Friday, January 9, 2009
My Psychology Experience
This year I had a ton of fun in psychology. I loved all the cool videos we watched and really liked the funny slideshows we had. My favorite activity had to be making the playdoh brain! I never thought playing with playdoh could be that informative! =) My least favortie thing, not saying I hated it, was the AP practice tests. I never really got much out of them, it just seemed really long and boring........ But it did give us an insight into how our AP test will be like, hopefully. Something to leave out for next year, hmmm. I really do not think there is anything to leave out. Overall I wished it was a full year course so we could watch some more cool videos!! For Ap economics, I would reccomend trying to find cool vids! Haha Psychology>Economics
Friday, December 19, 2008
Do you smile? =)
Happiness, But Not Sadness, Catches On
In an interesting article published yesterday, we noted a new study of 5,000 people that looked at their emotional states over 20 years.
The researchers found that while happiness may spread through a person’s social network of friends, neighbors and family (”contagious” may be too strong a word, since the effect is not really like a virus), sadness did not.
Using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Index (a standard metric) that study participants completed, the researchers found that when an individual becomes happy, a friend living within a mile experiences a 25 percent increased chance of becoming happy. A co-resident spouse experiences an 8 percent increased chance, siblings living within one mile have a 14 percent increased chance, and for next door neighbors, 34 percent.
But the real surprise came with indirect relationships. Again, while an individual becoming happy increases his friend’s chances, a friend of that friend experiences a nearly 10 percent chance of increased happiness, and a friend of that friend has a 5.6 percent increased chance—a three-degree cascade. […]
They also found that, contrary to what your parents taught you, popularity does lead to happiness. People in the center of their network clusters are the most likely people to become happy, odds that increase to the extent that the people surrounding them also have lots of friends. However, becoming happy does not help migrate a person from the network fringe to the center. Happiness spreads through the network without altering its structure.
This is a fascinating finding and would be interesting to see it replicated in modern times, and to our online social networks. Could a 2nd level online network connection experience greater levels of happiness because of your own happiness?
Since connections online are so less physically-based than our face-to-face connections, a characteristic the current study found important, it suggests that these findings may not replicate as robustly online.
Another interesting part of the study was how the researchers found the data — through handwritten administrative tracking sheets dating back to 1971 from the Framingham Heart Study that had previously been locked away.
This article really interests me. I have always wondered about the effect on people being happy versus people being sad on those around them. This article was perfect. The overall positive correlation between how happy one person is and how happy people around them are is a very good thing. I believe that people should always try to put a smile on their face because happiness does seem to be contagious, so to speak. Even in the most frustrating or sad situations, who can resist their best friends smile?
One of the most interesting parts of this article, is how they used data from 1971 in order to further prove their theories and conclusions. That study provided a key time frame that helped them maintain creditability. To be able to take that information, that has been locked away, and use it to further prove your own theory, is impressive. I really enjoyed learning about this, and maybe it will help my friends smile a bit more! =D
In an interesting article published yesterday, we noted a new study of 5,000 people that looked at their emotional states over 20 years.
The researchers found that while happiness may spread through a person’s social network of friends, neighbors and family (”contagious” may be too strong a word, since the effect is not really like a virus), sadness did not.
Using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Index (a standard metric) that study participants completed, the researchers found that when an individual becomes happy, a friend living within a mile experiences a 25 percent increased chance of becoming happy. A co-resident spouse experiences an 8 percent increased chance, siblings living within one mile have a 14 percent increased chance, and for next door neighbors, 34 percent.
But the real surprise came with indirect relationships. Again, while an individual becoming happy increases his friend’s chances, a friend of that friend experiences a nearly 10 percent chance of increased happiness, and a friend of that friend has a 5.6 percent increased chance—a three-degree cascade. […]
They also found that, contrary to what your parents taught you, popularity does lead to happiness. People in the center of their network clusters are the most likely people to become happy, odds that increase to the extent that the people surrounding them also have lots of friends. However, becoming happy does not help migrate a person from the network fringe to the center. Happiness spreads through the network without altering its structure.
This is a fascinating finding and would be interesting to see it replicated in modern times, and to our online social networks. Could a 2nd level online network connection experience greater levels of happiness because of your own happiness?
Since connections online are so less physically-based than our face-to-face connections, a characteristic the current study found important, it suggests that these findings may not replicate as robustly online.
Another interesting part of the study was how the researchers found the data — through handwritten administrative tracking sheets dating back to 1971 from the Framingham Heart Study that had previously been locked away.
This article really interests me. I have always wondered about the effect on people being happy versus people being sad on those around them. This article was perfect. The overall positive correlation between how happy one person is and how happy people around them are is a very good thing. I believe that people should always try to put a smile on their face because happiness does seem to be contagious, so to speak. Even in the most frustrating or sad situations, who can resist their best friends smile?
