This week the chapter relates pretty well to my life. I say this because for the last two weeks I have been hearing different viewpoints and opinions and trying to decide what the correct answer is for all of them.
This may not sound very hard, but it's really hard to make a decision without having some biased opinion based on something that you have experienced before, or that you "think" you know the answer to. Trying to find a clear perspective on a problem is difficult, but not impossible.
I think the best way to accomplish this is to look at the problem from a fresh perspective. This is basically like stepping out of your comfort zone of what you think is right, and looking at things in a whole new way. This allows you to both see things that you might not have seen before, and realize that your way is not always the only way.
Once you can accomplish this (it's harder than it sounds) you'll find that hearing different opinions is a lot easier because you are more open to them. This new approach can lead you in the right direction in your search for the answer. If you don't believe me, try it yourself.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Chapter 9*
I thought it was really interesting to read about the different ways of thinking and what effects our personal opinions can have on our "search" for answers.
One type of thinking is called availability heuristic. This operates when we base our judgments on how mentally available information is. This means that when faced with a problem, our search for the answer comes from how easily the answer comes to our minds and the amount of effort it takes. Basically this means that if we have a question and the answer pops into your head right away, that's the answer you go with. This can be bad because just because you think it's right because it was able to come into your head so quickly, doesn't mean that it is.
A second type of thinking is called confirmation bias. This is a tendency to search for information that confirms your own perspectives. This can be bad because as we know, everyone's perspectives don't always have the same meaning. An example of this is trying to find the pattern in a set of numbers such as (2-4-6-8). Any person would say the pattern is that the numbers are increasing by 2 each time. Although that is also right, it's not the exact pattern. The answer really is: Any set of increasing numbers. We all thought it was right because our own perspective tells us what we think that answer is, and the facts agree, so our answer must be right.. Right? Wrong.
One last thing that I found interesting was the different types of "mind sets" that people have. For example fixation is an inability to see a problem from a fresh perspective. This happens when you incorrectly solve a problem, and are then faced with a struggle of how to reapproach it. This can make it hard to see things "outside of the box."
Another example would be overconfidence. This is a tendency to overestimate the accuracy of our knowledge and judgments. Overconfidence can be both a good and bad thing. A good example of this that I read from the book is when a person has stocks and decides to sell them before the market gets bad or the business crashes, and a stock broker decides that it is a good time to buy the stocks because they are cheap and the future of the company looks promising. Both people are confident in their decisions, but only one person can be right. Overconfidence can lead you down the wrong path from making too many dangerous or "in the moment" decisions, but it is common that people who are overconfident are more successful, confident, and making difficult decisions is easier for them.
One type of thinking is called availability heuristic. This operates when we base our judgments on how mentally available information is. This means that when faced with a problem, our search for the answer comes from how easily the answer comes to our minds and the amount of effort it takes. Basically this means that if we have a question and the answer pops into your head right away, that's the answer you go with. This can be bad because just because you think it's right because it was able to come into your head so quickly, doesn't mean that it is.
A second type of thinking is called confirmation bias. This is a tendency to search for information that confirms your own perspectives. This can be bad because as we know, everyone's perspectives don't always have the same meaning. An example of this is trying to find the pattern in a set of numbers such as (2-4-6-8). Any person would say the pattern is that the numbers are increasing by 2 each time. Although that is also right, it's not the exact pattern. The answer really is: Any set of increasing numbers. We all thought it was right because our own perspective tells us what we think that answer is, and the facts agree, so our answer must be right.. Right? Wrong.
One last thing that I found interesting was the different types of "mind sets" that people have. For example fixation is an inability to see a problem from a fresh perspective. This happens when you incorrectly solve a problem, and are then faced with a struggle of how to reapproach it. This can make it hard to see things "outside of the box."
