The Blind Man who can see - extra credit

Click on the following link and watch the video and listen to the story of "TN."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98590831

While we have had almost no discussion about our fascinating brain in class, give some comments on this intriguing and curious story.

Post by January 5 for the extra credit!

p. 595-612

After reading about personality disoders, dissociative disorders, and schizophrenia, try to connect any one character from the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to a particular disorder.

Provide as much detail from the text to highlight why your chosen character may have had that disorder.

Due on Wednesday, January 7.

Reading 578-594 & Cuckoo's Nest

After reading about anxiety disorders and mood disorders, try to connect any one character from the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to a particular disorder. Provide as much detail from the text to highlight why your chosen character may have had that disorder.

Due on Tuesday, December 16.

ALSO - DREAM JOURNAL IS DUE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19!! PLEASE SEND VIA E-MAIL.

My Lobotomy

EXTRA CREDIT BLOG!!

Go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5014080 and click on "listen now." This is approximately 22 minutes long and is a fascinating (also somewhat disconcerting and disturbing) story of a man who was lobotomized as a child.

When done, post your thoughts on the procedure. However be sure to carefully listen to the parts of the story when Howard Dully talks to people who felt the procedure had benefits.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the end!

Sorry about forgetting to creating a post for yesterday. I know you all missed it!

React to the end of the movie. Did you like/dislike the ending? Give reasons! How would you change the ending if you could?

Have fun!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, part 2

Now that you have observed all these characters (McMurphy, Chief, Harding, Bibbitt, Martini, Cheswick, and Taber) a little, tell me if you think they have a mental illness. I know we are not ready to label them something specific, but we can describe their behavior and decide if they need psychiatric treatment. So go ahead and describe their problems, if any.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, part 1

Ok, now that you have seen the first "group session" run by Nurse Ratched, comment on the treatment methodology. Based on what you know about on a number of personality theories, does it make sense to use a group setting to help people confront and overcome their problems? What good, if any, could come from Nurse Ratched's "treatment?"

Due Tuesday morning, December 9.

Reading, p. 572-577

Ok, now we are onto the good stuff in Psychology, the real reason why you are all here - to find what mental disorder we all (me excluded!) have.

But seriously, psychological disorders are no laughing matter, particularly since a 1994 survey found that almost 50% of the population have experienced symptoms of mental illness at some point in their lives. A more recent study showed that almost 20% of young adults age 18-24 have a serious personality disorder (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28004005/) and another 30% have other psychological issues! Oftentimes these issues lead to destructive behavior (think the Virginia Tech tragedy) and perhaps even suicide.

After thinking about these statistics and the definition of mental disorder (p. 575), explain whether you believe these numbers are real. Are these statistics over-inflated because of a definition that is too broad? Is mental illness this serious of an issue in our society?

I know this is a lot to think about but I believe all of you will have some profound comments. Please post blog by Monday, December 8. For those thinking about extra credit - come back to make multiple comments and get your parents involved in this issue.

Also check out the following:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28001610
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28002991/

Beyond Freedom & Dignity

Did you enjoy reading Skinner's Beyond Freedom and Dignity? If you did, you are a better person than I am!

Anyways, as difficult as the reading was, Skinner has some provocative thoughts on the nature of the human condition. The implications of his theory are also significant because they would offer a solution to the many problems which have plagued humans from the beginning of time.

Consider the idea of human freedom (autonomous man) and tell us if you agree with Skinner that no man is truly free. Then depending on whether you agree or not, evaluate whether humans can ever create the "perfect society" implied in Skinner's Beyond Freedom and Dignity.

Spend some time pondering these issues and considering the questions in the excerpt before writing. Blog is due on Monday, November 24.

Operant Conditioning Reading, p. 205-220

After reading about Operant Conditioning, do the following two things:

1. Ask B.F. Skinner 2 questions concerning Operant Conditioning. They can be philosophical in nature or they can be for clarification of something you do not understand.

