Posted by & filed under Brain Structure and Function, Introduction To Psychology, Nervous System, Professional Organization, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week, Sensation and Perception.

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

TITLE

American Academy Of Pain Medicine

URL      

https://painmed.org/about-the-american-academy-of-pain-medicine

DESCRIPTION

This is the site of the American Academy Of Pain Medicine.  It is a very useful resource for both the professor and student interested in the topic.  The site offers resources for research, education, treatment, and advocacy.  There are interesting articles about differing multi-disciplinary approaches to both the understanding and treatment of pain.  The information on the site can be used in a discussion of the BioPsychoSocial analysis of pain and related behaviors.

Posted by & filed under Brain Structure and Function, Introduction To Psychology, Nervous System, Psychology Update, Sensation and Perception.

TITLE

What Happens in the Brain When Music Causes Chills?

The brains of people who get chills when the right song comes on are wired differently than others

 

DESCRIPTION

Have you ever listened to a musical selection (be it rock, blues, classical, or even HipHop) and gotten chills and reacted emotionally to a piece.  This is the subject of the article from The Smithsonian along with the possible reasons based on some interesting research.  

“Somewhere between a half to two-thirds of the population have this reaction, yet scientists have long debated why… But a new study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience details what happens in the brain when the soprano hits the high note, reports Ian Sample for The Guardian… These reactions are known as frissons—an aesthetic chill .”  Mitchell Colver, doctoral student at Utah State University, writes for The Conversation.” (The underlined terms are active links that will take you further into the research.)  

The article provides details of how a study was conducted with subjects demonstrating “that the brains of individuals who occasionally feel a chill while listening to music were wired differently than the control subjects.”  The article further discusses the nervous system, emotions, and personality variables in this particular type of response to music.  It’s worth reading if you are “into” music and want to understand what is happening in your brain and nervous system when you listen.

 

SOURCE

The Smithsonian, June 20, 2016, by Jason Daley

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-look-what-happens-brain-when-music-causes-chills-180959481/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&spMailingID=48744575&spUserID=NzQwNDU3MDAyMDIS1&spJobID=2540740675&spReportId=MjU0MDc0MDY3NQS2

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/y8yfed9c

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•In the beginning chapter of the course, the textbook notes the early work of Wundt and Introspection.  Though Psychology has moved beyond the subjective reactions, can you relate Wundt’s work to understanding how some research does in fact use “introspection” as a partial basis of collecting data?  Explain.

•The article discusses the reactions to music as “frissons”.  Click on the link and explain how  this term is a description of some types of both physiological and emotional reactions.   Have you experienced such a reaction to music?  Describe your reaction.

•Based upon the study cited in the  article:  how are the brains of people who experience “chills” to music different from those who do not?

TAGS

 

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

PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK

Pocket: save articles, videos, and more to view later


Pocket

 

CLICK ON YOUR PLATFORM (free):     iOS      or    Android

DESCRIPTION

From Google Play Store and iTunes Store

Save articles, videos and other web content for later in a beautiful and optimized easy-to-view experience for your phone and tablet — even offline.

Pocket is your perfect mobile companion for commutes, travel, or curling up on your couch.

★ Webby Award for Best Productivity App and Best User Experience 2014 ★

• Unlimited storage to keep all the articles and videos you save in one place.
• 3 full-screen reading modes for Day and Night.
• Save data with wi-fi only syncing.
• Organize easily with powerful search and tagging.
• Works with your favorite apps and sites like Twitter, Flipboard, Feedly and more.
• Easily share anything from Pocket to Evernote, Twitter, Facebook or a Friend.
• Desktop Browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer lets you save anything from your Desktop to your Phone and Tablet in a one click. Available at http://getpocket.com/welcome


Learn more about us at http://www.getpocket.com/

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

TITLE

How Exercise Boosts the Brain and Improves Mental Health

 

DESCRIPTION

Wow!  What a thorough article that provides so much important detail regarding how beneficial exercise can be for improving mental health. 
“It’s hardly news that exercise is good for your physical health, and has long been extolled for mental health as well. But researchers are now making progress in understanding how, exactly, exercise may work its mental magic…. Exercise, they are learning, has profound effects on brain structure itself, and especially in regions most affected by depression and schizophrenia. It also provides other, more subtle benefits such as focus, a sense of accomplishment and sometimes social stimulation, all of which are therapeutic in their own right. And while more is generally better, even modest levels of physical activity, such as a daily walk, can pay big dividends for mental health.”  This article provides links to a number of excellent important studies that empirically validate how exercise helps problems of mental health that includes anxiety and depression.

This article can help provide resources and links for students interested in the topic related to mental health, disorders, positive psychology, and brain and nervous system and body physiology.

 

SOURCE

Knowable Magazine, January 21, 2022, by Bob Holmes

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://knowablemagazine.org/article/mind/2022/exercise-boosts-brain-mental-health

 

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

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•What are the benefits of exercise on Mental Health?

