...Aspects of Psychology Unit 1 SSCI206-1205A-21 Dr. Joanna Oestmann American Intercontinental University – Online November 18, 2012 Abstract This paper is going to discuss three of the various perspectives of psychology. It is going to explain their origins, how they are practiced, and have evolved over time. As with any form of science, there are many different theories and perspectives to Psychology. Among these forms are Cognitive, Functionalism, Psychodynamic and many others but the three that are considered to be the 'forces' of psychology are Behaviorism, Humanistic and Psychoanalysis. The Humanistic approach began as a movement in the 1950's meant to take a healthy, or holistic, method to understanding the nature of what it is to be human. This perspective addresses values important to humans: love, compassion, creativity, etc. It is considered the third force of Psychology, the first being Behaviorism and the second being Psychoanalysis. The founders of the Humanistic theory were Abraham Maslov and Carl Rogers. They concerned themselves with the psychological well-being of a person, it focused on being able to realize your full potential or 'self-actualization'. This concept had a huge impact on psychology as we know it today because it concerned itself with areas of human behavior that other theories ignored. "The humanistic perspective values the integrity of each individual" (Editorial Board, 2011). It is believed that you could lose yourself because...
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...Sensory Adaptation SSCI206-1103A-17 Introduction Sensation is described as the stimulus of the receptors that our brain receives whenever we utilize any of our five senses such as hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or touching. Sensation travels through a process called transduction, which converts stimulation such as sight and sound, into electrochemical energy that can be processed by the nervous system (Davis & Palladino, 2010). Sensory adaptation occurs when the "continued presence of that same stimulus results in a loss of sensitivity" (Davis & Palladino, 2010). In order for the brain to continue to experience the stimulus, "a stronger stimulus is needed in order to activate the receptors" (Davis & Palladino, 2010). To test the experience of sensory adaptation, I conducted three experiments, which involved touch and taste. Experiment 1 In the first experiment, I take a piece of sandpaper and rub my index finger over it and rate it on a scale on one to seven, soft to coarse. The first time, the sandpaper felt very coarse, so I would rate it at a seven. Upon waiting a minute, I rubbed my finger over it again. The sandpaper did not feel as coarse the second time, so I would rate it about a four. I waited another minute, and rubbed it again, the sandpaper felt less coarse, I would rate it at about a three. It seemed that over time, my receptors became accustomed to the feeling and therefore, I started to adapt to the coarseness. Experiment...
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...SSCI206-DB2 Neurotransmitters are chemical signals that facilitate communication between neurons in the brain through the transmission of nerve impulses across the synapse. There are different types of neurotransmitters, each with a different function. The three categories of neurotransmitters are amino acids, monoamines and peptides. Neurons are nerve fibers that transmit signals to other neurons but neurons do not touch but instead the signal travels across a space known as the synapse (Purves, 2001). The neurotransmitter is the chemical that allows the nerve impulses or signals to be transmitted across the synapse. Dopamine controls voluntary movements in the body and endorphins relieve pain and stress. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood or elevates feelings of anxiety while acetylcholine stimulates the muscles (Bora, 2011). When neurotransmitters do not communicate properly if can directly impact the mood of the individual. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that controls important activities in the brain, such as memory and learning. Repressed levels of acetylcholine result in Alzheimer’s while decreased dopamine levels have been connected to Parkinson’s disease. Research has shown that on studies on the brains with people with Alzheimer's disease have substantially lower levels of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine activates motor neurons in the brain and regulating attention, arousal, and memory. When there are lowered levels of acetylcholine...
