After watching the film and reading the two articles about Freud, explain why Freud still matters in today's society, over 70 years after his death. What did he get right about human nature, about what drives us and makes us the way we are? If he was still alive, what would he say about the world we live in today, in 2010? Make specific references to the articles and the film.
I think Sigmund Freud matters most today because he stepped outside of the norm. I don’t agree with the majority of his theories we have learned about so far, but he had enough courage to make those unordinary theories public. He is also of great importance today because he came up with several theories that today we see as so common that they couldn’t have ever been theories. “Talking treatment”, the idea that to cure a patient with some kind of psychological disorder one must talk to the person about his/her problems was first created by Freud. Before this doctors and psychologists used radical methods to try to cure people like spinning chairs, dousing in water, chaining, or using magnets as mentioned in the movie. He also came up with many very interesting ideas about the unconscious mind. The iceberg theory for instance speaks of the fact that everything that matters about a person lies below the surface. Overall I think he is an important figure because he provided and still provides information to ponder and in his crazy process he came up with useful ideas.
I think Freud was on target with all that he said about talking treatment and the iceberg theory. However, I do not agree with the majority of Freud's theories. I don't believe in the Oedipus complex at all. I think it is a completely bazaar concept that is just a far stretch from reality.
If he were alive now I think Freud would defend his points even more fervently. Today everything from movies to advertisements is driven by sex and I think he would take it as them just proving him right. While I do recognize that sex is a large part of society I think Freud took it too far with all of his ridiculous theories and ideas about things as far-fetched as romantic desires for one's parent, like both the movie and articles touch upon.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
12/7: Guys vs. Girls
Upon reading the article about teenage boys and listening to what the guys had to say about their teenage girls article, both new and old ideas were brought to my attention. What I learned was really the psychological terms used to describe the stages, sufferings, and remedies adolescents go through such as the "Bermuda Triangle" and "action talk". Being in high school now none of these central ideas were new to me though. I think boys and girls both have it very difficult as they go through their teen years, but they have it hard in different ways. I know that as a girl we all strive to look just like the models and actresses we see in the media. Society makes us feel like we need to look and dress a certain way in order to gain acceptance. Boys also feel a constant pressure. I think guys feel like they need to mask their emotions just to fit in and appear tough. They have a certain image that they need to withhold whether it be regarding sports or school or girls. I would say though that overall guys have it just a little bit harder because they go through their days in fear of possibly physical repercussions for doing things such as releasing their emotions.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
11/30 Oldest Sibling
Think about the person you are today: your personality, your strengths and weaknesses, your attitudes, etc. In what ways has your birth order position shaped you? In what ways have your relationships with your siblings helped make you the person you are today? To what extent does the research about birth order that you read about last night reflect your experience? Be specific and make connections.
I think the fact that I am the oldest in my family has given more characteristics of a leader. Because both of my siblings are younger than me I have always learned to take control of situations. In addition, it is very stereotypical that the first born is the child most driven and most likely to be a book worm. I see myself as being both of those things. My sister, two years younger, cares about school, but she doesn't study nearly as much as I do and my brother, four years younger, only does school work when he's forced to. I learned through my reading that the oldest is competent and responsible and always strives to achieve the very best and I pride myself in all of those qualities.
I think the fact that I am the oldest in my family has given more characteristics of a leader. Because both of my siblings are younger than me I have always learned to take control of situations. In addition, it is very stereotypical that the first born is the child most driven and most likely to be a book worm. I see myself as being both of those things. My sister, two years younger, cares about school, but she doesn't study nearly as much as I do and my brother, four years younger, only does school work when he's forced to. I learned through my reading that the oldest is competent and responsible and always strives to achieve the very best and I pride myself in all of those qualities.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
11/9 Nature v. Nurture
Examine yourself in the context of the nature vs. nurture debate. Think about your personality characteristics, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses. Are you the way you are because of nature (heredity) or nurture (environment, parenting, education, etc.)? If you were to pick a side, which one would win out in your development as a person?
If I were to take a side on the nature vs. nurture debate I would without a doubt agree with the nurture argument. I recognize the fact that a lot of who a person is comes from who their parents are, but I think that pertains more to outward appearance than anything else. I think behavioral characteristics come from one's parents as well, but those traits are developed as a child grows up. For instance, I know that my mom is a very strong willed person. She stands up for what she always stands up for what she believes in and I think that I often behave in a very similar way. But I believe I act this way, so similar to her, because it is something I learned as a I developed. I view this as an acquired trait, not something I was born with. I think there are certain behavioral things that are inherited like athletic ability. Some of that comes from practice and training but there are some people out there just born with superior genes. I don't think there is one definite answer. Some traits are inherited and others are acquired. I just always find myself leaning towards the nurture side of the argument. I think despite the way a person is born and what characteristics he or she is initially given, nurturing that goes on in the outside world can either shape that initial makeup for the better or for the worse.
