PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK — Lumosity

Posted by & filed under Psychology App of the Week.

PSYCHOLOGY APP OF THE WEEK

Lumosity

Lumosity

iOS    &    Android  (click on either platform for your device)
(free for the very basics but offers in-app purchases)

 

DESCRIPTION

From Google Play Store and iTunes Store

“Train your memory and attention. Used by over 70 million people worldwide, Lumosity creates a Personalized Training Program that challenges your brain.

SCIENCE BEHIND LUMOSITY
Lumosity is designed by neuroscientists to train memory, attention, and more. With foundations in the study of neuroplasticity, Lumosity games are used in research, and have been incorporated into studies done by top scientists worldwide.”

HOW TO USE THIS APP

Lumosity is a commercial app that has been show to be useful for brain training.  Beyond the basic functions which are essentially motivating games, the premium levels must be purchased.  There are many reviews of Lumosity that highlight its benefits.

Psychology Update — Stimulating Brain Waves May Boost Creativity And Ease Depression

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

Stimulating Brain Waves May Boost Creativity And Ease Depression

DESCRIPTION

“In a new study, scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were able to measurably increase creativity by altering electrical activity in the brain — a finding that may have significant implications for the treatment of depression.“  Brain waves as measured by an EEG are indicative of different states of consciousness.  The researchers stimulated the scalp of human test subjects with mild electrical impulses in a frequency range that mirrored the alpha brain wave state.  The results were a significant increase in creativity on designated tests (dependent variable).  The post discusses the alpha brain wave state and correlates to creativity and meditation.  The authors hope to be able to tailor the electrical stimulation to help those experiencing a variety of psychology disorders.

SOURCE

The Huffington Post, April 17, 2015, Post by Carolyn Gregoire

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/17/brain-stimulation-study_n_7087828.html?ir=Science&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003

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

Original Source:

Caroline Lustenbergera, Michael R. Boylea, b, A. Alban Foulserc, Juliann M. Mellina, Flavio Fröhlicha, (2015) Functional role of frontal alpha oscillations in creativity, Cortex, available online April 2015

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010945215001033

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What are states of consciousness?
•What are the EEG correlates of these states?
•Based upon existing data, what are the characteristics of the alpha state?
•In terms of problem solving, what has been known about periods of “incubation?”  Are there correlates to brain waves during this time?

Psychology Update — Workers Seeking Productivity in a Pill Are Abusing A.D.H.D. Drugs

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

Workers Seeking Productivity in a Pill Are Abusing A.D.H.D. Drugs

DESCRIPTION

The article discusses what appears to be an epidemic of high functioning professionals as well as college students who push their physicians and psychiatrists for amphetamine based medications.  “Researchers in the field are quick to caution that, despite stimulants’ reputation as “smart pills,” few studies suggest that they improve a person’s ability to learn or understand. But they often improve attention and motivation, particularly for tedious tasks, which can increase productivity — or at least the appearance of it.”  The article points out that drugs such as Adderall, Concerta, and Vyvanse — all stimulants — are used because the individuals, under pressure, feel that they become more productive.  Many who cannot get prescriptions make contact with illegal sources for the drugs.  “Most users who were interviewed said they got pills by feigning symptoms of A.D.H.D., a disorder marked by severe impulsivity and inattention, to physicians who casually write prescriptions without proper evaluations. Others got them from friends or dealers.”  The article presents a number of anecdotal situations wherein the individuals eventually experienced serious negative side effects and addictions.

SOURCE

New York Times, April 18, 2015, Post by Alan Schwarz

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/us/workers-seeking-productivity-in-a-pill-are-abusing-adhd-drugs.html?emc=edit_bg_20150421&nl=booming&nlid=38200791&_r=0

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

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What are stimulant drugs?  What is the neural mechanism by which they work?
•What are the so called “positive” and “negative side” effects?
•Under what conditions are they considered licit?  illicit?
•What are the pressures that both students and professionals feel that they must use the drugs?
•When discussing anecdotes, make it clear that the students should only talk about cases involving others and not to mention their own experiences — for confidentiality reasons.   Ask the class what they have “heard” about individuals who use these types of drugs.

Psychology Update — As Cognition Slips, Financial Skills Are Often the First to Go

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

As Cognition Slips, Financial Skills Are Often the First to Go

DESCRIPTION

“Research has also shown that even cognitively normal people may reach a point where financial decision-making becomes more challenging.”  This article begins and ends with a few anecdotes regarding older individuals who have cognitive impairment and focuses on the problems of handling their finances during their cognitive decline.  The article briefly discusses fluid and crystallized intelligence issues as well.  As fluid intelligence declines as we get older, a real decrement in math and hence handling finances occurs which may then create a domino effect in the person’s life.  The article discusses the original study and offers advice as a preventive measures that may help in handling finances for the later years.

