Don't Believe the Hype!

Sorry kids, I know you felt "played" with the personality inventory results, but take it as a warning before you go out into the "real world" next August: "don't believe the hype!"... always ask "How?", "Why?", demand that people like Miss Cleo "show you the evidence".

Before we fully immerse ourselves in research methodologies, take a look at Bill Nye's old episode on pseudoscience (part 1 and part 2). Also listen to this podcast of an interview with Scott Lilienfeld, author of
 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior. I think it's important, as we begin to remind ourselves, yet again, that psychology IS a science and should not be confused by all the silly gimmicky things (like the personality test :)) masquerading as "psychology".


The clips are a bit lengthy (Nye = 20 minutes, Lilienfeld: 40 minutes), but what else are you going to do with an hour of your time?

Introducing the Brain

A great first day kids. Please take a look at Stephen Colbert's interview with the author to get a feel for what the book is about. In your comment talk about whether or not your interested in purchasing and reading. Also, in case you've misplaced your guided questions.....

Summer Session Week 1

What a great week! Ya’ll have some real promise as junior psychologists!

Take a second glance at what we explored, let it sink in and please, bring any questions that you need clarity on up in our session on Monday.

Alright, so first we explored evolution and natural selection and many of the misconceptions that the general public have about this "theory". Carl Sagan's classic video does a nice job of providing the basics. Then we attempted to get a grip on natural selection by first understanding how artificial selection operates. We "bred" foxhounds and also read an article about breeding for genetic tameness in foxes and rats as well as watching video footage of Belyaev's domesticated foxes.  To better understand our own evolutionary history, we memorized (hopefully:)) human taxonomical classification. In order to clear up confusion about what "survival of the fittest" actually means, ya'll read the "Survival of the Sneakiest" comic and found what it means to have "game" (if you're a cricket).

We also got a grip on the unit that natural selection works on, the gene. I think the Genetics 101 cartoons did a great job of spelling things out in an easy to understand way. Perhaps you were shocked to discover that "slightly more than half of everything you are" is thanks to mom, this was artistically revealed in the Biologists Mother's Day song.

Finally we took a look at the basic unit of communication within the body, the neuron. I think everyone was shocked by my incredible flow demonstrated in the neural transmission song. To top off an awesome week we recorded a skit depicting neural transmission in which it was revealed that George Lopez, is in fact, a sac.

Last minute cognitive awesomeness

OK kids, last minute stuff, but really good.

Check out the cognitive dissonance song/cartoon if you've had any trouble with the concept.

 Also, the cognitive bias song will help you sort out all the various biases (availability, hindsight etc.)


Please get a good nights sleep, eat well in the morning (no refined sugars or heavy starches). I suggest you bring a bottle of water, a small healthy snack (almonds, pecans, cheese stick etc.), sharpened pencils and your flow!

Study Sessions

What do you all think about Thursday noon - ??? Comment and let's see who can do it. Also, City Park on Sunday? Times that work for you?

Would You Do Something to Help? The Bystander Effect and Final Guided Questions

Take a look at this short documentary outlining the case of Kitty Genovese, a young woman murdered in the presence of 38 witnesses. The term "bystander effect" was coined after this crime. Then read this article by Dr. Schwartz about a 2009 case of bystander effect. You may even remember hearing about this in the news.  After taking a look at these cases, respond to the post and discuss what factors you think might help in reversing the bystander effect.

Any other comments are welcome as well. Remember once again, it's easy to think that the people we read about involved in, or witnesses of such heinous acts are simply "evil" and that we would never sit by and allow things to unfold the way they did.

Also, here are the last guided questions. They aren't due until Monday, but if you're feeling it you can get a jumpstart! (However, part 1 questions are, in fact, due Monday)

  

Obedience: Would you keep pulling the switch?

Stanley Milgram's classic experiment proved that it's not just the evil, stupid or the weak who are willing to follow orders. Ordinary, mentally healthy people are likely to comply with authority as well. You can take a look at the original footage of the procedure or you can watch a replication of the experiment done in the UK in 2009 Of course, you can watch both if you choose!  Both versions have three parts. Please watch all three parts, you'll gain a greater understanding, it's interesting and you'll never forget the experiment.

After you've watched one of the experiments, read the 2008 article in the New York Times about the lasting power of the experiments and respond to this post with brilliant insights! Discuss what you think this demonstrates about human nature. Remember, everyone always thinks that they wouldn't go all the way, how 'bout you?