Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

The Unexpected Reason It’s Healthy To Feel Shame

 

DESCRIPTION

In the field of Psychology, the emotion of SHAME is generally viewed as one which is negative wherein the individual experiences the emotion when feeling judged (evaluated) by others as as being “bad” or engaging in “bad” behavior.  Certainly the work by Erikson (not discussed in the article) sets the emotion of shame as developing around the second year of life in contrast to autonomy.  In the area of psychopathology/abnormal behavior, overwhelming shame can be “crippling” to the personality and even lead to addiction.  However, researchers, who are mentioned in this article, view shame as having a positive evolutionary result for society.  “In other words, “the function of shame is to prevent us from damaging our social relationships, or to motivate us to repair them,” … It makes us care what others think of us, and helps to us determine the “social cost” of a particular behavior or action.”  The article briefly discusses cross cultural studies and a brief video interview.
SOURCE

Huffington Post, March 3, 2016, by Carolyn Gregoire

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/shame-psychology-evolution_us_56d4428ce4b0871f60ebf5c9?

(TinyUrl)  http://tinyurl.com/gm62jko

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is shame?
•How is shame different than guilt?
•if there is access to Erikson’s stages, how does that theory view shame?
•What is “evolutionary psychology” ?
•According to the researchers of “evolutionary psychology,” how is shame viewed in a positive way?  Or as an advantage for the good of society?

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

TOPIC: DYSLEXIA

This Website Simulates What Dyslexia Is Really Like

DESCRIPTION

“For some people with dyslexia … letters may appear to jump around. Some readers see words or letters that appear incomplete, backwards or upside-down, or they may have difficulty differentiating certain letters.”  Dyslexia is usually characterized as a learning disability and condition that can be treated when detected when a child begins school or before.  School Psychologists are the professionals who make the definitive diagnosis and help establish an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) for a child.

The article further discusses a website that recreates an experience similar to dyslexia.  The website:

http://qz.com/631500/what-its-really-like-to-have-dyslexia/

 

SOURCE

Huffington Post, March 7, 2016, by Dominique Mosbergen

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dyslexia-website_us_56dd3e46e4b0000de4050cf6

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/ha6k7e3

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is dyslexia?   Ask the class if any of them wish to disclose a learning disability.
•After reading the article and going to the website:  how do people with dyslexia experience reading?
•If the course focuses on a BioPsychoSocial approach to disorders:  How would that approach most likely account for dyslexia?

 

Posted by & filed under Psychology App of the Week.

PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK  — Website Compilation of Dyslexia Apps

TEACHERS WITH APPS

Five Fab iPad Apps to Help Students With Dyslexia

SOURCE:

Teachers With Apps

Five Fab iPad Apps to Help Students With Dyslexia
By Jayne Clare · December 8, 2014

LINK TO SOURCE:

http://www.teacherswithapps.com/ipad-apps-help-students-dyslexia/

DESCRIPTION

Usually one app is discussed for class information.  This week, a website that points to 5 apps that can be explored around the issue of dyslexia.  The site can be used in conjunction with a discussion of neuroscience of learning, sensation & perception, child development, and learning disabilities.

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

3 ARTICLES FOCUSING ON ASPECTS OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

 

ARTICLE #1

 

Crows Clever Enough to Learn a Shell Game

 

DESCRIPTION

This is a fascinating article that examines how and whether crows can learn the “shell game.”   If a treat is placed in one of three covered bowls while the  crow watches, the crow will choose the correct bowl.  However, if the treat is put in one bowl and then moved to another with the crow watching, it will choose at random; this is known as the A-Not-B test.  Primates and animals with larger brains (except the elephant) can do very well on this test.  The researchers reasoned that if they trained the crow to watch the hands move, then the crows would be able to find the treat.  In fact the crows did.  The article also includes a brief video of the crows doing this and other tasks.

SOURCE

New York Times, ScienceTake, February 29, 2016, by James Gorman

LINK TO RESOURCE

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/29/science/crows-clever-enough-to-learn-a-shell-game.html

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/jgjgvy7

(click on link to view video)

 

ARTICLE #2

 

Turning Your Pet Into a Therapy Dog

DESCRIPTION

Jane Brody, the noted Health and Science writer in the NY Times, wrote an article that discusses the use of animals as in therapeutic settings as well as experiences with her own dog Max.  “Pet therapy most often involves privately owned animals – usually dogs, but also cats, rabbits, even kangaroos, birds, fish and reptiles – that their owners take to facilities to enhance the well-being of temporary or permanent residents.”  She provides a variety of scenarios from nursing homes, pediatric wards, prison, veterans hospital groups and so on to provide examples of how pet therapy is helpful.  A very interesting read and most likely a fun discussion.

