Welcome to Psychology 101

                   

    Welcome class to Psychology 101.

           

      

                                    My name is professor Mark.

         We will begin this class today by asking and answering the question, what is Psychology? Dictionary.com defines Psychology in a basic but informative manner so that anyone can grasp the basics of this extremely complex science. 

            Now that we all have a basic understanding of what Psychology is, let's take a brief look at it's history as a science and some of the theories that developed along the way.

Psychoanalysis 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Not many people have ever heard of a man named Sigismund Schlomo Freud, but EVERYONE has heard of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Although he was a neurologist by trade, he is credited with being the founder of psychoanalysis. Although there has been much criticism over the years of his Psychoanalytic theory on instincts, this theory has spawned and developed many subsequent theories even to this day.  Of coarse there have been many other pioneers in this field and we will touch on a few before moving on to the beliefs we have today that we learned from these pioneers.

 Gestalt Psychology

       Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffa and Wolfgang Kohler fled to the U.S. from Germany to escape Nazism and brought with them the theory known as Gestalt psychology. This theory emphasizes the idea of the whole is the result of all of our sensory experiences coming together rather than examining the pieces of the puzzle individually. Sonoma State University's Victor Daniels' Gestalt lecture explained this theory in a concise yet thorough lecture session.

                                                                     Structuralism                                                                   Wilhelm Wundt's (1832-1920) Structural theory was based mostly on a person's conscious experiences. Wunt also believed that people could reflect on themselves through what he called "introspection", a process of examining ourselves through our experiences in an objective manner.  

                                                             Behaviorism 

    John B. Watson (1878-1958) was an American psychologist that is considered to be "Father of Behaviorism". Unlike many of his peers and predecessors, Watson believed that rather than examining the mind, it was more important to examine the behavior of those studied. He believed that behavior could be learned. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) while experimenting with dogs salvation glands came to realize that by presenting an non associated stimulus prior to feeding, the dogs after time would begin to salivate to this stimulus prior to the food presentation. this "conditioned response" to a "conditioned stimulus" is known as classical conditioning.   

                                                           Humanism
  Humanism theorists believe that humans by nature, all have the potential to do good things for themselves and others. Abraham Maslow (1909-1970) is one the best known pioneers in the theory of Humanism. He created what he called the Hierarchy of Needs as seen below. It was his belief that starting at the bottom of the pyramid, humans could not move to next level without fulfilling the needs and requirements demanded by their current level. He also felt that very few people actually reach the level of Self-actualization. 

                                                Cognitive Psychology                                                                                       Cognitive psychology is the study of the mind that addresses it as though it were similar to a computer, basically an information processor. They believe that believe that the information we all process is a combination of things such as memory, attention, perception, language, etc.
     Jean Piaget developed the chart below to show what he broke down into the four stages of cognitive development.

Personality Psychology 

    Personality Psychology by definition is form of psychology that studies personalities and the similarities and differences between individual personalities among people of similar/different environments and cultures and the related causes. This video explains the basics of personality psychology. 

Social Psychology

Social psychology is the study is the field of psychology that examines we relate and 

interact with other people. It also examines how other peoples' personalities might impact our own personality.

 


                            Clinical Psychology
     
          In short, clinical psychology is just what sounds like. Basically it involves (hopefully) properly evaluating patients in need of psychological assistance and treating the patient to hopefully extinguish  their psychological problem(s).  

These certainly are not all of the theories or fields and sub-fields in psychology that

exist today. However as I look around the classroom, it appears that it might be enough for your first day. Class dismissed.

 

                       

Entry #11 Organized Blogster

   Hello to all of you new students that are in Professor Nielson's English class.

      Don't let his smile fool you. Obviously you didn't talk to any students that had him as a Professor in the past, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this rite now. Just kidding.

