Right Brain, Left Brain (Blog from week of Dec. 2)

According to a Left Brain, Right Brain quiz, I have left brain dominance. This means that I like order and organization in my life. I feel comfortable listening to lectures and I am a pretty good test taker, all of these I do find to be true about myself. I do like class and asssignment directions to be clear and consise. This quiz says that I might be interested in pursuing a career in science and math, because I am good in those areas. This is completely true! Math and science are my best classes and I do plan on becoming a doctor.

This quiz also has some advice for left-brain students. Such advice includes studying in a quiet room, working on projects by yourself because that's the only way you know the job is well done. Also, take advantage of your math and science skills. I find this advice to be really helpful considering my left-brain qualities. If you would like to know some more facts and advice for left-brainers, click here.

Psychological Disorders

Learning about psychological disorders this week got me thinking about the movie Me, Myself, and Irene featuring Jim Carrey. When I first saw this movie when I was younger, I always thought Charlie (Jim Carrey) had schizophrenia. Of course I didn't know too much about psychological disorders, so that thought stuck with me until we started into this unit. I have now learned that schizophrenia is when you have difficulty telling real situations from unreal situations, and almost have hallucinations.

I now know that in the movie, Charlie had what was calling dissociative identity disorder, which is basically two personalities. Charlie's first personality was himself, who he has always been. But then there is Hank. Hank is the 'other' personality of Charlie. Hank is more risky and outgoing than Charlie, and doesn't care what other people think. I think Me, Myself, and Irene is a good movie that represents dissociative identity disorder.

Significance of Candle (Blog post from week of 12/13)

When I see a candle, it signifies hope, or a light at the end of a tunnel. A candle is so delicate and peaceful, yet so powerful all on its own. To every person a candle may show a different meaning or significance, and there may even be that person who just sees...a candle. But many will say what it truly means to them in their heart. Some people may feel love or happiness, usually something with good meaning. So for me, a candle tells me to never give up. Life is a great gift, one that many people take for granted. The candle is so delicate and shows how great life can be. So when I see a candle, I know that someday, I will find that light at the end of a tunnel because I know it's there, it's just a matter of when I find it.

Letter (Blog from week of 12/21)

Dear Mr. Dreier,
I think class is going pretty well. I don't really find any difficulties with it, even getting caught up doesn't seem to be too difficult. So far, I really like this class. I like learning about why people do the things they do and some different disorders that relate to psychology. Some disorders seem so unreal to live with that it is very interesting to learn about. I do enjoy video clips for examples, which seems to help explain things better. Outside of class...well, life is life. It is what it is. You just live each day and do your best, don't let anything get in your way, that's my perspective anyway.

Operant Conditioning

I am the type of person who is very tidy and organized. I usually like things done a certain way and that way only or I am not satisfied. One thing I always want done the same way is how my laundry is folded (yes, I know it's a little weird). Over the past years I have learned that when my mother does my laundry she folds everything, which is fine for some people but that is not how I like my laundry done. I like all my shirts to be hung up on hangers, except the loose fitting shirts, which can be folded. Then I like all my pants folded also. Since my mother does not do my laundry how I prefer it to be done, I have taken up doing my own laundry. I have been doing my own laudry for the past four years because then I know that I am satisfied with how my clothes are folded.

This is an example of operant conditioning. The behavior being shown is doing the laundry. From this behavior I get a positive reinforcement of being happy/satisfied at how my clothes are folded. The schedule of reinforcement in this case would be a variable interval because I might do my laundry after 3 days, then a week later, then 5 days later, it all varies.