SOURCE

New York Times, February 29, 2016, by Jane Brody

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/29/turning-your-pet-into-a-therapy-dog/?emc=edit_bg_20160301&nl=booming&nlid=38200791&_r=0

(Tiny Url)  http://tinyurl.com/jbnw2nv

 

ARTICLE #3

Frans de Waal TED TALK:    Moral behavior in animals

DESCRIPTION

From the TED site:

“What happens when two monkeys are paid unequally? Fairness, reciprocity, empathy, cooperation — caring about the well-being of others seems like a very human trait. But Frans de Waal shares some surprising videos of behavioral tests, on primates and other mammals, that show how many of these moral traits all of us share.”

This is a fabulous video talk (17 minutes) that will stimulate discussion and delight and engage your students!

SOURCE

Ted Talk November 2011

(Tiny URL)   http://tinyurl.com/jzmr3kx

 

 

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is the value of animal research in the field of Psychology?
•Can the results of animal research be generalized to humans?
•What are the advantages and disadvantages of using animals to studying basic processes in humans?
•Ask the students:   How would they apply the results of animal research to humans?
•What are the ethical concerns of using animals for research?

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

3  ARTICLES RELATED TO PTSD TREATMENT

ARTICLE #1

After PTSD, More Trauma
DESCRIPTION

“David J. Morris, a former Marine infantry officer, is the author of the forthcoming book “The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”  Mr. Morris describes his life after serving in the military and suffering intense PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).   He describes his experiences with the VA (Veterans Administration) system in his attempt to get treatment.  Further, he elaborates on the treatment that made him worse not better.  He also discusses his road to recovery.

 

SOURCE 

New York Times, January 17, 2015,  by By David J. Morris
LINK TO RESOURCE

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/17/after-ptsd-more-trauma/

 

 

 

ARTICLE #2

What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?
DESCRIPTION

This is a wonderful lovely story (relatively long from the New York Times Magazine, and as such will likely engage the reader.  Though on the surface this is a story of “animal-assisted therapy” for veterans suffering from trauma and PTSD, it is a story of those so hurt serving the country finding their way to a human connection by taking care of traumatized parrots.  Yes, traumatized parrots that have been abandoned by their owners and themselves suffering.  Forgive the anthropomorphism in such a description but it holds water after reading the article.

The article focuses around a number of wounded veterans and parrots who manage to bond and heal in the bonding.  “They’re also being seized upon as a source of mutual healing for some of the most psychologically scarred members of both species.”  The story follows a number of therapists who have have worked with both the veterans and parrots and made the serendipitous discovery about working with the PTSD in both species.  “Their deep need to connect is drawing the most severely wounded and isolated PTSD sufferers out of themselves. In an extraordinary example of symbiosis, two entirely different outcasts of human aggression — war and entrapment — are somehow helping each other to find their way again.”

Though this sounds much like poetic overtones, the text covers PTSD, therapy, and brain science for both the veterans and parrots.   Very engaging!

 

SOURCE

New York Times Magazine, January 28, 2016, by Charles Siebert

LINK TO RESOURCE

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/zey4ony

 

 

ARTICLE #3
How Effective Are PTSD Treatments for Veterans?
DESCRIPTION

 

Are there effective treatments for PTSD?  Recent research suggests that about “while up to 70% of the men and women who received CPT (cognitive processing therapy) or PE (prolonged exposure) experienced symptom improvements, around two-thirds of people receiving the treatments still met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment.”  There have been other therapies used as well as variation of mindfulness with stress reduction and present centered focus.   Similarly, while there is improvement, the diagnosis due to the symptom intensity is not lifted.   The end of the article has a link that will take the reader to resources for help and support.   That website is listed in this week’s (March 6, 2016) Psychology Website of the Week.

 

SOURCE

Time Magazine, August 4, 2015, by Alexandra Sifferlin

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/3982440/ptsd-veterans

 

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is PTSD?  What are the causes, triggers, and symptoms?
What does the diagnosis entail?  That is, how is the diagnosis made?

•What types of therapy are employed for PTSD as described by David Morris?  What is the efficacy of the treatment?  The pros and cons of each as described by the author?

•The Time Magazine article discusses the efficacy of PE and CPT as therapies for PTSD.  According to the article, how effective are these treatments?