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...Robert Hargrove SSCI206-1301B-62 Unit 2 Individual Project Alfred Kent Van Cleave My Experience with Adaption The nervous system along with the brain is always adapting to match the surrounding environment. This paper will give you my experience for the experiments I conducted. My first experience is with rubbing my fingers with the sandpaper. After gently rubbing my fingertips with the sandpaper, on a scale of one to seven, I would rate it a five because it made my fingertips rough and they started tingling all the way up my arm. After waiting a few minutes, I tried it again and it wasn’t as shocking as the first time I did it. I believe my mind had already prepared me for what was about to happen. Also my fingertips felt smoother. My second experiment was to taste sugar water. After taking a few sips and spitting it out, there was a sweet taste lingering in my mouth. When I drank the cold fresh water, there was a bland or nasty taste. It almost caught me off guard because it gave me lockjaw. My third and last experiment was placing my hands in hot, cold and lukewarm water. After soaking my hands, one in cold and one in hot water for a short period of time, I then placed my hands in a bowl of lukewarm water. I felt tingling in my hands as if they were numb. After letting them soak for a little while longer, my hands gradually felt back to normal. Sensory adaption is when the body adjusts your senses to a particular smell, feeling, or taste. I feel the...
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...FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY Cedric W. Griffin Due Date: February 12, 2012 Submission Date: February 13, 2012 American InterContinental University Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60912 SSCI206-1201B-08: Aspects of Psychology Instructor Dr. Antonio Borrello From the earliest time, students that are new to the concept of psychology have been confused as to what the concept of psychology really means. The confusion has been made even more complex by the misconception created by the popular media as well as those that hold various degrees in the field and subfields of psychology. Psychology is the study of the human mind and the behaviors associated with feelings, thoughts, and emotions while understanding that the field is an applied and academic approach to such ideals or theories. While understanding that no two thoughts are the same as well as no two people are processing thoughts the same, psychology is the understanding that through objective study one method or theory will not work the same for each person which calls for many different theories and methods in order to find the best method for the patient being treated. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast three perspectives (theories) to explore the similarities and differences between them. The differences between the three are very interesting and important. The three that will be explored are Cognitive, Humanistic, and Behaviorism while attempting to show the similarities as well as differences...
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...Aspects of Psychology: SSCI206 – 1304B – 17 Shera Bussey 11/17/2013 Joanna Oestmann The three perspectives that I say that has something to do with psychology are behaviorism, structuralism, and evolutionary. These have so much to do with psychology and these are also a few of them today and the way that I understand psychology. Behaviorism was a moment in psychology and also philosophy that was emphasized outward the behavioral aspects of thoughts, but the theory was or is focused on the observable behavior that was developed as a response to stimulus. Structuralism, I would say is an aspect of human cognition, behavior, culture, and experience that is focused on relationships of contrast between the elements in a conception that reflect patterns. Functionalism is a major proposal that has been offered as solutions to the mind or the body problems. The solution to the mind or body usually try to answer questions. At the most general level what is it that makes a mental state so mental. To me, I think the example of behaviorism is based on rewards or punishments. I believe that if a teacher provides positive reinforcement, or would rewards as that matter that whenever a student performs a desire of behavior then they will learn to perform good behavior on their own. For example of structuralism are primary involved in the so called executive, functions, rather than drawing conclusions and conceptual thinking. A good example of functionalism is law, the reason...
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...5/30/2014 SSCI206 Unit 4 Individual Project Sensory, short-term and long-term memories are all a part of the first step in the human memory model. After the basic steps of memory function come the types of memory and how they’re used in retaining information. Encoding happens first in order to determine how information is remembered on each acquired basis. Once the information is encoded it is then stored and each memory can be in more than one place. When the memory or information is ready to be used it is then retrieved and brought to a conscious level. Next, “the retrieval process relies greatly on the encoding process and the cues or techniques used to get the material through the encoding process” (Introduction to psychology, 2011). Spacing out the repetition of information can help with the retrieval and storing of information. When a student considers cramming for a test, often times the material is not retained properly and forgotten by the time he is ready to use the information. Interference theory states that old or current information remains until new information comes into play. There are two types of interference theories retroactive and proactive interference. Retroactive interference is when new information interferes with the ability to retain older information and proactive interference is when the old information prohibits new information to retention (Introduction to psychology, 2011). Cramming...
