...Pursuit of Happiness Happiness can be defined by everyone differently. Everyone I know says they are on a path seeking happiness but they can never truly define it, or their path toward it. So how do they know they are happy? Is it just a mind set? Being happy cannot be measured with wealth or possession of objects. A new mansion, expensive clothing, or a new car does not equate to happy feelings. Sure, I should think someone with these items would be happy, but it is never guaranteed. Having material possessions is just a mental distraction of the mind avoiding pain. Attaining perfect happiness would be achieved if only I could avoid all pain. Pain is what counter acts happiness, yet without pain we could never feel a sense of happiness. To me, being happy is attaining goals and always striving to go further. It gives me a sense of purpose. A sense of sanctification, which in a way equates to happiness. An example of me attaining happiness would be going to college and getting a job after graduating. Having a goal and a plan and knowing I could be something bigger makes me happy enough to move on. Yet, there is no such thing as “perfect happiness”. I say that because one can ever be perfectly happy with what they have done and what they want to do. There is always bumps in my life that make unhappy again. So I believe being happy is simply just a state of mind that it always changing. It's a never ending cycle in the pursuit of...
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...It is easy to say something is hard to do if you never tried doing it. This saying hits home for me because there was a time I thought I could not play sports or thought that it would be a struggle because I had asthma. After beating myself up over not having the courage to try, my friends encouraged me to try out for basketball. When starting out it was a little hard to run and bounce the ball at the same time, it took even more energy and effort to shoot the ball. This did not help in keeping my spirit high. I felt defeated and stopped trying. While feeling bad about not being good right away I remembered what my mom told me “Everything does not come easy, you have to work for it”. This made me feel better and I practiced every day after school until I learned how to play the game. Now basketball is my favourite sport, if I had not tried it wouldn’t have been possible for me to brag about my accomplishments today. If you do not try to do something, you will never know if you are good at it. Confidence is the key when it comes to trying something new. Don’t be a failure by thinking you cannot do something or not even try. When making a mistake, try harder the next time and it will eventually become easy. You will be very happy and pleases with yourself when you try to do something and succeed. When attempting to do something put in the effort so you can be the best at it. I have learned that not trying is worst than trying and failing. I have so much...
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...For all things listed as a study make sure you know the IV, DV, results and any theory that might be associated. Verbal Knowledge Lecture 16/ chapter 9/ Meyer What is a concept, categorization, and why do we categorize? What is the definitional approach? The prototype approach? The exemplar Approach? What do we wactually use? Rosch’s study of family resemblance. What is the typicality effect? Rosch’s study of it with priming colors. What are the types of categories according to Rosch? What is the evidence that Basic level categories are special? How can experience change this? What is the hierarchical model of Collins and Quillian? What are the flaws? What is spreading activation? What is Collins and Loftus’ Semantic model? What are the flaws? What is the connectionist approach? How does it simulate actual learning? How are categories represented in the brain? Freedman’s cat-dog study. Lexical Decisions: Meyer: Know the hypothesis in addition to the usual. Understand how the word types can be broken into different IVs. Mental Imagery Lecture 17/ chapter 10/ Shepard and Meltzer What is mental Imagery? Visual Imagery Study of paired associate learning (dog flower) Paivio’s study of nouns that can evoke an image What are the spatial and propositional representation of visual imagery? Kossyln’s studies (2) of visual imagery, know the criticism that lead to the second study (the island study). What is mental scanning? ...
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...Outline and evaluate the working memory model In the working memory model, there are four main components; The central executive is the most important component as it is involved in problem solving and decision making. It controls attention and plays a vast part in planning and processing information from subsidiary systems and LTM. It is flexible and can process information. It has a limited capacity and can only contain a limited amount of information at one time, Secondly the phonological loop stores a limited amount of speech-based sounds for quick periods. It contains two components. The phonological store (inner ear) allows acoustically coded items to be stored for a brief timing. The articulatory control process (inner voice) allows subvocal repetition of the items stored in the phonological store. Repetition can be prevented by a technique known as ‘articulatory suppression’. The visuo-spatial scratch pad (inner eye) stores visual and spatial information. It is responsible for setting up and manipulating mental images. It has a limited capacity but the limits of the system are independent. The episodic buffer interrogates and manipulates material in the working memory. It has a limited capacity, depending a lot on executive processing. It is capable of binding together information from different sources into chunks/episodes. It interrogates material from LTM to meet the requirements of working memory. The working memory model has many advantages which are that it...