If I were to take a side on the nature vs. nurture debate I would without a doubt agree with the nurture argument. I recognize the fact that a lot of who a person is comes from who their parents are, but I think that pertains more to outward appearance than anything else. I think behavioral characteristics come from one's parents as well, but those traits are developed as a child grows up. For instance, I know that my mom is a very strong willed person. She stands up for what she always stands up for what she believes in and I think that I often behave in a very similar way. But I believe I act this way, so similar to her, because it is something I learned as a I developed. I view this as an acquired trait, not something I was born with. I think there are certain behavioral things that are inherited like athletic ability. Some of that comes from practice and training but there are some people out there just born with superior genes. I don't think there is one definite answer. Some traits are inherited and others are acquired. I just always find myself leaning towards the nurture side of the argument. I think despite the way a person is born and what characteristics he or she is initially given, nurturing that goes on in the outside world can either shape that initial makeup for the better or for the worse.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
10/20 Stress & Its effects
1. What are the major causes of stress in your life? What coping strategies do you use, and what could you do to deal with stress more effectively?
I recognize that I am someone who is under a great deal of stress and does not deal with it well. I suffer from stress because of schoolwork, the demands of extracurricular activities, social life, and family life. When I encounter a lot of stress in one of those areas it is usually pretty manageable for me. However when coming to school is frustrating and stressful and I return home to the same type of atmosphere, that's when i have difficulty coping. The best thing for me to do when I become overwhelmed with stress is go for a run. I run through all three seasons of the year and it is something that I truly have a passion for. I run every day after school and I think it provides a nice break between school and going home to do all my homework and studying. Although I am still stressed I don't know where I'd be without that daily jog.
2. Examine your film notes and homework notes. After watching the film and reading the article about stress, explain why stress is so dangerous to your health in a variety of ways. Why do you think America leads the world in stress-related diseases?
I have learned that stress can do terrible things to your body like cause ulcers, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, diabetes, and possibly even cancer. I have also seen that too much stress can cause the immune system to shut down. This is one system that I found very interesting because throughout my high school years I have gotten very sick for fairly long periods of time. It got me a little concerned and now I realize I really need to get my stress level under control. I think America leads the world in stress-related diseases because we are the country that is most advanced in everything from technology to government. We live in a society where people always tell us what we don't have or what we need to live up to. Too much of trying to reach such high standards leads to a significant amount of stress.
I recognize that I am someone who is under a great deal of stress and does not deal with it well. I suffer from stress because of schoolwork, the demands of extracurricular activities, social life, and family life. When I encounter a lot of stress in one of those areas it is usually pretty manageable for me. However when coming to school is frustrating and stressful and I return home to the same type of atmosphere, that's when i have difficulty coping. The best thing for me to do when I become overwhelmed with stress is go for a run. I run through all three seasons of the year and it is something that I truly have a passion for. I run every day after school and I think it provides a nice break between school and going home to do all my homework and studying. Although I am still stressed I don't know where I'd be without that daily jog.
2. Examine your film notes and homework notes. After watching the film and reading the article about stress, explain why stress is so dangerous to your health in a variety of ways. Why do you think America leads the world in stress-related diseases?
I have learned that stress can do terrible things to your body like cause ulcers, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, diabetes, and possibly even cancer. I have also seen that too much stress can cause the immune system to shut down. This is one system that I found very interesting because throughout my high school years I have gotten very sick for fairly long periods of time. It got me a little concerned and now I realize I really need to get my stress level under control. I think America leads the world in stress-related diseases because we are the country that is most advanced in everything from technology to government. We live in a society where people always tell us what we don't have or what we need to live up to. Too much of trying to reach such high standards leads to a significant amount of stress.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
10/12 "The Brain: A User's Guide"
Prompt: Imagine that you are writing several paragraphs in a book called "The Brain: A User's Guide." What are the three most important insights about the early development of the human brain (from birth to the teenage years) that you would include? Explain each of your choices in detail, and why these ideas were of particular interest to you.
I think that there is an important insight that comes from each stage of life: baby, child, and teenager. For a baby I think it is most important to realize that vision is the last thing to develop in a human. I think everyone around a newborn must understand that at first babies see the world through what looks like a foggy photograph. This is something that parents and other family members must take into account when they interact with their child or try to teach them new things. It is also very important that because vision is the something so important to detect issues with because any damage done could become life-long.
The most important thing to understand about a child is the extreme plasticity of the brain at a young age. It is so important for parents to know this because this aspect of a child's development can either work for or against them. If parents provide a loving environment for the child to grow up in, he will develop properly. However, if parents fail to care for their child in a compassionate, welcoming world, that will serve as a huge detriment for the future of the child.
