typical study participant.
Community Involvement - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on improving the world and providing help to individuals in need. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly less central value on community involvement than the typical study participant.
Self-Acceptance - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on feeling autonomous and possessing a stable core of self-regard that is not contingent on the opinions of other people. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place less central value on self-acceptance than the typical study participant.
Valuing of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goals - The six goals that were assessed in this survey are theorized to fall into two larger classes of life goals, termed Intrinsic and Extrinsic goals. Intrinsic goals are thought to directly satisfy innate human needs and are reflective of humans' natural tendencies toward positive growth. The goals of Affiliation, Community Involvement, and Self-Acceptance assessed in this survey are examples of Intrinsic Goals. Extrinsic goals, on the other hand, are largely focused on living up to externally imposed standards of value and being a worthy person in the eyes of others. The goals of Financial Success, Social Recognition, and Attractiveness assessed in this survey are examples of Extrinsic Goals. Psychologists have studied the degree to which people place a strong priority on intrinsic goals over extrinsic goals, or vice versa. Most people place a stronger priority on intrinsic goals. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to prioritize intrinsic goals over extrinsic goals to a lesser extent than the typical study participant.
The Sorting Hat:
Gryffindor: 88 - Students of Gryffindor are typically brave, daring, and chivalrous. Famous members include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Albus Dumbledore (head of Hogwarts), and Minerva McGonagall (head of Gryffindor).
Ravenclaw: 83 - Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable. Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron's affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine's editor).
Hufflepuff: 86 - Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Diggory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.
Slytherin: 46 - Slytherin students are typically cunning and hungry for power. Important members include Draco Malfoy (Harry's nemesis), Professor Severus Snape (head of Slytherin), and Lord Voldemort.
I guess I'll be joining Harry and Ron on their adventures...
Deal With It!
Global Self-Esteem: 52 - This scale measures the tendency to perceive oneself as likable and competent and to positively evaluate one’s personality, intelligence, morality, social skills, physical appearance, and athletic abilities. The relative importance of these dimensions to self-esteem depends on the specific culture or subculture to which the individual belongs. High-scorers typically have greater emotional well-being, are more socially active, and tend to be more friendly, conscientious, and open to new experiences. - Disagree. I think I should have scored higher.
Shame-Prone Personality: 43 - This scale measures the tendency to experience feelings of shame across a wide range of situations in everyday life. When high-scorers believe that they have failed to meet their personal standard of achievement, social appropriateness, or morality, they tend to negatively evaluate themselves in a very general way, thinking for example “I am a bad person” or “I’m dumb.” High-scorers are particularly concerned about the way they are evaluated by others. Shame is typically experienced as feeling worthless and powerless, and often elicits a desire to hide or escape from the person or situation that caused the feeling of shame. - Agree. This is a good low score for this category.
Guilt-Prone Personality: 77 - This scale measures the tendency to experience feelings of guilt across a wide range of situations in everyday life. When high-scorers believe that they have failed to meet their personal standards of achievement, social appropriateness, or morality, they tend to focus on their specific behavior that led to the situation, thinking for example “I behaved in an inappropriate way” or “I did not work hard enough.” High-scorers are often concerned that their behavior hurt or caused damage to others. Guilt typically includes feelings of tension and remorse, and may elicit the desire to confess, apologize, or repair the problem. Guilt is generally experienced as somewhat less emotionally painful than shame. - Disagree. I think I should have scored lower (high 50's - low 60's).
Pride-Prone Personality: 60 - This scale measures the tendency to experience feelings of pride in everyday life. When high-scorers believe that they have met their personal standards of achievement, social appropriateness, or morality, they tend to experience a sense of mastery and perceive themselves as competent and socially valued persons. Pride is typically experienced as a rewarding feeling, which strengthens commitment to social and moral standards and elicits a desire to perform the same behavior in the future again. - Disagree. I think I should have scored higher.
This test was overall contrary to how I view myself.
These personality tests were pretty fun..