         Before taking English 101 with Prof. Chris, I had done a little research regarding the course material that he covered. When I realized that blogs were part of the course as well as the grades, I panicked!!!!! I was (still am) an advanced, middle aged man with very few (none) social networking skills. I had no idea what a blog was and frankly didn't care to know.
         I've never gained anything from quitting, so I decided to give it a try. I AGONIZED as I posted my first blog, but somehow I managed to get through it. The second one I posted seemed just a little bit easier. Not much, but a little bit. The more that I started to post entries, the more I began to actually enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions with others, but I didn't have the skills to introduce anything other than words.
         It wasn't until my 4th post, that with some help from a friend, I was able to include pictures. By then I thought I was the SH&#! Truth be known, I didn't know SH&# (still don't), but I enjoyed my new found skill.
       My next major task was to figure out how to ad videos to my posts. I'm sure all of you non-advanced middle age students are holding your bellies laughing by now. I hope so anyway, but keep reading, I am going to make a point here eventually.
     
          I'm ashamed to tell everyone that it took me until blog #4 in English 102 that I became able to place video in a post. Now I became the big SH&# x2!!! Check this out.

           I wasn't the king of soul, but I felt like I was the King of blog. Still holding your gut as you laugh at the old guy? I sure hope so. Don't hang up just yet.
          My latest addition to my blogs was learning how to insert a link  into my posts. Believe it or not, that took me almost two full semesters. I hope everyone reading this is laughing so hard they're crying by now.
          If you haven't closed this blog out yet and gone on to a different one, now is the time to pay attention. After two semesters of blogging, I'm still in the infancy stage of my blogging ability, style and creativity, but every time I post a new one, it becomes not just easier, but a lot more fun. So as you begin posting your class required blogs, try to become more creative, insightful and inspiring to your readers. It probably won't open up a whole new world for you as it did for me, but maybe as you keep trying to ad new things, be more creative and inventive, you can enjoy your self-learning process as much as I have. The choice is really up to you.





              YOU
           COULD
          BE  THIS
        OR  THIS.

                 

         





     


After all, I went from this to this!!!






       And I really enjoyed it.
               Cane Man

ENTRY #10 Not so Crabby

        After reviewing my previous blogs, something occurred to me that I didn't much care for. Most of them seem to read as angry or at least a little cynical. I hope that I haven't been viewed by younger readers as that "crabby old man".

          Maybe I am in my outlook on current events. I'm not sure if we get like that simply because of age, or because of what we have seen/experienced over the years. Fortunately, I am not as cynical in my personal life. In fact quite the opposite, so I am going to try and post a non-cynical blog. Wish me luck!

          I'm going to try to encourage younger readers how to enjoy their lives, using myself as an example. Like many, if not most people, I have had many obstacles throughout my life. I compare obstacles to hurdles. I simplistically break humans down into two categories: hurdle builders and hurdle jumpers. 

         We've all seen the hurdle builders somewhere along the way. the people that find a million reasons why they can't reach the finish line. These people also don't deal well with any difficulties that might come their way. Of course it's always someone else's fault, therefore they have the "right" to possess negative emotions. I can't even imagine having lived my life like that. It must be like living in hell right here on earth.

         Now lets talk about the hurdle jumpers, which I hope at least some of you are. If not, it's not too late, believe me. Jumpers, as I'm sure you all can guess, are the polar opposites to builders. Jumpers make it to the finish line no matter how high the hurdles are. Jumpers don't blame others for their problems. Jumpers don't feel negative emotions, because jumpers know that they can control their emotions by locating that "silver lining". Jumpers live much happier, more fulfilled lives than builders. Which would you rather be? It's all up to you.                                                                   

         I have had many friends over the years tell me that I should write a book about the trials and tribulations of my life. The problem is, I consider myself a  jumper and always tried at least, to findce the positive side to a negative event. I'm not patting myself on the back. I'm simply trying to encourage the jumper approach to life and maybe even convert a few builders into jumpers.

         We've all heard the saying "life is what you make of it". I prefer to the saying "every day is what you make of it". We are the only ones that have control over how we respond to certain situations. Here's one small example of builder vs jumper attitude towards an unfortunate incident. A builder wakes up to a flat tire one morning. He or she gets all upset about this major inconvenience in their life. They'll probably have a rotten day and complain about it to anyone that will listen. The same scenario happens to a jumper. The jumper's first thought is "Boy am I lucky. I could have had a blow out at 70mph on the highway". Then that person spends the rest of their day feeling fortunate. Who probably has more friends? The only people that want to be friends with builders is other builders so they can share their self imposed misery with each other. Fun,fun,fun (not). 

