What did you like about the class?
I liked just about everything about the class. The subject matter was all new and arguably the most interesting information I've studied in high school, and the pace of the class was pretty much perfect. I understood all the information pretty much as soon as we learned it because of the clarity of the lectures, and the videos we watched and hands-on activities we did helped me understand anything I wasn't quite clear on. All the extra credit opportunities were very nice even though I didn't do them most of the time.
What was your favorite activity or project?
Building the brain was pretty cool, and the personality-type activity we did at the end of the semester with the music was another one of my favorites
What didn't you like about the class?
I would have liked the class to be two semesters so we could go into more detail about each subject. I found some of the stuff to be so interesting that I was a little disappointed we didn't cover it for more time. Also, I wasn't too big on the blog thing. I think it's a good idea, I just didn't really enjoy it once we got into it.
What do you think I should leave out next year?
The blogs, the senses project.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas for things I could do next year in AP Psych?
Cover psychoanalysis, abnormal psychology, and social psychology in more detail, and maybe do a little more experimenting like the project we did at the beginning of the year where we had to observe someone's behavoir and write a paper on it.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas for next semester in AP Econ?
Keep the projects to a minimum so we can be lazy second semester seniors.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
Interesting Psych Stories
Looking through that PsychCentral blog article reviewing notable pysch stories that were covered throughout the year, I found a few studies that I thought were kind of interesting since they related to my day-to-day life.
One post I found interesting post talked about how recent studies and a new(ish...) book have pretty much completley refuted the idea that violent video games cause violent behavior in teens. I've been following stories about whether or not games are related to violent acts and crimes commited by people around my age, and it's nice to finally hear that playing an hour or two of Gears of War every few days isn't driving me crazy or anything.
I've always looked at stories with kids blaming Grand Theft Auto or another violent game for making them want to commit a robbery or a murder with a skeptic's eye. It seems that a significant number of people, mostly overprotective parents and irresponsible kids, have gotten into their heads the idea that saying "the game made me do it" is an excuse for delinquint behavior that, based on the cases that have had kids blame games on their actions, would concievably have occured whether the perpetrator had played Grand Theft Auto a few hours before or not.
Another article I found to be of interest was one from Scientific American about intelligence in animals. The article talks about how the idea that the human brain is the pinnacle of evolution because of our complex thoughts is wrong because other animals have demonstrated the ability to think and learn as well. I thought the part about the cephalopods (squid, octopus, that sort of thing) was particularly interesting, since it talked about how they can learn by observation and be trained with operant conditioning.
Finally, a blog post about the phenomenon of blindsight, in which someone who is legally blind can still see even though their visual cortex is damaged. I found it interesting because it showed the amazing adaptive power of the mind, which I thought was one of the cooler things we learned about this semester.
One post I found interesting post talked about how recent studies and a new(ish...) book have pretty much completley refuted the idea that violent video games cause violent behavior in teens. I've been following stories about whether or not games are related to violent acts and crimes commited by people around my age, and it's nice to finally hear that playing an hour or two of Gears of War every few days isn't driving me crazy or anything.
I've always looked at stories with kids blaming Grand Theft Auto or another violent game for making them want to commit a robbery or a murder with a skeptic's eye. It seems that a significant number of people, mostly overprotective parents and irresponsible kids, have gotten into their heads the idea that saying "the game made me do it" is an excuse for delinquint behavior that, based on the cases that have had kids blame games on their actions, would concievably have occured whether the perpetrator had played Grand Theft Auto a few hours before or not.
Another article I found to be of interest was one from Scientific American about intelligence in animals. The article talks about how the idea that the human brain is the pinnacle of evolution because of our complex thoughts is wrong because other animals have demonstrated the ability to think and learn as well. I thought the part about the cephalopods (squid, octopus, that sort of thing) was particularly interesting, since it talked about how they can learn by observation and be trained with operant conditioning.
