Psychology Update — What Parents Need to Know About Technology Addiction

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

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What Parents Need to Know About Technology Addiction

 

DESCRIPTION

Is there such a thing as an addiction to technology?  This brief article points to facts such as there is no agreement on what “technology addiction” is and further that there are large gaps in research.  Some data from surveys of parents and teens are presented indicating that for some use of devices for phone, texting, playing games watching videos and so on can be a source of issues such as causing friction in families, problems in focusing/concentration due to multitasking, and the increased possibility of internet addiction.  The author states:  “By taking a balanced approach to media and technology — setting screen limits, establishing device-free zones, and reducing multitasking — you can help your whole family develop healthy media habits.”

SOURCE

Common Sense Media, May 2, 2016, by Michael Robb

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-technology-addiction#

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/j8xwuzo

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•First:  do a brief informal survey of the class asking if they believe that there is such a problem as “technology addiction.”
•Ask them to try to define it.
•Depending on the professor’s comfort level ask:  who believes they have it and why?
•Critical thinking question:  what type of research would have to be done to answer the question as to whether there is “technology addiction” in teens?

Psychology Update — ‘Club Drug’ Ketamine Provides Hope in Fight Against Depression

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‘Club Drug’ Ketamine Provides Hope in Fight Against Depression

 

DESCRIPTION

Depression can be devastating!   There are a large percentage of individuals who do not respond to antidepressants or even shock treatment and so suffer from the disorder.   In recent years, ketamine, a drug used as an anesthetic and as an animal tranquilizer has been found (anecdotally and in a small number of studies) to alleviate the symptoms of profound depression.  It’s side effects, as found in recreational drug use, may include hallucinations as well as an out-of-body experience and even dependence as a side effect.  However researchers are now looking at the drug as an antidepressant.  “As more studies are starting to show, ketamine can also be a highly effective way to lift mood. But giving people with depression doses of ketamine could also set them up for addiction; while it rebalances certain brain chemicals pertaining to mood, ketamine also triggers dopamine, a substance with direct links to the reward system.”

SOURCE

Time, May 11, 2016, by Alice Park

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4326167/depression-ketamine/

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What are the symptoms of depression?
•What are the current approved treatments and psychotherapies?
•What is ketamine?  How is it used recreationally? What are the known effects of ketamine on mood?
•According to the article, how does ketamine affect the brain?
•What have studies found regarding the effects of ketamine on depression?

 

Psychology Update — 3 ARTICLES REGARDING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA

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3 ARTICLES REGARDING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA

ARTICLE #1

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

 

DESCRIPTION

This is a very up to date article that discusses the following issues:  the causes of Alzheimer’s Disease, symptoms (described cognitively and behaviorally), prevention, and medications.  It is informative and useful in teaching both the biological bases of Psychology and issues in aging.

SOURCE

New York Times, April 30, 2016, by Pam Bullock

LINK TO RESOURCE

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/j67lzac

 

ARTICLE #2

Reversible Alzheimer’s Disease — One in ten cases of Alzheimer’s disease are likely to be diagnosed incorrectly.

DESCRIPTION

Dr. Garret points out that while many in nursing care do, in fact, suffer from  Alzheimer’s Disease, approximately 10% are misdiagnosed because their problems mimic Alzheimer’s.   Some of these other conditions include normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and vascular dementia.  These conditions may be treatable and reversible when detected early.   Dr. Garret recommends a full detailed “work up” of the individual rather than simply diagnosing severe cognitive disruption as Alzheimer’s disease.   This article would be helpful in the neuropsychology chapter on brain anatomy as well as in the chapter on aging.

SOURCE

Psychology Today, March 15, 2016, by Mario D Garrett Ph.D.

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/iage/201603/reversible-alzheimers-disease

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/jln93wz

ARTICLE #3

Ask Well: How Do You Die From Alzheimer’s?

DESCRIPTION

The article answers the question as to how Alzheimer’s Disease leads to death.  “… the brain affects everything, Alzheimer’s ultimately affects everything ….including the ability to swallow, cough and breathe.”  As the disease progresses the brain areas that function to maintain the body’s homeostasis fail and as a result the physical condition deteriorates to the point where the individual becomes susceptible to other disease conditions, a lower immune response, as well as pneumonia which is the common cause of death at the end.  As the decline becomes more rapid at the end of the disease death follows.  The article also points out that hospitalizations for infections and use of feeding tubes does not prolong anything but suffering.   The article may be used in conjunction with the chapters on neuropsychology and aging.

 

New York Times, April 5, 2016, By Roni Caryn

LINK TO RESOURCE

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/j9smg7o

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
•What are the symptoms?
•What is the course of the disease that ultimately leads to nursing care and finally death?
•Are there ways to prevent or slow down the progression?
•Are there other brain disorders that are confused with Alzheimer’s Disease?

