Psychlogy ESP Course

2008-12-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Writing (a summary): I haven't practiced writing much this term, especially when talking about summaries. I guess that I haven't improved my writing skills much, but I still have my knowledge that I gained the last term.
Writing ESP vocabulary test: Sometimes it was successful, sometimes it wasn't. It's said that you can't do your best if you don't like the task. I should admit that writing ESP vocabulary test is not my favourite task, maybe it could be a reason why I don't feel any progression there. I just try to remember and the results are the same as they were the last term.
Writing class dictations: The only thing that I've noticed is that now I can write down everything the teacher is dictating in a short period of time, while I found it quite difficult last term; I thought that it's not given enough time for this, but now it looks differently.
Listening comprehension in class: I think that I have improved my skills in this area, because even if I still make some mistakes, usually I fill all the gaps and it exhilarates me.
Listening to peers' power point presentations: I've found it quite easy. The vocabulary of my peers is usually similar to mine and that makes the presentation text easy and understandable.
Making power point presentations: I like this task. It's not very hard to make a presentation, the worst thing is to present it in the class. But I should say that the more I practice it the more easy it looks like. I feel the progression this term, because it wasn't so stressful this time and I could speak fluently.
Speaking on ESP themes in class: Even if a can't prepare this task at home, because it is quite spontaneous, I feel quite good about that. I know that I make some mistakes while talking, I also forget some words, but I have more ideas this term and more bravery to talk about it.

Psychology of kleptomania

2008-11-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

If talking in a simple words, kleptomania is a strong desire to steal. Kleptomaniacs are tend to steal things that has little or no value to them - even if they totally don't need it. It means that this disorder involves the compulsive stealing of items not needed for their monetary value.

Kleptomania is relatively rare problem (studies suggest that fewer than 5% of population suffer from this disorder) and it occurs more often in women that in men. Many kleptomaniacs are first discovered in the act of shoplifting. Sometimes such people can avoid shopping centers and even isolate themselves in order to escape from stealing. As other normal people they feel quilt and shame after the accident, but they can't manage with the stealing desire.

There are few of criteria that could help to diagnose kleptomania:

The individual fails to resist from stealing things that has no value for him/her.
The individual feels tension before stealing.
The individuals tension is reduced when he/she can steal something.
Other psychological disorders can't account for the individual's stealing behavior.

Research has also shown that kleptomania is strongly associated with mood, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse. There are still no particular treatment of kleptomania. To sum up, researchers should keep more of attention to this disorder, because some people can be found arrested in jail although they should be in the hospital.

Resources:
http://www.psychologyinfo.com/problems/impulse_control.html
http://health.howstuffworks.com/kleptomania.htm

Picture from:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/466598650_380cccb7a9.jpg?v=0

Self - assessment of ESP learning

2008-05-08T23:55:00.000-07:00

Writing skills: It's natural that I feel progression in my writing, because I practice writing quite much. The easiest way to feel this progression is to write something in my weblog, because I can write what I want in it and it's easy to express my mind when all weblog depends on my will. Worse situation is in writing summaries. We wrote lots of them, but it's still difficult to differentiate one type of summary from another. Moreover, it is harder to write when you are stuffed into some frames and have to stick to the rules. That's why I don't find myself so lucky in this area. The worst skills are in learning ESP vocabulary tests. I have never remembered the words that I used very rarely. Talking about dictations and self - designed tests, it's very funny for me, but I can't evaluate my abilities there. The reason might be that we haven't enough practice with it.

Speaking skills: I haven't made a presentation this term yet, so I can't evaluate myself in this area. Participation in class discussions is a bit harder than speaking in pairs, but I'm feeling like I'm constantly improving my skills. It's a long and slow process, but I feel that i've made a little progress in this area.

Listening skills: The most intensive are listening activities in class. It was always one of the most difficult tasks to me, but I'm happy now. It's a rare success to make an exercise without mistakes, but I feel like I'm a step forward. I've listened to podcast just once, so it's difficult to evaluate my skills objectively. And I should admit I have never practiced listening outside the class. Unless we introduce in this listening practice films or other videos watching in English and listening to English music.

Reading skills: Reading is similar to speaking, because perfection in this area is also long and slow process. The most noticeable progress I feel in home reading and computer tasks, because the more I read, the less I need to use a dictionary. Reading comprehension exercises aren't my favorites, I can't say if I'm improved doing this. I just know that it's not the most successful exercise for me. It's also difficult to concentrate when I read in the class, because I have to adapt to my colleagues and it's not always comfortable to me, that's why I can't evaluate myself successfully.

