Psychology Update — Psychopaths May Be Immune To Contagious Yawning

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

Psychopaths May Be Immune To Contagious Yawning

DESCRIPTION

“In the study, which will be published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences in November, psychologists from Baylor University in Texas showed that people who are more coldhearted are less likely to engage in the natural behavior of “catching” yawns.”  In this research, students were given a personality questionnaire that specifically measured traits on a psychopathy scale.   Psychopaths are manipulative, “coldhearted,” engage in a variety of negative behaviors, and lack empathy.  The students were shown videos wherein they saw people yawning and were scored if they yawned after watching the video (contagious yawning).   Those scoring higher in the “coldhearted” scale showed less reaction (yawning).  The authors hypothesize that “These data suggest that psychopathic traits may be related to the empathic nature of contagious yawning in our species.”

SOURCE

Huffington Post, August 17, 2015, by Carolyn Gregoire

Original Article
Rundle, B.K. and others, 2015, 86 (11), 33-37.

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/psychopaths-contagious-yawning_55d1ff2de4b07addcb437067?ir=Science§ion=science&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003&kvcommref=mostpopular

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

Link to original:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886915003645

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is Psychopathy?  How is it measured?
•Do traits that are measured on a test translate to actual behavior?
•Issues of reliability and validity can be discussed in terms of personality testing.
•Does the lack of yawning, as found in the study, translate to a “lack of empathy?”•Open a discussion on methodology in the psychology of personality.

Psychology Update — Can Music Help People With Epilepsy?

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

Can Music Help People With Epilepsy?

DESCRIPTION

Can music help those with epilepsy?   Researchers using randomized trials of music and silence found that brain waves of those with temporal lobe epilepsy synchronized with the music suggesting that a possible treatment (along with other therapies) might be developed.  The researchers found significantly higher levels of brainwave activity in participants when they were listening to music. “More important, said Charyton (in the APA link), brainwave activity in people with epilepsy tended to synchronize more with the music, especially in the temporal lobe, than in people without epilepsy.”  “Charyton said this research suggests music might be a novel intervention used in conjunction with traditional treatment to help prevent seizures in people with epilepsy.”

SOURCE

Huffington Post, August 11, 2015, by Carolyn Gregoire

APA, Convention Report, August 9, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-music-can-help-people-with-epilepsy_55c8b8ebe4b0923c12bd6c21?ir=Science%253Fncid%253Dnewsltushpmg00000003&kvcommref=mostpopular

(shortened URL) Huffington Post   http://tinyurl.com/qzg5p8f

Link to Original:

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2015/08/music-epilepsy.aspx

(shortened URL)  http://tinyurl.com/p7dmrxj

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Have the students discuss the neurological causes of epilepsy.
•Discuss what is going on in the brain in temporal epilepsy that leads to seizures.
•Further, open the discussion to split brain research.
•Have the students discuss where and how music is processed in the brain.
•Discuss how the processing of the music might synchronize in the temporal lobes for those experiencing epilepsy.
•After reading the APA press release, open a discussion of how the scientific method can be used to study neuropsychological processes and problems.

Psychology Update — Team advances therapy preventing addiction relapse by erasing drug-associated memories

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

Team advances therapy preventing addiction relapse by erasing drug-associated memories

DESCRIPTION

“Scientists have made a discovery that brings them closer to a new therapy based on selectively erasing dangerous and tenacious drug-associated memories.”  In this exciting research on animal models of addiction, particularly methamphetamine, scientists were able to target and erase the memories associated with the drug usage but leave other memories untouched.  The scientists hope to eventually develop a therapy for human addicts that would prevent relapse.

SOURCE

Science Daily, August 4, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150804160842.htm

(shortened URL)  http://tinyurl.com/nnqsv77

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is the neuro-psychological basis of addiction?
•What happens to the brain’s neurotransmitters for those with addiction?
•Discuss how memory of events can trigger relapse.  (This is akin to AA advice of avoiding the people, places, and things that trigger drug/alcohol use.)
•How are memories formed in the brain?
•Discuss how “erasing” memories might disrupt the relapse cycle in prevention of further addiction.

Psychology Update — Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection

DESCRIPTION

This article discusses two students at an ivy league school, whose distorted perceptions of themselves as failures, clashed with the high expectations placed upon them from their family life; theses students felt the “pressure of perfection.”   Though the students were bright, athletic, popular, they focused on their misperceived failure and disappointment and contemplated suicide; one was effective but the other was helped.  The article discusses the epidemiology of suicide on campuses around the country, especially those that are top tier schools.  The article further discusses what might be done by colleges to help students in this hidden epidemic.

