Blog Assignment - Week 14

Part 1:

This week's chapter focuses on psychotherapy.  For this assignment, I just want to you critically think about a couple questions pertaining to psychotherapy.  Please complete the following questions:

• What do you know about psychotherapy, based on personal experience, experience that your family or friends may have had, what you see on television or in movies, etc.?  Please do not identify yourself or anyone else as having therapy if you are not comfortable doing so.
• Why do you think men are less willing to seek therapy than women?
• Why do you think it is that people who are better educated are more likely to seek psychotherapy?
• If you or someone close to you were going to seek therapy, which type of mental health profession would you seek out (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional)? Why?
• If you thought you could benefit from therapy, but were reluctant to seek it, who would you talk to? Parents, friends, clergy, etc.?

Part 2:

As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

That's a wrap, everyone!  You have all done a great job with the blog this semester.  I know they were a lot of work at times, but remember that learning does not really mean much if you can't apply what you have learned.  Psychology is all about applying theories, concepts, etc. to everyday life and behavior, so without the ability to apply it, what use is it, really?  Throughout the semester, I hope you have developed a better ability to not only learn about psychology, but learn to apply it to your life and life around you!

This assignment is due on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 11:59p.

I found this meme and thought you'd like it, now that we have learned the difference between antisocial and asocial :)

Insight Therapies

The textbook discusses several therapy approaches that are "insight" oriented.  For this assignment, I'd like you to choose one of the approaches discussed in this section (listed below):

• Psychoanalysis (hence the picture above - clients don't typically lie on couches, though!)
• Client-Centered Therapy
• Positive Psychotherapy/Psychology

Choose one of the therapy approaches listen above and do some self-guided research.  Please include the following:

• Which therapy approach did you choose?
• In detail, describe this approach.  Please include who the "founder" of this approach was, or who is most associated with it.  Also, what is the central tenet of the approach?  Etc.

Mental Health Professionals

Mental health professions are becoming increasingly popular, but what exactly is a mental health professional and what do they do?  To find out more about possible careers in mental health, please complete the following:

• Read a short snippet from NAMI that describes the various mental health professionals.
• After reading the article from NAMI, I would like you to choose two mental health professions and do some self-guided research on them.
• Describe the two professions that you have chosen.  What do they do?  What type of education do you need?  Where do they work? Etc.

If you are thinking about going into mental health, what are your plans?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is currently one of the most widely used psychotherapy approaches. Because of this, it is important to understand what CBT is.  For this assignment, I would like you to explore CBT.

Please complete the following:

• Read this short article from NAMI.  You may wish to explore other sources of information to gain a deeper understanding of CBT.
• Describe CBT.
• What mental illnesses is CBT used to treat?

Behavioral Therapies

Chapter 14 of your textbook discusses several types of behavioral therapies.  For this assignment, I would like you to choose a behavioral therapy technique to learn more about.  Some that your chapter includes are:

• Systematic Desensitization 
• Aversion Therapy
• Social Skills Training

However, if you would like to look at a different behavioral therapy technique, you are welcome to do so. Please do the following for course credit:

• Briefly discuss what behavioral therapy is.
• Choose a behavioral technique.  You can choose from the list above or discus a different one of your choice.
• Describe the technique you have chosen.  What is it typically used for?  How is it done?  Etc.

Blog Assignment - Week 13

Part 1:

Week 13 of 14...almost there!

This week, I would like you to watch a preapproved movie that pertains to any psychological disorder.  Yes - a whole movie!  I know you are all at the point in the semester when things start getting busy, but do remember that you need to take time to relax and take care of yourself...view this assignment as a way to get a break from the traditional cramming and memorizing - this could be something you can do with your friends around, even.  Yes, you'll need to write about it (meaning some level of attention is required), but also enjoy the movie.  You also have the next week to look forward to (no assignment, yay!).

There is a list below that I would like you to try to follow, but if there is a movie you'd like to watch that is not on the list, shoot me an email with the title and I'll see if it's appropriate for this assignment.