Another example would be overconfidence. This is a tendency to overestimate the accuracy of our knowledge and judgments. Overconfidence can be both a good and bad thing. A good example of this that I read from the book is when a person has stocks and decides to sell them before the market gets bad or the business crashes, and a stock broker decides that it is a good time to buy the stocks because they are cheap and the future of the company looks promising. Both people are confident in their decisions, but only one person can be right. Overconfidence can lead you down the wrong path from making too many dangerous or "in the moment" decisions, but it is common that people who are overconfident are more successful, confident, and making difficult decisions is easier for them.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Chameleon Effect. *Summary.
This article was about the so called "chameleon effect" which is when one person mimicks another. I should say this could also happen with a group of people. A study was taken to test whether or not people who mimicked others were more likely to be "liked" by the other person. In this study one person was talking to a group of people about different topics and vary there manerisms. This could involve more smiling, wagging your foot, or touching your face etc. The study turned out that more people copied this person (who they just met) and did similar manerisms.
Another study was taken where one person was again talking to a group of people, but this time copied their manerisms. After the conversation, the 78 people were asked to rate how much they liked the person on a scale of 1-9 on smoothness and interaction. For people whose body language and manerisms had been copied, their rating was closer to 7 in both categories. For the people who were not copied, their rating was closer to 6.
I don't think this is a very valid way to experiment about whether copying another person helps make them like you or not. I say this because in general some people might think you're just plain weird if your copying what they do, and others could like the attention. So I think that the results could also depend on different people's personalities.
Another study was taken where one person was again talking to a group of people, but this time copied their manerisms. After the conversation, the 78 people were asked to rate how much they liked the person on a scale of 1-9 on smoothness and interaction. For people whose body language and manerisms had been copied, their rating was closer to 7 in both categories. For the people who were not copied, their rating was closer to 6.
I don't think this is a very valid way to experiment about whether copying another person helps make them like you or not. I say this because in general some people might think you're just plain weird if your copying what they do, and others could like the attention. So I think that the results could also depend on different people's personalities.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Truth About Self-Deception. *Summary.
This article is about how people can basically "lie" to themselves through self deception. A group of psychologists did a study where participants had to put their arms in really cold water for as long as they could *most only managed about 30 or 40 seconds. After this they got a lecture about how there are two different types of hearts 1.) A heart that is poorer in health has a shorter life expectancy. and 2.) A heart that is better in health has a longer life expectancy.
The psychologists also told the people that people with heart type #2 were able to hold their arms in the cold water for a longer amount of time. (Of course all of the facts about the two types of hearts and length of holding your arms under water was a lie to deceive the participants). The participants were then subject to holding their arms under water to see if their results changed. 38 of the participants were able to hold their arms under for a longer amount of time then the first time they tried it. 29 of the 38 people denied that they had held their arms under longer on purpose and 9 confessed.. well sort of.
This just goes to show with the right amount of "crap" from other people, we can trick ourselves into thinking just about anything is true. So I have to say, be careful what you listen to! Overall I don't think this article was really very factual, because how much can you honestly learn from people sticking their arms in water.?
The psychologists also told the people that people with heart type #2 were able to hold their arms in the cold water for a longer amount of time. (Of course all of the facts about the two types of hearts and length of holding your arms under water was a lie to deceive the participants). The participants were then subject to holding their arms under water to see if their results changed. 38 of the participants were able to hold their arms under for a longer amount of time then the first time they tried it. 29 of the 38 people denied that they had held their arms under longer on purpose and 9 confessed.. well sort of.
This just goes to show with the right amount of "crap" from other people, we can trick ourselves into thinking just about anything is true. So I have to say, be careful what you listen to! Overall I don't think this article was really very factual, because how much can you honestly learn from people sticking their arms in water.?
