Psychology Update — SENSATION & PERCEPTION & ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE

 

3 ARTICLES RELATED TO THE TOPIC OF

 

SENSATION & PERCEPTION & ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

 

Recently there have been a number of articles in the popular media on the topic of Sensation & Perception and alcohol (beer, wine, hard liquor).  This area is often taught as anatomy and physiology with some extras thrown in such as optical illusions and Gestalt principles.  These three articles will be engaging to the students due to the unusual focus of the particular topics.

 

TITLE

ARTICLE #1:

   
Loud Sounds Can Make Your Drink Seem Stronger

 

DESCRIPTION

This article reports on a fascinating experiment wherein four student groups drinking various alcoholic drinks were exposed to silence, music, news, and music with news.  The group exposed to music solely reported that their drinks tasted  sweeter and stronger than the students in the other conditions.  “Sounds can make chocolate and coffee seem sweeter, airplane food more savory and stale chips fresher.”  The article not only discusses the study but explains how sound sensations are transmitted from ear to brain and then how the brain perceives the sensations.  The article discusses the interaction of the sound perception influencing taste perception.   The researchers stated that “… we can correlate, and even see causation, between sound and alcohol consumption. Environments such as bars and clubs are created to induce those addictive behaviors, and music is a piece of that—those bass, throbbing tones that are the soundtrack of nightclubs.”

 

 

SOURCE

 

Smithsonian, September 29, 2016, by Simian Sethi

 

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/booze-bars-how-sound-influences-perceived-strength-and-sweetness-your-drink-180960637/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160929-daily-responsive&spMailingID=26656567&spUserID=NzQwNDU3MDAyMDIS1&spJobID=884933550&spReportId=ODg0OTMzNTUwS0

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/hc4ecam

 

 

TITLE

 

ARTICLE #2:  Music Enhances Beer’s Flavor

 

DESCRIPTION

Another fascinating study compared three groups drinking beer — two of the groups drank without music in the background, while the third group listened to music while they drank the same beer.  Results indicated that those drinking while listening to music gave the beer a higher rating (“liking”) than either of the other groups.   “Previous studies have confirmed the influence of auditory inputs on our non-aural senses. For example, other researchers have demonstrated that listening to classical music can make wine taste sweeter.”

 

SOURCE

Psychology Today, July 29, 2016, by Katherine Schreiber & Heather Hausenblas

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/201607/music-enhances-beers-flavor

 

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/jrhgxgs

 

TITLE

ARTICLE #3:

 

The Perception of Wine

 

DESCRIPTION

The first paragraphs of this article fabulously takes the reader through an understanding of the taste apparatus (hardware) and how the brain perceives the flavors.  Also, the author integrates how other perceptions (especially) olfaction or smell interacts with taste.  Further, the article discusses the limbic system, emotional reactions to flavors, and memory and cognition and how all of these influence our perceived taste.   This article should fascinate the students and engage them in an understanding beyond just the anatomy and physiology of taste.  The article concludes with the statement:  “Tasting is not so much a function of the hardware (the nose and palate) as it is of the software (the mind or brain).”

 

SOURCE

Psychology Today, February 21, 2014, by Neel Burton

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201402/the-perception-wine

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/gnle458

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•First discuss the basics of the topic of sensation & perception in terms of bottom-up and then top down processing.
•What do we know about taste perception?  Bring the students up to date on the now 5 flavors (which include umami).
•According to the articles:   how is the perception of alcohol affected by sound sensation?   (First get the technical aspects discussed from the articles, then permit anecdotal stories from the students’ own experiences.)
•How is the flavor perception of wine influence by the other senses, emotions, memory, and expectations?

 

 

Psychology Video of the Week —

Posted by & filed under Psychology Video of the Week.

PSYCHOLOGY YouTube VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

#1 — Does Sound Affect Taste? Try it yourself – BRITLAB

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CONe3iW-xww

 

#2 — Adding a Dash of Sound to Your Meal

 

LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zmijb1T3dU

 

DESCRIPTION

These YouTube videos can be used either in conjunction with the articles for this weeks’ Psychology Update (October 10, 2016) or as a standalone resource when discussion sensation and perception — specifically how sound can affect taste perception.  They are based on the work of Sir Charles Spence.