SOURCE

New York Times, April 24, 2015, Post in the “Your Money” Financial Section

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/25/your-money/as-cognitivity-slips-financial-skills-are-often-the-first-to-go.html?emc=edit_th_20150426&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=38200791

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/okdfxu8

Original Source:

Declining financial capacity in mild cognitive impairment: A 1-year longitudinal study.Triebel KL1, Martin R, Griffith HR, Marceaux J, Okonkwo OC, Harrell L, Clark D, Brockington J, Bartolucci A, Marson DC., Neurology. 2009 Sep 22;73(12):928-34. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181b87971

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19770468

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Begin discussion with: what is fluid intelligence? Crystallized intelligence?
•How do these change with “normal” aging?
•How do these change with neuro cognitive impairment? (dementia, altzheimer’s)
•Which abilities decline first according to the article?
•What practical solutions can be taken to protect the elderly who demonstrate this type of decline in handling financial matters?

TAGS

fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, aging, cognitive decline, neuropsychology and aging, finances and aging, late adulthood and cognitive issues

PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE — 3 ARTICLES REGARDING THE APA AND TORTURE PROGRAM

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

3 ARTICLES REGARDING THE APA AND TORTURE PROGRAM

#1  American Psychological Association Bolstered C.I.A. Torture Program, Report Says

SOURCE

New York Times, April 30, 2015, by James Risen

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/01/us/report-says-american-psychological-association-collaborated-on-torture-justification.html?&moduleDetail=top-news-0&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&region=Footer&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=false&module=TopNews&pgtype=article

(shortened URL)  http://tinyurl.com/qcbv6ow

 

#2 PENS REPORT:     ALL THE PRESIDENT’S PSYCHOLOGISTS:
The American Psychological Association’s Secret Complicity with the White House and US Intelligence Community in Support of the CIA’s
”Enhanced” Interrogation Program

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2069718/report.pdf

#3   APA Response to April 30 (2015) New York Times Article

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.apa.org/news/press/response/new-york-times.aspx

 

DESCRIPTION

The New York Times, April 30, 2015 reported that “The American Psychological Association secretly collaborated with the administration of President George W. Bush to bolster a legal and ethical justification for the torture of prisoners swept up in the post-Sept. 11 war on terror, according to a new report by a group of dissident health professionals and human rights activists.”  The information in the article is based upon a report that investigated numerous communication documents and concludes that the APA was complicit in the CIA torture program.  In the third listed article, the APA’s response to the April 30th allegations points out  that it has denied any allegations in such involvement but with the documented report and Risen’s book, it has since appointed an independent investigator due to the seriousness of the allegations.  The APA investigative report is due to be published in June or early summer of 2015.

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•Have the students read the New York Times article
•Discuss, in general, why a professional organization has an ethics code.  The code can be found at:   http://apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
•Discuss how the ethics code forbids harm to others.
“3.04 Avoiding Harm
Psychologists take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients/patients, students, supervisees, research participants, organizational clients and others with whom they work, and to minimize harm where it is foreseeable and unavoidable.”
•Discuss the role of career psychologists in government agencies such as DOD and CIA.  Discuss conflict between work expectations and ethical codes of conduct.
“3.06 Conflict of Interest
Psychologists refrain from taking on a professional role when personal, scientific, professional, legal, financial or other interests or relationships could reasonably be expected to (1) impair their objectivity, competence or effectiveness in performing their functions as psychologists or (2) expose the person or organization with whom the professional relationship exists to harm or exploitation.”

 

Psychology Update — When ‘Deshawn’ And ‘Greg’ Act Out In Class, Guess Who Gets Branded A Troublemaker

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

When ‘Deshawn’ And ‘Greg’ Act Out In Class, Guess Who Gets Branded A Troublemaker

DESCRIPTION

It is well known that there are disparities found in the discipline of students of differing ethnic and racial differences in public schools.  The authors, Okonofua and Eberhart performed two simple experiments that examined stereotype and bias among teachers.  In the experiments, teachers were presented with the same scenario of either a student named “Greg” or a student named “Deshawn.”  The teachers were then asked about disciplining the students.  When the scenario indicated a first offense, there was no difference in the disciplinary outcome.  However, when the scenario indicated a second office, the discipline was more severe for the student named Deshawn.  The authors discuss bias, stereotype, education, and discipline.