Memory Blog*
I think that memory is one of the most valuable things that a person can have. I say this because, without a memory who are we? Every experience, emotion, and lesson is stored in our memories. Our experiences are part of what makes up what kind of person we are. They teach of different values learned throughout life, that help us to develop into the kind of person we are and (aspire) to be. Emotions are also stored in our memories because over time, different events have triggered different emotions. Emotions can be anything from happiness at the birth of a new child, mourning at the death of a loved one, love as you experience a relationship for the first time, and sadness from a fight with a good friend. These different emotions help you build the foundation of your future relationships with people and affect how you interact with others.
Basically I feel that without a memory, you are just a vegetable: Living, but not really "living."
If I did not have a memory I would be extremely sad. I can say that now because I do have a memory, and I know what it is like to have different emotions and to be able to react to things that I am familiar with. I think that if I never had a memory I wouldn't really know the difference. You would never know what you are missing out on, but I personally would easily become frustrated with not being able to remember even the simplest things, like the members of my family.
Clive is basically a person of the moment. By this I mean that he can pretty much form to anything he wants to be at the moment. He can't remember anything that has happened, and therefore can't form his own identity. He will pretty much just become what people tell him to be, and then 20 seconds later... He will become someone else all over again. I feel bad for Clive for all of the reasons that I have already mentioned, and I wish there was a way that we could help him to remember. :(
This has definitely made me think about how memory works more now. It's kind of one of those things that you never think about and just take for granted. You never know what it would be like to forget everyone you know and all of the different experiences that you have had. It would be extremely depressing for me. I see my own memories as far more valuable now. I say this because thinking about not having any memories at all would just be a terrible lifestyle.
I would say that I trust most of my memories, although some are a little foggy. Most of the ones that I'm not 100% about are the ones from my early childhood. I can remember some basic things like where I went to school and where I lived. I can't really remember the names of my old friends at all. It just so happens that about 3 or 4 years ago I was in Merrill (my hometown) at the eye doctor's and a girl who was apparently my "best friend" in head start noticed me and began talking to me. It was really weird because I didn't remember her at all whereas she remembered everything about me. She seemed so happy to be reunited with me, but I was so lost. I felt bad but at the same time I felt extremely weirded out that this girl and her mom are just sitting next to me staring at me.
One thing that I learned in this chapter was about the different types of conditioning and how they are useful. I think that classical conditioning is very interesting because it really is how things work. For example if an infant puts there finger in the flame of a candle, they will eventually feel the heat and pull their hand away. The next time they are by a flame they might put their finger near it again, but once they start to feel the heat a memory of how it felt and the pain that was along with it will trigger in their brain and they will pull their hand away.
Basically I feel that without a memory, you are just a vegetable: Living, but not really "living."
If I did not have a memory I would be extremely sad. I can say that now because I do have a memory, and I know what it is like to have different emotions and to be able to react to things that I am familiar with. I think that if I never had a memory I wouldn't really know the difference. You would never know what you are missing out on, but I personally would easily become frustrated with not being able to remember even the simplest things, like the members of my family.
Clive is basically a person of the moment. By this I mean that he can pretty much form to anything he wants to be at the moment. He can't remember anything that has happened, and therefore can't form his own identity. He will pretty much just become what people tell him to be, and then 20 seconds later... He will become someone else all over again. I feel bad for Clive for all of the reasons that I have already mentioned, and I wish there was a way that we could help him to remember. :(
This has definitely made me think about how memory works more now. It's kind of one of those things that you never think about and just take for granted. You never know what it would be like to forget everyone you know and all of the different experiences that you have had. It would be extremely depressing for me. I see my own memories as far more valuable now. I say this because thinking about not having any memories at all would just be a terrible lifestyle.
I would say that I trust most of my memories, although some are a little foggy. Most of the ones that I'm not 100% about are the ones from my early childhood. I can remember some basic things like where I went to school and where I lived. I can't really remember the names of my old friends at all. It just so happens that about 3 or 4 years ago I was in Merrill (my hometown) at the eye doctor's and a girl who was apparently my "best friend" in head start noticed me and began talking to me. It was really weird because I didn't remember her at all whereas she remembered everything about me. She seemed so happy to be reunited with me, but I was so lost. I felt bad but at the same time I felt extremely weirded out that this girl and her mom are just sitting next to me staring at me.