•Can parrots display symptoms of PTSD or mental health concerns?  The New York Times article discusses this phenomenon.   According to the article, what is the benefit of “animal assisted therapy” to both the suffering veteran and the parrot?

 

Posted by & filed under Psychology App of the Week, Psychology Update.

APP OF THE WEEK

Flipboard-300x70

free for iOS and Android (click on your platform to be taken to the page)

DESCRIPTION

(from Google Play Store)

“Flipboard is your personal magazine. Used by millions of people everyday, it’s a single place to keep up on the news, follow topics you care about and share stories, videos and photos that influence you.

To start, follow a few topics, and Flipboard creates your personal magazine. You can always add more as you find new topics, magazines or interesting people to follow.

Read world class publications like The New York Times, PEOPLE magazine, Fast Company, and Vanity Fair on Flipboard — find any source with the search bar. You can also connect Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn to Flipboard and easily flip through pictures and posts from friends.

Save stories you enjoy or express a point of view. Use the + button on anything you find to collect it into your own magazine. You can see all your magazines in your Flipboard Profile. For more on how to make your own magazine, visit www.flipboard.com. “

 

HOW TO USE IT

 

This is an update for the update!

 

Do you want to engage your students to be involved in their own Psychology project.   Flipboard will permit them to build their own Psychology magazine.  In fact, they can add the Wiley Psychology Updates to become their own magazine.  The can even collaborate and trade Flipboards.   Give it a try.

This is a fabulous app for both teaching and class use.  It is available on all platforms (tablets and smart phones) as well as for use directly from a computer.  As a faculty member, you can very easily set up a “magazine” for your class.  You simply get the app, specify that you want to begin a new flipboard and name your magazine.  You then just enter the URLs of various sites or articles and voila! you have an online magazine.  You could take all of the sited articles in the Psychology Update and turn them into your own magazine.  Your students with Flipboard would simply search within the app and load your Flipboard.  Additionally, for the professor, you can personally use Flipboard for your own particular interests.

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

3  ARTICLES ON THE CURRENT STATE OF ADDICTION TREATMENTS

Article #1

Staying Sober After Treatment Ends

 

DESCRIPTION

The well written article realistic discusses what happens after hospital rehab and detox for alcohol and drug addiction.   The author points out that well over 50% relapse and that only 40% or so of those that stay in recovery continue to show problems.  To quote the author, “Many patients walk out the door — and fall off a cliff.”  After-Care programs are an important set of tools in the fight to prevent relapse from an addiction.  The author discusses a number of programs, insurance issues, and therapy issues aimed at following the individual after detox and rehab.    Article #2 is a look at medications used to fight addiction.

SOURCE

New York Times, February 9, 2016, By Tina Rosenberg

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/09/staying-sober-after-treatment-ends/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/j9eaudm

 

Article #2

Medicines to Keep Addiction Away

 

DESCRIPTION

The article begins with:  “America’s drug crisis, which now kills more people each day than car crashes or gun violence, has challenged the conventional wisdom about recovery.”  The author in this Part 2 article points out that the relapse rate is so high even after rehab and detox, that more is necessary in terms of after care for addiction recovery.  Further, though many find it to be life saving, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotic Anonymous (NA) are not all that helpful to the vast majority of those trying to recover and abstinent.   The article discusses a number of medications that are now both being tested and used to help addicts fight the cravings that lead to relapse.  Both the positive and negative of medication use is highlighted; the positive benefits far outweigh the negative.  The author also provides links to a number of studies that point out to the benefits of the medications.

SOURCE

New York Times, February 16, 2016, By Tina Rosenberg

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/16/medicines-to-keep-addiction-away/?emc=edit_ty_20160217&nl=opinion&nlid=38200791&_r=0

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/hv8euzv

 

 

Article #3
The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous
DESCRIPTION

This is a very extensive and comprehensive article that attempts to look at the issue of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in light of actual data on treatment effectiveness for abstinence.  After providing an extensive history on the origin of AA, the author concludes that “The problem is that nothing about the 12-step approach draws on modern science: not the character building, not the tough love, not even the standard 28-day rehab stay.”  Statistically, while AA does in fact help many, the author concludes that the vast majority are not helped and will relapse.   Further, the author discusses both the brain and neurological mechanisms in alcohol consumption and abuse.  Alternate programs to the AA approach are surveyed in both the United States and European countries.  The programs include various after care paradigms as well as medications used to stave off craving and help sobriety.   The article is very opinionated and judgmental about the approaches and tries to pinpoint what would be the most up to date efficacious successful programs.