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...There is also an issue of nomothetic vs idiographic; some theorists adopt a nomothetic approach while others adopt an idiographic approach. Individuals that adopt a nomothetic approach create theories based on what we share with others, and find general laws that can be applied to large groups of people, for example behaviourism is a nomothetic approach. On the other hand the idiographic approach goes into large detail for the individual to investigate why we are unique, for example Freud’s theory is an idiographic approach. There are six principle psychological perspectives which are applied to the understanding which includes; behaviourism, social learning, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive and developmental. These perspectives can be used to explain the development of individuals. Cognitive development starts when developing from when we are born. It refers to how intelligence, conscious thought and problem solving develop from infancy. As well as improving the ability to think, learn and reason. Jean Piaget...
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...depending on how well it is perceived in our minds. Perhaps most concepts are components of theories or explanations. Unquestionably, changes of theory change concepts, and new concepts, or revisions of old ones, can alter theories. In psychology, concepts of mind must be developed or discovered, much as in physics, for we cannot see at all clearly into our own minds by introspection. So we need experiments in psychology; they sometimes suggest concepts far removed from common sense, or what we seem to be like. A concept is typically associated with a corresponding representation in a language or symbology; however, some concepts do not have a linguistic representation. The meaning of "concept" is explored in mainstream information science, cognitive science, metaphysics, and philosophy of the mind. A prototype on the other hand, is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from. Prototype is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming. A prototype is created to test and experiment a new design to improve precision by system analysts and users. Prototyping helps to offer specifications for a real, working system rather than a theoretical one. They are handmade early versions of...
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...Markets participants make decisions? How do these decisions affect the financial markets? With the financial markets in Asia being the largest in the world, such an interesting environment with participants displaying different levels of capitalism, financial market experience and knowledge, Asia is definitely a fertile ground for the study od behavioral finance. According to conventional financial theory, the world and its participants are, for the most part, rational "wealth maximizers". However, there are many instances where emotion and psychology influence our decisions, causing us to behave in unpredictable or irrational ways. Asians in general suffer from cognitive biases, more so than Westerners, often being viewed as ‘Gamblers. Behavioral finance is a relatively new field that seeks to combine behavioral and cognitive psychological theory with conventional economics and finance to provide explanations for why people make irrational financial decisions .It calls for investigation into higher mental processes, memory, perception, problem solving and thinking .This paper looks at some of the anomalies (i.e., irregularities) that conventional financial theories have failed to explain. In addition, review underlying reasons and biases that cause some people to behave irrationally. 2.- Brief survey of the literature The following areas of research have been covered, from the mid 1980’s to the main focus of the article(special edition 2008): Overreaction and Availability Bias...
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...The results of the experiment have been argued to demonstrate the impressionability and obedience of people when provided with a legitimising ideology and social and institutional support. The experiment has also been used to illustrate cognitive dissonance theory and the power of authority. The results of the experiment favour situational attribution of behaviour rather than dispositional attribution. In other words, it seemed that the situation, rather than their individual personalities, caused the participants' behaviour. Under this interpretation, the results is that, ordinary people fulfilled orders to administer what appeared to be agonising and dangerous electric shocks to a confederate of the experiment. Power tactics are ways in which the individuals translate power bases into specific actions. In the experiment, people are using legitimacy, it is relying on your authority position or saying that a request accords with organisational policies or rules. In the experiment, Zimbardo said that people's behaviour changed under the environment of power and authority, the prisoners at first might not perfectly obey to what they were asked to do, however they started to obey what the guards say when the experiment went on, even though all participants know that they are not in a real prison situation. But the environment is too real that people started to think they are in a real prison, no matter it's the prisoners, or the guards. They follow the theory of power...
