Focus Questions pp.542-562

Hi everyone,

I decided to condense tonight's focus questions into a brief list. Ensure that your explanations are thorough.

1. Describe rational-emotive behavior therapy. What is it? What is the point? Provide your own example of REBT.
2. Who is Eysenck, and how would psychology be different without his contribution?
3. What are the benefits and "costs" (drawbacks) to antipsychotic drugs (tranquilizers)?
4. Describe how antidepressant and antianxiety drugs work.
5. In what cases do doctors prescribe stimulants as treatment?
6. Describe the types of psychosurgery. In what cases is psychosurgery a good option?
7. What is ECT and when is it used? Is it effective?
8. What is the difference between deinstitutionalization and the community mental health movement?
9. Summarize the warnings (cautions) provided at the end of the chapter.
10. Read the chapter summary, take the practice review test and answer the vocabulary review questions (p.562). How did you do? Record your answers and score on your paper.

Today's Videos

Hi everyone! You did a fabulous job in class today. I am impressed by your narratives and can't wait to finish reading through them.

Here are the videos that demonstrate the three major approaches to insight therapy:

Carl Rogers talking about the humanistic approach

Here are two videos that show a continuation of his session with his client (there is some overlap):

Pay attention to the reflective listening (reflection of feeling).





Psychoanalytic Approach


Cognitive Approach
*Pay attention to the way the therapist tries to restructure the client's thinking*

Focus Questions pp.523-542

Before Reading
1.  What do you think about people who see therapists?  Do you have any biases toward these patients (be honest, admitting biases is okay!)?
2.  Why do people see therapists?
3.  What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
4.  What is introspection?
5.  Describe two projective tests that a psychoanalyst may use in therapy.

During Reading
1.  What processes do most approaches to therapy follow?  Explain.
2.  Describe therapy from a historical perspective.  What was therapy like in the past?
3.  What is insight therapy?
4.  What is free association?  How would a psychoanalyst use free association?
5.  What is transference?  What is your opinion of the analysis of transference stage?
6.  How do neo-Freudian approaches to therapy differ from Freud's approach to therapy?
7.  What is client-centered therapy?  How does reflection of feeling fit into client-centered therapy?
8.  How do cognitive therapists approach insight therapy?
9.  What are the benefits of group therapy?  Include one benefit that is not described in the book.
10.  What is a self-help support group, and what are the benefits?
11.  What is the rationale behind behavior therapy?
12.  Describe classical conditioning therapy.  What is it?
13.  What is systematic desensitization?  Describe it, and how it is seen as a behavior therapy.
14.  What is the difference between systematic desensitization and exposure therapy?
15.  How does aversion therapy connect to the development of a taste aversion?
16.  Describe how contingency management connects to reinforcement and punishment.
17.  Describe a token economy.  What schedule of reinforcement is best used with token economies?
18.  How does observational-learning therapy compare with systematic desensitization?

After Reading
1.  Without reading your text or reviewing your during reading focus questions, what is the difference between insight and behavior therapies?
2.  What are the three types of behavior therapies?  Describe each.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

These video segments profile Chris Sizemore, one of the first high-profile cases of dissociative identity disorder (a.k.a., multi-personality disorder). We will be watching the first video tomorrow in class. Please watch the other clips on your own time, so you can gain a better understanding of dissociative identity disorder.


The second clip does not have an embedding code, so you must click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmNRDvicyOY&feature=related

Same for the third clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG_lOnI5KWo&feature=related

Postpartum Depression

Here is a short video about Brooke Shields' battle with postpartum depression.  The interviewer doesn't add much to the message, so focus on what Ms. Shields says.  Listen to the description of the symptoms and her treatment.


Here is a little bit on the debate between Brooke Shields and Tom Cruise, who does not believe in the treatment of psychological disorders with drug therapy.

*Note:  Modern psychology believes in the use of drug therapy for the treatment of some psychological disorders.
Ms. Shields also talks about infertility treatments for a portion of this interview.

Video Comment Assignment

You need to answer the question for one video.  You can choose whichever video you would like.  Simply answer the question for the video.  In your comment, ensure you include your name and the number of the video.  Include a detailed explanation. 


Video One
Question:  Explain which disorder is shown in this video.  What symptoms are present in the video clip?  How might this disorder impact a person's life?



Video Two
There was no embedding code for this video, but just go to this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8j0Fbr1Ik
Question:  Explain which disorder is shown in this video.  What symptoms are present in the video clip?  How might this disorder impact a person's life?

Focus Questions pp.501-518

Before Reading
1.  What is the difference between generalized anxiety disorder and seasonal affective disorder?
2.  Describe the cycle of depression.
3.  What are the general causes of depression?

