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Friday, April 30, 2010

Top down

In class we learned about the different theories about emotions and the corresponding physiological effects. We learned that the only top down functioning was any responses that are caused by memories or biofeedback. I disagree with this and think that all responses are top down because they first require the human brain to interpret the input then there is a physiological response followed by and emotional label. You can see this with the way that babies act. If a baby falls over they look at you to see how you respond. If you freak out the baby will start crying because from the way you reacted they interpreted this was the correct way to respond. You can also see this with people that have "mental disorders". Schizophrenics for example may interpret what we see as empty space as a person being there commonly called hallucinations. They therefor have a different response to it.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Motivation Chart

Behavior

Theory

Explanation

A human infant rooting to find the mother’s nipple.

Instinct Theory

This is the infants reflex to feed itself

Getting a glass of water when you are thirsty.

Drive Reduction

This is the reduction of the need for water

Going for a walk when you are worried or restless.

Drive Reduction

This is the need to reduce heart rate and other feedback loops of being worried

Reading a book on a long car ride

Optimal Arousal

Car rides are typically boring so reading a book is more stimulating

Studying hard to pass an exam.

Incentive

Incentive to do well on the test so you can do well in school

Crying when hurt or upset.

Drive Reduction

This is the need to cry to get others attention to help you

Developing a lasting, intimate relationship.

This could be a couple but the strongest one is probably Optimal stimulation

Having a long term relationship is different then all other relationships and is more rewarding in different ways then regular friends are.





Motivated to win

1)The father is probably at the 4th level because of his status in the family and his ability to be competitive without outside motivation. The 3 year old is probably at the 1st level because of his age and need for sleep. The 13 year old is probably at the 3rd level because of her concern of being embarrassed in front of her family.
2)The father would most likely shrug it off if the team didn't win because he is beyond his need for family approval. The 3 year old would most likely not care either as he is still concerned with his very basic needs. The 13 year old would probably be the most set back by a loose because she is still at the stage of trying to gain family approval. This also depends largely on how the family handles the situation by either being supportive anyways or by stressing winning.
3)The Fathers motivation to win is based in his competitiveness and therefore he probably has external motivations. As the worksheet stated he would probably not need motivation. The 3 year old probably doesn't have any motivation to win according to Maslow. To encourage him you would have to introduce an external motivator such as food or a prize for winning. The 13 year old already has internal motivation to win (to get approval from family). You could use this to create fear if you don't win or use this as encouragement.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder is often times seen as a much more mild or a latent form of Schizophrenia. Some of the major symptoms include:

1) Inappropriate reactions to surroundings meaning person usually looks cold or out of place.
2) Odd actions
3) Poor rapport with other usually leading to social withdraw
4) Odd beliefs or magical thinking
5) Paranoid ideas
6) Occasional hallucinations usually auditory

Sometimes this disorder has "evolved" into schizophrenia. There are said to be two types of Schizotypal Disorder Timorous and Insipid.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizotypal-personality-disorder/DS00830

Thursday, April 15, 2010

ZzzzzZZzzzz....

This week had a lot to do with sleep and it's importance to the human mind. I thought that the brain wave monitoring was very telling about what happens when the mind is at rest. I also noticed that in all the research I have done with sleep, time seems to be the big factor that everyone is looking at. I disagree with this approach because a lot of new research is coming out about the brain wave states that people are in. A lot of people that are good at meditating and can go right into alpha and delta states don't have to sleep as long because alpha and delta states resemble deep sleep. There's even a teacher at Ashwaubenon that does this.