I read the article, "What? Me Biased?". This article was about how our subconscious mind perceives color, age, and being American. Although, the subjects were mostly pro obama, they perceived him as less American than other white candidates when focusing on his color. Scientists believe we are programmed to perceive others who are different as a threat. This sounds like a natural process. We naturally tend to trust others who are similar to us in action, and appearances. Although we subconsciously view others differently, we are smart enough to know that our actions cannot reflect that view. This is relevant because we are living in a world that is becoming smaller and our cultures are mixing together quickly. Although we realize our differences, we must accept those differences and overcome them. This is interesting because I know now that Barack Obama was considered less American; however, he was still elected President.
I also learned that this phenomenon only occurs when being asked specifically on one aspect, such as color, or age. Those people who focus on more important aspects of a person won't have these biases displayed. This affects me because I can overcome my natural instinct to shy away from those who are different from me by focusing on the more important characteristics of people.
I was surprised that people believed that Barack Obama was less American than Hillary Clinton or John McCain. He was from Chicago and running for President. The fact that he was a Senator and the qualifications for the presidency should have convinced people that he was truly American.
I agree that the brain probably sends a message of warning when perceiving that someone is different. In our history, different tribes and countries have fought with eachother. We had to be able to recognize who was dangerous by their appearance. I disagree with the research saying that people believe that Barack Obama is less American based on his skin color. I think you could ask anyone to look at a black sheet of paper and a white piece of paper and get the same result because we are asking them to identify where these colors originate. Of course, Africa is a black country and that is where Barack Obama's color originated, not his ideals of Americanism.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Blog Post #3
1. I completed the activity, "Seeing more than your eyes do". As you move closer to the computer screen, looking with one eye, you see an “X” on the left and a spot on the right. The second spot disappears at a certain point. Your eye does not see anything at that point, but fills it in with a white area.
In the second activity, "Reality, Construction, Deconstruction and Reconstruction", I was to identify the darker and lighter color. Tile B clearly looked darker, but when I moved it next to A, it was the same shade. Looking at the colors, I saw colors in shadow the same as colors in bright light even though the shadow changed its color.
2. In the first activity, I found out that each eye has a blind spot. In the second activity, I learned that the brain tries to create a useful picture that is consistent with what we understand as normal.
3. I was shocked when the “X”, located on the screen, disappeared. I did not know I had a blind spot. I was surprised when the colors I saw as two different shades were actually the same color. I moved the colors around and expected to see them stay the same as I first saw them.
4. This is difficult to say how it can be applied to my everyday life, since I don’t notice these differences. When I am out at a dimmer time of day, I will recognize that I may not perceive things as they actually are, such as the color of cars or the intensity of my make-up.
5. Our understanding of the world is based on our perception. Therefore, what we perceive is our reality. This will not change how I will interact with the world because it is my reality.
6. I have learned that my right brain perceives faces and that may be why some people remember faces and others don’t. These people may have a more developed or functioning right brain. I also learned that brain neurons can repair themselves in some cases and that one side of the brain can take over functions that the other side no longer performs due to injury. This is called plasticity and gives hope to people with brain injuries.
7. The man with two brains appeared to be two different people. One side had to wait for the other side to understand what was seen. It was very confusing to understand what one hand was going to do and which hemisphere was causing it to be done. When one side saw fruit, the other side saw a face. It is hard to comprehend how the brain separates the two images and sees different things. The connection between the two hemispheres is important but one can function without it, like the man
In the second activity, "Reality, Construction, Deconstruction and Reconstruction", I was to identify the darker and lighter color. Tile B clearly looked darker, but when I moved it next to A, it was the same shade. Looking at the colors, I saw colors in shadow the same as colors in bright light even though the shadow changed its color.
2. In the first activity, I found out that each eye has a blind spot. In the second activity, I learned that the brain tries to create a useful picture that is consistent with what we understand as normal.
3. I was shocked when the “X”, located on the screen, disappeared. I did not know I had a blind spot. I was surprised when the colors I saw as two different shades were actually the same color. I moved the colors around and expected to see them stay the same as I first saw them.
4. This is difficult to say how it can be applied to my everyday life, since I don’t notice these differences. When I am out at a dimmer time of day, I will recognize that I may not perceive things as they actually are, such as the color of cars or the intensity of my make-up.
5. Our understanding of the world is based on our perception. Therefore, what we perceive is our reality. This will not change how I will interact with the world because it is my reality.
6. I have learned that my right brain perceives faces and that may be why some people remember faces and others don’t. These people may have a more developed or functioning right brain. I also learned that brain neurons can repair themselves in some cases and that one side of the brain can take over functions that the other side no longer performs due to injury. This is called plasticity and gives hope to people with brain injuries.
7. The man with two brains appeared to be two different people. One side had to wait for the other side to understand what was seen. It was very confusing to understand what one hand was going to do and which hemisphere was causing it to be done. When one side saw fruit, the other side saw a face. It is hard to comprehend how the brain separates the two images and sees different things. The connection between the two hemispheres is important but one can function without it, like the man
Monday, September 21, 2009
Blog Post #2
Research is important because it helps establish truth in science by evaluating and testing what we believe to be true. Without research, anybody could say anything,and there would be nothing to back up their statement as truthful or deceitful. For instance, without research we would not know whether vegetables are good or bad for you. Those who don't like vegetables would readily tell you they are not good for you. Research would establish the truth.