For this assignment, please complete the following:

• Pick and watch a movie from the list below (or run one by me if not on the list).
• What psychological disorder is portrayed in the movie?
• How does the DSM 5 describe this disorder? (See last week's blog assignment for instructions to access to the DSM 5)
• Give an overview of the movie, paying specific attention to detailing how the psychological disorder is portrayed.
• Does the movie accurately portray the disorder, based on characteristics outlined in the DSM 5? Why or why not?  Please provide examples from specific scenes.

No Part 2 this week, making Part 1 worth 20 points...please put effort into this assignment accordingly!

This assignment is due on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 11:59p.

Preapproved Movies (let me know if you think there should be something added to the list!)

Dissociative Disorders (Multiple Personality Disorder)

Identity

Fight Club

Sybil

Thr3e

Personality Disorders

Fatal Attraction

Adaptation

Suicide/Mood Disorders

Ordinary People

Girl Interrupted

The Hours

Silver Linings Playbook

Anxiety/Obsessive Compulsive/PTSD

The Aviator

As Good as it Gets

Fearless

Matchstick Men

Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Leaving Las Vegas

Clean and Sober

Blow

Traffic

Train Spotting

Requiem for a Dream

Rush

Sexual/Gender Identity

The Crying Game

Boys Don't Cry

Ma Vie En Rose

Paris is Burning (documentary)

Transamerica

Brokeback Mountain

Normal

Schizophrenia/Psychosis

A Beautiful Mind

Crumb

I Never Promised you a Rose

Garden

Revolution #9

Spider

Shine

Benny and Joon

Pi

American Psycho

Lars and the Real Girl

Shutter Island

Miscellaneous

Rain Man

Blog Assignment - Week 12

Part 1:

Please note: Depending on the length of your response, you may have to split your response in two...you can leave the main response like you always do, and either just submit the rest via another comment or simply reply to the comment you already left (the latter is preferred!).

The next chapter covers the topic of psychological disorders.  For this assignment, I want you to get an in depth look at one psychological disorder of your choice.  Because I want you to get an in depth look, there will be no required comments this week as this assignment should take you awhile to finish.  Thus, this assignment is worth 20 points.

For this assignment, you will be utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM 5).  Please be sure you are using the DSM 5 rather than the DSM-IV-TR, as this revised edition was just released this summer!

Please complete the following:

• Choose 1 psychological disorder listed in the DSM 5.  You have access to an electronic version of the DSM 5 via the library.  Please click here.  You should be prompted to login with your university login information once you click the link.  From there, you'll want to click on the "Section II: Diagnostic Criteria and Codes" link and choose a class of disorders that is of interest to you.  You'll then be shown a list of the disorders in that class and you can choose one of those.  Please note that the classes in the DSM 5 are different than what is discussed in your book, which covers the old classification system (particularly when discussing what the DSM-IV-TR referred to as "Mood Disorders").  
• Briefly tell me what you know about the disorder before reading about it in the DSM 5.  
• Describe the disorder, according to the DSM 5.  You may wish to summarize the diagnostic criteria here.  Please attempt to use your own words whenever possible.
• After the criteria for each disorder are listed, there are a number of subheadings associated with each disorder.  The subheadings will vary by disorder.  For the disorder you chose, in your own words, summarize the following subheadings:
• Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis
• Prevalence
• Development and Course
• Risk and Prognostic Factors
• Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues (where applicable)
• Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues (where applicable)
• Comorbidity (where applicable)
• Find an associated video that shows the symptoms of the disorder or has somebody with the disorder sharing their experience.
• Summarize the video, being sure to include some of the symptoms of the disorder discussed.
• Did you learn anything new about this disorder?  Was there anything that challenged what you thought you knew?

Most students decide to major in psychology because they are interested in mental illness - hopefully this assignment will be fun and interesting!