During Reading
1.  Compare and contrast conversion disorder and hypochondriasis.
2.  Describe the symptoms of dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue (the first u is a long "u", the "ue" is silent), depersonalization disorder, and dissociative identity disorder.  You may want to organize the information in a table.
3.  Describe the causes and symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
4.  What is schizophrenia?  Describe the probable behaviors of a person who is a catatonic schizophrenic and one who is a paranoid schizophrenic.
5.  Describe each of the major types of schizophrenia described on pp.507-508.
6.  What neurotransmitter is associated with schizophrenia?  Do people with schizophrenia have an excessive amount of this neurotransmitter or too little?
7.  Explain the diathesis-stress hypothesis in your own words.
8.  Compare and contrast narcissistic, antisocial, and borderline personality disorders.
9.  Describe the theory of mind and how it relates to autism.
10.  What is dyslexia?
11.  Describe ADHD.  Do you think this disorder is overdiagnosed?  What is your experience with it?
12.  What are the consequences of labeling people?

After Reading  Try to answers these without looking at your notes or book.  Only then should you go back and use your references to answer the questions.
1.  What are the general symptoms of dissociative disorder?
2.  Review: What is savant syndrome?  What is its connection to autism?
3.  What is schizophrenia?
4.  Take the review test on pp.519-520 Record your answers on your paper  Check your answers: How many questions did you correctly answer?
5.  What is the difference between dissociative and personality disorders?

Yale Video Lecture

Here is a great lecture from Yale on psychological disorders. Enjoy!

Watch it on Academic Earth

Focus Questions pp.483-501

Hi everyone! Here are the focus questions for the first reading assignment for our abnormal psychology unit. Please remember that I will be available tomorrow during my office hours to help you create an individual study plan for the next week. If you would like to join us, please come early (we'll start at 3:45pm) and visit other teachers afterwards.

Before Reading
1. How do you think Freud viewed psychological disorders?
2. Write three wonderings (things you'd like to know) about psychological disorders.
3. Do you know anyone with a psychological disorder (only if you are comfortable writing about it)? If so, what has been your experience with that person?

During Reading
Symptoms of Psychological Disorders
1. Create a table for the three classic symptoms of psychological disorders. Include descriptions of each.
2. Study table 12.1. What is the spectrum of mental disorder? Explain the terms mild, moderate, and severe.
History)
3. What is Hippocrates' Humor Theory? What do you think of his theory? What is the reasoning behind his theory?
Indicators and Classification of Psychological Disorders
4. Connect the social-cognitive-behavioral approach to personality theories. With which personality theory does this approach connect? Explain.
5. What are the indicators of abnormality? Describe each. Extra Credit Opportunity: Comment on this post with a mnemonic device for us to remember these indicators.
6. What is the DSM-IV and how do psychologists use it?
7. What is neurosis and why is it no longer included in the DSM-IV?
8. Define depression. What makes (major) depression different than sadness?
9. Compare and contrast seasonal affective disorder, major depression, and bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. What causes each? What are the symptoms of each?
10. Compare and contrast generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias (including agoraphobia), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. What causes each? What are the symptoms of each?

After Reading Try to answer these questions without looking at your notes!
1. What is the social-cognitive-behavioral approach to psychological disorders?
2. What is the DSM-IV?
3. Review: What is the WAIS? What is the MMPI-2?
4. What is the difference between a mood disorder and an anxiety disorder?

Personality Video Lecture

Review this lecture to prepare for your exam. It includes both intelligence and personality.

Watch it on Academic Earth

Friday's Homework

16PF
1. Take the 16PF Test here: http://similarminds.com/cattell-16-factor.html The test will, of course, be most accurate if you answer the questions honestly.
2. What were your results? Record your percentages based on the 16 factors.
3. What is your reaction to your results? Do you think the 16PF accurately describes you?
The Big Five
1. Take The Big Five personality test here: http://similarminds.com/bigfive.html
2. What were your results? Record your results.
3. What is your reaction to your results? Do you think The Big Five accurately describes you?

What has shaped your personality? Write a detailed one-two paragraph response.

*Take a practice test: http://www.appsychology.com/HowPass/MC%20quizes/Personality/personality.htm Even if you plan to study a lot over the weekend, you can take this practice test now to help focus your studying. You can also retake it after you study to see if you improve!*

Review Link: Motivation and Emotion

This link contains some good information on motivation and emotion. Check out the great visual in the middle of the page. http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/motivation/motivate.html

Focus Questions pp.430-448

Before Reading
1. Is your personality similar to or different from your parents? (Be honest!)
2. What are Jung's opposing tendencies in personality? (Try to recall them first, and then refer to your notes or book if necessary.)
3. Recall the difference between reliability and validity.
4. What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

During Reading
1. Describe the genetic basis of temperament.
2. How did the "Big Five" surface?
3. Describe the "Big Five" and provide an example (scenario) for each pole.
4. Compare and contrast the "Big Five" to the personality theories we discussed in class today. What are the similarities and differences? (Suggestion: Create a Venn diagram or double-bubble to organize your thoughts)
5. What is the MMPI-2? (You need to know the acronym.) What information does it provide psychologists?
6. Explain the person-situation controversy. What does this approach say about personality?
7. With which personality theory does the MBTI align? What are the drawbacks of this test?
8. What is the difference between implicit personality theory and the theories we have looked at thus far?
9. Describe fundamental attribution error. Provide an example of a situation in which a person may make this error.
10. What is the difference between individualistic and collectivistic cultures? Reflect on your own culture. Do you identify with an individualistic or collectivistic culture? Explain.
11. Take the "Check your understanding" quiz on p.442. Check your answers.
12. Define eclecticism.