Finally, a blog post about the phenomenon of blindsight, in which someone who is legally blind can still see even though their visual cortex is damaged. I found it interesting because it showed the amazing adaptive power of the mind, which I thought was one of the cooler things we learned about this semester.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Personality Test Day
Test 1- Jung Typology Test
Slightly Expressed Introvert- 22%
Moderately Expressed Intuitive Personality- 50%
Moderately Expressed Feeling Personality- 25%
Slightly Expressed Percieving Personality- 11%
I got INFP (Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Percieving) on this first quiz. According to the sites provided, people with my personality type have a profound sense of idealism and right and wrong, and they tend to view things on a "good vs. evil" rather than just a "good vs. bad" scale. They also said that people with my personality tend to act on impulse and make errors because of it but all the time they are made with good intention.
People with my personality type are apparently always curious and they have a gift for writing and interpreting stories and turning technical jargon into leyman's terms.
I feel like this describes me pretty well for the most part, and it was interesting to see that I shared a personality type with Homer, Shakespeare, JFK, and Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. Overall I thought it was pretty accurate, and the questions were easy to answer without much hesitation.
Test 2 - The California Child Q-Set (CCQ)
"The Big Five"
Extraversion- 50/100
High scorers tend to be very sociable and outgoing, low scorers tend to be reserved and serious. I scored right down the middle and that sounds about right with me. A lot of times I often prefer to just be with a small group of friends rather than in big crowds, but I don't have trouble talking with new people or being around those I don't know very well either.
Agreeableness- 63/100
High scorers tend to be compassionate, good-natured, and avoid conflict. Low scorers tend to be hardheaded, skeptical, proud, etc. I should have scored higher here if I may be so bold... I'm definitely not one to avoid conflict or arguments most of the time.
Conscientiousness- 75/100
High scoreres tend to be responsible and well organized and have higher standards for themselves and others. Low scoreres tend to be more spontaneous and can sometimes be careless. I don't know about the planning ahead part, but otherwise I'm pretty conscientious most of the time. I pay attention to details and have high standards when it comes to just about everything.
Neuroticism- 49/100
High scorers tend to be sensitive, emotional, and prone to upsetting feelings. Low scorers are more secure, generally relaxed, and worry less. Not so sure about this one. I think my score should have been a little higher just because of how I overreact to stuff sometimes, but I'm not really too sure.
Openness to Experience- 84/100
High scorers tend to be open to new experience, and have broad interests. Low scorers tend to be more down-to-earth, less imaginative, and pretty much set in their ways. This definitely is accurate, I'm definitely a more open person when it comes to new experiences and tastes in music, political views, and that kind of thing.
Overall I thought this test was pretty accurate. It seemed pretty similar to the first quiz I took but I still found it interesting to see what results I got.
Test 3- Deviant Personality Test
Your score on Lack of Ethics was 3.25. The average score is 3.35.
Your score on Dishonesty was 3.67. The average score is 3.90.
Your score on Misanthropy was 3.75. The average score is 3.20.
Together these traits form what we call the Trusting vs. Manipulative dimension.
Your score was 3.64. The average Trusting vs. Manipulative dimension score was 3.46.
Your scores indicate that you are more manipulative than the average person taking this test.
Your score on Arrogance was 3.50. The average score is 3.76.
Your score on Dominance was 4.27. The average score is 4.14.
Your score on Self-Aggrandizement was 4.50. The average score is 4.44.
Together, these traits form what we call Self-Assuredness.
Your score was 2.90. The average score was 2.92.
Your scores indicate that you are below average on Self-Assuredness when compared with others.
Your score on Impuslivity was 3.78. The average score is 3.96.
Your score on Lack of Feelings was 3.40. The average score is 4.24.
Together, these two traits are considered to form what we call the Hero/Rogue dimension.
Your score was 3.64. The average score is 4.02.
Your scores indicate that you are below average on this dimension when compared with others. People with these scores tend to get more frightened than average in emergency situations. They tend to be more harm aversive and law-abiding on average.
Your score on Dishonesty was 3.67. The average score is 3.90.
Your score on Misanthropy was 3.75. The average score is 3.20.
Together these traits form what we call the Trusting vs. Manipulative dimension.
Your score was 3.64. The average Trusting vs. Manipulative dimension score was 3.46.
Your scores indicate that you are more manipulative than the average person taking this test.
Your score on Arrogance was 3.50. The average score is 3.76.
Your score on Dominance was 4.27. The average score is 4.14.