Because Monday is a University Holiday (Veteran's Day), this blog assignment has a different due date than the typical Monday due date.  Because I want you to have enough time to complete this assignment thoroughly, I will extend the deadline to Tuesday, November 12th and 11:59p rather than pushing it up to Sunday.

In the spirit of Veteran's Day, and just because you deserve it everyday, thanks to all of you who have or are currently serving our country!

Blog Assignment - Week 11

Week 11 of 14...almost there!

Part 1:

Chapter 11 discusses the topic of gender.  Among the many topics discussed, is the issue of gender stereotypes.  I thought this week we'd do something a little more fun and find some comics that illustrate gender stereotypes.  Or, if you want to get creative and/or are into the new Bitstrips fad (or are otherwise creative), go ahead and make a comic illustrating a gender stereotype.

• What is a gender stereotype?  
• What are some disadvantages to gender stereotypes?
• Find three comics (or make, or a mix of the two).
• Describe the gender stereotype in each of the comics you choose.  You can just provide a link to the comic.

Part 2:

As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

This assignment is due on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 11:59p.

Gender Differences

Chapter 11 discusses several areas where females and males differ, including in cognitive, mathematical, and spatial abilities, among others.  Should you choose to complete this assignment for credit, please do the following:

• Either choose an area outlined in the book which discusses gender differences OR
• Find an article that presents some sort of research in this area.  You can use Huffington Post, BBC, etc.
• Discuss the gender differences outlined in either the textbook or the article you chose.  Remember to use your own words whenever possible, and use quotations when directly using others' words.
• In your experience, do you find these differences to be accurate?  Why or why not.  It would be helpful to provide examples.  

Gender-Role Stereotypes in Advertisements

We have all seen advertisements, either in magazines or on television, that depict gender stereotypes.  Should you choose to complete this assignment, please do the following:

• Find two print ads (e.g., from magazines) or tv advertisements via YouTube.
• Describe the ads and the associated gender stereotypes.
• According to Goffman (1976), there are several ways in which stereotyping in advertisement can occur:
• Function ranking (tendency to depict men in executive roles and as more functional when collaborating with women)
• Relative size (tendency to depict men as taller and larger than women, except when women are clearly superior in social status)
• Ritualization of subordination (an overabundance of images of women lying on floors and beds or as objects of men's mock assault)
• The feminine touch (tendency to show women cradling and caressing the surface of objects with their fingers)
• Family (fathers depicted as physically distant from their families or as relating primarily to sons, and mothers depicted as relating primarily to daughters)
• Which of the above description(s) fit your ads?  Please provide an explanation, don't just say something like "this ad is an example of the feminine touch."

Toy Preference: Socialization or Hormones?

Why do boys play with trucks and girls play with dolls?  If you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, please do the following:

• Explain how socialization plays a role in toy preference in children.
• Read this article about the hormonal influences of toy preference.
• Summarize the article.
• Based on what you know about the socialization of toy preference and what was presented in the article, what are your opinions about why boys tend to play with trucks and girls with dolls?

Gender Dysphoria

Chapter 11's main focus is on gender.  For most, understanding their gender isn't an issue.  However, others struggle with gender identity.  In others, this struggle is distressful enough to be considered a psychiatric illness.  Should you choose to complete this assignment, please do the following:

• Read this article about Gender Dysphoria.
• What is Gender Dysphoria?
• The article discusses the change in not only name, but the focus of this disorder with the new edition of the DSM.  What was Gender Dysphoria formerly known as, and what changed between the old and new edition of the DSM?
• Do you agree with the change?  I realize this is a limited amount of information when considering a psychiatric diagnosis, but base your answer on the information given to you in the article, or feel free to do a little more exploration yourself!
• Do you think this change will affect the amount of stigma associated with this disorder?