One thing that I learned in this chapter was about the different types of conditioning and how they are useful. I think that classical conditioning is very interesting because it really is how things work. For example if an infant puts there finger in the flame of a candle, they will eventually feel the heat and pull their hand away. The next time they are by a flame they might put their finger near it again, but once they start to feel the heat a memory of how it felt and the pain that was along with it will trigger in their brain and they will pull their hand away.
Memory Exercises.
For the memory exercises we had to play 5 different games. The games were:
1.) Recognition
2.) Mnemonicizer (The mnemomic Device Device)
3.) Human Memory: Recall
4.) Interference
5.) Short Term Memory: Encoding and Rehearsal
1.) Some of the concepts that I learned about in this chapter kind of relate when you are playing the games. This is because you learn about different types of conditioning and how it is used to teach a lesson to someone. The games try to show how your memory works, both it's faults and good aspects. I think that these memory exercises could be an example of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher. I would say that this relates because the more you are challenged to remember things, the more you try. If you are not expected to remember things, then you don't even bother trying to remember them.
2.) This may apply to everyday life in the way that we forget a lot of the things that we learn right after we hear them. I think this is because we are paying attention: but not fully. We see things that are happening just to see them. They aren't actually sticking in our heads, which in turn causes us to forget them. This relates to me in studying for school in two ways. One is that I know that when I read stuff it usually doesn't stick in my head the first time. I have to re-read it a couple of times to make sure that I know what is going on. Another way is that this could help me because for example if I have a text for my class right after lunch (which I actually do today.. how ironic) I know that if I study the topic right before I go to take my test, it is more likely to stick in my head. This is a personal preferance, because for some people this "last minute cramming" as it could be called, doesn't work for everyone. I think when you are giving information to other people, you should make sure that you know exactly what you are talking about. This is because if you are just guessing at something and you don't actually know the right answer, then you are giving them the wrong answer also. If you need to tell someone some information.. Make sure you know the facts first!!
1.) Recognition
2.) Mnemonicizer (The mnemomic Device Device)
3.) Human Memory: Recall
4.) Interference
5.) Short Term Memory: Encoding and Rehearsal
1.) Some of the concepts that I learned about in this chapter kind of relate when you are playing the games. This is because you learn about different types of conditioning and how it is used to teach a lesson to someone. The games try to show how your memory works, both it's faults and good aspects. I think that these memory exercises could be an example of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher. I would say that this relates because the more you are challenged to remember things, the more you try. If you are not expected to remember things, then you don't even bother trying to remember them.
2.) This may apply to everyday life in the way that we forget a lot of the things that we learn right after we hear them. I think this is because we are paying attention: but not fully. We see things that are happening just to see them. They aren't actually sticking in our heads, which in turn causes us to forget them. This relates to me in studying for school in two ways. One is that I know that when I read stuff it usually doesn't stick in my head the first time. I have to re-read it a couple of times to make sure that I know what is going on. Another way is that this could help me because for example if I have a text for my class right after lunch (which I actually do today.. how ironic) I know that if I study the topic right before I go to take my test, it is more likely to stick in my head. This is a personal preferance, because for some people this "last minute cramming" as it could be called, doesn't work for everyone. I think when you are giving information to other people, you should make sure that you know exactly what you are talking about. This is because if you are just guessing at something and you don't actually know the right answer, then you are giving them the wrong answer also. If you need to tell someone some information.. Make sure you know the facts first!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Current Events. 11-06-09*
This chapter talks about learning which is pretty current in my life right now. I know that that is a pretty broad generalization, considering we never stop learning, but I mean sometimes you feel like whoa! I really learned a lot this week!