           If your not a jumper, become one. It's really not that difficult to find an up side to a down situation. It took me a little longer than I'd like to admit, but the payback has been ten fold plus. If nothing else remember this: bad things usually make for great stories later on that we get to laugh about.

     

Entry #9 Commercials' 60 degree tiangle

       

          Throughout this semester we have studied, reviewed, reviewed and reviewed the importance of of incorporating the rhetorical triangle in our work. We learned that each corner of the triangle must be used to form a valued credible impression to our readers. This is done in an effort to convince our audience of something. Here is a basic example of the rhetorical triangle. Note that each corner is a 60 degree angle.

          After doing research for my earlier blogs (#2 & #7) and my WP #1 (History of Advertising) this semester, I learned quite a bit about advertising. The one thing that I noted most about advertisements both past and present, is that they tend to employ only the Pathos corner in their ads. Please take the time to view these short TV commercials. The first one insults our intelligence while attempting to use the emotion of laughter/joy to sell their product. The second one, which we viewed in class, attempts to sell their product to us under the guise of love and warmth. 

                   

           Neither commercial offers any credible sources of the validity of their products. They seem to only use one corner of the rhetoric triangle. As noted in my WP #1 evidence seems to support the fact that commercials do help product sales. Apparently they don't need to include either Ethos or Logos to sell their products.
           I have a first cousin that owns a small advertising firm in Michigan. About twenty years ago we had dinner one night and I asked him about the reasoning behind these commercials that insult our intelligence. He explained it very well. He explained that the most important part of any form of advertising is to get the consumer to let their guard down. He said that by allowing consumers to think they are intelligent because of stupid commercials, we don't consider the need to become defensive. He also pointed out that people remember stupid commercials and sometimes even discuss them with friends and family, thus making those commercials a "Must See" commercial.
           I have seen a few ads that attempt to incorporate important facts in their ads, particularly the automotive ads. They all seem to have the best gas mileage, best safety record, best something or other in their class. They all appear to receive these awards for the same claims from different automotive statistic groups. Having personally worked at the International Auto Show in Detroit (still the most prestigious show in the world), I can tell you for a fact that the auto companies wine and dine the hell out of these "independent" automotive statistics representatives. I have sat in the same downtown restaurants as these meetings occurred.
           Certainly not all commercials ignore 120 degrees of the rhetoric triangle, although none come to mind for me at this writing. Maybe you can comment back to me about current or past ad that uses even two corners of the triangle. I'm looking forward to hearing about any commercials that include more than 60 degrees. .....Cane Man

ENTRY #8 The Able Disabled

           

          We have all seen signs like this every where we go. Many people may wonder how they could get the privilege to park in those great spots. Most of them think that they would  have to actually be disadvantaged in some way to get that privilege? Think again. 
                  

        No where does the law require that anyone in the vehicle retain the physicians original report of their disability.This allows friends and family members to use/abuse placards of others, especially Mom and Dad. 

        Until I became unable (don't like the term disabled) to walk as I once did, I never really paid attention to the people that parked in these spots. Now as I drive around parking lots trying to find an available handicap parking (HP) spot, I'm amazed at how many "handicapped" people are able to get out of their vehicles just fine and appear to have no disability what so ever. Everywhere I go I see people into HP spots, jump out of their vehicles and dash into a variety of establishments, up to and including fitness centers. Check out these examples.

                                                            

                                  

                                                            

                         Apparently even  some law enforcement officers feel free to park in HP spots as well. 

        

                                                             

           I belong to to a fitness center in Phoenix that I go to every day. There is a middle-aged fellow that also shows up every day. He parks in an HP spot, goes in and works out for two hours like a triathlon athlete. During his workout, there are several senior women that belong to the "Walker Gang" that come in daily as well.

                                                              

          I have watched the middle-age triathlon man observing  the 'Walker Gang" women struggling to walk from the far side of the parking lot into the fitness center, in an effort to improve their physical situation. T-Man smiles and waves as if he has done nothing wrong and showing no empathy whatsoever. 

