Breaking The Huddle

Hi Everyone!

HBO has a show playing through the end of February called "Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football." (Schedule on link) I'm watching it now & it is AWESOME! Some of you may have gone to see "The Express: The Ernie Davis Story" with me this term. This is even more detailed on the history. I hope you get a chance to see both. These are American Heros whom you should know about and never forget what they did to make a difference in our history!

Got Procrastination?

Hi Everyone!


Do you procrastinate? According to 2007 research cited in an article entitled "Procrastinating Again? How To Kick The Habit" by Trisha Gura, in this month's issue of Scientific American Mind 80-95% of college students do. The article goes into the causes of procrastination and the wide variety of consequences: occupational, health, and academic, as well as some methods to overcome it. You may find this valuable to read over the break to help with the new term.

Is the Gov Crazy?

Hi Everyone!

I know you will all have an opinion for that question! This posting is not a political party position post. Rather, it is a interesting piece in our local paper questioning whether the Govenor's thinking and behavior qualifies as crazy, which is Psychology! Would he be classified as mentally ill? Read "Is Blagojevich crazy, criminal or both?" by Pete Nickeas and Scott Reeder of the Springfield Bureau. You will also note the piece mentions two prof from WIU! :-) Dr. Fulkerson was one of my professors when I was there!

Got Holiday Stress?

Hi Everyone!

Well only 14 more days until Christmas! YIPES! Do you have all your gifts? Are you having a harder time with the economic state we are in? Did you make your cookies? Then there is the cleaning & cooking...FAMILY! :-) Do you typically find yourself getting a bit more stressed during the holidays? Well the APA has a link to The Wichita Eagle paper on how The Holidays Don't Have To Be Stressful. They mention some interesting coping ideas. The Mayo Clinic also has 12 Tips to Deal with Holiday Stress & Depression. Try some of them out & enjoy your Holidays a bit more!

Don't Forget H.M.

Hi Everyone!

You may recall the case of H.M. while studying Memory. H.M., initials for Henry Molaison, passed away this past week. The New York Times has an article on him by Benedict Carey with a link to an interview by NPR. H.M. may not have been able to remember very much, but we can certainly remember him and all he gave to us to understand memory!

Another link Dec 5th Slate by Christopher Beam

Children See, Children Do

Hi Everyone!

You may recall we discussed Bandura's Social Learning Theory. The idea of modeling behavior is a wonderful method when it comes to prosocial behaviors, but we also have to remember children will model socially inappropriate behaviors as well. The following weblink was recently posted on the psychology teacher's listserv and I thought you might like to take a look. Now remember children model anyone & everyone's behaviors! Keep this in mind when you are around them! You DO have an impact on "others"...what impact do you want to be credited with!

Children See, Children Do

Got Brains?

Hi Everyone!

In the December edition of Discover Magazine you will find an article on the 2008 "Best Brains in Science" by Corey S. Powell which you may find quite fascinating. This certainly relates to our modules on Intelligence but also many others including Developmental, Personality, Motivation, Learning, Memory ETC!!! There are 5 individuals under 20 years of age! They also Lifetime Achievers such as Stephen Hawkings & Noam Chomsky among others.

There Is No Need To Panic?!

Hi Everyone!

Have you ever felt any anxiety while taking a test? Going on a Blind Date? Making a Speech? How bad was your "anxiety"? Do you avoid these activities now? Many of you will recall discussing Stress in class. We discussed Hans Seyle's Alarm stage of his General Adaptation Syndrome where the body's 'fight or flight' reaction kicks in under normal stressful event. For some people unfortunately this reaction occurs to non-stressful event. When this happens it is called a Panic Attack. When Panic Attacks begin to interfer with one's quality of life it is diagnosed as a Panic Disorder. The November issue of Scientific American Mind has a piece entitled "Why Do We Panic" by Hal Arkowitz & Scott Lilienfeld. In this article they discuss the difference between normal anxiety, a Panic Attack, & when one is diangosed with a Panic Disorder. They also explore why panic attacks occur.

Questions About Sexual Orientation

Hi Everyone!

The APA has on their main page a link to Answers to your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality which you may find helpful after reading this section in your text. If you have any further questions please let me know!

Did you Hear...?

Hi Everyone!

Have you ever passed along gossip? Every eagerly listened? Is Gossip good or bad? Frank T. McAndrew discusses "The Science of Gossip: Why We Can't Stop Ourselves" in the October issue of Scientific American Mind. Check out what is said concerning gossip about profs! :-)

Taming Temper Tantrums

Hi Everyone!