  

Blog Assignment - Week 10

**I emailed you all with a diversity experience happening on campus Monday, Oct. 28 at 7:00p.  It's short notice, but I think it would be interesting given it will focus on diversity-related issues that have been happening on campus recently.**

Part 1:

For this week's assignment, I would like to you do a little digging and find an empirical research article from a peer-reviewed journal (like in Week 3).  Because you didn't have an extensive assignment last week over Chapter 9 topics, you can choose any material from either Chapter 9 or Chapter 10 for this assignment, giving you a wide array of options.  Please see the Week 3 blog for instructions for finding a research article.

Please complete the following:

• Find an empirical research article.
• Provide the correct APA citation for the article.  Please consult the APA manual or Purude Owl for formatting help.  There are also resources available on D2L.
• Overall, what are the researchers examining?
• Think back to our chapter on research methods, and use terms from that chapter (e.g., correlation) to describe your article.
• What did the researchers find?
• You may already do this in the steps above, but if not, please explain how your article relates to topics in either Chapter 9 or 10, and course topics from previous chapters where applicable.  
• What is your overall reaction to the article.

Part 2:

As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

This assignment is due on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 11:59p.

It's Your Choice! (Week 10)

There are many topics in Chapters 9 and 10 that haven't been offered as options on the blog.  Some of these include: divorce, alternative relationship lifestyles, intimate partner violence, loneliness, among many others.

If you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, you can choose any topic from Chapter 9 or Chapter 10 and do a little searching of your own that is catered to your interest.  You can post a video, news article, etc. and tell me how it relates to the chapter.  Please provide a link to your article, video, etc.  Be creative!

Cohabitation

Chapter 10 discusses the concept of cohabitation.  Should you choose to learn more about cohabitation, please complete the following:

• What is cohabitation?
• Read this article.
• Summarize the article.
• Be sure to include some positives and negatives associated with cohabitation.  The article lists some, as does your textbook.  You can also give your own opinions, but please delineate your opinion from what the text/article states in terms of benefits and consequences.  
• If you have ever cohabitated, are cohabitating, or know a couple who is, you are welcome to add in personal experience (although this is not necessary if it makes you feel uncomfortable to discuss).

Evolution and Relationships

There is a lot of interesting research (in my opinion) about evolution and relationships.  Some areas include: sexual attraction, women's ovulation and attraction, and same-sex attraction, among many others.

In honor of upcoming No Shave November, I chose one article related to evolutionary views on relationships.  Specifically, this article discuses women's attraction to bearded men.  Complete to following for course credit:

• Read this article.  The article is short, so I advise you look more into these ideas if you are interested!
• Summarize the article and provide your reaction (being sure to link to course material whenever possible).

TED Talk

Many of you have expressed interest in and enjoyment of TED Talks videos.  Should you choose to complete this assignment, please do the following:

• Find a TED Talk video associated with either Chapter 9 or 10.  They both cover similar topics, specifically relationships.  I advise you just search the term "relationships" and you should have a nice variety to choose from.
• Summarize the content of the video.
• Provide your reaction.
• Be sure to link it to course material.

Blog Assignment - Week 9

Part 1:
Don't forget to take a couple of minutes to complete the midterm course eval located under the USD getting started tab on D2L!

Because you are all doing a great job on the blog (and it's around midterm time), this week will be a light one.  All I want you to do is find a recent news article OR think of an experience you have had recently and apply it to course material we've learned up to this point.  This is your chance to really show that you can apply course topics.  Think outside the box and really push yourself to make these connections.

• Find and article.  You can use Huffington Post, BBC, etc.  Provide a link to your article.
• OR talk about an experience you have encountered recently that you can relate to course material.
• Briefly summarize the article and/or give details about your experience and explain its connection to course material.
• Create a list of keywords...really try to stretch yourself here and strive to use more concepts from class than you have in previous weeks.

There are NO comments due for this week.  Completing the above assignment will earn you credit for both your blog reaction and blog comments, so 20 points!  

Part 2:

Part 2 is optional.  If you have missed doing a blog assignment thus far throughout the semester for whatever reason, here is your chance to make one up.  All you need to do (in addition to Part 1 to receive credit for this week) is go back to a previous week that you missed and complete that assignment.  You can also make up one week of missed comments in the same way.