 

Psychology Update — 3 Articles on Mood Enhancement and Boosting

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3 Articles on Mood Enhancement and Boosting

These articles can be coordinated with the abnormal/psychopathology chapters in your course.   Each individually or together will work well as a trigger for discussion on the topics.

ARTICLE #1

Psychologists Reveal One Of The Best Ways To Boost Your Mood
DESCRIPTION

This article looks at a study that asked participants to do kind acts to others or to do good acts for the world around them, or to give themselves “a treat” when feeling down (or treat themselves well).  The findings: “…the research found that giving to others or practicing acts of kindness can improve our mood and overall well-being…”  Treating ourselves in a special way did not show an improvement in mood.  The authors suggest that “prosocial behavior” is a key component in mood enhancement.   (See this article for more about the study.)

SOURCE

Huffington Post, April 25, 2016, by Jacqueline Howard

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/best-way-to-boost-mood_us_571bacefe4b0d4d3f7238dc4?utm_hp_ref=science?

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/hcsbkv6

 

ARTICLE #2

Meditation Plus Running as a Treatment for Depression
DESCRIPTION

 

Individuals who were depressed as measured by both self-report and computerized objective testing were taught the basics of mindful meditation in the form of focused attention.  Additionally, the meditation was followed by an exercise regimen of running on a treadmill or stationary bicycle;  this all took place twice week over eight weeks.  “There were significant changes. The 22 volunteers with depression now had a 40 percent reduction in symptoms of the condition. They reported, in particular, much less inclination to ruminate over bad memories.”   The researchers noted that ruminative type of depression can be traced to both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and as it turns out both meditation and exercise affects both of these areas of the brain.  Further experiments are planned around these findings.

SOURCE

New York Times, March 16, 2016, By Gretchen Reynolds

LINK TO RESOURCE

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

 

ARTICLE #3

 

Vanilla Yogurt Makes Us Happy, And Scientists Explain Why — Yes, there’s a science to it.

 

DESCRIPTION

In an interesting study, participants were asked to eat vanilla yogurt or another flavor (both were of same brand).  They then rated pictures as positive or negative which researchers used as a way of assessing mood.  “The researchers found that eating the vanilla yogurt resulted in the participants projecting more positive emotions than when they ate the other flavors, and that yogurts with lower fat content gave people a stronger positive emotional response.” The researchers hypothesize that a number of factors could be at work such as being “pleasantly surprised” by the flavor of the yogurt, old positive associations of the vanilla flavoring, and also the possibility that a vanilla scent has positive effect on endorphin production.   Further research will be planned to tease out the effects.

SOURCE

Huffington Post, November 11, 2015, by Jacqueline Howard

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/vanilla-yogurt-makes-us-happy_us_5642c14ce4b08cda3486a40c?ir=Science%253Fncid%253Dnewsltushpmg00000003

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/gpuoc5d

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is the difference between mood, affect, and depression?
•What are the traditional treatments for mood issues (other than depression) such as “feeling in a bad mood?”
•What are the traditional treatments for depression?
•Based on the three articles:  what less traditional approaches might be used for either mood or depression?

 

Psychology App of the Week — Notability

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PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK

Notability

Notability

iOS:  ($5.99) (Click on the icon or the iOS to see the iTunes preview page.)  Yes this is expensive, however, check all that it does before you reject the idea of spending the money.)

DESCRIPTION

From the iTunes Store

Apple Editors’ Choice on iPad, iPhone, and Mac! Apple’s Mac App of The Year! Recognized by Apple as the Best Selling Paid Productivity app in 2015, 2014, and 2013!

Welcome to Notability: powerful, yet wonderfully simple note-taking and PDF annotation.

Students, teachers, and business professionals use Notability daily to take notes, sketch ideas, annotate PDFs, mark-up photos, record lectures, provide audio feedback and more. It is uniquely designed for each device to provide the best note taking experience at school, at home, and at work. And with iCloud, your notes are always up to date.

SAVE TIME WITH iOS 9 FEATURES
– Multitasking with Notability enables you to take notes while you research, read a text book, or watch a lecture, on select iPads.
– 3D Touch on iPhone 6s makes it faster than ever to create, preview, and open notes.
– Spotlight Search helps you find and open recent notes.

WRITE NATURALLY
– Handwrite and sketch with beautiful ink.
– Write smoothly and quickly with zoom-writing.
– Automatic Palm Detection on iPad allows you to write naturally with your hand on the screen.
– Notability has been fine-tuned for Apple Pencil and iPad Pro giving you the most responsive, precise writing experience yet.