Psychology Update — 3 ARTICLES Regarding Fear and Feelings of Creepiness About Clowns

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3 ARTICLES Regarding Fear and Feelings of Creepiness About Clowns

Recently, across the entire United States, there have been a wave of reports of clown sightings (people wearing masks) that terrorize neighborhoods and children.  These articles discuss the “creepiness” and fear.  Further, this week’s Psychology Website and App of the week (October 10, 2016) can be used in conjunction with these articles.  COULROPHOBIA is the term for the irrational fear of clowns.  Let’s us not forget that Halloween is nigh upon us.

 

TITLE #1

ARTICLE #1:  The Psychology Behind Why Clowns Creep Us Out

 

DESCRIPTION

This is a well written and important article in that it sites research by the author and others on why people have creepy feelings around clowns.  The author discusses the research and concludes “… consistent with my hypothesis that it is the inherent ambiguity surrounding clowns that make them creepy. They seem to be happy, but are they really? And they’re mischievous, which puts people constantly on guard. People interacting with a clown during one of his routines never know if they are about to get a pie in the face or be the victim of some other humiliating prank. The highly unusual physical characteristics of the clown (the wig, the big red nose, the makeup, the odd clothing) only magnify the uncertainty of what the clown might do next.”   It would be a worthwhile project or exercise for students to read the article and then the research.

 

SOURCE

PBS Newshour, September 29, 2016, by Frank McAndrew

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/column-psychology-behind-clowns-creep-us/

(Tiny URL)   http://tinyurl.com/jnbhe25

 

TITLE #2

ARTICLE #2:  Why are clowns scary?

 

DESCRIPTION

This article points out the the current DSM-5 lists fear of clowns (coulrophobia) under Specific Phobia (300.29).  The article points out that the amygdala is involved in processing fear emotions and cites the case of a woman whose amygdala did not function properly which as a result, she did not feel fear.  The author goes on to cite a number of studies that examine the fear of clowns.  She concludes:   “Psychologists believe that this kind of fear may have less to do with clowns and more with the unsettling familiarity. A normal-sized body with a painted face, big shoes, colorful clothes—but what’s under there?  People are typically frightened by things which are wrong in some way, wrong in a disturbingly unfamiliar way…”

 

SOURCE

Psychology Today, October 30, 2012, by Jordan Gaines Lewis

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-babble/201210/why-are-clowns-scary

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/jxgwarj

 

TITLE #3

ARTICLE #3:  Creepy Clown Hoaxes Lead to 12 Arrests in Multiple States

 

DESCRIPTION

This recent NY Times article details the events that have occurred around the country regarding clown sightings and threats to schools and communities.  There have been a number of arrests.  Are the sightings real?  Why do individuals make false claims of sightings?  Why do some actually make threats to children in schools?  The Times article provides a listing of the sightings and threats across the country.   “The experts weighed in with explanations. David G. Myers, a professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich., attributed the epidemic of sightings to “mass hysteria” as people’s fears and feelings fed on one another. Jason D. Seacat, an associate professor of psychology at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass., suggested another motive for the outbreak: a need for people to feel connected to a news event that had garnered national headlines.”

 

SOURCE

New York Times, September 30, 2016, by Christopher Mele

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/gm4hugz

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

•Begin the discussion with the topic of fear and phobias.  Ask the students to state these in operational definitions.

 

•How does the DSM-5 describe specific phobias particularly  “coulrophobia” ?

 

•According to the articles, why do children and adults fear clowns?  Is there a particular clown face that evokes more fear than others? (creepy clown faces)

 

•What is the speculation as to why there have been more sightings and threats of creepy clowns across the United States?
•If time permits for a flipped classroom activity, have the students develop a survey on the fear of clowns.

Psychology App of the Week —

Posted by & filed under Psychology App of the Week.

PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK

The app listed this week should only be used in tandem with this week’s Psychology Update which provides some articles on the Psychology of Creepy Clowns.

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iOS:  ClownFace – The Scary Clown Horror Face Booth (Click on the icon)


clownapp_ios

 

ANDROID:   Scary Clown – Face Changer Pro  (Click on the icon)

 

clownapp_android

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

These apps allow the user to “wear” scary clown faces using their phone to take a picture for use with the app.

HOW TO USE THIS APP

These apps should be used in conjunction with the Psychology Update articles provided this week of October 10, 2016.

If a student activity, such as a survey on the topic, is proposed, then this app can be helpful for providing content.

 

Psychology Update — 3 ARTICLES REGARDING THE AGING BRAIN

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3 ARTICLES REGARDING THE AGING BRAIN

 

ARTICLE #1:  Exercise Slows Brain Aging By 10 Years

 

DESCRIPTION

As the brain ages there are a number of decrements in cognitive functioning which include thinking speed, reasoning, organization, and memory.  This article discusses a recent study in the journal Neurology (see the link in the article) that researched whether exercise and a very active lifestyle slowed cognitive decline.  The results of the study demonstrated that “People who reported doing more physical activity showed higher scores on cognitive tests—consistent with previous studies linking more exercise to better brain health.”

SOURCE

Time, March 23, 2016, by Alice Park

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4269672/exercise-brain-aging

 

ARTICLE #2:  Keeping mentally active doesn’t stave off Alzheimer’s disease — only its symptoms

 

DESCRIPTION

A study in the journal Neurology (link to the journal is in the article), as reported in this Washington Post article, made comparison of groups of different levels educational attainment, as well as physical and mental activity.  The researchers found that while the process of Alzheimer’s disease continues to be progressive.  “Keeping your brain active may not prevent the disease itself … but at least it can keep cognitive decline at bay — and enrich the quality of life with or without Alzheimer’s.”  The disease does continue to progress but at a slower rate and cognitive decline, as measured by the symptom pattern is also slowed significantly.

SOURCE

Washington Post, February 26, 2016, by Erin Blakemore

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/02/26/keeping-mentally-active-doesnt-stave-off-alzheimers-disease-only-its-symptoms/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/gnqllxa

 

ARTICLE #3:  Vitamin B12 as Protection for the Aging Brain

 

DESCRIPTION

Are vitamin supplements important?  Apparently B-complex and especially B12 are very important.  Most accept the fact that pregnant women should take supplements.  Also, it has been found that B6 helps ameliorate symptoms of PMMD and PMS.   This article points out that “symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes, which may progress to confusion, depression, memory loss and dementia as the deficiency grows more severe.”  What about the brain, aging, and disease processes?   “Depression, dementia and mental impairment are often associated with” a deficiency of B12 and its companion B vitamin folate, “especially in the elderly.”  The article discusses the positive results of B12 supplements and the validating empirical studies.

SOURCE

New York Times,  September 6, 2016 , by Jane Brody

SOURCE

 

 

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/hlyv4yx

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•These articles will be helpful in covering two different aspects of the course:  the brain in the neuroscience chapter and the brain in aging in the development chapter.
•According to the articles:  what are the problems in the gaining brain?
•What disease processes are associated with the aging brain?
•What interventions can be made to ameliorate and slow down the changes in the brain?
*These articles also can be discussed in the nature-nurture lessons as environmental interactions that interact with biological changes.

 

Psychology Update — 3 ARTICLES CONCERNING ETHICAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY

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3 ARTICLES CONCERNING ETHICAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY

(Note:  this week’s Update covers three very different aspects concerning ethical considerations.  It can be used with many chapters in the textbook as well as in the beginning of the course when discussing the issue of ethics in the field of Psychology

ARTICLE #1

The Psychiatric Question: Is It Fair to Analyze Donald Trump From Afar?