Picture from: http://vladstudio.deviantart.com/art/Learning-To-Fly-78394791

Artificial intelligence

2008-05-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

Artificial intelligence is related with intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. Today it’s not surprising that on XXIst century, so called technology age, new devices integrate in our society more and more, but it’s a risk that new electronic devices will replace human beings.
New machines appear almost every day. Computer programs, robots that could help satisfy daily living needs, will make our lives easier. That’s the reason why artificial intelligence is good – it serves for human well being, but there is also another side.
There are many films where robots replace people and occupy the world. I don’t say that it is going to happen. But artificial intelligence reduces the need of perfection and replaces the necessity of human work. Why should we make an effort and waste time learning to do something if there is a machine that could do it instead of us? It is terrifying because new technologies create a situation where people are unnecessary at all. We could lay in our beds all day long like vegetables, because every job could be done by robots. But it’s only an existence, not a life worth living.
All in all, the artificial intelligence serves for human, but everything could change if we would not keep this in balance. Computers shouldn’t replace human, computers should be just the tool that makes our life better, only helpful servants, and nothing more. Everything is good until it is in measure.

Reference: http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/whatisai/node1.html

Picture from: http://robertt.deviantart.com/art/Artificial-Intelligence-12901015

Body Language

2008-03-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

Body is a powerful instrument of our speech. The total effect of the speech also depends on a body language as well as on words. Usually body language occurs unconsciously. It would be great to have an ability to control our body language. It’s possible, but it requires loads of efforts and involves hard practice and tough learning.

Body language consists of eye contact, gestures, facial expression, not just of body movement as many of us thought. We use these components of body language in our communication everyday and we can also understand others better if we follow nonverbal expressions.

Almost everyone has seen at least once a man, rubbing his hands in some film. Usually this action is connected with money, success or benefit. And it’s not a fictitious fact, made up by movie directors. Rubbing hands really symbolizes anticipation. It could be money, person, success etc. Another understandable example is hands on the hips. Most of us have seen our mothers with hands of the hips once or more in the childhood, when we came back home after some nasty trick, I’m sure. And then we knew that deals are going bad. And we were right, because standing with hands on the hips means readiness and aggression. One more significant position of body language is locked ankles. It symbolizes apprehension. I can also mention open palm that means sincerity, openness, innocence or head resting in hands, that shows boredom.

There are much more examples of body language and it is a reason why we should learn much in order to control our body and understand nonverbal messages receiving from others. We can deny it or not, try to learn it or leave it as it is, but there are no doubts that nonverbal expressions communicate a great part of emotional experience.

References:
Joseph A. De Vito “Human communication. The basic course”, 2005, Allyn & Bacon

Pictures from:
http://parri.deviantart.com/

Babies 'show social intelligence'

2007-12-11T02:32:00.000-08:00

Babies are able to show some social intelligence at the very early age.

Recently made research with 12 six-month old and 16 ten-month old babies has shown that babies can evaluate good and bad things. Scientists of the University of Oxford, UK, used social and youth psychology techniques during the experiment. Babies were sat on their parients' laps and had to choose one of the toys of different shapes that were designed to appeal to babies.

The experiment has shown, that babies don't have a morality ir real social understanding, but they are quite competent creatures and can show some social intelligence.

Reference:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7103804.stm

Picture from: http://imaginee.deviantart.com/art/Adorable-Baby-Kaia-52500109

People that have influenced me

2007-11-30T05:18:00.000-08:00

I have met many people in my life. Some of them were more important to me, other - less. Somebody has said, that everybody leave their footprints, when they are going through our lives. If these footprints are deep - it survives for a long time, if it is truthful - it becomes ways. I strongly believe in this aphorism and i wish there were some persons in my life who's footprints will become ways.

At first I want to mention my friend Karolis. We have lived in a neighbourhood and became friends four and half years ago. This person strongly influenced me and changed my life in many aspects. I always admired his knowledge and listened to his stories with a lot of interest. He has influenced my lifestyle, sense of music, attitude of mind. He gave me an opportunity to experience new taste of life and I'm really grateful for that. I believe that our deep relationship will continue forever.

Second very important person in my life is my best friend Almante. We've met about five years ago. This wonderful person learned me to notice a beauty of life and notice little things around as, which can bring us a joy. She has also showed me a singularity of books and persuaded me that there are many wisdom in books. We experienced a lot together and this experience is connecting us event nowdays.
There are a few more persons who I should mention, but I have chosen these two. I don't know why. Maybe because I've met them earlier than others, or maybe because these two persons are really the most iportant to me. I'm really very happy that I had an opportunity to meet them and I believe, that they've left truthful feet in my life and it will become ways :)

Phobias

2007-11-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

Are you afraid of spiders? Or confined spaces? Or maybe you experience a fear of blood - hemophobia? There are mentioned only a few from the huge list of phobias. My bet is that you have never heard about many of them.