For me learning is more about patience that anything. My little brother, Jean-luc, is really annoying. I know that siblings usually say that about each other, so I guess it's not really that bad. But for me it's really hard to be patient sometimes with my brother because he has ADHD. Not that this is bad or I consider him a leper or anything, it's more like he uses that as an excuse to act up. I believe this happens because my parents have always let him get away with stuff, "because of his ADHD" just so they can avoid really having to deal with it. They try to use techniques such as taking things away from him when he is bad, but he ends up getting it back in 20 minutes anyways. I think that if they would have blamed his actions more on him just being a kid and punished him (like normal parents) instead of on his ADHD then things might be better.
I'm not just being mean either here! When he is with me and it's just us or all of my siblings, he acts perfectly fine. Whenever my parents come around: BOOM!! instant bad kid. I think he just knows that he can get away with things so that's why he does it.
I just wanted to say that because I know that if I ever have kids (which I don't want to) I would be strict with them. Not too strict as in to make them become afraid of me, but strict enough so that they understand and follow the rules that I make. :)
For me learning is more about patience that anything. My little brother, Jean-luc, is really annoying. I know that siblings usually say that about each other, so I guess it's not really that bad. But for me it's really hard to be patient sometimes with my brother because he has ADHD. Not that this is bad or I consider him a leper or anything, it's more like he uses that as an excuse to act up. I believe this happens because my parents have always let him get away with stuff, "because of his ADHD" just so they can avoid really having to deal with it. They try to use techniques such as taking things away from him when he is bad, but he ends up getting it back in 20 minutes anyways. I think that if they would have blamed his actions more on him just being a kid and punished him (like normal parents) instead of on his ADHD then things might be better.
I'm not just being mean either here! When he is with me and it's just us or all of my siblings, he acts perfectly fine. Whenever my parents come around: BOOM!! instant bad kid. I think he just knows that he can get away with things so that's why he does it.
I just wanted to say that because I know that if I ever have kids (which I don't want to) I would be strict with them. Not too strict as in to make them become afraid of me, but strict enough so that they understand and follow the rules that I make. :)
Chapter 7*
In this chapter I thought that the facts about positive and negative punishment were really interesting. A study says that spanking a child can result in more aggression later on in the child. If you are swift and sturdy in your punishment, than it is easier to restrain unwanted behavior. An example of a positive punishment could be spanking or getting a parking ticket. Negative examples of punishment are time out from privileges (taking the computer away, or allowing no friends to come over) or taking away your child's license.
Classical Conditioning is a type of conditioning where a person comes to realize in their brain whether something is good or bad, based on something that has happened repeatedly. Different responses come from different stimuli and therefore produce a different result. An example of this could be like when a child is continuously abused when they are little, every time a person raises their voice or raises their hand, they automatically go into defense mode, assuming that they are going to get hit. This happens because in their mind, they are used to being hit and screamed and so whenever something that associates the behavior that they are used to happens, their brain singles a defense mode.
I have been affected by conditioning in a pretty powerful way. I usually babysit for my neighbor who I have known now for about four years. Both her and her husband are foster parents and have also adopted three children and have had one of their own. Christina is an AODA counselor, and she frequently tells me about stories that she's heard about different child and their "situations." Every time I hear one of these stories, it almost makes me want to cry. These young children who are in foster care range anywhere from newborn to 17 years old. It's sad to hear their stories about what they've been through at such a young age. It affects me because something just clicks in my head that's like, "I would NEVER want to put a child through something like that.!" It really just makes me reflect on my life and the kind of person that I want to be.
Classical Conditioning is a type of conditioning where a person comes to realize in their brain whether something is good or bad, based on something that has happened repeatedly. Different responses come from different stimuli and therefore produce a different result. An example of this could be like when a child is continuously abused when they are little, every time a person raises their voice or raises their hand, they automatically go into defense mode, assuming that they are going to get hit. This happens because in their mind, they are used to being hit and screamed and so whenever something that associates the behavior that they are used to happens, their brain singles a defense mode.