DESCRIPTION

In this election year, a great deal of negative mud slinging has occurred regarding both candidates.  The press has had a field day!!!  Many Psychologists and Psychiatrists have weighed in the the candidates’ mental health and fitness.  IS IT ETHICAL TO MAKE SUCH A JUDGEMENT?  Probably not at all.
“In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association adopted what became known as the Goldwater Rule, declaring it unethical for any psychiatrist to diagnose a public figure’s condition “unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement.”  This article takes a historical view of past presidents and candidates and so-called analysis of them.  It is indeed very interesting.

For teaching purposes, it is not necessary to take anything but a neutral stance toward the election and candidates.  What should be focused upon are the arguments in the article that should prohibit Psychologists/Psychiatrists from analyzing and making judgements from their professional perspectives.  This lesson can be used in the beginning of the course under ethical considerations as well as used in the abnormal Psychology chapters.

SOURCE

New York Times, August 15, 2016, by Benedict Carey

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/health/analyzing-donald-trump-psychology.html?em_pos=large&emc=edit_sc_20160815&nl=science-times&nlid=38200791&ref=headline&te=1

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/hyl9q8p

 

 

ARTICLE #2:  Second Thoughts of an Animal Researcher

DESCRIPTION

In this retrospective piece, the author, John P Gluck discusses his research with the use of primates.  Through most of his graduate and post graduate research, he believed that the nature of the findings with rhesus macaques justified the so-called experimental treatment all the while suppressing his own disturbing feelings.   He looks over the field of Psychological research with primates and especially chimpanzees in asking ethical questions about our failings and “responsibilities” to these animals.  “The obvious question is why the harms experienced by these animals, which will be at least similar to humans, fail to matter? How did being a different member of the primate grouping that includes humans automatically alter the moral universe? … In the case of chimpanzees, the N.I.H. finally concluded that the harms did matter. The question now is, are there morally significant differences between the great apes and other primates?”  He briefly discusses work done historically on ethical principles of human research (the Belmont Report) and points out that there is no equivalent of research with animals.

For the purpose of teaching and discussion:  usually at the end of the first chapters there is a discussion in textbook and class on the science of Psychology and ethical principles.  This article focuses on the issue of animal research.

SOURCE

New York Times, September 2, 2016, by John P Gluck

LINK TO RESOURCE

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/z4ns6q2

 

 

ARTICLE #3:  The Secrets Behind Psychology’s Most Famous Experiment

 

DESCRIPTION

Perhaps the most famous experiment in Social Psychology and in the entire field is the Milgram obedience study.  In every Psychology book and portrayed in stories, plays, and movies, students come away with being told that about two-thirds of participants (“the teachers”) were willing to use intensive shock on the “learners” (the stooges).  Over the years there have been many who have questioned the ethics of the study as well as the validity.   This Psychology Today article summarizes a 2012 book, Behind the Shock Machine.  As it turns out, there are a number of methodological issues that were not revealed until Perry, the author of the book, did extensive research.  This article goes through the findings point by point.  However, for the purpose of this Update, the focus is solely on the ethical issues raised and the consequent changes in the ethics of experimentation in the field.  In summary, “… as a result of much public outcry following the study’s publication, the American Psychological Association has enacted a set of stringent ethical guidelines that require research participants to be informed of a study’s purposes ahead of time, to be allowed to withdraw without penalty during the experiment if they don’t want to continue, and to receive a complete debriefing after the study ends explaining exactly what was done, and why.”

For teaching purposes, the last quote above can be used as an opening to discussion and how psychological research has changed over the years due to the Milgram study.

SOURCE

Psychology Today, January 22, 2013, by Susan Krauss Whitbourne

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201301/the-secrets-behind-psychology-s-most-famous-experiment

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/zdxzm7t

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Focus on the issue of ethics:   What are ethics?  How do they apply to the field of Psychology?  What is essential for students to understand?
•How do the ethics of performing human research differ from the ethics issues with animals?
•From a clinician’s perspective:  What is the importance of the “Goldwater Rule.”
•How has human experimentation in Psychology changed as a result of the Milgram experiment?
•If the professor wishes to include the issue of torture and the APA responses, see the Wiley Psychology Updates of May 11, 2015 and August 10, 2015 for coverage.