Your score on Self-Aggrandizement was 4.50. The average score is 4.44.
Together, these traits form what we call Self-Assuredness.
Your score was 2.90. The average score was 2.92.
Your scores indicate that you are below average on Self-Assuredness when compared with others.
Your score on Impuslivity was 3.78. The average score is 3.96.
Your score on Lack of Feelings was 3.40. The average score is 4.24.
Together, these two traits are considered to form what we call the Hero/Rogue dimension.
Your score was 3.64. The average score is 4.02.
Your scores indicate that you are below average on this dimension when compared with others. People with these scores tend to get more frightened than average in emergency situations. They tend to be more harm aversive and law-abiding on average.
I was interested in the results of this test, but wasn't too impressed with the outcome. I feel like it wasn't very informative and wasn't really sure what the point of it was.
Test 4- Attraction Test
Dimension: Counter-Culture
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to like women that look mischevious, rebellious, and non-traditional. Low scorers tend to prefer 'nice' girls.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to like women that look mischevious, rebellious, and non-traditional. Low scorers tend to prefer 'nice' girls.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Dimension: Seductiveness
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to be particularly attracted to women that are sexually suggestive and expressive. Low scorers tend to prefer girls that are more modest about their sexuality.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to be particularly attracted to women that are sexually suggestive and expressive. Low scorers tend to prefer girls that are more modest about their sexuality.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Dimension: Cheerfulness
Individuals that score high on this dimension are particularly attracted to girls that look happy, fun-loving, and upbeat.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Individuals that score high on this dimension are particularly attracted to girls that look happy, fun-loving, and upbeat.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Dimension: Intelligence
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to be particularly attracted to women that look intelligent and soft-hearted.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to be particularly attracted to women that look intelligent and soft-hearted.
Feedback:
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
Dimension: Trendy
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to prefer women that are well-dressed and well-groomed, fashionable, urban, and more feminine.
Feedback:
You tend to somewhat prefer people that have this characteristic, and you prefer this characteristic more than the average person.
Individuals who score high on this dimension tend to prefer women that are well-dressed and well-groomed, fashionable, urban, and more feminine.
Feedback:
You tend to somewhat prefer people that have this characteristic, and you prefer this characteristic more than the average person.
This test was just goofy. The results weren't really accurate at all, and I can't see how you can make a test on as broad and abstract a subject as attraction.
Test 5- Life Goals
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 place less central value on financial success than 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 less 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 value community involvement about as centrally as 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 slightly 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 about the same degree as the typical study participant.
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 place less central value on financial success than 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 less 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 value community involvement about as centrally as 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 slightly 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 about the same degree as the typical study participant.
This test was... interesting. I kind of already had in mind what my "life goals" were but it was kind of cool to see them laid out. Overall I thought this test was accurate but kind of unnecessary.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Letter Home 12/5/08
Position= pencil on lip; Average score = 4.6
Dear Mom and Dad,
Writing to let you know I got your last letter. College is going fine. Had a trouble adjusting at first but now am pretty used to how things work. Classes are hard. Have pulled a few all-nighters already, but am having fun too.
Know you're wondering if I've made new friends, answer is not really. Have always had trouble with that. Went to a few parties, had a little fun but was nervous the whole time. Felt like everyone was staring at me. Didn't know what they wanted, got scared, left. Problem may have been my decision to wear pants inside out. Tried reading minds but was unsuccessful. Must have known I was coming and and prepared accordingly.
Gotta go. Fringe is on, must see if they talk about me again. Will write later.
-Alec
Dear Mom and Dad,
Writing to let you know I got your last letter. College is going fine. Had a trouble adjusting at first but now am pretty used to how things work. Classes are hard. Have pulled a few all-nighters already, but am having fun too.
Know you're wondering if I've made new friends, answer is not really. Have always had trouble with that. Went to a few parties, had a little fun but was nervous the whole time. Felt like everyone was staring at me. Didn't know what they wanted, got scared, left. Problem may have been my decision to wear pants inside out. Tried reading minds but was unsuccessful. Must have known I was coming and and prepared accordingly.
Gotta go. Fringe is on, must see if they talk about me again. Will write later.