TYPE ANYWHERE
– Notability includes full-featured typing with a wide range of fonts, sizes, and colors.
– Outlines and text boxes help you quickly capture and organize ideas.
– Highlight typed text.
– The typing UI is uniquely designed on iPhone, iPad, and Mac for the best typing experience possible.

IMPORT AND ANNOTATE PDFs
– Highlight, Copy & Paste, Speak, Define and Search PDF text.
– Mark up lecture slides and meeting agendas or complete class assignments.
– Fill-out, sign, and send PDF forms.
– Import doc and ppt files with the help of Google Drive.
– Import webpages from the browser with the Share Extension.

AUDIO RECORDINGS: REVIEW AND GIVE FEEDBACK
– Get more out of your lectures and meetings when you record them.
– Notes automatically link to recordings, so during playback, you can watch your notes animate along with the recording, or tap them to get to the spot that needs clarifying.
– Teachers can also use these features to provide audio and handwritten feedback to students.

ALL ELECTRONIC WORKFLOW
– Create a paperless classroom — handout and collect assignments via the cloud.
– Speed-up feedback to students and colleagues using Notability.
– Complete, sign, and share documents in Notability.

ORGANIZE AND SHARE NOTES
– Create subjects and simply drag notes into them.
– Share your notes via email, AirDrop, printer, Twitter, Dropbox, Google Drive, Box and more.
– Retrieve recently deleted notes from the trash.

ICLOUD SYNC
– iCloud automatically syncs all of your notes to iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

AUTO-BACKUP
Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box, can be used to backup your notes in PDF format and are great for archiving or recovery.

Notability support website:

http://support.gingerlabs.com/hc/en-us

Psychology Update — Poor Sleep Gives You the Munchies, Study Says

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

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Poor Sleep Gives You the Munchies, Study Says

 

DESCRIPTION

Can sleep deprivation be a factor in weight gain?   A number of studies in the general population and especially college students suggest that this is the case.  A recent study examined the hunger and eating pattern in a non obese sample before and after subjecting the individuals to sleep deprivation.  As it turns out, indeed there was a feeling of greater hunger and actual behavioral changes (eating more) snack foods.  The researchers pointed out, “The study took a close look at receptors affected by endocannabinoids — so named for cannabis, the marijuana plant — which it found were closely involved in the food cravings that come from sleep deprivation.”  The general trend in the American population in general has been to deliberately shorten the amount of sleep needed, and so there may well be a relationship between the obesity epidemic and sleep deprivation.

SOURCE

New York Times, March 4, 2016, By Jonah Bromwich

LINK TO RESOURCE

 

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/j4ty9kb

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•First ask:  what are the brain systems involved in hunger regulation?
•Ask, anecdotally:  What are the munchies?  What causes the munchies?  Have the students tell stories of what they have “observed” in others.
•On the tail of the last question, ask:  Have students had a similar experience after being sleep deprived?
•What is the endocannabinoid system?  What is it’s role in brain function?
•What are the practical implications of this type of study?

 

Psychology Update — The 5-Sided Flashcard

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

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The 5-Sided Flashcard

 

DESCRIPTION

Is the flashcard a useful device for studying?   Studies both are positive and negative about the usage beyond just learning a definition/fact attached to a word.  However, this article argues for an enhanced 5-sided flash card that incorporates the usual two sides along with an “example-picture-story,” “similarities to other concepts,” and “differences from other terms or concepts.”  Dr. Handelsman believes that this type of flashcard can be useful to achieve a number of different learning outcomes effectively.    Have your students consider the possibility.

SOURCE

Psychology Today, October 13, 2014, by Mitchell M. Handelsman Ph.D., The Ethical Professor

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-ethical-professor/201410/the-5-sided-flashcard-0

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/zs6hvyo

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Take a quick survey of your students:  who uses flashcards?   Are they found to be effective?
•As a homework assignment, ask the students to make just one of these on a topic of your choosing.   Ask after reviewing their creations:  would this be a helpful learning tool?
•Survey the students:   what are the best tools that they have found to be useful for studying?   This can also be done as a peer-to-peer or small group discussion.

 

Psychology Update — Breakthrough brain chip gives paralyzed man ability to hold cup, play Guitar Hero again

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

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Breakthrough brain chip gives paralyzed man ability to hold cup, play Guitar Hero again

DESCRIPTION

A remarkable development has occurred in that scientists have been able to implant a chip into a man’s brain, and by concentrating he has been able to send electrical impulses to a computer that activates a sleeve on his arm that can transmit signals to his hand.  “The study marks the first time a paralyzed patient has been able to regain movement in his own body — a total of six different wrist and hand motions — by using signals that originated within the brain.”  (There is a video available both here in WordPress and at the Post article.)