**You cannot make up week 1 assignments - the week 1 assignment did not have any associated comments as it was just an introductory post.**

If you want credit for make up assignments, please leave a comment on this post including your Part 1 assignment, as well as what posts you made up.  For example,

I commented on Blog Assignment - Week 3, Do Good Feel Good, and Mindfulness.

If you don't tell me what posts you commented on for your make up assignments, you may not receive credit.  I anticipate it being difficult to keep up with and I may miss one if you don't tell me where to look.

Also, if you are submitting make-up work and do not want other students to know you have missed assignments, you are free to email me your work rather than posting on here for privacy sake.

Part 1 and Part 2 (make up assignments) are are due on Monday, October 21 at 11:59p.

Blog Assignment - Week 8

Part 1:

Please note the different due date for this blog assignment.  Because Monday, October 14 is a University Holiday in observance of Native American Day, this blog assignment is due on:

Sunday, October 13 at 11:59p.

I have posted a short survey on D2L under the USD Getting Started Tab.  Because it's almost midterm, I want to get a sense of how the class is going for you in case I can make some improvements to make this class a better experience!

Chapter 8 discusses various elements of interpersonal communication.  For this week's blog assignment, I want you to focus on communicating with individuals different than you in ethnicity, race, gender, age, etc., with particular interest in the concept of microaggressions (something we all engage in, typically without awareness that we are doing it).

Please complete the following:

• Read this article.  
• What is a microaggression?  Please keep in mind that microaggressions extend beyond racial microaggressions presented in this article.  They can include subtle aggressions according to one's gender, race, age, sexual orientation, etc.  If you are interested in one of these areas, feel free to look around for some information, there is quite a bit out there!
• Explain the different classifications of microaggressions.
• What is the potential impact of these subtle acts of aggression?
• Have you experienced being microaggressed against (or have watched somebody get microaggressed against)?  Explain the situation and how it made you feel.  Again, keep in mind that microaggressions extend beyond racial aggressions.  It may be difficult to think of a time as you may not even realize it at the time, but I guarantee it has happened to you (or someone you know) at some time or another.
• As in past weeks, please compile a list of keywords.

____________________________________________________________________

Part 2:
As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

Understanding Body Language

Some will say that what is most important in communication is not what you say, but the nonverbal aspects of communication. 

Should you choose to learn more about nonverbal communication this week, please complete the following:

• Read this article that touches on some aspects of body language.
• Please choose 4 of the aspects of body language discussed in this article and describe in detail how to interpret these nonverbals.

If you are interested, there is an interesting Ted Talk video related to body language and how it shapes you, as opposed to how we interpret body language in others.  Here is the description of the video:

"Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident -- can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success."

Google Glass and Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction.  Recent technology has provided a potential breakthrough in treating autism spectrum disorder through facilitating more social communication.

Should you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, please do the following:

• Read this article.  Please also browse through the facts of the autism spectrum disorder slideshow at the bottom of the article.
• What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? 
• (Please note that with the release of the DSM 5 this past summer, the field transitioned from a categorical approach to a dimensional (spectrum) approach.  Therefore, it isn't called autistic disorder anymore as it has been replaced with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Additionally, we no longer refer to the higher functioning form of Autism as Aspberger's Disease...it has been lumped with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is broken down into levels depending on the severity of symptoms.)
• Summarize the article.  Be sure to include how the new technology can help treat ASD.  It wouldn't hurt to throw in some of the facts from the slideshow at this point!
• What are your thoughts?

When referring to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, please do not called them "autistic."  In other words, when you are writing, don't say something like, "Autistic children show deficits in communication." Rather, please substitute with "Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder show deficits in communication." Use person-first language when describing anyone who has a mental illness, please!

Are One-Sided Conversations Distracting?