The acceptance prophecy is an example of research that is relevant to my life. It showed that if you believe that someone likes you, you will tend to act more warmly towards them, thereby portraying a more likeable personality. This will lead people to have a more positive attitude towards you. The self-fulfilling prophecy of expecting to be liked, therefore, comes true. People who are worried about not being liked by others can change their demeanor when they are conversing with someone they are worried about. By thinking that this person will automatically like them, they can help to make it come true.
One thing I have learned is that research does not always result in a black and white answer. There are many factors that might be involved that need to be considered. Researchers sometimes get unexpected results. This is important because I know to question the research results further and decide if all of the factors are taken into account before a conclusion was determined. I also learned that it is important to have a control group so you can measure your results against what is normal. Without the control group, there is nothing to compare your results to. I also learned that case studies can be used for research by looking at the background of individuals. Conclusions can be made. This doesn't require the typical independent and dependent variables, placebos, or what we would consider experiment procedures. It is important because sometimes events have already taken place in a person's life that leads to certain behaviors or problems. In this case, the experimenting has already taken place as the person lived his life.
The acceptance prophecy is an example of research that is relevant to my life. It showed that if you believe that someone likes you, you will tend to act more warmly towards them, thereby portraying a more likeable personality. This will lead people to have a more positive attitude towards you. The self-fulfilling prophecy of expecting to be liked, therefore, comes true. People who are worried about not being liked by others can change their demeanor when they are conversing with someone they are worried about. By thinking that this person will automatically like them, they can help to make it come true.
One thing I have learned is that research does not always result in a black and white answer. There are many factors that might be involved that need to be considered. Researchers sometimes get unexpected results. This is important because I know to question the research results further and decide if all of the factors are taken into account before a conclusion was determined. I also learned that it is important to have a control group so you can measure your results against what is normal. Without the control group, there is nothing to compare your results to. I also learned that case studies can be used for research by looking at the background of individuals. Conclusions can be made. This doesn't require the typical independent and dependent variables, placebos, or what we would consider experiment procedures. It is important because sometimes events have already taken place in a person's life that leads to certain behaviors or problems. In this case, the experimenting has already taken place as the person lived his life.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Section 1
When i think of Psychology, I think of the mind and illnesses of the mind. I didn't know how much more there was to Psychology, such as there are many people who had a big role in studying Psychology and that there are varieties of different psychological perspectives, such as cognitive and evolutionary. I never really thought that there were different kinds of psychology, I just thought it delt with just the mind. I never thought in depth that there is way more to psychology than just that.
Psychology affects everyone's life. It makes you the way you are. You either get it from your genes or the environment. People influence others everyday. This teaches others to behave the same way without even knowing it. It affects your life my making you the person you are. Psychology is in many forms, such as your emotions and feelings. You deal with them everyday. Pyschology affects you by controlling your feelings and actions. It deals with your brain and allows for you to react to things around you.
I learnt the three influences of psychology. They are biological, psychological, and social-cultural. I thought it was intriguing because, I never really thought about different influences. I only thought it came from people around you influencing you. It all makes sense now that you could be the way you are because of your genes, culture, and many other reasons. I also learnt that there are more than one type of psychologist. There are counseling, which helps people cope with problems and clinical, which treats mental disorders, etc. I thought it was intriguing because, I only believed that one person did all those jobs. I didn't realize there are many people who do different jobs including Psychology. I also thought it was intriguing that Mary Calkins became the first woman to be prsident of the American Psychological Association. I thought that was very cool that a women could have such an impact back then when women were considered under class.
Psychology affects everyone's life. It makes you the way you are. You either get it from your genes or the environment. People influence others everyday. This teaches others to behave the same way without even knowing it. It affects your life my making you the person you are. Psychology is in many forms, such as your emotions and feelings. You deal with them everyday. Pyschology affects you by controlling your feelings and actions. It deals with your brain and allows for you to react to things around you.
I learnt the three influences of psychology. They are biological, psychological, and social-cultural. I thought it was intriguing because, I never really thought about different influences. I only thought it came from people around you influencing you. It all makes sense now that you could be the way you are because of your genes, culture, and many other reasons. I also learnt that there are more than one type of psychologist. There are counseling, which helps people cope with problems and clinical, which treats mental disorders, etc. I thought it was intriguing because, I only believed that one person did all those jobs. I didn't realize there are many people who do different jobs including Psychology. I also thought it was intriguing that Mary Calkins became the first woman to be prsident of the American Psychological Association. I thought that was very cool that a women could have such an impact back then when women were considered under class.
Introductory Blog
Hi, my name is Ashley Murdjeff and i am a senior of Stratford High School. I am 17 years old. I think studying psychology is very important because everyone is different in their own way. I believe my family has helped to shape myself as a person. They are hard-working and very dedicated. I have learnt to be hard-working and dedicated as well. They've taught me to try my hardest no matter what and never give up on your dreams. It is helpful to learn psychology to understand people's behavioral attitudes. It also can teach you how to deal with people with disabilities and help you get along with others. I believe that psychology is studying people's behaviors and attitudes. It is studying the mind of others and helping to understand their ways and reasons for acting the way they do.
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