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...ex-post. Not surprisingly, the activities of analysts have been a fertile ground for behavioral research. Prior studies have shown that analysts often suffer from a number of biases. However, the implications of these potential cognitive biases for investors and, even more so for managers, are less understood. This study considers the behavior of financial market participants from a perspective different from that of previous research. It focuses on anchoring bias, a topic that has been characterized by Hirshleifer (2001) as an important part of “dynamic psychology-based assetpricing theory in its infancy” (p. 1535). “Anchoring” describes the fact that, in forming numerical estimates of uncertain quantities, adjustments in assessments away from some initial value are often insufficient. One of the first studies of this cognitive bias is the seminal experiment by Kahneman and Tversky (1974). These authors report that estimates of an uncertain proportion (the percentage of African nations in the United Nations) were affected by a number between 0 and 100 that was determined by spinning a wheel of fortune in the subjects’ presence. Subsequent research (reviewed in Section 2) has confirmed the generality and the robustness of this cognitive bias. We hypothesize that market participants such as sell-side analysts and investors may also be affected by such anchoring bias when they estimate the future profitability of a firm. This estimation...
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...MGMT 3720 Assignment #2 This is a case about an experienced ski instructor named Miranda. She seems to have developed a perception of her new boss is that he might be sexist. She feels that he might be overlooking more qualified female instructors for men. Perception is a process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment. (Robbins & Judge, 2013) I will be discussing Miranda’s perception of her boss and the factors that have influenced her judgment. I will talk about the way she sees her boss Hank and if there might be any errors in her judgment. Finally I will discuss what I believe this young ski instructor should do. Miranda’s perception of the situation is that her boss Hank does not treat the men and women fairly at the ski resort. Miranda might be correct as all the men instructors were assigned to adults while the women taught all the children The men instructor’s would report to Hank and the women to Hank’s Japanese wife Harika, 10 years his junior, and unable to speak English with confidence. (Cohen, Fink, Gadon, Wilits,, & Josefowitz, 2013) The only supervisor’s for the ski lodge would be men and all assignments would be handled through the front desk and that no instructors were to schedule own classes. The changing room for the instructors’ turned into a men’s locker room where inappropriate conversation became the norm and included Hank, Miranda’s boss. Hank had even begun to comment...
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...My 30 minute trial - Nuremberg style... In opening, let me state quite unreservedly that I eat and use animal products without compunction. Over the years I have thought about my moral stance on these matters and happily come to the informed conclusion that my consumption and use of animal products sits with my moral values and vice versa. The interview began quite innocuously. As the interview continued I was questioned about my consumption of animal product, then asked if had any companion animals (I have two for my children's sake). As the questioning proceeded I was lead through a faulty path of logic and reason such that the next question not only assaulted my moral stance but appeared to be extraordinarily judgemental. The offending question was, "Would you ever knowingly do something that caused harm to animals when alternatives were readily available?" Dissonance was firmly afoot; my having to answer in the affirmative if I were to be consistent, or answer 'no' in case I be judged as a murderer. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! So having chosen to be true to myself I chose to don the murderer's mantle. The interview continued by warning me that I may learn information that I have not been exposed to in the past and experience emotional challenges if I elected to proceed. Being the reasonable self-aware psychological adventurer I had nothing to lose so was then set upon by statements about 'unnatural practices'. In the meantime I continued to feel judged...
