Psychology Update — Why Dreaming (Rem Sleep) May Be Important for Your Health

Posted by & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Nervous System, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Update, Sleep Disorders, States of Consciousness, States of Consciousness & Sleep, Stress and Health Psychology.

 

(This update is a much requested article.)

TITLE

Why Dreaming (Rem Sleep) May Be Important for Your Health

 

DESCRIPTION

What a great article that describes how and why we sleep and the functions of dreaming.  The article specifically has a focus on problems arising from not getting enough “regular sleep” and REM sleep (the dream stage).  “Doctors have warned for years that Americans are not getting enough sleep, with health consequences ranging from drowsy driving and irritability to an increased risk of dementia, heart disease and early death. Now, a recent study suggests that one particular type of sleep may be especially important when it comes to how the brain responds to stressful situations.”  

The article provides a detail description of the stages of sleep, the REM stage and its possible functions, as well as what happens when sleep is disrupted.  The article is a must to be paired with the “states of consciousness” and health/stress section of the text book and lectures.

 

SOURCE

Time, October 27, 2017, by Amanda MacMillan

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://time.com/4970767/rem-sleep-dreams-health/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm-term=health_research

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/2rnv9yew

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (taken directly from the article):

•Why is dreaming considered important to your health?  

•What happens during REM sleep?  What are the hypothesized functions of REM sleep in relation to the overall sleep cycles?

•What causes a disruption of REM Sleep?  And what are the hypothesized consequences?  What does the article recommend regarding getting more REM Sleep?

 

 

Psychology Website of the Week — American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 

Posted by & filed under Careers, Cognitive Psychology, Introduction To Psychology, Professional Organization, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week, Thinking, Language, and Intelligence.

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

TITLE

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 

(Website for Stuttering)

 

URL

https://www.asha.org/stuttering/

DESCRIPTION

This is an excellent resource for students who wish to understand more about communication and behavior.  The entire website is devoted to issues of speech, language, and hearing.  The website can provide information to be used with the chapters on neuroscience, development, and cognition.

Psychology Websites & Apps of the Week — Life-Changing Apps for People with Brain Injury

Posted by & filed under Brain Structure and Function, Careers, Careers in Psychology, Introduction To Psychology, Nervous System, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology App of the Week, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week, States of Consciousness, Stress and Health Psychology.

PSYCHOLOGY APPs OF THE WEEK

TITLE

Life-Changing Apps for People with Brain Injury

 

 

URL      

https://www.brainline.org/article/life-changing-apps-people-brain-injury

 

DESCRIPTION

From the website:

“Some of these apps have proven to be especially helpful for people with brain injury. The phone can be used to remind you of an upcoming appointment or to take medication, or it can be used like a traditional paper notebook to keep all your addresses, telephone numbers, calendar items, lists, and ideas.”

HOW TO USE THIS SITE:

This site provides many resources for individuals with Concussion (and athletics), traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and so on.  Not only is this site a resource in terms of websites and apps, it will help students understand the issues and challenges faced by those who struggle with these injuries — psychological, cognitive, emotional, and daily life activities.

Psychology Update — 3 ARTICLES RELATED TO HEAD TRAUMA DUE TO SPORTS INJURIES

Posted by & filed under Brain Structure and Function, Careers, Careers in Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Introduction To Psychology, Nervous System, Personality, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Video of the Week, Stress and Health Psychology.

FOR THIS WEEK’S PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE WE WILL APPLY PSYCHOLOGY TO SERIOUS HOCKEY, FOOTBALL, & SPORTS INJURIES.  THE ARTICLES, WEBSITES, AND APPs, WILL HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND INJURIES TO THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM AND TREATMENT.  ALSO, CONSIDER WHETHER THESE AREAS COULD BE CONSIDERED AS POSSIBLE CAREER PATHWAYS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. 

 

ARTICLE #1

 

TITLE

A Former Hockey Enforcer Searches for Answers on C.T.E. Before It’s Too Late

 

DESCRIPTION

The fascinatingly sad and worrisome article begins with a question to Chris Nilan (retired professional hockey player) as to whether he has ever had either/both head and neck injuries due to fights on ice.   The article provides an audio track for listening to the entire story.  Here is a relevant excerpt of the story:  “The answer stretches out over 300 bare-knuckle fights as a professional hockey player, and countless other brawls on the street corners of Boston beginning in his childhood. Most times, Nilan was the one dispensing the punishment. But hockey fights  almost always involve mutual, bone-crushing blows, fists jackhammering from powerful shoulders, sometimes fracturing bones, tearing tissue and rattling brains….The Hope Study, run by B.U.’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, has been measuring the brain health of living subjects with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias since 1996. Nilan, curious about the condition of his brain after years of furious on-ice battles and eager to help with the research, turned to B.U., where participants return each year to repeat extensive testing, and eventually donate their brains. C.T.E. can only be diagnosed posthumously, but the Hope Study’s testing can provide valuable clues while patients are alive.”