One of the most interesting parts of this article, is how they used data from 1971 in order to further prove their theories and conclusions. That study provided a key time frame that helped them maintain creditability. To be able to take that information, that has been locked away, and use it to further prove your own theory, is impressive. I really enjoyed learning about this, and maybe it will help my friends smile a bit more! =D
Friday, December 12, 2008
Psychological
Jung Career Indicator-
I was classified as ENFJ. Common careers are teachers, counselors, psychologists, and physicians. The overall personality of an ENFJ, or J, is very caring and constantly wanting to help. When studied they were found to always put others before themselves and consantly take on large amounts of responsibility. Suprisinlgly, this is a pretty good description of myself. I found that this test to be somewhat reliable. I felt that it may have been more biased than I would have liked for certain aspects of the general characteristics.
The California Child Q-set-
Overall I liked this test more than the first one. Instead of the typical yes or no questions, you were allowed to rank yourself in a question. I find this method to be much more reliable. In this test I scored: Extraversion=50
Agreeableness=71
Conscientiousness=58
Neuroticism=19
Openness to Experience= 80
Big Five Personality Test
Expressive Style=4.3
Interpersonal Styly=3.9
Work Style=3.2
Emotional Style= 4.1
Intellectual Style=4.3
Deviant Personality Test
Manipulative=3.54
Self-Assured=3.62
Hero/Rogue Dimension=4.71
I was classified as ENFJ. Common careers are teachers, counselors, psychologists, and physicians. The overall personality of an ENFJ, or J, is very caring and constantly wanting to help. When studied they were found to always put others before themselves and consantly take on large amounts of responsibility. Suprisinlgly, this is a pretty good description of myself. I found that this test to be somewhat reliable. I felt that it may have been more biased than I would have liked for certain aspects of the general characteristics.
The California Child Q-set-
Overall I liked this test more than the first one. Instead of the typical yes or no questions, you were allowed to rank yourself in a question. I find this method to be much more reliable. In this test I scored: Extraversion=50
Agreeableness=71
Conscientiousness=58
Neuroticism=19
Openness to Experience= 80
Big Five Personality Test
Expressive Style=4.3
Interpersonal Styly=3.9
Work Style=3.2
Emotional Style= 4.1
Intellectual Style=4.3
Deviant Personality Test
Manipulative=3.54
Self-Assured=3.62
Hero/Rogue Dimension=4.71
Friday, December 5, 2008
Hey little sis!
I have really missed you. Why haven't you written to me yet? I love my school, but it gets lonely sometimes. Most of my friends are in different classes than me. My grades are pretty decent, the only class that I have a C in is physics, but that is because my teacher doesn't teach very well. I'm just starting a project for her class today. Its really interesting. I have to create a model of the earth and then create a model of the moon at the appropriate distance. I think it may be due tomorrow. So remember John, we broke up a week ago now, but there is a new guy. His name is Jack and I love him! He is so sweet and caring. He is always around now because my roommate is never here. Its really nice to have someone that will be there for you. I miss you terribly little sis. You should come visit me soon, and write a letter too. I love you and I will be home next weekend, though that seems like a long time for me. =(
Love your big sis,
Emily
I have really missed you. Why haven't you written to me yet? I love my school, but it gets lonely sometimes. Most of my friends are in different classes than me. My grades are pretty decent, the only class that I have a C in is physics, but that is because my teacher doesn't teach very well. I'm just starting a project for her class today. Its really interesting. I have to create a model of the earth and then create a model of the moon at the appropriate distance. I think it may be due tomorrow. So remember John, we broke up a week ago now, but there is a new guy. His name is Jack and I love him! He is so sweet and caring. He is always around now because my roommate is never here. Its really nice to have someone that will be there for you. I miss you terribly little sis. You should come visit me soon, and write a letter too. I love you and I will be home next weekend, though that seems like a long time for me. =(
Love your big sis,
Emily
Friday, November 21, 2008
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Case Study 2: Hannah, age 55, was in a major car accident 20 years ago during a cross country trip. Ever since, she has been unable to drive on major highways. Although she does drive, she goes to great length to travel only on back roads and scenic routes. She is able to go where she wants but it often takes her much longer to get there than it should.
Hannah's fear of highways after her accident, shows me that she is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This disorder is normally caused by an experience that led to major physical or mental harm to the patient, such as car accidents, wars, and rape. The normal response is for that person to feel helpless and have a great sense of fear of any stimuli that remind them of the event.