         The people that I have seen abusing the HP spots, much like the T-Man, seem to have no guilty feelings or remorse whatsoever. How does a handicapped person drive and get in and out of a vehicle like this while feeling no shame or guilt? Note this person feels the need to occupy not only one HP spot but two. Apparently this person feels the health and welfare of their vehicle is more important than that of two human beings. 

          On Tuesday March 3rd of this year, the Arizona House of Representatives approved House Bill  2662. This Bill reduced some speeding fines to $15 for driving less than 10 mph over the speed limit under certain circumstances. That will certainly not begin to cover the cost of our public service workers.

          A few years ago. Phoenix raised the fines for unlawfully parking in HP spaces from $140 to a minimum of $288 up to a maximum of $562. These fees would have a much better chance of covering the costs of our public service workers.

          After reading the "fines" link above. I was pleased to find that the Phoenix Police Department has been cracking down on HP violators. I also noted the direct line phone number 602-534-7722 to report violators. I think I will use this number frequently to help stop insensitive people from thinking of themselves only, as they watch the "Walker Gang" struggling to pursue everyday activities. 

          The saddest part is that most able people don' pay attention to this issue, because it doesn't directly impact them. As stated in this blog's second paragraph, I never paid attention to the people parking in the HP spots util I became unable. Now I wish I would have. 

          

Entry #7 Two Wrongs Always Makes it Right, Write back

     

         Having been a young child in the 60's, I distinctly remember television commercials during after school programs, like this one for Xerox.

If anyone doesn't find this Xerox commercial offensive enough to the female gender, Check out this tire commercial from about the same time.

It's amazing how the television perception of the female gender was so biased 50 years ago.

The really sad part is that's the way women were perceived back then, even outside the world of TV. Even sadder is the fact that except for a few women at that time like Gloria Steinem  most women were willing to accept their role in life in America as second class citizens. 

         Fortunately, as a society we no longer belittle people simply on the base of gender.View this commercial as an example of how indiscriminate we have become. 

         This (stupid dad) Verizon commercial was removed after much pressure from a men's rights group named His Side

 led by Glenn Sacks.

                                                           

          It's nice to see how far our society has progressed in the past 50 years. American men and women have finally become able to put gender aside and treat each other as equals. Makes me wonder where we will be in 2055?  .....Cane Man  

       

EC Entry Capitalism: A Hate Story

          Recently I viewed the movie Capitalism: A Love Story, which was directed by film maker Michael Moore and released in 2009. Throughout the movie Moore examines the possibility/probability that capitalism is nothing more than corporate CEO's and the U.S. government (sometimes intertwined) brainwashing Americans into believing in a simple competitive market called capitalism.

          It is my opinion that Michael Moore does an excellent job at attempting to tug on a variety emotions to persuade viewers to view capitalism as he does. He introduces information that could insight fear, anger, laughter and even guilt just to name a few. He also introduced some prior unknown information. According to film critic Roger Ebert, the film footage of  FDR's private White House State of the Union Address concerning a second bill of rights had not been seen by the public prior to this movie.

     
   I should probably point out that my opinion may not count for much, or should it? My childhood years growing up in the 60's and 70's was a mirror image of the beginning of the movie. My mother was a stay at home mom and my father was the sole breadwinner. In fact my father was only required to work 35 hours a week as a construction election. With only one income and very frugal parents, my brother and I had a wonderful life. We lived in a beautiful house in an upscale suburb, went to great schools and even had a new car about every three years.
           My opinion may not also count for much because I grew up just outside of the city of  Detroit which is a city of topic in the movie. I personally not only saw, but experienced what corporate greed as well as our government's so called free trade capitalist law changes did to Detroit. What was once our nations epicenter of thriving industry and offered good jobs to those willing to work, became a ghost town of abandoned factories with no jobs to offer anyone.

          I think I needed some of the lighter, more humorous segments  in the movie to help me calm down a bit. I thoroughly enjoyed the portion in the movie where Moore wraps major banks with "crime scene" yellow tape and attempts to make a series of citizens arrests.
           I wish that I was not so in tune with Michael's point of view on this issue. I would liked to have viewed it with no prior opinion of the subject, that way I could objectively asses/react to his point of view. I'm looking forward hearing the opinions of others who have not lived through what Michael Moore has presented in this movie.