2. Briefly explain the essential difference between operant and classical conditioning.

Blog is due by Thursday, November 20.

Something random

Just say whatever comes to your mind! You do not need to respond if you do not want to respond. This is really just a chance for someone in the class to respond before Natalie.

Reading, p 186-191 - Classical Conditioning

This section tells us the dynamics involved in Pavlov's accidental discovery of Classical Conditioning. Do you believe an understanding of this phenomena gives us insight into certain human behaviors? Which ones? Predict how this concept can be applied to humans.

Post blog by Friday, November 14.

Reading, p 469-473

Now that you have a pretty good understanding of the psychoanalytic approach to personality and have read about the humanistic perspective, briefly explain which would give a better understanding of human personality. Give specific details to support your conclusion.

Post by November 3.

Extra Credit 1

Read "A Healthy Obsession" and post your reaction to the article. Do you believe that we can overcome harmful addictions by replacing them with healthy ones?

Please post by October 23.

Next Reading on Other Theorists

You guys are doing a great job! I have been receiving numerous compliments about the work you are doing with these postings. Continue the good work!!

Read p. 464 -469. Do these Neo-Freudians make more or less sense than Sigmund Freud? Which of their theories, if any, sound the best?

Please post by October 20.

Freud or Fraud?

Time to take a position! I have taken a lot of time explaining Freudian theory in much detail. Was that time well-spent? Based on the readings, tell us if you think Freud was a "fraud" and I have misused the limited time we have in Psychology. Or do you think Freudian theory is relevant still today and should continue to be an important part of any Psychology curriculum.

Again, multiple postings and parental participation gets you extra credit!!

FIRST POST DUE OCTOBER 6!!

Freud, part 3

Now that you have completed the text for all of Freud's theory, tell what part makes the most and the least sense to you. Be sure to reference the text to give your reasons.

Freud, part 2

Give us an example of one instance in which you or someone you know (make up a name to protect the innocent or guilty) used an ego defense mechanism. Be sure to identify the defense mechanism used. Then tell us if you believe ego defense mechanisms are real and a natural way to deal with difficult psychological conditions. Be sure to explain why or why not.

Freud, part 1

Now that you have been introduced to some of Sigmund Freud's theory, tell me what part of his structure of the personality makes sense to you. Also if something sounds ridiculous, comment on it, too. Explain why it makes sense or why it does not.

Animal Research - Is it necessary or a waste?

Some people have suggested that using animals in experimentation is unethical since animals cannot "volunteer" to participate. They suggest humans have a moral obligation to be caretakers of our world and not subject animals to suffering. However, others contend that our superior status in the world confers upon us the right to utilize animals to advance our condition.

Please react to the two articles on the use of animals in medical research. Do you support or oppose the use of animals in experimentation? Use evidence and please be specific in referencing the articles to support your position!

MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK AND READ COMMENTS BY YOUR CLASSMATES! ADDITIONAL RESPONSES TO OTHERS WILL GET YOU EXTRA CREDIT! IN ADDITION, ENCOURAGE YOUR PARENTS TO VIEW THE BLOG AND INVITE THEM TO PARTICIPATE. PARENTAL PARTICIPTION WILL GET YOU EXTRA CREDIT, TOO.

BE SURE ALL COMMENTS ARE APPROPRIATE!

First post is due September 15.

Which early School of Psychology do you like?

While the text reading on the early schools are limited in this chapter, there is enough to give you a general idea of what their main approach is to human behavior. Tell me which one makes the most sense to you and would likely be the most "modern."

Why are you here?

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Psychology! I hope you have as much fun learning in this class as I have teaching it. Psychology offers a window into not only the thinking and behavior of those people around you but also ourselves. It is still a relatively young science and there is much to learn still. Since this course is an introduction, I truly hope you pursue more classes in Psychology later in your academic career.

For now, tell me why you are taking this class. What are your goals for this class? What do you hope to learn?