 

Psychology App of the Week — Optical Illusions

Posted by & filed under Psychology App of the Week.

APP OF THE WEEK

Optical Illusions App for    iOS and Android

 

Eye Tricks HD  ($.99 and worth every penny)  (iOS)

(Click on icon to be taken to the iOS page)

EyeTricks

 

Illusions of the Brain (Android)

(Click on icon to be taken to the Android page)

illusions of the brain

 

DESCRIPTION

Description from Apple Store for iOS

Eye Tricks HD is the largest collection of best ever Eye Tricks Illusions for your iPad!

► You will be amazed by the most of pictures!

► All pictures looks great on the beautiful screen of your iPad!

Features:
● Does not require an internet connection
● Simple, convenient interface
● Several view modes
● A huge number of pictures
● All eye tricks are sorted into groups
● Favorites function
● Slideshow mode
● Any picture can be saved in the photo library
● Any picture can be used as wallpaper

Description  From Google Play Store

iLLUSIONS OF THE BRAIN (ANDROID)

Optical illusions: when your brain can’t believe your eyes!

The best collection of optical illusions with explanations for each of them. Amazing images subdivided by scientific categories and with the explanation of the mechanisms behind them.

Discover how your brain is fooled by the sight of these amazing images!

Play with your friends, try to beat your brain!

And now you can share the images with your friends.

The categories currently present are:

* Motion and psychedelic illusions
* Geometric illusions
* Hidden images
* Troxler’s fading
* Color illusions
* Ambiguous illusions
* Paradox illusions
* Autostereograms
* Illusory contours
* Afterimages

Optical Illusions (also called Visual Illusions) can use color, light and patterns to create images that can be deceptive or misleading to our brains. The information gathered by the eye is processed by the brain, creating a perception that in reality, does not match the true image. Perception refers to the interpretation of what we take in through our eyes. Optical illusions occur because our brain is trying to interpret what we see and make sense of the world around us. Optical illusions simply trick our brains into seeing things which may or may not be real.

HOW TO USE THESE APPs

First go download the app to your device.  Familiarize yourself with the particular illusions that best fit your Sensation & Perception lecture.  Connect your device to a projector and then show to your class to both discuss and engage your students.

Psychology Update — 3 Articles Dealing With The Effects Of Concussion

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

3 Articles Dealing With The Effects Of Concussion

These three articles are being republished to help with explaining what has been in the news:   Secretary Clinton’s past health issues (a severe concussion) and it is once again football season.    These articles should be useful to help students apply and understand the neuroscience sections of the chapters in the text book.

 

Article #1

Concussion – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Concussion

SOURCE

New York Times (Wellness/Health section)

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/concussion/overview.html

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/kmsdddy

Article #2    Hard-Knock Lessons From the Concussion Files

SOURCE

New York Times, February 13, 2007, by Jane Brody

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/health/13brod.html

Article #3   Concussions Continue to Plague Retired NFL Players

Video:  http://ti.me/1FiRKk4

 

 

SOURCE

Time Magazine, May 18, 2015, by Alice Park

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/3863914/concussions-memory-retired-nfl-players/?xid=emailshare

(shortened URL)  http://tinyurl.com/kl9xjpg

DISCUSSION

Concussions are in the news again and seemingly every week.  Sports figures  (especially football players) who have had multiple concussions appear to develop dementia early on, personality changes, and have higher rates of suicide.  Even those in high school and college who stopped playing after graduation have a higher rate of problems in their middle adulthood.   There is a focus now on other sports, young players in football (Pop Warner teams), bicycle riders, elderly who fall, childhood injuries and so on.  Yet there is a great deal of resistance in the populace to admitting the dangers, and certainly the NFL is quite guilty of this.   These three articles focus on the concussion data and the accompanying Website and App of the Week are coordinated with these articles for a complete view of the issue.

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• What is a concussion?
•How does a concussion
•What are the physical symptoms?  Psychological symptoms?
•What are the short term effects?
•What are the long term effects?
•What treatments are helpful?
•Why is this a topic for Psychologists?
•What is the motivation in the denial of the problems of concussion?