Hannah endured a car accident almost 20 years ago, and she still suffers from it. Even though the physical traumas have been healed, her psychological state is still in shambles while driving. Since her experience was on a highway, Hannah is terrified of them. This symptom has gotten to be so intense, that Hannah avoids all highways, choosing to take the back roads that nearly double her drive time. Highways act as her stimuli, and bring back memories of the accident, causing Hannah to believe that it will happen again. This anxiety disorder is very severe. Normally symptoms of PTSD would be gone within 3 months of the event, yet twenty years later Hannah still suffers from them.
My treatment for Hannah would be immediate psychological help. I would recommend that she see a PTSD therapist as soon as possible. Though she may feel embarrassed or like she is weak, it is better for her to get treatment than live any longer with the disorder. She should have see a therapist right after the accident occurred because now it will take a much longer time for her to get over the event. She needs to know that this event is past, and will always be past.
Hannah's fear of highways after her accident, shows me that she is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This disorder is normally caused by an experience that led to major physical or mental harm to the patient, such as car accidents, wars, and rape. The normal response is for that person to feel helpless and have a great sense of fear of any stimuli that remind them of the event.
Hannah endured a car accident almost 20 years ago, and she still suffers from it. Even though the physical traumas have been healed, her psychological state is still in shambles while driving. Since her experience was on a highway, Hannah is terrified of them. This symptom has gotten to be so intense, that Hannah avoids all highways, choosing to take the back roads that nearly double her drive time. Highways act as her stimuli, and bring back memories of the accident, causing Hannah to believe that it will happen again. This anxiety disorder is very severe. Normally symptoms of PTSD would be gone within 3 months of the event, yet twenty years later Hannah still suffers from them.
My treatment for Hannah would be immediate psychological help. I would recommend that she see a PTSD therapist as soon as possible. Though she may feel embarrassed or like she is weak, it is better for her to get treatment than live any longer with the disorder. She should have see a therapist right after the accident occurred because now it will take a much longer time for her to get over the event. She needs to know that this event is past, and will always be past.
Friday, November 7, 2008
John Nash
John Nash is one of the greatest minds today. He was only 21 when he wrote his 27-page outline of the "Nash Equilibrium". The impact of this theory was amazing. John Nash applied to Princeton university in 1948 with a one sentence recommendation, "This man is genius." And that was all it took. It was here Nash was first introduced to the theory of games. Nash soon turned the theory inside out and took it too an entirely new level. That was not his only contribution, he was also a mathematical genius. As an undergraduate he proved Brouwer's fixed point theorem and broke one of Riemann's most perplexing mathematical conundrums. in 1958 an unfortunate turn of events hits Nash. He is struck with a case of paranoid schizophrenia.
Nash's career was blown out of the water in 1958 when he was struck by paranoid schizophrenia. The disease hit him so hard he was nearly incapacitated. In 1959, his lost his job at M.I.T. and did nothing else for the next two decades. He later ended up back on the Princeton campus and became known as "the Phanton of Fine Hall". Slowly, the disease began to exvaporate in the early 1970's and Nash returned little by little to his mathematical works. Nash continued to work and received the Nobel Prize in 1994, sharing it with John C. Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten. He considered the work "his most trivial" accomplishment.
I believe that schizophrenia is a very harmful disease, that can and will ruin someones life. Nash was very lucky to have eventually gotten over it, even though it took more than 2 decades. It almost ruined his entire career, and took 2 decades of his life away from him. What interests me is that he did not take his madness as madness, he took it as a higher level of thinking. He mentioned that it felt as if he was breathing air too rare for mortals, and that by him no longer having the disorder, he could not make original discoveries. John Nash was an ingeous man.
Link 1 http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:John_f_nash_20061102_3.jpg
Nash's career was blown out of the water in 1958 when he was struck by paranoid schizophrenia. The disease hit him so hard he was nearly incapacitated. In 1959, his lost his job at M.I.T. and did nothing else for the next two decades. He later ended up back on the Princeton campus and became known as "the Phanton of Fine Hall". Slowly, the disease began to exvaporate in the early 1970's and Nash returned little by little to his mathematical works. Nash continued to work and received the Nobel Prize in 1994, sharing it with John C. Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten. He considered the work "his most trivial" accomplishment.
I believe that schizophrenia is a very harmful disease, that can and will ruin someones life. Nash was very lucky to have eventually gotten over it, even though it took more than 2 decades. It almost ruined his entire career, and took 2 decades of his life away from him. What interests me is that he did not take his madness as madness, he took it as a higher level of thinking. He mentioned that it felt as if he was breathing air too rare for mortals, and that by him no longer having the disorder, he could not make original discoveries. John Nash was an ingeous man.
Link 1 http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:John_f_nash_20061102_3.jpg
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