Have you watched "SuperNanny" on tv? Have you seen those children who are unruly and disrespectful turn into very lovely children? Do you notice the parents behaviors also? In Intro we discuss Temper Tantrums, even adult ones, are typically the results of reinforcing this behavior. Earlier in the term we discussed how behavior problems can actually be a learning problem. Later in the term when we discuss Development we will discuss parenting styles. The October/November issue of Scientific American Mind has a piece by Stefanie Reinberger "Tempering Tantrums." In this article, each of these variables and a few others are discussed. Also discussed is the link between childhood temper tantrums and aggression later on in life.

Scanning Your Brain

Hi Everyone!

In Abnormal Psych we discuss the wide variety of Brain Scans which can be used to help assess psychological disorders. In the October/November issue of Scientific American Mind Michael Shermer's piece suggests "Why You Should Be Skeptical of Brain Scans". He suggests five flaws in the use of results from fMRIs which you may want to critically think about.

Just Download To Your Brain

Hi Everyone!

Have you ever wished you could just have your textbook on a Flash drive & just plug it in & download it to your brain? :-) Well the November Issue of Scientific American has a cover story "Jacking into the Brain -- Is the Brain the Ultimate Computer Interface?" They are discussing some future ideas including an artificial Hippocampus. Check out what they are currently researching in "Neurotechnology"! They even feel this research can lead to the best pedagogical methods for students to learn the quickest!

Do You Suffer From Migraines?

Hi Everyone!

Do you or someone you know suffer from Migraines? If so, please read & pass long this piece from the July 2008 issue of Scientific American called "Why Migraines Strike" written by David Dodick & J. Jay Gargus. The article mentions some more recent theories which are being investigated & perhaps leading to new methods of treating migraines. It also mentioned many triggers of migraines.

Abnormal Psych students will see " epidemiological studies" and the history of Galen mentioned.

The Search for Intelligence

Hi Everyone!

In Intro we discuss Intelligence. One of the fascinating questions when studying Intelligence is how much and in what ways do genes and the environment influence Intelligence. A new article in the October 2008 issue of Scientific American Mind called "Searching For Intelligence In Our Genes" by Carl Zimmer has an update on the current research on how genes may influence Intelligence & how they interact with the Environment. The researchers are very excited to explore genetic influences as they may help identify intellectual weaknessese earlier and thus allow interventions earlier than in the past. They feel it may also help in educational settings.

Get Einstein!

Well, we discuss Einstein in the Intelligence Modules & I thought some of you might like to learn more about him. On PBS WTTW11 Nova will have "Einstein's Big Ideas" airing the following times:

Tues Sept 16th 8pm
Wed Sept 17 12:30am, 5am, 9:30am, & 2pm
Thurs Sept 18 2am

You can also check out the website with some clips to watch etc!

Move It, Move It!

Hi Everyone!

You may remember me showing you in class the Madagascar video of "I Like To Move It, Movie It" (Below). We discussed how exercise benefits one's wellness not only cardiovascularly, but also increases your Norepinephrine, Serotonin & Endorphins resulting in higher self-confidence & discipline, an increase in energy, a decrease in depression, anxiety and tension and improves your cognitive functioning.

Well, some recent research has found more evidence of exercise benefitting cognitive function. Exercise seems to help prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease in the early stages. One could speculate if it is preventing memory cells from dying in those with Alzheimer's, it may do the same on a smaller scale for those of us without Alzheimers.

Another studied mentioned in this report found it also helped these patients with their balance and as a result they did not fall as often...which as you know can have severe consequences in the elderly. How is your memory & balance? :-) Why don't you grab an older family member & start to Move It, Move It!

Find Your Inner Genius!

If you recall I provided some information on Why Intelligent People Fail and 10 Antithetical Traits of Creative People. The June/July issue of Scientific American Mind contains a panel discussion on how to Let Your Creativity Soar. The panel in this article believes that creativity is not just something you are born with, as many believe, but rather teachable and provide the skills needed. They also feel when children are young teachers squash their creativity and that parents have negative attitudes about more creative careers like artists. I am in total agreement!!! Creativity is needed in all areas of your life, personal, academic and professionally, no matter what career you go into. Take a look at the article if you would like to be more creative!

I have two personal examples which supports the the article. The first is I tend to get very creative when I'm biking or treadmilling. Sometimes the ideas are flowing so fast I really do need to stop & write them down. The second, supports the "taking a break" idea. When I was working on my Masters I stayed up very late trying to come up with an idea for my Advance Research Methods class. It was only after I laid down to go to sleep & in the "semisleep state" they mention in the article the idea visually popped in my head. I kept my eyes closed, grabbed a tablet off my desk next to me & wrote it all out. Then I opened my eyes and got up & rewrote it all out nicely. Yes, I had a very sound sleep after that and the idea blew everyone away! :-)

Another New Book!

Hi Everyone!

