Last Post!

One of the best things i just found out about this class is that your going to curve our final! Which i think is great! But about what i enjoyed throughout the semester, i would have to say i greatly enjoyed all the anecdote stories about psychological experements people have conducted that you added into your notes. So many teachers only information with out relating it to everyday life or explaining where the information came from, i was always enthralled each time you explained an experiment! I also enjoyed the different projects we completed over the semester from the playdo brain to this blogspot. I do wish we could have watched more psychological documentaries because i thought those were absolutely interesting. It was cool to be able to go home to my parents and explain to them that we all dream in black and white.

As for next year in economics, if you could only keep up the great stories that relate to the lessons you teach that make the information more than just words, i know i will enjoy the class. Also, if you can keep up the extra credit assignments, that would also be greatly appreciated! Finnaly, i hope we play the stock market game next year!

Case Study 5

Response to the Mental Health Year in Review 2008.

I was really intrigued by the different accomplishments in anti-depression medicine or the lack there of. It was interesting to find out that the FDA approved medication for consumer use even when there was little testing done with the medication beforehand. Why the FDA believed this would be okay, is beyond me. It is positive to hear that they have made up for the lack of testing in the past with testing this past year. It is even more positive to hear that the testing has shown positive results. The results being that the medicine is actually better than the placebo even if the results are not what was marketed before. I also think the effort they have make with genetic make up and disorders is a good start, but that they definitely need to continue with this area of research.

For the Jungs Test i am type ENTJ, therefore i am: 33 - extraverted, 50 - intuitive, 1 - thinking, and 11 - Judging.

I am a:
moderately expressed extravert
moderately expressed intuitive personality
slightly expressed thinking personality
slightly expressed judging personality

I think this test has a lot of validity. It was very accurate in what it said. I also think the questions covered a wide range of peoples habits and feelings.

Relationship Quiz
Attachment Anxiety (vs. Attachment Security) - 38
Low scorers tend to be comfortable with the perceived availability and responsiveness of their partner. They may be warm and affectionate (when combined with low attachment avoidance), or they may value their independence and be comfortable without a close relationship (when combined with high attachment avoidance). Low attachment anxiety is associated with higher relationship stability and greater ease in social situations. For women, low anxiety is associated with providing more support to their partners in stressful situations. For men, low anxiety is associated with higher relationship satisfaction.

Attachment Avoidance (vs. Attachment Seeking) - 34
Low scorers tend to be more comfortable in intimate relationships and are more secure about depending on others and having others depend on them. They may approach close relationships with a flexible sense of self-confidence (when combined with low attachment avoidance), or they may be uncomfortable without a relationship and be heavily dependent on their partner as a source of support and worth (when combined with high attachment anxiety). Low attachment avoidance is associated with higher relationship closeness and more positive descriptions of relationship partners (both romantic and non-romantic), as well as with greater friendliness and more frequent positive facial expressions (such as smiling). For women, low avoidance is associated with higher relationship satisfaction.

I find these scores to be extremely accurate. I feel very relaxed in a relationship and usually dont worry that much with jelousy and such.

Attractive qualities in women quiz
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
You tend to somewhat prefer people that have this characteristic, and you prefer this characteristic more than the average person.
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
This characteristic is relatively unimportant for what you find attractive, and you prefer this characteristic about as much as the average person.
You tend to strongly prefer people that have this characteristic, and you prefer this characteristic more than the average person.

This test was partially right, but i dont think it was very valid. I dont understand how it can make these assumptions based on how i rate certain peoples looks. Especcially when it comes down to personality, i dont think this test was very accurate.

Personality Dimension Quiz
Guilt-Prone Personalit - 64
Pride-Prone Personality - 52
Global Self-Esteem - 20
Shame-Prone Personality - 59

This was a very accurate test. It really his the mark on how i feel about school and life. Sometimes it is hard to feel accomplished. I definitely see the validity in this test.

Life Goals Quiz
Financial Success - This goal is reflective of placing central value on personal wealth and material possessions, in comparison to other life rewards. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly more central value on financial success than the typical study participant.