Finally, the most important fact to be understood about a teenager is that every single one's brain is not yet fully developed. I think teenagers are often misunderstood because it is expected that they can all make adult decisions. It is very interesting to learn that it's not that teens choose not to make appropriate choices, they are physically incapable because their frontal cortex (the station for proper decision making) is not fully developed. This leaves adolescents most susceptible to diseases like schizophrenia.
I think that there is an important insight that comes from each stage of life: baby, child, and teenager. For a baby I think it is most important to realize that vision is the last thing to develop in a human. I think everyone around a newborn must understand that at first babies see the world through what looks like a foggy photograph. This is something that parents and other family members must take into account when they interact with their child or try to teach them new things. It is also very important that because vision is the something so important to detect issues with because any damage done could become life-long.
The most important thing to understand about a child is the extreme plasticity of the brain at a young age. It is so important for parents to know this because this aspect of a child's development can either work for or against them. If parents provide a loving environment for the child to grow up in, he will develop properly. However, if parents fail to care for their child in a compassionate, welcoming world, that will serve as a huge detriment for the future of the child.
Finally, the most important fact to be understood about a teenager is that every single one's brain is not yet fully developed. I think teenagers are often misunderstood because it is expected that they can all make adult decisions. It is very interesting to learn that it's not that teens choose not to make appropriate choices, they are physically incapable because their frontal cortex (the station for proper decision making) is not fully developed. This leaves adolescents most susceptible to diseases like schizophrenia.
Monday, September 27, 2010
9/27 Blog #3
In your opinion, to what extent should problems like alcoholism and drug addiction be considered "diseases of the brain" or personal failings (moral, willpower, etc.)? Feel free to discuss your own real-world observations and experiences. What about other issues, like depression?
I personally do not believe that these things are real diseases. Unlike any kind of cancer or a lung or heart disease for example, alcoholism and drug addiction are things that can be prevented. Yes I agree that people who smoke are more prone to lung disease and people who are overweight are more prone to heart disease, but there are also people who do nothing wrong and are diagnosed with these types of diseases. However,I see alcoholism and drug addiction as something completely different. A person can choose not to have that first drink or smoke that first time. Good choices can ALWAYS prevent alcoholism or drug addiction whereas leading a good, healthy life doesn't necessarily allow you to escape other, more legitimate diseases.
I have similar opinions about the idea of depression, but I do see depression as something more serious and more of a real disease than alcoholism or drug addiction. I believe depression can always be prevented as well, but I see a major difference between something like alcoholism and depression. A person made the choice to drink alcohol, but people do not choose to have things go wrong in their lives. They often do not have control over the series of events that lead to their "disease".
I personally do not believe that these things are real diseases. Unlike any kind of cancer or a lung or heart disease for example, alcoholism and drug addiction are things that can be prevented. Yes I agree that people who smoke are more prone to lung disease and people who are overweight are more prone to heart disease, but there are also people who do nothing wrong and are diagnosed with these types of diseases. However,I see alcoholism and drug addiction as something completely different. A person can choose not to have that first drink or smoke that first time. Good choices can ALWAYS prevent alcoholism or drug addiction whereas leading a good, healthy life doesn't necessarily allow you to escape other, more legitimate diseases.
I have similar opinions about the idea of depression, but I do see depression as something more serious and more of a real disease than alcoholism or drug addiction. I believe depression can always be prevented as well, but I see a major difference between something like alcoholism and depression. A person made the choice to drink alcohol, but people do not choose to have things go wrong in their lives. They often do not have control over the series of events that lead to their "disease".
Friday, September 17, 2010
9/17 Questions
1. Do you think that you might consider majoring in psychology? Why or why not?
I think that it is definitely possible that I will. The study of the human mind, why we make decisions we make, dream the way we do, or remember certain things is so interesting to me. However I really don't know enough about the subject to decide whether or not psychology is in my future. I hope that through taking this course I will get a pretty good idea of what psychology is all about and what kinds of career paths would follow such a major.
2. In what ways do you think that the study of psychology is useful outside of work?
I really do believe that psychology is the class in high school that will be most relevant to the real world. I think once we learn about the mind and why people do the things they do, we will have a new outlook on life. We will view people and peoples' actions with some new insight.
I think that it is definitely possible that I will. The study of the human mind, why we make decisions we make, dream the way we do, or remember certain things is so interesting to me. However I really don't know enough about the subject to decide whether or not psychology is in my future. I hope that through taking this course I will get a pretty good idea of what psychology is all about and what kinds of career paths would follow such a major.
2. In what ways do you think that the study of psychology is useful outside of work?
I really do believe that psychology is the class in high school that will be most relevant to the real world. I think once we learn about the mind and why people do the things they do, we will have a new outlook on life. We will view people and peoples' actions with some new insight.
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