I have been affected by conditioning in a pretty powerful way. I usually babysit for my neighbor who I have known now for about four years. Both her and her husband are foster parents and have also adopted three children and have had one of their own. Christina is an AODA counselor, and she frequently tells me about stories that she's heard about different child and their "situations." Every time I hear one of these stories, it almost makes me want to cry. These young children who are in foster care range anywhere from newborn to 17 years old. It's sad to hear their stories about what they've been through at such a young age. It affects me because something just clicks in my head that's like, "I would NEVER want to put a child through something like that.!" It really just makes me reflect on my life and the kind of person that I want to be.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Why Do People Bother Voting. *Summary.
I read this article and personally I didn't really agree with it.
It talks about how people seem to vote because they think that it's what "other people" are doing too. They also think that by casting their vote for a candidate, it means that others are doing the same thing. But in actuality there are a lot of people that are eligable to vote, that don't.
In my Government Class we were learning about the Ellectoral College, which is basically broken down into how we vote for the president, but then our State Reps. take our votes and are then supposed to vote accordingly to what we want. The problem with this is that there are no actual rules or laws saying that the Reps. have to vote in favor of what the people want, but it's kind of a given. So it really makes me wonder why the people even vote at all? If our Reps might vote in a different direction, and we're putting all of our faith in them, then it could all be for nothing.
Although that doesn't completely go along with this article, it's interesting to think about. I mostly think that people vote (whether it matters or not) mainly just to feel like their opinions matter (when they might not).
I would suggest not wasting your time on this article though!
It talks about how people seem to vote because they think that it's what "other people" are doing too. They also think that by casting their vote for a candidate, it means that others are doing the same thing. But in actuality there are a lot of people that are eligable to vote, that don't.
In my Government Class we were learning about the Ellectoral College, which is basically broken down into how we vote for the president, but then our State Reps. take our votes and are then supposed to vote accordingly to what we want. The problem with this is that there are no actual rules or laws saying that the Reps. have to vote in favor of what the people want, but it's kind of a given. So it really makes me wonder why the people even vote at all? If our Reps might vote in a different direction, and we're putting all of our faith in them, then it could all be for nothing.
Although that doesn't completely go along with this article, it's interesting to think about. I mostly think that people vote (whether it matters or not) mainly just to feel like their opinions matter (when they might not).
I would suggest not wasting your time on this article though!
Current Events *10-30-09
This week for me has been almost alike to the beginning of the chapter. Not in a literal sense.. But more in the way that I am being tricked by things that aren't really there.
For example having fights with friends and boyfriends over things that aren't really happening, or more or less, have happened in a different way than we both think. I say this because when two people fight it's almost like an illusion.
Fights usually happen because of something someone did or said. And I don't know about you but most of the time for me, after the fight is over, I find out what was REALLY going on (which is usually different than what I thought.)
In a more broader sense I can relate to the chapter's part about vision. I have contacts and I am farsighted and it was pretty interesting to actually read more about the different parts of the eye and what causes you to see and perceive certain things. Overall there isn't really too much to relate to in this chapter.. But it did help my sense of trying to see things as they actually are.. And not just how I "see" them.
I hope that made sense..! Have a good week everyone!
For example having fights with friends and boyfriends over things that aren't really happening, or more or less, have happened in a different way than we both think. I say this because when two people fight it's almost like an illusion.
Fights usually happen because of something someone did or said. And I don't know about you but most of the time for me, after the fight is over, I find out what was REALLY going on (which is usually different than what I thought.)
In a more broader sense I can relate to the chapter's part about vision. I have contacts and I am farsighted and it was pretty interesting to actually read more about the different parts of the eye and what causes you to see and perceive certain things. Overall there isn't really too much to relate to in this chapter.. But it did help my sense of trying to see things as they actually are.. And not just how I "see" them.
I hope that made sense..! Have a good week everyone!
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