SOURCE

New York Times, July 27, 2015, by Julie Scelfo

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/stress-social-media-and-suicide-on-campus.html?ref=health

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

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•ADVICE TO FACULTY: if you make use of the article for discussion, be ready with resources to suggest to students if they find themselves in a similar situation.  Also be aware that students often speak to faculty about such matters during office hours.  Best advice, break confidentiality (even if you promised it) and walk the student to the counseling center on campus or notify the proper people on campus (counseling center staff, RA staff in dorms).
•Why has the rate of suicide risen on college campuses?
•How does the “pressure of perfection” become a cognitive distortion?
•Like other mental health disorders, such as eating disorders, how does the self-perception process become further distorted when students make negative comparisons about themselves to others.
•How might Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) be employed to help students?
•What are preventative measures that colleges might put into place?

Psychology Update — The Weird Link Between E-Cigarettes and Mental Health Disorders

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

The Weird Link Between E-Cigarettes and Mental Health Disorders

Use of e-cigarettes by individuals with mental health conditions

DESCRIPTION

“Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that people living with depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions are twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes and three times as likely to be current users of the controversial battery-powered nicotine-delivery devices, as people without mental health disorders.”  The researchers used an extensive survey of smokers who have used regular and e-cigarettes (vape) comparing them to nonsmokers using self-reports of mental health conditions.  The results of the survey showed that 14.8% of individuals with disorders (anxiety/depression) have tried the e-cigarettes compared to only 6.6% of those with no mental health issues.  Overall, it should be noted that 60% of those labeled as having mental health issues also indicated that they would try e-cigarettes at some future time as compared to 45% of those without self-reported disorders.  Further noted is that those trying the e-cigarettes indicated that they were hoping to cut down and eventually stop smoking as reasons for using the device.

SOURCE

Time Magazine, May 13, 2014, by Dan Kedmey

ORIGINAL SOURCE:  

Use of e-cigarettes by individuals with mental health conditions
Sharon E Cummins et al., 2014 (July 23), Tobacco Control. 48–53

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/97414/the-weird-link-between-e-cigarettes-and-mental-health-disorders/

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/px6flqk

Link to Original:  http://europepmc.org/articles/pmc4145659

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•The articles can be used in a number of different contexts:
•Smoking and addiction
•Smoking and mental health issues
•Use of SURVEY RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
•For discussion on the topic of Psychology as a Science:   What type of methodology is best to answer questions such as “What is the prevalence of smoking rates in those with mental health disorders?”
•Discuss the USE OF SURVEYS, random sampling, and drawing conclusions based upon survey data.
•Discuss the issue of skepticism in your class of students in whether they believe the results of surveys in media regarding advertising products, popularity of celebrities, and political polls,

APP OF THE WEEK — Color Blindness Test

Posted by & filed under Psychology App of the Week.

APP OF THE WEEK

Color Blindness Test by EnChroma


ColorBlindness

CLICK ON YOUR PLATFORM:   iOS & Android
(free)

DESCRIPTION

From Google Play Store and iTunes Store

“Are you color blind? Did you know that there are actually three distinct types of color blindness? Unlike other freely available tests which are simple pass-fail screening tests, the EnChroma test uses the principles of color vision science to measure the type and extent of color vision deficiency.

This test was created by the EnChroma team to assist in the correct recommendation of color enhancing eyewear products. EnChroma, Inc. is a Berkeley, CA company that makes innovative eyewear products for medical, industrial and lifestyle markets. EnChroma eyewear products are based on an advanced multi-band spectral filtering technology that is computer-optimized for use with specific types of color vision.

On completion of the test, the type and extent of color vision deficiency will be reported, along with a recommendation for which EnChroma eyewear products are best optimized for use with your vision. A copy of your result can be sent by email from this app.”

HOW TO USE THIS APP

This is a free app that can be used as a class activity when studying sensation and perception.

Psychology Update — Coca-Cola Funds Scientists Who Shift Blame for Obesity Away From Bad Diets

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

 

TITLE

Coca-Cola Funds Scientists Who Shift Blame for Obesity Away From Bad Diets

DESCRIPTION

Coca Cola has funded a group of research scientists (grants and research funds) regarding the topic of obesity in children and adults.  The scientists have stated basically that “exercise” was a better way to manage weight and that consumers need not worry much about calories — drinking soda in this instance.  Coke has funded a nonprofit and a social media campaign with that message.   Other companies (soft drink and snack foods) have also done similar campaigns.  All of this has occurred as a strategy to boost lagging sales.  The company’s campaign has been to use social media to get out its message that soda drinking is not harmful but can be OK with exercise. (New York Times, August 9, 2015)

“Meanwhile, the evidence continues to mount that sugar-sweetened drinks are a major contributor to obesity, heart disease and diabetes, and that exercise makes only a modest contribution to weight loss compared to ingesting fewer calories.”(New York Times Editorial, August 14, 2015)

SOURCE

New York Times, August 9, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/coca-cola-funds-scientists-who-shift-blame-for-obesity-away-from-bad-diets/

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/q76h52z

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Focus on the issue of research and funding.
•Orient the discussion away from opinions to scientific thinking and evaluation.
•Can scientists be objective when receiving monies from corporations?
•How is research affected when the scientist may have a conflict of interests?
•How is social media used to convey messages to the public in the form of public service when these are actually advertising?
•Ask the students whether they believe that educating the public about sugar/calories/health concerns makes any difference.  Ask them about their own habits.