SOURCE and LINK TO RESOURCE

Huffington Post, April 17, 2015, Post by Macrina Cooper-White

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/17/black-students-troublemakers_n_7078634.html?ir=Science&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/om4yj35

Original source:

Okonofua, J.A, & Eberhardt, J.L., 2015 (April), Two Strikes: Race and the Disciplining of Young Students, Psychological Science. pii: 0956797615570365.

http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/04/08/0956797615570365.abstract

(shortened url)   http://tinyurl.com/ous2dyc

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Begin with a discussion of:  what is prejudice?  How does it form?
•Is prejudice different than bias?
•How is prejudice understood as an attitude vs a behavior?
•What is a stereotype?  What’s in a name? (really)
•What can be done to change patterns of discipline?  (focus on both the internal attitude and the external behavioral interventions)

Psychology Update — MIT Researchers Think They Can Spot Early Signs of Parkinson’s in the Way People Type

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

MIT Researchers Think They Can Spot Early Signs of Parkinson’s in the Way People Type

DESCRIPTION

Researchers at MIT have begun a research project that observes and records how individuals type on a standard keyboard.  The analysis of patterns of keystrokes has provided evidence for physical state of the individual such as fatigue, drunkenness, and other differences in cognitive states.  The preliminary data point to differences in those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease from those who are not.  The researchers are hoping to attempt to refine the research techniques to diagnosis Parkinson’s in its early stages.  That type of finding would permit individualized early treatment protocols.

SOURCE

smithsonian.com, April 15, 2015, Post by Matt Safford

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/mit-researchers-think-they-can-spot-early-signs-parkinsons-way-people-type-180954939/?utm_source=smithsoniantopic&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20150419Weekender&spMailingID=22504779&spUserID=NzQwNDU3MDAyMDIS1&spJobID=541863021&spReportId=NTQxODYzMDIxS0

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

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is Parkinson’s disease?
•What are the symptoms?  How is it diagnosed?  What are the treatments?
•How does Psychology interface with the medical field of neurology?
•What types of training must Psychologists undergo to interface with the medical community to be part of a hospital treatment team?  (a careers in Psychology focus)

Psychology Update — An overthinking brain can complicate simple tasks

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

An overthinking brain can complicate simple tasks

DESCRIPTION

Researchers Danielle Bassett, Muzhi Yang, and others, scanned the brains of their subjects while they learned to play a simple game.  It was found that those who had most brain activity in certain areas were slower to learn the game.  The authors state, “Comparing the neural activity between the quickest and slowest learners suggests that recruiting unnecessary parts of the brain for a given task—akin to over-thinking the problem—plays a critical role in this difference.”  Further research is being conducted as to why certain areas of the brain that are more often involved in complex learning slow down the learning of a simple task.  The authors see the problem as “akin to overthinking.”

SOURCE

Penn Current, April 9, 2015

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/2015-04-09/latest-news/overthinking-brain-can-complicate-simple-tasks?utm_source=Primary&utm_campaign=d6478990b2-Penn_Current_Express_&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3777f2ca8f-d6478990b2-43976897

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/nudm4hy

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is the relation of brain structure and thinking?
•Which parts of the brain are involved with problem solving?
•What is meant by “neurological correlates of the learning process?”
•When is “overthinking” an advantage?  A disadvantage?

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK — How to Work the Lecture Hall in Vitae in Chronicle of Higher Education

Posted by & filed under Psychology Website of the Week.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK —

Vitae in Chronicle of Higher Education

TITLE  (for the professor)

How to Work the Lecture Hall | Vitae

URL  

https://chroniclevitae.com/news/970-how-to-work-the-lecture-hall?cid=VTEVPMSED1

(shortened url)   http://tinyurl.com/mpa5ylq

DESCRIPTION

Chronicle of Higher Education advice on working with large lecture sections.

Psychology Update — Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann: Creativity in Psychotherapy

Posted by & filed under Psychology Update.

TITLE

Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann: Creativity in Psychotherapy

DESCRIPTION

Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann stands as a giant in the history of Psychotherapy.  Though a psychoanalyst, she pioneered therapy at the famous Chestnut Lodge hospital in the Washington, DC area.  She brought her genius to bear in her cases and was not bound by the rigidity of the analytic method.  Probably the most famous case was written as “I never promised you a rose garden.”   The brief article is a worthwhile read for any interested in the history of the field.

SOURCE

Psychology Today, March 27, 2015,  Post published by Albert Rothenberg in Creative Explorations

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creative-explorations/201503/dr-frieda-fromm-reichmann-creativity-in-psychotherapy

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

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Discuss the HISTORY of Psychotherapy and include Pinel, Charcot, and Freud.
•Why did the PsychoAnalytic method have such a major impact on the world, despite the fact that it has fallen by the wayside?
•Discuss the role of women in the early PsychoAnalytic movement.
•What was Fromm-Reichmann’s contribution.