After Reading
1. Recall the "Big Five" in the five-factor theory of personality.
2. What approach to personality do most modern psychologists take?
3. What do the MMPI-2 and MBTI measure?

Focus Questions: Personality pp.409-430

Notes: I believe the best way to answer these questions is to use the Cornell note-taking structure. This provides you with a great studying tool.
I've also restructured this assignment by including before and after reading questions (the during reading questions are the focus questions). This will help you recall previously learned information and "test" yourself on new concept recall. Do not use the book or any resources for the before and after reading questions until you have first tried answering them without any help.

Before Reading
1. Who is Sigmund Freud? What do you recall about his theories on dreaming?
2. Describe Maslow's hierarchy of needs. What is the eventual goal? What does a person need to do to achieve the end goal?
3. What approach to psychology do we associate with Freud? Maslow?
4. Who is Albert Bandura? What do we know about his work in the area of learning?

During Reading
1. Describe Freud's model of the mind by using his iceberg analogy. How do the id, superego, and ego work within this model?
2. Explain Freud's psychosexual stages.
3. What is the relationship between defense mechanisms, the id, and repression?
4. What is the intention of the Rorschach inkblot technique?
5. How is Jung's approach to personality different than Freud's approach?
6. Describe the collective unconscious.
7. What is the difference between introversion and extroversion? How does consciousness relate to these personalities?
8. What are Horney's (HORN-eye) neurotic needs? How do these needs relate to personality?
9. Describe Maslow's theory on personality.
10. How does Rogers's approach to personality differ from Maslow's approach?
11. Describe Bandura's approach to personality.
12. What is Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale?

After Reading
1. Take the "Check Your Understanding" quiz after you read. Do not refer to your notes. Grade your answers using the key (printed upside down in the text box).
2. Describe Freud's approach to personality.
3. Draw Freud's iceberg model and explain what it means.
4. What is the difference among psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, humanistic, and social-cognitive theories of personality?

Wednesday's Assessment Guide

Hi everyone,

Wednesday's assessment will be focused on the following:
-application of theories of emotion to scenarios
-application of theories of motivation to scenarios
-an understanding of homeostasis and its role in some theories of motivation
-nature vs. nurture in emotion and motivation
-an understanding of anorexia, bulimia, and obesity (we did not cover this in class, but you will need to know it)
-extrinsic and intrinsic motivation; be able to describe and give examples of each
-an understanding of Seyle's general adaptation syndrome (GAS); describe what happens at each stage (we did not cover this in class, but you will need to know it)

As I described in class, the assessment will be shorter than our typical unit tests, but longer than a quiz. It will have multiple choice and essay components.

Emotion and Motivation Notes

This link provides some good explanations of motivation and emotion. http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~stump/motives.html

Theories of Emotion

(If you click on the image, it will open in a new window, and you will be able to read it better.)

Here is the graphic we started creating in class on Wednesday. Review it and begin developing a mnemonic so you can remember which theory of emotion is which.

Focus Questions

Here are the focus questions for the remainder of the motivation and emotion chapter. They do not go in order, so be sure to preview them before you read. You may need to use your study book and/or the internet to supplement the information in your textbook.

1. Describe the theories of motivation:
-Drive Reduction Theory
-Arousal Theory
-Incentive Theory
-Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
2. What creates the feeling of hunger? Describe the biological and psychological factors involved in hunger motivation.
3. Describe the three most common eating disorders and their causes. Ensure you know the difference between binging and purging).
4. Describe the (physiological) sexual response cycle (there are four stages). How does the process relate to Wednesday's discussion on the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
5. Describe the psychological factors for sexual motivation. How does human sexual motivation differ from animal sexual motivation?
6. What causes someone to be a homosexual?
7. Describe the theories behind social motivation:
-achievement motivation
-extrinsic/intrinsic motivation
-management theory
8. What happens when we find ourselves conflicted about what choice to make? Explain each type of conflict and provide an example of each:
-approach-approach conflict
-avoidance-approach conflict
-approach-avoidance conflict
-multiple approach-avoidance conflict
9. Most cultures have similar facial expressions. What does this say about facial expressions of emotion?
10. What is stress?
11. How is stress measured?
12. What are the three stages in Seyle's general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?
13. How does perception of control influence stress?
14. Why might intrinsic motivation be more advantageous than extrinsic motivation?

Check the blog over the weekend for postings!