•Can you cite an empirical study that demonstrates the positive effects of exercise on such disorders as anxiety and depression?

•How does exercise affect the body, brain, and metabolism in terms of mental health?

 

Posted by & filed under Careers, Careers in Psychology, Introduction To Psychology, Professional Organization, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week, Research Methods, Scholarship and Teaching of Psychology.

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

 

APS:  Association for Psychological Science

 

 

URL      

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news

 

DESCRIPTION

“APS is the premiere international organization solely dedicated to the advancement of psychological science. APS works diligently to increase support for psychological research and to promote the use of science-based psychology in the development of public policy.”

The APS site provides a wealth of information about the field that will prove invaluable to teaching (“teaching tips”) and for Psychology majors.  The Teaching Page will provide professors at all levels with a treasure trove of teaching resource

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

TITLE

What Is the MIND Diet? And Can It Prevent Dementia?

DESCRIPTION

“Experts have estimated that 40 percent of dementia cases worldwide might be prevented or delayed with certain modifiable factors, such as by prioritizing exercise and sleep and addressing health conditions like hearing loss or hypertension…But a growing body of evidence suggests that diet may play a role in dementia prevention, too, said Puja Agarwal, a nutritional epidemiologist at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.”  What type of diet (nutritionally speaking) has been found to affect dementia?  “Dr. Morris and her colleagues noted that in research studies, people who followed the DASH and Mediterranean diets — which prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats — tended to have better cognition than those who did not. They also observed that specific foods such as leafy greens, berries, nuts and whole grains were associated with better brain health.” The research studies are discussed and limitations have been found in trying to understand the results as relates to cognitive functioning.  It is worth reading the article in conjunction with understanding the brain and environmental factors (nutrition, exercise, exposures, stress) and how these relate to long term health. (underlined terms are active  links)

 

SOURCE

New York Times, August 31, 2023, by Alice Callahan

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/well/eat/mind-diet-dementia.html?unlocked_article_code=ZpoA72fQx0OMgrO7c2b3LMJcXFaRoyjH_P3ORIyn_-3zxWZLQlERfUqoT6y10Hhck6MIQGYL0wOtD8PzwzQ02_mXumW2BPRBUQWtIlN1GGTaQWsicjTQ_hbiRF41psJeXdKWWUD_5U0L0J0aiwY_MCjD1pmrutvIQEMO8sX4onBQdo2T6C327LIdTJG3oFwc-WeUb69iTbXudpKvJPg87614elRw1MdcqtBq3h38pfJK_IRXAw2DE2tVdKQV4I9pTZDlhgatzeqWv4hERqqnH0Gv_lT_rHB1gpHgT-tiaDY-VlQT4z7bCm9FRS4dGJO_Q0kqeLv1UPchm5JJpg&smid=url-share

 

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

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•What is the MIND Diet and it’s benefits?  Aside from what are considered the healthy ingredients, what are the recommendations for the elimination of some foods that might affect the brain negatively in the long run? What are those foods?

•The article points out the there have been problems in the design of the research that has attempted to look at the MIND diet’s benefits.  What have these problems been?

•If you were providing a lecture to a group of adults, what would you discuss about the benefits of these diets on the long term effects on the brain?  What other factors would you discuss as added long term factors on brain health?

 

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

PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK

NAME

Popplet Lite (for iOS) & Mindmeister (for Android) (scroll down for Android)

ICON 

Popplet Lite (for iOS: iPhones and iPads)

 

 

iOS:  (free)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popplet-lite/id364738549?mt=8

 

POPPLET is also available for use with all computers platforms at the website:

 https://www.popplet.com

 

DESCRIPTION

From the iTunes Store

Popplet is the simplest tool to capture and organize your ideas. With Popplet you can quick jot down your ideas and sort them visually. 

Apple has featured us in “Tools for Teachers”, “New and Noteworthy”, “What’s Hot” and “Get Stuff Done” 

Popplet is great for school and for learning in the classroom and at home. Students use Popplet to think and learn visually. By capturing facts, thoughts, and images, students learn to create relationships between them and generate new ideas. 

Popplet is also great for work and for generating ideas in the office or on the go. Professionals use Popplet to generate ideas and plan projects. By brainstorming visually or jotting down notes, Popplet helps professionals organize their thoughts and generate their next big idea.

This is the LITE version of Popplet. Popplet Lite will be free forever, but is limited to just one popplet. The full version of Popplet lets you create an unlimited number of local Popplet boards on your iPhone or iPad. 