This is a very long highly detailed article about his fights and injuries growing up, his injuries as a hockey player (nickname “Knuckles”), family history, and subsequent life issues.   It’s well worth reading as a Psychology student to learn how to view a life holistically (Biological-Psychological-Social factors) determine who we are as adults.  Great article for a student who might consider a career into any aspect of this life situation.

SOURCE

New York Times, September 22, 2023, by David Waldstein

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/sports/hockey/nhl-nilan-boston-study-cte-concussions.html

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/sdm2ad5n

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ARTICLE #2

TITLE

A Test for C.T.E. in the Living May Be Closer Than Ever

 

DESCRIPTION

This is an important article regarding C.T.E., or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (live link).  The condition is most associated with older former N.F.L. football players, and the fact that the sport itself causes numerous concussions over the active career of the player.  Since the condition does not show up for decades, serious brain damage ensues and the players develop terrible brain conditions similar to dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, along with addictions, disturbed personality disorders, and frequently suicide.  There has been no way to detect the development of C.T.E. but now there are active research efforts underway to diagnose the problem. “Currently, the only way to accurately diagnose C.T.E. is to stain brain samples and examine them under microscopes to look for the presence of the specific tau proteins associated with C.T.E.  But if ongoing studies pan out, there could be a test for C.T.E. in the living in as few as two years, according to one leading researcher. The future of testing for C.T.E. hinges on developing ways of identifying the protein without requiring brain samples. So, scientists in multiple research institutes worldwide are working to identify biomarkers for the disease that can be seen in samples of blood, saliva or spinal fluid or by using brain imaging scans.”  “As part of the wide-ranging project, doctors from the N.I.H. are tracking 120 former N.F.L. players, 60 former college players and 60 people with no history of repetitive head impacts to see if they show symptoms of C.T.E. Beginning in 2016, participants underwent a three-day examination that included neuropsychological and neurological assessments and were asked to detail their histories of brain trauma, lifestyle and other health factors such as genetics in a comprehensive look at their health.”

Psychologists play a role in the diagnosing and therapies for those who experience the problems.  Understanding the neurological systems as well as the actual sports is a plus for Psychologists wishing to work in this area.   For more information, click on the active link in the first paragraph.

 

SOURCE

New York Times, November 17, 2022, by Ken Belson

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/sports/football/cte-test-concussions-alzheimers.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_20221117&instance_id=77747&nl=todaysheadlines&regi_id=38200791&segment_id=113401&user_id=c6b93a8d82143938176a0b35d93b5dab

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/3vkhdmxz

 

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ARTICLE #3

TITLE

New traumatic brain injury test is ‘game-changing,’ concussion experts say

There are millions of TBI hospitalizations and deaths each year.

 

DESCRIPTION

What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?  “TBI is a disruption in normal brain function caused by a blow or jolt to the head. A concussion is the mildest form of TBI, but patients may suffer a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional and sleep symptoms. Some of the most common signs include confusion, headaches, blurry or double vision, dizziness, fatigue, memory loss, difficulties with concentration and insomnia.”  The usual way to diagnose concussion is by subjective self-report, CT and MRI scans, and clinical judgement.  According to the article, there can be a great deal of inaccuracies in the diagnosis until now.“In a world first, a newly authorized handheld device will allow doctors to detect traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in under 15 minutes, potentially saving lives by dramatically shortening the time it takes to properly diagnose the issue.The device is made by Abbott, a medical device company based in the United States… This is a huge milestone that has never been done before — a blood test for the brain,” said Dr. Beth McQuiston, medical director for Abbott’s diagnostic businesses.”  By the way, imagine how this test can be hugely helpful for high school, college, and professional sports wherein players are frequently hurt and often their concussions are either not diagnosed properly or misdiagnosed entirely.   This is a real boon to understanding the brain and the affects of TBI.

 

SOURCE

ABC News, January 11, 2021, by Dr. Mishal Reja and Dr. Leah Croll

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://abcn.ws/3oCw3Gu

 

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CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?  What are the causes and symptoms?

•Up until this new test, how have concussions and TBI been diagnosed?  What have been the problems with getting an accurate diagnosis?