Do you ever find yourself getting irritated and distracted by people around you having a telephone conversation, but not when two people are physically together conversing a table away?  If so, the following article may help you understand why.

Should you choose to learn more about the distraction of one-sided conversations, please complete the following:

• Read this article.
• Summarize the article.
• According to the authors, why are one-sided conversations, opposed to two-sided conversations, so distracting?
• Have you ever experienced this?  Maybe in the MUC, at the library, riding in car, etc.?  In other words, do you buy into the idea set forth by the authors?

It's Your Choice! (Week 8)

There is quite a bit of interesting stuff in the interpersonal communication chapter and I had a hard time narrowing down topics for this week's blog postings.  

If you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, you can choose any topic in the chapter and do a little searching of your own that is catered to your interest.  You can post a video, news article (with or without a research component), etc. and tell me how it relates to the chapter.  Be creative!  Please include a link to your article/video/etc.

Blog Assignment - Week 7

Part 1:

Week 7, you're almost halfway there!  

The next chapter we will discuss in class discusses a lot of research areas in social psychology (Social Thinking and Social Influence, Chapter 7).  One of the topics discussed in the chapter is the fundamental attribution error.

For this week's assignment, I want you to familiarize yourself with the fundamental attribution error, as well as apply the concept in relation to individuals who live in poverty (as we often use the fundamental attribution error for this population without even realizing).

This assignment may take you a little longer than most, but I think it's fun!  Please complete the following:

• What is the fundamental attribution error?
• Read this blog entry on the fundamental attribution error and the poor.
• Here's something fun...take a poverty simulation online here.  The website will direct you through the simulation, but it essentially gives you a taste of what it is like to live in poverty.  Please pay attention to the little tidbits of information they sometimes give you after you make a decision on what to do, as they sometimes relate to information we've discussed in class (try to incorporate these in the step below).
• Provide your reaction to the simulation (e.g., was it difficult, what did you learn, etc.). 
• Read this brief blog post on poverty and the fundamental attribution error, paying particular attention to the last paragraph.
• What are your thoughts on this way to approach policy making concerning poverty?
• Again, I want you to make a list of keywords you used in this assignment.

Just a fun little tidbit:

I just saw this article that presents some research that looked at word clouds on Facebook.  It's pretty interesting and relates to a lot of things you have been discussing on the blog (social media and narcissism, introversion/extroversion online, etc.).  It also looks at gender and age differences in the type of things one posts on their status.  Enjoy :)

If you don't already, you should consider following The Huffington Post and/or HuffPost Living on Facebook.  They frequently post things relevant to what we have discussed in class.  

Part 2:
As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

This assignment is due on Monday, Oct. 7 at 11:59p.

Ingroup/Outgroup Stereotypes

Chapter 7 discusses the concept of social categorization, specifically, our tendency to form "ingroups" and "outgroups."  Should you wish to complete this assignment for course credit, you'll look more into these two concepts.

Please complete the following:

• What is an ingroup?  Outgroup?
• Although these stereotypes are beneficial in that they help us categorize quickly, they can without a doubt cause havoc.  Please read this article.
• (You are also welcome to watch the link to the blue eye/brown eye experiment, but just know that it was originally aired in the 1980s, so they use some language a lot of people would cringe about today.  Nonetheless, it's interesting!  Here is a direct link to it.) 
• Summarize what you read.  Please use concepts discussed in the book or previous class periods (where applicable) in your summation.
• How does the article suggest you combat the tendency to fall into the "ingroup-outgroup trap"?

Implicit Association Test

A hot topic in Social Psychology right now is prejudice, which is covered in Chapter 7 of our textbook. In addition, the Implicit Association Test is a very popular way to test one's prejudice, and is also briefly discussed in the text.

Should you choose to complete this blog for course credit, please complete the following:

• Define prejudice.
• What is the Implicit Association Test (IAT)?  In other words, what does it measure?
• Visit this website and take one of the listed IATs.  You have several options to choose from, but you just need to complete one.  They take about 10 minutes or so.
• Although you don't need to share your results as it can at times make people uncomfortable, I do want you to discuss your experience taking the test and whether you believe your results were fairly accurate.