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...Emotional intelligence Wayman Washington SSCI206-1405B January 22, 2015 Colette, McGinnis “Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth” Mayer & Salovey, (1997). I think that it would be very important to have the understanding that emotional intelligence is not what we would call opposite of intelligence and it cannot be consider being the triumph of the heart over the head. It is believed to be a very unique intersection between both. When you refer to the definition of the words emotional intelligence there are three parts of the mind that come in to play here volition/motivation, affect/emotion, cognition/thinking which can be said that emotional intelligence is a combined Cognition affect , intelligence with emotions. So than you can say that Emotional intelligence is our ability to make use of our emotions to help us to solve problems as well as to live more effective lives. Being that if we did not have intelligence along with emotions we could only than half solve our problems, Due to the both head and heart needing to work together. A good example of emotional intelligence would be you being able to help a friend that is unhappy, you’re able to sit with that friend and understand just what it is that your friend is going through and help them to come...
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...SSCI206-1201A-01: Aspects of Psychology Emotional Intelligence and its Principles Emotional intelligence can be an ability of recognizing meanings of certain emotions and how they relate to solving certain problems. This can include the perception of an emotion while assimilating feelings to that emotion, and includes there management and understanding. (Mayer & Salovey, 1997) This means one must be “smart with feelings” such as the ability to recognize and manage their emotions, deal effectively with others’ emotions and having the motivation to “maintain successful relationships.” Emotional intelligence allows one to manage emotions such as anger, happiness, anxiety, optimism, humor, sadness, fear, shame and love. Moods and emotions play an effective role in the quality of leadership. This is a reason why emotional intelligence is important, especially in a business environment. Elements which can be essential in a leader’s effectiveness are first the ability to develop goals and objectives. Also, they must be able to implant and show appreciations in the activities of others while at the same time maintaining enthusiasm, cooperation, confidence, optimism and trust. The leader must be flexible to others ideas and maintain an identity for the organization. An effective leader must have pertinent objectives and goal development skills to be able to achieve a specific outcome. It is helpful for them to provide knowledge to those involved in these specific...
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...THE EVOLUTION OF PSYCHOLOGY ASPECTS OF PSYCHOLOGY SSCI206 – 1204A UNIT 1 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT Abstract Understanding how psychology has evolved since its origin is crucial in the overall understanding of the entire subject. There are many perspectives to look at when dealing with psychology. Three of these perspectives will be discussed in this paper; behaviorism, humanistic, and psychodynamic. Although these perspectives are different, there are some similarities between the three. This paper will go more in depth with these three perspectives and explain some of the similarities and differences between each. The Evolution of Psychology The Behaviorism perspective of psychology involves rewards or punishments that are associated with specific behaviors. (Editorial Board, 2011). Behaviorism has had a major influence on psychology. Animal training and parenting techniques stem from this perspective. Today, psychology pays more attention to inner emotions and though in people. There are four methods that include negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment. The first, negative reinforcement is strengthening a particular behavior by stopping it or avoiding it altogether. This means taking away something undesirable in order to influence behavior. A parent could use this technique to get their child to clean their room. Depending on the age of the child, the parent could let their child skip naptime once for cleaning their...
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...Early Psychology: Perspectives and Theories 3 Early Theories of Psychology By: Jasmine N. Gresham AIU online: Course work unit one individual project SSCI206-1205D-01 Aspects of Psychology Short Description of each Perspective: Gestalt: Is a psychology term which means "unified whole". It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the 1920s. These theories attempt to describe how people tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied. Founded by Max Wertheimer, was to some extent a rebellion against the molecularism of Wundt’s program for psychology, in sympathy with many others at the time, including William James. In fact, the word Gestalt means a unified or meaningful whole, which was to be the focus of psychological study instead. Behaviorism: hard core behaviorists believe that everything you do is because of conditioning. You are merely a puppet, an animal trained to act one way or another by your parents and society. Physiological: the name says it all - most everything you do or feel can be traced back to a chemical, neurological, physical reaction of some kind in your body. Examples that represent each perspective: * Example of Gestalt:...