-Alec
Friday, November 21, 2008
Case Study 6: A 28-year-old woman was walking through her local shopping mall
when she began to feel intensely anxious. The anxiety was accompanied by sensations of choking, smothering, and a sudden sense that the people and stores around her were unreal. She began to fear that she was going crazy and the more she worried about this the more anxious she became. A guard, seeing that she was in distress, brought her to the mall office where she was able to lie down. A few minutes later the symptoms began to subside. She went home after leaving the mall but she did not tell her husband what happened. A week later she had a similar attack while she was walking down the street. She was able to reach her house where she lay down until the attack ended. In the following three weeks she had two or more attacks. Between attacks she was constantly worried about having another attack. The patient was finally forced to tell her husband about the problem because she was so fearful of not being able to get help if an attack occurred that she would not leave her house alone or travel on public
transportation.
when she began to feel intensely anxious. The anxiety was accompanied by sensations of choking, smothering, and a sudden sense that the people and stores around her were unreal. She began to fear that she was going crazy and the more she worried about this the more anxious she became. A guard, seeing that she was in distress, brought her to the mall office where she was able to lie down. A few minutes later the symptoms began to subside. She went home after leaving the mall but she did not tell her husband what happened. A week later she had a similar attack while she was walking down the street. She was able to reach her house where she lay down until the attack ended. In the following three weeks she had two or more attacks. Between attacks she was constantly worried about having another attack. The patient was finally forced to tell her husband about the problem because she was so fearful of not being able to get help if an attack occurred that she would not leave her house alone or travel on public
transportation.
Subject has a clear case of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. As defined by the DSM-IV, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is marked by panic attacks which are then followed by at least a month of persistent fear of further attacks, and/or a significant change in behavior. Since these symptoms are presumably not brought on by any medication, illicit drug abuse, a previous medical condition like hyperthyroidism. An agorophobic panic disorder also accounts for subject's symptoms better than similar disorders such as OCD or Social Phobia.
The reccommended treatment for Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia are therapy to help the subject understand and control the thoughts that are the source of her condition and anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication. Meditation and further behavoiral counseling have also been known to lessen the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
Diagnoses for other cases:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (due to her constant worrying and difficulty concentrating)
2. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (due to her traumatic accident and persistent avoidance of places similar to the highway it occured on)
3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (mysophobia, hand washing obsession)
4. Acute Stress Disorder (flashbacks, startles easily, anxiety
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tesla: Mad Scientist or Eccentric Genius?
Nikolai Tesla is one of history's most controversial figures when it comes to the world of science and invention. His contributions to modern science and technology include the invention of wireless communication and groundbreaking achievements in electrical engineering like the Alternating Current. His many inventions and bitter rivalry with Thomas Edison lent him fame and recognition, but his eccentricities and bizzare claims about what strange things might be possible with the application of science led him to be shunned late in life as a 'mad scientist.'
It is not known for sure if Tesla had a true psychological disorder, but modern psychologists have suggested due to his eccentric behavior that he suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and was a mysophobe. Researchers cite his obsession with the number three and his dislike of touching round objects as evidence of his OCD, and many accounts by Tesla's contemporaries state that he was obsessive about cleanliness and hygiene.
OCD has received notable press coverage recently, with a number of celebrities having revealed that they suffer from the disorder. OCD is interesting to me because it seems like it covers a very wide variety of symptoms, many of which were dismissed as mere eccentricities in Tesla's time. Perhaps with proper treatment, Tesla could have gone on to achieve and create some of his most outlandish ideas without the label of a 'mad scientist.'
It is not known for sure if Tesla had a true psychological disorder, but modern psychologists have suggested due to his eccentric behavior that he suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and was a mysophobe. Researchers cite his obsession with the number three and his dislike of touching round objects as evidence of his OCD, and many accounts by Tesla's contemporaries state that he was obsessive about cleanliness and hygiene.
OCD has received notable press coverage recently, with a number of celebrities having revealed that they suffer from the disorder. OCD is interesting to me because it seems like it covers a very wide variety of symptoms, many of which were dismissed as mere eccentricities in Tesla's time. Perhaps with proper treatment, Tesla could have gone on to achieve and create some of his most outlandish ideas without the label of a 'mad scientist.'
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