•What is the new test for TBI?  How is it administered?  How does it aid diagnosis and what are the advantages of using this new test?

•What is C.T.E.?   What is the major cause?  When do symptoms generally appear?

•How is C.T.E. related to such disorders as dementia and Alzheimers Disease?

•The article discusses how research is being conducted.  Elaborate on the method used and specifically how the subjects for the study are chosen.

 

Psychology Update — The Science Behind Why We Eat so Much at the Movies

Posted by & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Motivation and Emotion, Psychology Update, Stress and Health Psychology.

TITLE

The Science Behind Why We Eat so Much at the Movies

 

DESCRIPTION

What an astounding and fascinating article that discusses how the cues in a movie theater stimulate greater hunger and eating behavior.

“Often, we eat the way the world around us tells us to—environmental cues help us decide when, how much, and what to chow on. And the dark, cool uniformity of movie theaters make them some of the most manufactured sensory environments we eat in.  Dine-in theaters are often marketed as a cross between a restaurant and a cinema, but in practice, they end up serving fairly different instincts. Foods we crave in a restaurant may have little appeal in a movie theater, while a tub of popcorn—a monotonous meal in any other setting— is endlessly satisfying. As it turns out, there are a lot of psychological effects at play when you enter a theater, and they reveal a lot about the interplay between food and our surroundings.”  Studies have found that the lighting, temperature, scenes on the screen, menu choices, and social interactions in a movie theater generate greater hunger, eating, and revenue for the theater.

 

SOURCE

Time, AUGUST 8, 2023, by Haley Weiss

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://time.com/6302767/movie-theaters-turn-us-into-bottomless-pits/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=newsletter+health+default+ac&utm_content=+++20230809+++body&et_rid=207786296&lctg=207786296

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/5y38yn3v

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•Having read the article: what are the findings regarding the amount of light in a theater and also in restaurants affect our hunger motivation?

•Can watching food being eaten in a movie scene stimulate our appetite?  What are the findings?

•If lecturing to a group of parents about the effects of taking their children to a kids movie, what advice would you give them about the foods and eating in the theater?

 

PSYCHOLOGY PODCAST OF THE WEEK — Speaking of Psychology: ADHD among children and adults, with Margaret Sibley, PhD

Posted by & filed under Brain Structure and Function, Child Development, Introduction To Psychology, Lifespan Development, Nervous System, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Podcast of the Week, Psychology Update, Stress and Health Psychology.

 

TITLE

Speaking of Psychology: ADHD among children and adults, with Margaret Sibley, PhD

 

URL      

https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/children-adults-adhd

 

SOURCE

American Psychological Association (APA)

STREAMING AUDIO ON THE WEBSITE

DESCRIPTION

(from the website)

“Speaking of Psychology is an audio podcast series highlighting some of the latest, most important and relevant psychological research being conducted today.”

“Produced by the American Psychological Association, these podcasts will help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.”

“The APA site provides a text transcript of the podcast interview.  Also, in addition to subscribing to the podcast through iTunes, the podcast can be downloaded as an MP3 file directly from the APA site.  The download can be played in class or on computers and other similar devices.”

 

HOW TO USE THIS SITE:

(description from the website)

Episode 161:    For many people, the stereotypical image of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an 8-year-old boy who can’t sit still in class. But in recent decades, scientists have gained a more sophisticated understanding of the causes and lifelong consequences of the disorder. Margaret Sibley, PhD, of Seattle Children’s Hospital, talks about the biological underpinnings of ADHD, what researchers have learned about how it manifests in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, treatment options, and why the pandemic may have caused an uptick in ADHD diagnoses.”

Psychology Website Resource of the Week — Catherine Sanderson Blog: Why Norms Matter

Posted by & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Lecture Enhancement/Student Engagement, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week, Social Psychology.

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Why Norms Matter | Psychology Today

DESCRIPTION

Why Norms Matter

Both historical and present-day examples show us the power of social influence.

From the website, written by Dr. Sanderson:

“I’m delighted to be writing a blog about the power of social influence. As a professor, I teach and conduct research about social norms, meaning the unwritten rules that shape our behavior. But on a more personal note, I see the power of social norms all around us in everyday life — from what we choose to share or not share on social media to whether we step up or stay silent when we witness bad behavior.