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...Sensory Adaptation American Intercontinental University Sensory Adaptation The three experiments I chose to conduct were Experiment 1, Experiment 2, and Experiment 4. All of the experiments were interesting in their own way. Each experiment had a different outcome but all support adaptation within the experiment. Beginning experiment 1 I purchased a small piece of very coarse sandpaper at the local hardware store. I began by rubbing my index fingers across the sandpaper a few times. The first time I rated the coarseness high on the scale as an 8 and as the experiment progressed I began to rate the coarseness lower and lower on the one to ten scale. Adaptation is evident in this experiment with every rub of my fingers across the sandpaper it felt less abrasive than the first time. My sense of touch adapted to the rough surface with every swipe of my finger. The results of this experiment surprised me my hypothesis prior to conducting the experiments was that my estimate of the level of coarseness would hover around the same number. To set up for experiment 2 I prepared one cup of sugar and water mixed together and another cup of fresh water. I took a sip of the sugar water and swished it around my mouth for awhile then spit it out. Afterwards I took a sip of the fresh water and surprisingly enough it tasted sweet still. I was very surprised that the fresh water tasted sweet after I had spit the sugar water out. I was defiantly surprised with...
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...Week One Psychology Theories Comparison and Contrast SSCI206-1205B-32: Aspects of Psychology Brittany Shalice Herrig Abstract The purpose of this paper is to define, compare and contrast three perspectives of psychology. In detail this paper will define and examine the theories of; behaviorism, psychodynamic, and cognitive. This paper will include a description of each perspective and provide an example for each. Included in this paper will be a comparison of the three perspectives. This paper will conclude with an example of how each perspective influences psychology today. Psychology Theories Psychology is the word that is used to define the science of mind and behavior. The word psychology is derived from the Greek word psyche, which means “breathe, spirit, soul” and the Greek word logia, which means the study of something (Nordqvist, 2009). By derivative definition psychology is the study of every aspect of human function and behavior. The human being is extremely complex, evolutionary individual, and new discoveries regarding human development are discovered often. Because of constant stream of new discoveries regarding human psyche, there are many different perspectives that when combined in an eclectic manner provide a unique insight into what makes us, as human beings, so special. The behaviorist perspective is an approach in psychology that proposes that learning comes from either rewards or punishment in association with specific behaviors (Editorial...
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...Theories in Psychology Unit One Individual Project SSCI206-1204A-13 August 25, 2012 Abstract This essay will analyze main theories of psychology in today’s world. Each generation develops a technique that makes diagnosis of a patient easier. The following essay will focus on three of the key theories used today. References will follow the body of the essay to back up any information used from a source. Theories in Psychology Emily Dickenson once said, “The brain is wider than the sky." In today’s society with technology thriving and medical advancements around every corner, the sky is the limit where psychology is concern. There are new theories being proved true on a daily basis. The following text will have three of the many theories proved to be true over the centuries before us. Psychodynamic Theory Psychodynamic is defined as an interaction between conscious and unconscious mental states. This will affect the personality, attitude and behavior patterns in a person (Definition of Psychodynamic, 2000). In recent studies, the military psychologists have been using this theory on PTSD patients just coming home from war. This theory and its techniques are implemented over several sessions and the patient is evaluated over time to see how effective the treatment plan has worked (Tull, M., Ph.D., 2012, January 29). The process of psychodynamic therapy can often be stressful on the patient but with the right doctor, those stressful feelings can be redirected to a better...
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...Understanding Sensory Perception SSCI206-1101A-01 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxx 20xx AIU Online Abstract In this paper, we address sensory perception relevant to touch perception, temperature perception and taste perception. It contains three experiments, one experiment relevant each perception addressed in this paper. Additionally, we explore the method by which each of the three sensory perceptions is received and interpreted by the human brain. Lastly, we look at the reason why sensory adaptation is of significance relevant an evolutionary perspective. Understanding Sensory Perception Three different experiments were conducted to investigate human sensory adaptation. In the first experiment, a sheet of course grit sandpaper was placed on a table and the test subject gently moved a finger over the sheet of sandpaper 5 times. Using a rating scale of 1 to 7, 1 being a rating of very fine and 7 being a rating of very coarse, the subject rated the level of coarseness as a 7. After 1 minute, the subject again gently moved the same finger over the same sheet of sandpaper 5 times. Using the same rating scale of 1 to 7, the subject rated the level of coarseness as a 4. In the second experiment, three medium sized bowels were placed on a table. The left bowl contained 50% total capacity hot tap water, the center bowl contained 50% capacity lukewarm water and the bowl on the right contained 50% capacity cold tap water...
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