I have another suggestion of a new book which will be coming out soon. If you recall on your extra credit list I have Tom Friedman's "The World Is Flat" book listed & some videos to watch. (You can also sign up for free download Giveaway for this book & preview of the new one!) Mr. Friedman has received the Pultizer Prize 3 Times!!! His newest book "Hot, Flat & Crowded: Why We Need A Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America" is scheduled to be available Sept 8th! I have asked the LRC to order this book as well. We do have The World is Flat in the LRC now. Watch for him to be on tv about this book. You may find him on YouTube etc. He appears on Charlie Rose (WTTW) quite often.

Are You Twisted?

How does one even define "Twisted"? If you recall when we discussed how one defines a behavior as Abnormal the behavior had to harm yourself or others and one had to consider the time period, culture and context in which the behavior was performed. As you will see in the following article...behaviors you may have thought might be Abnormal or Twisted just may not be. Intriqued? :-)

We were discussing being alone in class and the current issue of Psychology Today has a cover story "Typically Twisted" which interestingly includes a piece on some people preferring to be alone. (You'll need to use your school ID # for the link or read in from the magazine in the LRC or BN). If you go to #6 you will find a section "Solitude Is Bliss" where Jonathan Cheek from Wellesly College explains there are Introverts who really do not experience anxiety. He also says there are shy people who are quite secure & just don't need to affiliate with people as much as others. They have quite fulfilling lives without being as social as others.

There are many other topics discussed which relate to course content as well and just may have you reconsidering what "Twisted" or "Abnormal" is!

1. Slacker's Lament about having no ambition
2. The Dead Zone about having a morbid sense of humor
3. Not Tonight Dear or Ever about not desiring sex
4. Quirky, Kinky, or Creepy about unusual sex fantasies
5. An Infinite Loop about keeping secrets
7. Mommy's Favorite about loving one child more than another

How Sweet It Is!

Are you using Splenda or other sweetners & finding you are not losing weight or perhaps your even gaining? You might like to take a look at this article "Artificial Sweeteners Confound the Brain; May Lead to Diet Disaster" in Scientific American Mind by Lisa Conti. This certainly extends upon our discussion of Motivation of Hunger & Eating Behavior.

New Book

Hi Everyone!

Philip Zimbardo, who conducted the famous Prison Experiment, has a new book coming out in August with John Boyd. It is called The Time Paradox - The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life. If you click on the link you can scroll down & on the left there is a link to read an excerpt & see the table of contents. I've pre-ordered a copy myself. I'll try to have the LRC order it as well.

Got Motivation?

Hi Everyone!

Whenever you are feeling a bit unmotivated, proscratinating etc just take a look at this video! Amazing! It is working for me! When I'm on my treadmill or Total Gym and I'm feeling tired I just think of him and there is no way I can quit! :-)

Total Recall

How many of you have trouble remembering things? Lets see...the grocery list, birthdays & anniversaries (ok ask your wives & girlfriends that one!), homework, where you parked your car, questions on exams....? Ya, I thought so! Wouldn't it be just great if we never forgot anything? We have such an amazing brain when you think of it, not a hard thing to ask of it huh? :-)

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Be Careful What You Wish For"? You just may not want to remember everything! Take it from a woman whose brain can remember so much more than many of us! She goes by "AJ" and I have a link on your extra credit list "Memory Article" on her (remember to click continue on the bottom!) but she is also in the most current issue of Psychology Today (July/August)! This one you'll have to go to the LRC or Barnes & Noble to read on page 42-43. She doesn't quite remember everything, but she has an extraordinary memory ability and it is not always so great to have. Remember Dr. Jim McGaugh in the Memory videoclip we saw in class (the one with the clarinet!), she has been studied by him. Look at what she mentions and what was discussed in the videoclip!!!

So next time you forget something maybe you won't feel quite so bad! :-)

How Does She Remember That?

Hi Everyone!

Do you remember the comment I made in class about one gender seems to recall past events during arguments better than another? Well there is research to support this & I didn't have to go very far to find it. Again in the current issue of Scientific American Mind (June/July) you will find a piece on how women's memory for faces and verbal information does seem to be better than men's.

Got Glials?

Well all of you hopefully remember reading in your text about the Neuron & how it fires electrical impulses. Guess what? They are not the only exciting part of the brain (sorry! Ha!)

If you look at this small piece in the current issue of Scientific American Mind (June/July) you'll read researchers from Stanford University have found that some Glial Cells (page 45 & 559 in your text) also fire electrical impulses & may keep our brain cells healthy!

Welcome!

Hi Everyone!

I've decided to create a separate blog for those who can't get enough from class, reading your text etc! :-) I'll post on interesting pieces from the APA, magazines on the stand, the internet etc. There will be a wide variety of topics pertaining to my Intro, Social & Abnormal courses.