Stereotyping on TV

Stereotypes are all around us, yet we often don't realize.  This could be a fun and eyeopening experience for you, so have some fun with it!  Should you choose to complete this assignment for credit, please complete the following:

• What is a stereotype?
• Why do stereotypes exist?  Do you think they are positive or negative?
• Go to YouTube and find a clip of a television show that displays some sort of stereotype.  Please include a link to your video.
• Describe the stereotype in your clip.  What do you think of this stereotype and what implications does it have for members of the stereotyped group?

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Chapter 7 discusses the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy.  This is a pretty popular term throughout psychology, so should you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, please do the following:

• What is meant by the self-fulfilling prophecy?
• Read this article.
• Summarize the article.
• What is the difference between confidence and arrogance? 
• How can you use the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy in your life?

Blog Assignment - Week 6

Part 1:

Week 6 already?!  Only 8 assignments to go after this!

The topic of Chapter 6 is The Self, which includes a variety of topics including self-concept, self-esteem, social comparison, etc.

If you haven't caught on by now, I often try to present you with multiple views on a subject to evaluate and form your own opinion regarding the topic.  This week, you'll read about the positives related to self-esteem and how to promote self-esteem.  However, for this week's assignment, I want you to take a look at the down side of promoting self-esteem.  

Please complete the following:

• What is the concept of self-esteem?
• Watch this video on YouTube.
• Thoroughly summarize the content of the video.  Be sure to include the pitfalls of promoting self-esteem.
• Provide your reaction to the video.  What really stuck out to you?
• At the end of your post, please create a list of key terms/concepts that you used from the textbook in your response (can be from this chapter or previous chapters).  This will help encourage you to really use course concepts in your writing by making it more visible to you.

On a side note, I found this relevant to previous discussion in class about social media use.  This research was done at my alma mater and examines the effect of texting during class (as many of you admitted to doing on the blog and I see it during class).  It is just a short brief, but is interesting nonetheless.  Read it here.

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Part 2:

As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

Narcissism

"There's a snake in my boot!"

Chapter 6 (The Self) discusses the difference between high self-esteem and narcissism.  Should you choose to complete, please complete the following in relation to narcissism:

• Read WebMD's description of narcissism.
• In your own words, describe what Narcissistic Personality Disorder is.
• Hop on over to The Huffington Post and find an article related to narcissism and social media (you shouldn't have a problem finding one).  I suggest you get a little more creative than using the first article that shows up in the search history.  Please include a link to your article.
• Summarize your article.

I hope you enjoy the photo of Woody taking a selfie and being slightly narcissistic.  He's still the man.

Individualism and Collectivism

The cultural values of individualism and collectivism are often talked about in the world of psychology. Should you wish to learn more about cultural values for credit, please complete the following:

• What are the cultural values of individualism and collectivism?
• How does one's cultural value (of either individualism or collectivism) shape how they view them self?
• As stated previously, individualism and collectivism are utilized often in psychology.  Do a little searching and find something that interests you in relation to individualism and collectivism.  I prefer that you try to find an article discussing some research.  Here is an example of what I mean by an article presenting some research.  Please provide a link to your article.
• Summarize the article you found.

This is very open ended, so have some fun with it!

Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine?

For last week's assignment, you had the option to complete an assignment on the positive effects of laughter. However, these positive effects may depend on the type of laughter one engages in.  Should you choose to complete this week's assignment for course credit, please do the following:

• Read this article on Psychology Today.
• Summarize what you read.
• Name and describe the 4 types of humor.
• Provide a personal (or from experience with friends, family, etc.) example of each type.
• Do you know which type of humor you typically engage in? 
• If you completed last week's post on laughter, try to tie the two articles together (last week's and this one). 