SOURCE

Atlantic Monthly, April 2015, by Gabrielle Glaser

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/nfufj3x

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Open up the discussion:  What is addiction?  What are the types of addiction?
•Is an addiction the same as a compulsion?
•According to the articles:  what has been the traditional treatment for addiction?
(focus on rehab/detox and AA)
•What have studies shown about the effectiveness of AA as a treatment?  (statistical outcomes of effectiveness)
•Why is “after care” needed after rehabilitation?
•What are the alternative treatments for addictions? (include the new medications, therapy and after care models, and cross cultural research cited)

 

Posted by & filed under Psychology Website of the Week.

TITLE

Marijuana Use Over Years May Affect Ability to Remember Words

DESCRIPTION

A new study suggests that there are links between smoking marijuana over a period of years and a decline in the ability to remember lists of words in middle age and processing speed.  “Researchers studied men and woman over a span of 25 years starting when they were young adults.”  The study is not proof of cause and affect but “only associations” according to the researchers who examined collected data.   The researchers will investigate further and point out that the research is important in light of states legalizing the use of marijuana.

SOURCE

Time Magazine, February 2, 2016, by Tara John

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4204377/marijuana-verbal-memory/

 

 

Link to the study:

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2484906

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•As part of a general discussion, clarify the different types of memory.
•Ask students opinion as to whether marijuana should be legalized for medical vs personal/recreational usage.
•As a part of stimulating critical thinking on the topic, ask students how they would design a study that would actually examine cause and effect issues in marijuana usage.
•In a similar type question, ask the students whether a true longitudinal study could be conducted on marijuana use and its effects on cognition.

 

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

A Disadvantaged Start Hurts Boys More Than Girls
DESCRIPTION

There is a significant gender gap between boys and girls in that boys tend to have more significant problems emotionally, behaviorally, cognitively, and get into more trouble than girls.   The article begins with discussing how the gender gap begins early in preschool and continues throughout the entire educational enterprise.   The researchers look specifically at how poverty and family problems (single parent) families contribute to the differences between boys and girls.  The researchers offer a number of hypotheses as to the cause of the gender gap.  “For policy makers,…the study’s results show disadvantage should be taken into account when devising ways to help boys, and gender should be considered when helping poor children, since boys and girls seem to respond differently … For educators, research points to the importance for boys of early interventions, like high-quality preschool and mentoring …. For parents, the data show the payoffs of spending more time with children, especially boys… “

 

SOURCE

New York Times, October 22, 2015,  by Claire Cain Miller

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/upshot/a-disadvantaged-start-hurts-boys-more-than-girls.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience

(TinyURL)  http://tinyurl.com/orzwu42

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•According to the article, what accounts for the differences (gender gap) between boys?
•How does this gender gap manifest itself:  cognitively, behaviorally and emotionally?
•What do the researchers believe about the effects of parenting as a contributing source of the problems experienced by boys?
•What do the researchers believe about the effects of parenting as a contributing source of the problems experienced by boys?
•What do the researchers hypothesize to account for the differences?  That is, why do boys have more serious issues than girls in disadvantaged families?
•How are these problems explained in terms of nature vs nurture?

 

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

How Your Depression Can Hurt Your Kids’ School Performance

 

DESCRIPTION

This very readable Time Magazine article is presented in an anecdotal quasi case study that discusses how a parents’ depression can affect their children’s school performance.  Many examples of problems in the family system can affect children and parental depression can have a far reaching effect.  The article coordinates with a JAMA study and states: “A new study confirms… a parent’s depression has a direct negative impact on the children… found that children of clinically depressed parents fare worse in school than their peers with healthy parents. While all children were affected by their parents’ diagnoses, maternal depression had a larger negative effect than paternal, and the link to poor performance was strongest among female children.”  At the end, the article makes a few suggestions as to what might be done in a family to ameliorate the effects of the parental depression.

 

SOURCE

Time Magazine, February 3, 2016, by Donna Gorman

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4205928/how-your-depression-can-hurt-your-kids-school-performance/

 

(TinyURL)   http://tinyurl.com/hxoeojj

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Begin with a discussion of depression as an affective disorder.
•Briefly have the students discuss and speculate on the effects within a family setting of having a parent who is chronically depressed.
•If possible, ask the students about the idea of “the family as a system.”
•What are the suggestions that are offered at the end of the article to ameliorate the effects?
•Critical thinking:  examine the article from a methodology point of view in terms of the problems “anecdotal case studies” in light of scientific Psychology.