SOURCE

Washington Post, April 13, 2016, By Ariana Eunjung Cha

Original Source:  Bouton, C.E. and others (2016), Restoring cortical control of functional movement in a human with quadriplegia, Nature, doi:10.1038/nature17435.

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/04/13/breakthrough-paralyzed-man-regains-ability-to-hold-glass-of-water-through-brain-computer-interface/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/jj3beqy

VIDEO LINK

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Ask for a summary explanation of how a sensory input goes to the spinal cord, brain, and then motor output through the spinal cord to the hand.   Focus on the role of the spinal cord for the purpose of this article.
•What happens when a spinal cord injury occurs?
•After reading this article ask:   how was it possible for this subject to move his hand?  What is necessary to make this happen?
•What are the future applications?

 

Psychology Update — 3 ARTICLES ON MARIJUANA ADDICTION AND DISORDER

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3 ARTICLES ON MARIJUANA ADDICTION AND DISORDER

Three authoritative websites/articles concerning cannabis and marijuana.  This is useful for discussion in class on the general topic of drugs, addiction, and can be used as an ancillary in a “states of consciousness” chapter.

ARTICLE #1  (2 parts)

Is Marijuana Addictive? (part 1)
Is Marijuana Addictive? (part 2)

DESCRIPTION

Dr. Boyd points out that though marijuana is different than other drugs (including alcohol, opiates, and prescription painkillers and benzodiazapines, a small percentage of users (especially those who start in adolescence) can experience withdrawal affects.  Citing a New England Journal of Medicine study (listed in Dr. Boyd’s bibliography), heavy users may experience “withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop, become addicted to other drugs besides marijuana, experience depression and anxiety, and suffer even more problems as a result of using a drug heavily and regularly in adolescence given that our brains continue to develop into our mid-late 20’s.”  Dr. Boyd looks at some of the myths of marijuana use and also points out that most mild users will experience  little in the way of withdrawal or addiction.

SOURCE

Part #1:

Psychology Today, November 3, 2013,  by J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D.

Part #2:

Psychology Today, July 15, 2014,  by J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D.

LINK TO RESOURCE

Part 1:   https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/almost-addicted/201311/is-marijuana-addictive

Part 2:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/almost-addicted/201407/is-marijuana-addictive-part-2

 

 

ARTICLE #2

Is Marijuana Addictive? NIH Says Cannabis Use Disorder Affects Nearly 6 Million People

 

DESCRIPTION

Younger males are likely to experience “cannabis use disorder” than older males and females in general.  Studies cited speculate that the same mechanisms implicated in other drug addiction can come into play in heavy cannabis use.  These mechanisms include the reward centers and dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain.  As more heavy use of cannabis occurs, the brain produces less dopamine which, as a consequence, will cause withdrawal symptoms when the person tries to stop using cannabis.  “Symptoms include cravings, developing a tolerance, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms, including inability to sleep, nervousness, anger, or depression, within a week of stopping heavy use.”

SOURCE

MedicalDaily.com, March 4, 2016, By Susan Scutti

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.medicaldaily.com/marijuana-addictive-men-376595

ARTICLE #3

Substance Use Disorder

 

DESCRIPTION

The SAMSHA site begins with noting that DSM-5 now discusses “substance use disorders” as opposed to substance dependence and abuse.  This brief sections can be useful to integrate with the textbook on the DSM-5.  “According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of substance use disorder is based on evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria.”   This site and “article” not only describes Cannabis Use Disorder but lists the other categories of drugs and their negative effects including alcohol, stimulants, tobacco, hallucinogens, and opioids.  This is an authoritative listing of the problems experienced, withdrawal effects, and the view by way of the DSM-5.

SOURCE

SAMSHA:  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is a substance use disorder as defined by the DSM-5?  (use the SAMSHA link)
•What are the effects of using marijuana?
•Is marijuana addictive?  What are the withdrawal symptoms?
•According to the articles, who (demographics) is most likely at risk for cannabis addiction?

 

Psychology Podcast of the Week — Sage Publications: SAGE for Psychology and Psychiatry


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PSYCHOLOGY PODCAST OF THE WEEK

Sage Publications:  SAGE for Psychology and Psychiatry


SAGE

 

iOS:  (free) Click on icon above to go to the iTunes Preview Page

DESCRIPTION

From the  iTunes Store

 

Welcome to the official free Podcast site from SAGE for Psychology & Psychiatry. SAGE is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets with principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, and Singapore.

 

Using This Podcast

This is an authoritative site based upon the publisher’s work in the area of Psychology.   Each podcast covers a different area of the field.  The students can explore the vast number of topics to find a particular one that will fit both research, professional, and personal interests.