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...Cognitive Processes Paper Psych/560 June 6, 2013 Prof. Pitt Cognitive Processes According to Robinson-Riegler and Robinson-Riegler (2008), learning is a natural task carried out by humans to facilitate better and more fulfilling life development. In general, human beings learn through, observation or even through other classical methods. Humans learn how to adapt to specific disciplines as well as how to ignore some unnecessary responsive stimulus though classical methods. However, in applying the available learning methods, human beings must pass through a comprehensive cognitive process. There are several types of stimulus or cognitive processes common in human growth and development. Different people employ the available cognitive processes at different times in their life time. The identification of the common cognitive processes as well as their purpose in human development is exceptionally decisive in facilitating the understanding of human cognitive development. Common Cognitive Processes By referring to Robinson-Riegler and Robinson-Riegler (2008), the first main cognitive process is perception. Perception entails the front-end process which helps in the organization and interpretation of the received information. Perception is usually based on auditory information as well...
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...Issue Analysis: Cognitive Dissonance PSYCH/555 April 22, 2013 Dr. Keisha Anthony Issue Analysis: Cognitive Dissonance “Festinger's (1957) cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance)” (McLeod, 2008). Issue 5: Does Cognitive Dissonance Explain Why Behavior Can Change Attitudes debates the cognitive dissonance theory with one of the authors challenging the theory by claiming that self-perception is a better explanation as to why people behave differently once they have acted outside of their norm as most people try to find some sort of consistency between their actions and their attitudes. Consonant and dissonant cognitions both affect the attitude on opposite ends of a spectrum. As with consonant cognitions the behavior matches the attitude and with dissonant cognitions have behaviors that conflict with their attitudes. One of the most powerful influences on attitude change is the motivation of people to maintain that consistency between their attitudes and behaviors. Although the cognitive dissonance theory is studied and utilized by psychologists all over the world, there are some who reject this theory and believe that self-perception is what enables people to decide on their attitudes, emotions, and behaviors because they are able to cast judgment upon themselves based on their behavior in different situations. Summary of both Arguments in Issue 5 Festinger...
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...The Absorbent Mind The Absorbent Mind I decided to do my report on The Absorbent Mind written by Maria Montessori. This book is about the mental powers of a child from birth to age six. Dr. Montessori believes that if a child is properly educated by unlocking their mental ability than the world can overcome things such as war. The book explains how a child from birth to age six with obstruction and without teaching surpasses all living things. Dr. Montessori says that a child cannot be taught at such a young age as birth to age two so their learning ‘’transcends the narrow limits of teaching’’ (Montessori, 1949). After all a child does not yet fully understand launge at that young of an age. Because of the time in history when this book was written, the end of World War II, the first chapter has a stong call to advance society through the education and understanding of our children. The author states ‘’Men are not sufficiently educated to control the events, rather they become the victims of them’’ (Montessori, 1949). The book goes over the current tools being used in the advancement of society. Philosophies, religions, and the old lines of education of transmitting knowledge. Dr. Montessori says that if we stick to only these tools ‘’there would be no hope for the world’’ and that ‘’the human personality alone can lead us to salvation.’’ (Montessori, 1949). The author then goes into detail of why a child in it’s frist two years of life shows ‘’the laws of psychic construction’’...
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...are the equity theory, attachment styles, when to reveal and when to conceal, and the cognitive dissonance theory. These factors play a very big role in relationship baggage and they are all discussed extensively through many scholarly articles. The following articles illustrate the research done on the topic of partner baggage as it pertains to these particular factors in romantic relationships. Keywords: partner baggage, relational uncertainty, relational turbulence, dark side, interpersonal relationships According to an article by Sidelinger and Booth-Butterfield, partner baggage is defined as, “negative attributes and situations which create obstacles to optimal relationship outcomes” (Sidelinger & Booth-Butterfield, 2009, p. 405). That is just a really fun way of saying that one or both participants of a relationship have some issues that could be potentially detrimental to the relationship. Partner baggage is very common in most relationships, 69% of couples reported this about partner baggage (Sidelinger & Booth-Butterfield, 2009, p. 414). There is a lot of ambiguity in relationships to begin with (Spitzberg & Cupach, 2011, p. 31), but partner baggage adds another element of relational uncertainty. To understand partner baggage in relationships better, we will discuss this through the equity theory, attachment styles, when to reveal and when to conceal, and cognitive dissonance. Literature Review Equity Theory The equity theory can help couples determine...
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