Psychology Update — Habitual Gamblers See Patterns Where There Are None, Study Says

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE
Habitual Gamblers See Patterns Where There Are None, Study Says

DESCRIPTION

In a study that compared/contrasted habitual gamblers vs non gamblers, the researchers found that the gamblers were more likely to make impulsive bets in situations that they judged to be perceived patterns even though the events (slot machine probabilities) were random.  “Researchers have found gamblers are more prone to find non-existent patterns in completely random sequences — and are more likely to bet on those erroneous perceptions — adding to a large amount of research that suggests pathological gambling is the result of cognitive distortions.”   Further the research suggests, “…evidence for the assumption that gamblers are particularly prone to perceiving illusory patterns and are more impulsive than others.

SOURCE

Time Magazine, April 30, 2015, by Kevin McSpadden

ORIGINAL SOURCE:

Gaissmaier, W., and others, (April 2015). Betting on illusory patterns: Probability matching in habitual gamblers, Journal of Gambling Studies.  DOI   10.1007/s10899-015-9539-9

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/3841369/gamblers-gambling-addiction-gaming-patterns/

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/kf38up9

ORIGINAL SOURCE LINK:   https://www.springer.com/gp/about-springer/media/springer-select/gambling-is-all-an-illusion-/256170

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/ofgo8ce

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•This discussion can be used in a number of ways:
•Science and the perception of patterns in random events
•Understanding probability, illusory patterns, and scientific reasoning
•Addiction and gambling

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK —

Posted by & filed under Psychology Website of the Week.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Careers in Psychology

URL

http://apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.pdf

DESCRIPTION

This item is an extensive pdf download that all Psychology students should take advantage of.   It contains numerous resources related to becoming a Psychologist, types of Psychologists, and descriptions of each subfield of Psychology.  It is a valuable resource.

Further, if “careers in Psychology” are part of the curriculum, this resource is better than what is available in text books for your students.

PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE — 3 Articles Related to Social Psychology and Recently Released Films of Two Famous Events

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

3 Articles Related to Social Psychology and Recently Released Films of Two Famous Events

Article #1  Philip Zimbardo Thinks We All Can Be Evil –

DESCRIPTION

This is a brief interview with Dr. Zimbardo regarding the film “The Stanford Prison Experiment.”  In the interview, he conveys some of his perspective on the experiment.  When asked about the film itself, Dr. Zimbardo states, “I’m delighted with it. It conveys for the first time to a general public what this kind of experiment is like.”

SOURCE

The New York Times, July 16, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/magazine/philip-zimbardo-thinks-we-all-can-be-evil.html?action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&contentPlacement=88&pgtype=sectionfront

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/o4vuesu

 

Article #2 ’The Stanford Prison Experiment’ (With Movie Trailer): Kyle Patrick Alvarez Narrates a Scene – The New York Times

DESCRIPTION

This article is a brief interview with Patrick Alvarez who directed the film.   As described in article #1, Dr. Zimbardo viewed the film favorably.

It is worth noting that if the article can be pulled up on a computer in class, there is a narrated scene by the director as well as the official trailer for the film.  It would make an interesting “trigger” for class discussion.

SOURCE

New York Times, July 9, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/10/movies/the-stanford-prison-experiment-with-movie-trailer-kyle-patrick-alvarez-narrates-a-scene.html

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/oe6kw9o

 

Article #3 Kitty Genovese Killing Is Retold in the Film ’37’

DESCRIPTION

Kitty Genovese was attacked and murdered outside of her apartment building in Queens, NY in 1964 while at least 37 witnesses looked on from their apartments.  None intervened or phoned the police.   This film recounts the events.

Listed below are the article related to the film release.  Also listed is the 1964 original New York Times article detailing the crime.  Lastly, the case was the stimulus for the famous Darley and Latane Social Psychology series of experiments that examined “bystander apathy.”

SOURCE

New York Times, July 26, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/movies/kitty-genovese-killing-is-retold-in-the-film-37.html

(shortened URL)     http://tinyurl.com/q27fwb4

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL 1964 New York Times Article

37 Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police by Martin Ginsberg, March 27, 1964

http://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/27/37-who-saw-murder-didnt-call-the-police.html

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/nuu9q47

LINK TO Darley & Latane study on Bystander Apathy

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION IN EMERGENCIES: DIFFUSION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

DARLEY, JOHN M.; LATANE, BIBB

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 8(4, Pt.1), Apr 1968, 377-383.

APA Abstract:   http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1968-08862-001

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is Social Psychology?
•What topics are the objects of study in Social Psychology?
•How does the research in Social Psychology differ from that of other areas of Psychology?
•Describe the Stanford Prison Study?  What do we learn from it?   How are the results generalized to culture and society?
•What are the ethical issues involved in these types of experiments?
•What knowledge is derived from the tragedy of the Kitty Genovese murder?
•If the students have had access to the Darley and Latane study:  what are the findings regarding “bystander apathy.”