I listened to the story about Teens & Sleep. I was very interested in this audio, but wasn't surprised by what they said. Teens should get about 9 hours of sleep to lead a healthy life. Over half of teens dont get the required amount of sleep, includine me. With homework, sports, friends and family, it is hard to make time to sleep. During school, I look around and nearly every kid is yawning or shows signs of sleep deprivation. I always try to get to bed early, but get side-tracked and distracted. Therefore, I am always tired and falling asleep during those long school days.
I also learned that while you are unconscious, you dream about very strange things. Dreams are a way for your brain to straighten out all the things it doesnt quite understand.
I was surprised to hear that a person went for 11 days(I think) without sleep. That is amazing. I can barely go for 1 day without sleep. After an all-nighter, I am normally super tired, then get a second wind, then crash. So 11 days is amazing.
I read the article "What? Me Biased?" and I agree completely. People are biased in everything they do. We cant help it, its just how we are. We subconsciously are biased towards everything around us, whether it be other people, sports teams, or politics, we are biased.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Blog Post #3- The Brain and Behavior
1.) Seeing More Than Your Eye Does- This activity explains how you have big blindspots. Objects aren't visible beyond the optic nerve head, the hole in the photoreceptor sheet. I had to close my left eye and look at 2 objects on the screen. I started far away and moved closer. As I moved closer, the right object disappeared. It was in my blindspot. I learned that we all have blindspots. Nothing surprised me about what I have learned. I can apply what I have learned to my everyday life by being aware of my "blindspots." This doesn't change how I perceive the world.
2.) Hofstadter's Road Sign- This activity shows a road sign with blinking lights. The lights flash in two different corners first, then move to the appear at the other two corners. People can perceive this differently. For example, you can view the changing dots as "chasing" eachother around the sign. I learned that everyone can view the sign in their own unique way. This didn't surprise me. This applies to my life in that when I next see a road sign, I will look for all the different possible ways to view it. This didn't change the way that I interact with the world.
Two other things I have learned in this unit...1.) Each brain has " a mind of its own." Meaning, every person perceives things differently. That is what makes each and every human unique. and 2.) Organisms tend to live in colonies. Members of each group tend to have the same mannerisms. For example: ants live together and all act the same, where as humans have their families and act similarly. Now that I have learned this useful information, I view the world and brains the same as I always have.
The Man with Two Brains...technology today is so amazing. Who would've ever thought that someone could get their brain split in half and still function! I think it is awesome that the man can still function the same. He has some amazing new talents he can do though. Wowo.
2.) Hofstadter's Road Sign- This activity shows a road sign with blinking lights. The lights flash in two different corners first, then move to the appear at the other two corners. People can perceive this differently. For example, you can view the changing dots as "chasing" eachother around the sign. I learned that everyone can view the sign in their own unique way. This didn't surprise me. This applies to my life in that when I next see a road sign, I will look for all the different possible ways to view it. This didn't change the way that I interact with the world.
Two other things I have learned in this unit...1.) Each brain has " a mind of its own." Meaning, every person perceives things differently. That is what makes each and every human unique. and 2.) Organisms tend to live in colonies. Members of each group tend to have the same mannerisms. For example: ants live together and all act the same, where as humans have their families and act similarly. Now that I have learned this useful information, I view the world and brains the same as I always have.
The Man with Two Brains...technology today is so amazing. Who would've ever thought that someone could get their brain split in half and still function! I think it is awesome that the man can still function the same. He has some amazing new talents he can do though. Wowo.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thinking Critically-Post #2
Without research, humans wouldn't know anything. Research is the basis of science and solves most questions. In order to solve a problem, you must do research. The scientific method is what psychologists use to conduct research. They have to follow the steps to get the desired outcome.
I read the article "Brainstorming Reloaded" on psyblog. I hate brainstorming, so this research is relevant to me. Studies have shown that brainstorming produces lower quality ideas, rather than working alone. People tend to slack-off when they are put in a brainstorming group. They are intimidated by other people and their ideas. Ideas tend to get shot down while brainstorming in a group.
Electronic brainstorming is a technique that gets rid of all the problems with old-fashioned brainstorming. Brainstormers can simply type their idea into the computer and read other ideas all at once. Basically, "Groups aren't where ideas are born, but where they come to sink or swim."
Other things I have learned from this chapter are 1.) The scientific method is the basis for experimental research, 2.) Humans have a tendency called hindsight bias that makes things seem inevitable, and 3.) Humans are overconfident and feel like they know everything.
I read the article "Brainstorming Reloaded" on psyblog. I hate brainstorming, so this research is relevant to me. Studies have shown that brainstorming produces lower quality ideas, rather than working alone. People tend to slack-off when they are put in a brainstorming group. They are intimidated by other people and their ideas. Ideas tend to get shot down while brainstorming in a group.
Electronic brainstorming is a technique that gets rid of all the problems with old-fashioned brainstorming. Brainstormers can simply type their idea into the computer and read other ideas all at once. Basically, "Groups aren't where ideas are born, but where they come to sink or swim."
Other things I have learned from this chapter are 1.) The scientific method is the basis for experimental research, 2.) Humans have a tendency called hindsight bias that makes things seem inevitable, and 3.) Humans are overconfident and feel like they know everything.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Story of Psychology
Before I read Chapter 1, I thought Psychology was just the study of the mind. When I heard "Psychology", I associated it with counselors and shrinks. Now I know that it is much more than just that. Psychology has been around since 1879 and has been growing ever since. It never gets old because people are all different. There are so many different things that a psychologist can study that the possibilities are endless. I have learned that Psychology is more than "the study of the mind."
Psychology affects my life every minute of every day. I am constantly thinking and behaving differently. When I interact with different people, Psychology comes into play. I have to learn how to work with different personalities. Emotions are an everyday thing with me. One minute I could be happy, the next I might be mad. When I have a bad incounter with someone or something, my mood will change. Therefore Psychology is with me everywhere I go.
I learned that humans are overconfident in most things they do. Instead of being correct, we just have that confidence and hindsight bias. We think we are too good to be wrong. I find that intriguing. Another thing I have learned is that the public is misinformed about certain statistics. Some estimates are not realistic and mislead the public. For example: We ordinarily use but 10 percent of our brain. Or is it closer to 100 percent? These statistics are undocumented and over-the-top estimates. You can think smarter by applying simple statistical principles to everyday reasoning.
Psychology affects my life every minute of every day. I am constantly thinking and behaving differently. When I interact with different people, Psychology comes into play. I have to learn how to work with different personalities. Emotions are an everyday thing with me. One minute I could be happy, the next I might be mad. When I have a bad incounter with someone or something, my mood will change. Therefore Psychology is with me everywhere I go.
I learned that humans are overconfident in most things they do. Instead of being correct, we just have that confidence and hindsight bias. We think we are too good to be wrong. I find that intriguing. Another thing I have learned is that the public is misinformed about certain statistics. Some estimates are not realistic and mislead the public. For example: We ordinarily use but 10 percent of our brain. Or is it closer to 100 percent? These statistics are undocumented and over-the-top estimates. You can think smarter by applying simple statistical principles to everyday reasoning.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Introductory Post
Hi. My name is Stephanie Denfeld. I am 17 years old and a senior at Stratford High School. I am a really random and crazy person. I don't really come out of my shell until I am very comfortable with people. I love my friends and family (most of the time). I'm excited to learn about psychology, I think it will be pretty interesting.
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