People use Popplet to: 

+ Study: School Projects, Class Notes

+ Explore Ideas: Brainstorming, Mindmapping

+ Plan Projects: Diagrams, Process Charts 

+ Collect Inspiration: Mood Boards, Scrapbook, Travel Plans

Key Features of Lite:

+ One Popplet board

+ Capture notes in text

+ Capture notes with images

+ Capture notes with a drawing tool

+ Change the color of your notes and Popplet board

+ Link notes to each other visually

+ Export as PDF as JPEG

+ Pinch to zoom and expand

+ Multi Language Support

If you like Popplet after trying this LITE version, please download the ‘full’ version and you will also get:

+ Unlimited local boards 

+ See the Popplet boards of other users through the ‘Public’ tab to get inspired 

 

=======================

 

 

Mindmeister (for Android phones and Android tablets)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.meisterlabs.mindmeister

From the website:

“MindMeister is the one and only mobile mind mapping app you’ll ever need. Whether you’re using it in the boardroom, the classroom, the presentation hall, or the lunch meeting, MindMeister can help you organize, prioritize, and even generate new thoughts.”

 

 

 

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

 

THIS WEEK’S PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE FOCUSES ON CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY

 

(These articles will help the professor and student fulfill APA guidelines for teaching and learning about the field of Psychology.)

 

ARTICLE #1

TITLE

Psych Careers

 

DESCRIPTION

All About Psych Careers is a fabulous resource for learning all about careers in Psychology and related fields.  It lists numerous articles related to specific careers as well as articles about study in graduate training.   This is a useful resource when covering the APA goals and objectives in all Psychology classes that focus and discuss career issues.

 

SOURCE

Psychology Today

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/psych-careers

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/k9vc8mp

 

=================

 

ARTICLE #2

TITLE

Careers in Psychology

 

DESCRIPTION

This resource is the American Psychological Associations guide to careers in the field.  An excellent resource to answer many students’ questions regarding the field.  There are highlights in the listing for students of color and minorities who wish to get into one of the subfields of Psychology.  It is an excellent source for teaching the APA objectives and goals related to careers.

 

SOURCE

American Psychological Association

LINK TO RESOURCE

 

 

https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/careers

=================

 

ARTICLE #3

TITLE

School Psychologist Overview

 

DESCRIPTION

This resource specifically focuses on the applied career of School Psychology.  Often students have heard of and even been tested but do not fully understand how the field is an important application of Psychology.   This US News & World Report realistically details the career, training, work, salary, and precisely how school Psychologists function.  It is an excellent resource to have ready when students ask about the field.

 

SOURCE

US News & World Reports

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/school-psychologist

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

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•As part of a general discussion, focus on the different types of careers in Psychology.

•Basic Question:  What do Psychologists do?

•What do School Psychologists do?  How is this branch/subfield of Psychology different than others in the application of Psychological principles and research?

•Build the discussion on careers in Psychology as part of the course and curriculum program learning objectives.

Posted by & filed under Careers, Careers in Psychology, Introduction To Psychology, Psychology Resource of the Week, Psychology Update, Psychology Website of the Week.

PSYCHOLOGY WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

TITLE

Dr. Kit Nast:  Psychology — Educational/Career Website

URL  

    

http://www.drkit.org/psychology

DESCRIPTION

This is a fabulous website that will help your students with career questions and will be a great resource for teaching.

from Dr Kit Nast:

“I’m pleased to announce that I have recently relaunched my educational/career website. Specifically, my updated psychology page may be of great use to you and your students” – 

www.drkit.org/psychology <http://www.drkit.org/psychology>

“This information will help to get the students into the field and will assist in helping undergraduate students to find appropriate graduate programs.  In addition, I’m looking for students and faculty in some of your programs who can be featured on the website.  Not only are these great resources, but they also may provide for some free marketing for your program.”

Thank you!

Dr. Kit

Psychology Instructor

Bishop State Community College

 

Posted by & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Lecture Enhancement/Student Engagement, Psychology Update, Sensation and Perception.

TITLE

The best optical illusions of the year 2021

(Winners for 2023 links added below)

DESCRIPTION

What a great contest that challenges our sensation, perception, and cognitive functions.  This yearly contest provides absolutely phenomenal optical illusions.  The illusions are explained in terms of our perceptional and cognitive understandings.  “The annual illusion contest is run by the Neural Correlate Society, an organization devoted to promoting awareness of the science behind perception and cognition. For 17 years the annual contest has consistently delivered an assortment of compelling illusions, frequently underpinned by fascinating scientific principles.”  Check out the illusions for study at home and great illustrations in class.

 

SOURCE

New Atlas, December 29, 2021, by Rich Haridy

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

2021 Winners

https://newatlas.com/science/best-optical-illusions-year-2021-contest-winner/?fbclid=IwAR35FhvPgZKSedttI9GvG81cVsmzonfz3T7YPtVNwPzbIZTRwXTTvj0jEJIundefined

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/4x5cc9bb

 

2023 Winners

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/winning-illusions-best-illusion-of-the-year-contest-2023

 

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/4jzfz8td

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•What is an optical illusion?  Why are optical illusions of interest in the field of Psychology?

•How do these illustrate how our perceptual and cognitive functions operate together?

•What is the neuroscience involved in understanding how an optical illusion fools us?