 

 

I’ll be sharing a post every other Monday. Here are a few of the topics I look forward to addressing in the weeks/months/years ahead:

  • How norms influence eating and exercise behavior, including research I’ve published with my students showing that women often misperceive other women as eating less and exercising more than they themselves do – and the consequences of such perceptions on rates of disordered eating behaviors.
  • Why bad behavior – from bullying to sexual assault to fraternity hazing – persists even when most people in a community don’t approve of such behavior, but (falsely) believe that others do.
  • How we can push prosocial behaviors of all types – from reusing towels in a hotel to increasing voter turnout – by telling people that others support such behaviors.

SOURCE

Psychology Today, current, Catherine A. Sanderson Ph.D.

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/norms-matter

 

(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/y2qa8vob

 

FOR CLASS DISCUSSION

•Please check the site regularly for each new topic.  Both the professor and students will find this as a wonderful resource for understanding human behavior.

 

Psychology Update — Surgeon General Warns That Social Media May Harm Children

Posted by & filed under Child Development, Introduction To Psychology, Personality, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Social Psychology, Stress and Health Psychology.

TITLE

 

Surgeon General Warns That Social Media May Harm Children

 

DESCRIPTION

This is an important and lengthy article regarding adolescent development and social media screen time.  “The nation’s top health official issued an extraordinary public warning on Tuesday about the risks of social media to young people, urging a push to fully understand the possible “harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”  In a 19-page advisory, (click the link to see the advisory)  the United States surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, noted that the effects of social media on adolescent mental health were not fully understood, and that social media can be beneficial to some users. Nonetheless, he wrote, “There are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”  The article provides summaries of findings on the effects of social media on the developing adolescent and the negative effects on mental health and identity formation. 

 

SOURCE

New York Times, May 23, 2023, by Matt Richtel, Catherine Pearson and Michael Levenson

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/health/surgeon-general-social-media-mental-health.html?unlocked_article_code=1.50w.xwhu.N4f-Lkrv0YtP&smid=url-share

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/568bwzxx

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•After reading the entire article, what are the negative findings regarding screen time of social media and harm to adolescents’ mental health?  

•Are there any positive effects of social media for adolescents?

•Do you believe that there are any ways to help an adolescent being effected by social media  (such as cyberbullying, self-harm, or eating disorders)?

•What is the Surgeon General’s warning regarding Social Media and Adolescent Development?

 

 

Psychology Update — More Screen Time Linked to Delayed Development in Babies, Study Finds

Posted by & filed under Child Development, Introduction To Psychology, Psychology Update, Thinking, Language, and Intelligence.

TITLE

More Screen Time Linked to Delayed Development in Babies, Study Finds

 

DESCRIPTION

What an interesting finding?  With more screen time (up to 4 hours a day) there was less face-to-face interaction between parents and babies.  “One-year-olds exposed to more than four hours of screen time a day experienced developmental delays in communication and problem-solving skills at ages 2 and 4, according to a study published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.  The research also found that 1-year-olds who were exposed to more screen time than their peers showed delays at age 2 in the development of fine motor and personal and social skills. But these delays appeared to dissipate by age 4.”  The article discusses how the methodology led to the conclusions and findings.  The authors are clear to state that this was not cause and effect but rather the findings are due to less important interactions between parents and the babies.

 

SOURCE

New York Times, August 21, 2023, by By Matt Richtel

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/health/screen-time-developmental-delays-babies.html?campaign_id=34&emc=edit_sc_20230822&instance_id=100602&nl=science-times&regi_id=38200791&segment_id=142606&te=1&user_id=c6b93a8d82143938176a0b35d93b5dab

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/9nzztkuu

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•After reading the article, can you discuss the study in terms of other work on infant and child stimulation?

•Why do the authors feel that screen time deprived the children of direct parent-child interaction?

•What advice would you give to parents regarding “screen time” and their children based on the information of this article?

 

 

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK — National Sleep Foundation

Posted by & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Professional Organization, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week, Sleep Disorders, States of Consciousness, States of Consciousness & Sleep, Stress and Health Psychology.

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

 

TITLE

National Sleep Foundation

 

URL      https://www.thensf.org

 

DESCRIPTION   (From the website)

Who We Are

“National Sleep Foundation is an independent nonprofit, dedicated to improving overall health and well-being by advancing sleep health”

What We Do

“As the leading authority in sleep health, our promise to the public is to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self ®”

“We seek out the latest scientific insights about sleep and turn our findings into simple-to-understand resources that help people get enough of the healthy, restorative sleep they need. And we’ve been doing it for over 30 years.”

 

HOW TO USE THIS SITE:

What a really wonderful resource!   This site discusses sleep issues, education, problems, and sleep therapies.  It will be a really great source of information regarding all aspects of sleep for students interested in the topic.