Friday, December 5, 2008
Week 3 Personality Disorder
To my buddy,
Hey dude. Long time no see. I've been struggling in school recently. Thought I share with you a bit. I've been quite the school rebel recently. I impulsively graffitied the front doors of the school. I got caught unfortunately. I'm supposed to make up for it in community service hours but I doubt I'll show up to do them. I want to take a trip with some friends here or by myself. Either one. Doesn't matter. But I don't know where to go. I think I'll just leave campus and drive around until I hit a remote location where I can just do whatever I want. Anyway, yesterday, some guy called me out for being inconsiderate and not holding the door while he and his girlfriend walked through. I walked straight up to him and landed a hard blow to his face. Instant black eye man. Then I punched a few more times here and there until he surrendered and appologized. Nobody messes with me! Well, here's just a little update of what's been going on with me. I think I might need some help but I don't care too much. Alright. Later.
- Doug the Thug
P.S. Come with me on the trip. It'll be fun. I don't know what we're doing but you can pay for the expenses alright? Thanks.
Hey dude. Long time no see. I've been struggling in school recently. Thought I share with you a bit. I've been quite the school rebel recently. I impulsively graffitied the front doors of the school. I got caught unfortunately. I'm supposed to make up for it in community service hours but I doubt I'll show up to do them. I want to take a trip with some friends here or by myself. Either one. Doesn't matter. But I don't know where to go. I think I'll just leave campus and drive around until I hit a remote location where I can just do whatever I want. Anyway, yesterday, some guy called me out for being inconsiderate and not holding the door while he and his girlfriend walked through. I walked straight up to him and landed a hard blow to his face. Instant black eye man. Then I punched a few more times here and there until he surrendered and appologized. Nobody messes with me! Well, here's just a little update of what's been going on with me. I think I might need some help but I don't care too much. Alright. Later.
- Doug the Thug
P.S. Come with me on the trip. It'll be fun. I don't know what we're doing but you can pay for the expenses alright? Thanks.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Anxiety Disorders (CS #8)
Case Study 8: A 26 year old man is very concerned about cleanliness and hygiene. He spends a significant amount of time each day washing his hands or showering, especially after touch a toilet seat, doorknob, or any other item he thinks may be dirty or contaminated. The patient explains that he is concerned about becoming infected or sick from touching these objects. He periodically acknowledges that the washing is excessive but explains that he becomes very anxious when he tries to avoid washing and eventually feels compelled to wash even more to make up for the omission.
The patient has mysophobia, a fear of dirt and germs. As a result, his phobia has developed into Obsessive-Compulisive Disorder (OCD).
One recommeneded procedure to treating OCD is behavior therapy (repeated exposure and response prevention). According to Dr. Gerald Tarlow, "facing your fears through therapy can abolish your compulsions and significantly reduce your obsessive thoughts, thus alleviating your feelings of shame and guilt."
The patient has mysophobia, a fear of dirt and germs. As a result, his phobia has developed into Obsessive-Compulisive Disorder (OCD).
One recommeneded procedure to treating OCD is behavior therapy (repeated exposure and response prevention). According to Dr. Gerald Tarlow, "facing your fears through therapy can abolish your compulsions and significantly reduce your obsessive thoughts, thus alleviating your feelings of shame and guilt."
Friday, November 7, 2008
Celebrities with Psychological disorders
Robert Downey Jr., the famous actor from Iron Man, is bipolar. Who knew?? It's amazing to think that a great actor like him suffers from a psychological disorder that affects 1 in 83 people and yet his acting is still amazing.
Robert Downey Jr. has been in and out of drug rehabilitation centers multiple times throughout his life. It wasn't until more recent years while receiving treatment that doctors discovered he had bipolar disorder. His bipolar symptoms are what attribute to his use of alcohol and drugs.
Nevertheless, Robert Downey Jr. is still a great actor. His role in Iron Man was definitely one of his best performances. Despite having bipolar disorder, he never ceases to amaze his audience. That's one good reason to not discriminate against others just because they have a psychological disorder. This is definitely a new perspective worth engaging in.
Links:
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