Facebook and The Self

In the previous weeks, many of you have written about the relationships between social media sites and course topics.  As this seems to be of interest to many of you, here is another post related to social media.

Should you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, please do the following:

• Read these two articles and provide a summary of what you read:
• Facebooking with Care: Social Networking Site Can Hurt Self-Esteem
• Why Does Facebook Make Us Feel Bad About Ourselves?
• What is self-esteem?
• What is the social comparison theory?
• How does this article/social media play a role in these to self-related concepts?
• Try to incorporate examples as well as integrate material from previous weeks of the course.

Blog Assignment - Week 5

Just a couple of housekeeping notes:

I would like you all to take a moment and look at your grades on D2L to make sure they are a reflection of the work you've done.  If you think you are missing points for assignments, please email me.  

*Please review the note at the end of this blog before beginning your assignments.

Part 1:  

This next week we will be discussing the topic of coping (Chapter 4).

For this week's main assignment, I want you to explore the concept of catharsis, as it plays a pretty big role in our lives yet is often misperceived.  Please complete the following:

• Define, in your own words, catharsis.
• Based on this definition, do you engage in catharsis?  If so, what activities do you typically do?
• Do you find cathartic behaviors helpful?
• After completing the first three bullet points, please read this article.
• Provide a thorough summary of the article.
• Based on what you've read, have your views on catharsis changed?

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Part 2:

As in the previous weeks, please respond to any 2 existing blog posts (not including this one or posts that you have responded to previously) to get credit for you "blog comments."  Each post has its own instructions to follow in regard to commenting. Note: Replying to other students' comments on blog posts does not count toward your grade, although I encourage you to engage in conversation with your colleagues.

*Note: I've noticed that some students' comments are becoming pretty brief (not necessarily in length - I just noticed some students are doing the bare minimum to get by).  As the semester progresses, you should be able to make more connections with previous material, and thus, your posts should be getting a little longer, or at least a little more integrative. While I don't expect a novel, I expect to see some evidence that you are trying to apply not only this week's material, but material from previous weeks of the course.  The chapters we have covered these last two weeks have a lot of commonalities, so this shouldn't be too difficult.  If it helps you, I advise you make a short list of keywords that you have used from the textbook in your post to get a better gauge on how much you are applying course material rather than providing your own interpretation/experiences. While your own opinions and experiences are important as this is a field that is very applicable to your life, you should be displaying knowledge of course material.  Please keep this in mind, as I will grade your comments accordingly.

This assignment is due on Monday, Sept. 23 at 11:59p.   

Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness has been gaining increasing attention for its benefits.  If you choose to complete this post for course credit, please do/answer the following:

• Read this article about mindfulness.
• In your own words, what is the practice of mindfulness?
• This article outlines 20 benefits of mindfulness.  Please explain and provide your reaction to five of these benefits.

I would like you to read this article too, but realize that you are busy and articles can get lengthy.  But if you are interested, the article talks about mindfulness decreasing burnout and increasing compassion among doctors.  It's a great way to apply the subject, not only to the upcoming chapter, but the chapter on stress we just discussed.

Emotional Intelligence

According to some, emotional intelligence is more important than one's intellectual ability.  But, what exactly is emotional intelligence?

Should you choose to complete this post for credit, please do the following:

• Read this article.
• What is meant by emotional intelligence?
• Why is it important?  Don't simply list the benefits...expand upon them using personal experiences.
• Name and describe two of the emotional intelligence skills.
• Which do you think is more important, emotional intelligence or intellectual ability? Why?

Power of Procrastination

Procrastination undoubtedly gets the best of some of us, but is procrastination always bad?  Should you choose to complete this post for course credit, please do the following:

• Read this article.
• Summarize what you read.
• What are some benefits of procrastination?
• What does your textbook (chapter 4) have to say about the positive effects of procrastination?
• For some of us, procrastination isn't a bad thing - but for many of us, it is.  What are some ways to beat procrastination and use time more effectively?  Please use both your textbook and personal experiences to complete this question.