Social Recognition - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on admiration from others and fame. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place more central value on social recognition than the typical study participant.

Attractiveness - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on appearing physically attractive and having an image that appeals to others. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly more central value on attractiveness than the typical study participant.

Affiliation - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on relationships, including those with family, friends, and potentially one's romantic partner. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place slightly less central value on affiliation than the typical study participant.

Community Involvement - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on improving the world and providing help to individuals in need. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place less central value on community involvement than the typical study participant.

Self-Acceptance - This goal is reflective of placing relatively high value on feeling autonomous and possessing a stable core of self-regard that is not contingent on the opinions of other people. Based on your responses to the present survey, you appear to place less central value on self-acceptance than the typical study participant.

Again, i feel this test to be accurate. It goes back to how i measure success. I do hope to be financially successful, but i also hope to donate a lot of that money to charity. I also like the questions this survey asked. I believe they were pertinent giving an accurate reading.

Week 3

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have to admit. Life here at UT has been challenging at best. Whenever I leave my dorm, I have to constantly re check and re check to make sure my computers off and chained down, and my microwave is still fine, and the lamps and lights are off. Just checking once never seems to be enough. When im out, im usually worrying about the same things. Sometimes i can forget. When i do, i have a lot of fun. The night life here in Austin is really nice. The only thing that upsets me is all the drinking and drugs. I cannot except how others students can do these things. They have frequently asked me to join in, but i adamently refuse; they call me stubborn.

I am loving the academics though! There is absolutely no group work. Everything we do is alone, so i do not have to rely on anyone. It is a nice change form High School. I take a lot of notes, and pick of flyers everywhere just in case something is going on. Its created a big mess in my room, because i do not like throwing them away. Ive collected so many!

All in all, life is okay. I hope everything is fine on your end. Call me!

Love, Son

Case Study 3: Bert is 40 years old and works on an assembly line in a brush factory. He is terribly afraid of being contaminated by germs. He avoids shaking hands with others. He won’t eat in the cafeteria. He has trouble leaving the bathroom because he isn’t sure he has washed his hands well enough.

Bert has a bad case of obsessive compulsive disorder. He repeatedly washes his hands in an attempt to "wash off all the germs." He is constintely paranoid about getting dirty. He is trying to prevent a bad situation from happening. More recently, effective psychologic and pharmacologic treatment methods have been recognized. Medications that inhibit serotonin reuptake have been found to be effective in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. In general, therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder must be based on several factors. It is important to remember that, in most cases, symptoms will be reduced but not eliminated.

Katharine McPhee.

Katharine McPhee was the famous singer who was a runner up in the 2005 American Idol Contest. She was born in Los Angelas, California and moved to Sherman Oaks neighborhood at age twelve. Her mother was an accomplished vocal coach and singer in a cabaret. MchPhee grauduated from Notre Dame college after participating in swimming and becoming a Thespian. Katharine has been singing since she was two and was cast for Paramount Girls in 2007. She eventually married her boyfriend in 2008.

Katharine was persuaded by her family to audition for the 2005 American Idol contest. At her first audition, she sang "God Bless the Child" and was praised for her talent and originality. She subsequently advanced to the final rounds of competition. Along the way, she had her mistakes. For example, during one of her performances, she forgot the words to the song she was singing. Luckily, the judges still advanced her. She ended up as runner up in the competition.

At age 17, Katharine suffered from a serious eating disorder. For 6 years, she suffered from this problem. After her successful audition in San Francisco, she decided to get help. She checked into the Los Angeles's Eating Disorder Center of California, where she spent three months undergoing group and individual therapy six days a week. Katharine comments on how American Idol saved her life. If she had not auditioned and realized the seriousness of her problem, she would probably still be struggling with her disorder. While at the clinic, Katharine learned that there is not bad food - one only has to eat in moderation. She now lives completely free from bulimia.

http://caringonline.com/eatdis/celebrities_k.html#Kirsten

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharine_McPhee