Have you ever heard, that there are people, ho are afraid of rain? This fear is named ombrophobia. It is an national affliction that is common in Philippines. Those, who suffer from this phobia says, that they're afraid of rain because they think it causes coughs and cold and flu. And if we cover our books when it is raining with a purpose to protect it, the Philippines take put their books and use it to cover their heads.

Other strange phobia is a dendrophobia - a fear of trees. Victims of dendrophobia believes that trees can turn into flesh - craving monsters when they are not looking at them. They can also imagine come kind of intimidating creatures looking into the tree and feel scared because of that.

One more abnormal phobia is a fear of sun - heliophobia. It is a problem that afflicts hundreds of Americans. Many people have been staying away from the sun because of growing fears about skin cancer. Heliophobia cause a vitamin D deficiency problem, that can be corrected by taking this medicament supplements.

I've mentioned only four types of phobias. But there are many phobias that exists around as, such like a fear of gravity, fear of books, bear of crowded places, fear of people and society and so on. Each of them is named suitably. You can feel happy if you don't have any abnormal fears and can live a normal person's life.

References:
http://psychology.about.com/od/phobias/a/phobialist.htm
http://pinoykasi.homestead.com/files/2002articles/07182002_Ombrophobia.htm
www.overcome-fears-and-phobias.com/dendrophobia.htm - 28k -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliophobia

The meaning of dreams

2007-11-13T04:39:00.001-08:00

All people dream at night more or less. Our dreams combine verbal, visual and emotional stimulation into a sometimes ridiculous, illogical but often exciting storyline. Have you ever thought what your dreams should mean? Should we look at them literally or figuratively? Or maybe there aren't such a thing as the meaning of dreams? Do you think dreams might be prophetic?

Many people believe, that there are some meaning of the symbols we see in our dreams. For instance, it is said, that flying birds are a sign of prosperity to the dreamer, symbolize feelings of freedom, liberation from weight of responsibilities. A cat in our dream represent a feminine aspect.Cats attacking you represent the enemies. If you succeed banishing them you will overcome great obstacles and rise in fortune and fame. There are a lot of dream dictionaries where all the meanings are divided by categories or alphabet. You can find such a dictionary almost in every bookshop or even online and search for the meaning of some symbol.

The science analyzes dreams from more complicated perspective. Psychological theories are based on the idea that dreams allows us to sort through problems, events of the day or things that are requiring a lot of our attention. For example, Sigmund Freud viewed dreams as guide to the unconscious. He believed that dreams allow the unconscious mind to act out unacceptable thoughts and desires, that we aren't able to express in a social setting at the real life.

There are few other theories of dreams and no one knows which is the most impartial. It's an individual choice what he or she wants to believe. Some researchers say, that we solve our problems or think through issues by dreaming, others believe to some symbols meaning, but, as Sigmund Freud once comment, we should't forget that, "Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar." :)

References:
http://petrix.com/dreams/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dream.htm

Pictures from my own album.

Psychology of colors

2007-09-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought how can colours influnce human thoughts, feelings or mood? Do you think there is no difference in what color You choose when You're buying clothes or painting your room's walls? Or what colour shines Your car's interior? The truth is that colour affect human beings in many ways and by using the principles of Colour Psychology You can manipulate people's feelings, opinion or emotions in many ways.

One of the classic colours is Black. It represents power, sexuality, elegance, authority. Because of that we can notice that suits usually worn by businessmen, leaders or some other important persons are commonly black. However, black colour also is very close to drama, death or sadness and is mostly connected with depression and unhappiness.

Other colour from "classic" series is Red. It's the most noticable colour, which means danger, passion, energy, aggressiveness. Red is the most emotionally intense colour and stimulates a faster breathing and heartbeat.

The opposite colour is Blue. It suggests trust, coolness, reliability, serenity, protection. Because of these features blue is often considered as a business colour. Brown is an earth color and quite similar to blue because it also associated with stability, security, politeness, helpfulness that is nevertheless important in buisiness world.

Green is relaxing, one of the most well - liked colour. It usually means health, youth, freedom and nature. It is the easiest colour on the eye. It's a good colour for offices and study areas because it's easy to put your mind in green coloured room.

The most positive colour is Yellow. It suggests creativity, cheer, happiness, hilarity. It stimulates the intelect and enhances concentration. It is said, that yellow is the colour of optimists.

Though colours have different meanings in various cultures and countries, they are generally used in logos to convey a specific message and the basic kowledge of colors can be fitted on a various situations, so it is useful to know about the influence of colours. For example, it is widely known that the best colour duet to use on advertisements, mass-media and social commercials is bright yellow and black. It amazingly stimulates human's mind and extraordinary catches attention. So, gives the best effect. And it's only one little drop in the sea of colour affection.

Sources of information:
http://iit.bloomu.edu/vthc/Design/psychology.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Choose-and-Use-the-Best-Colors,-The-Psychology-of-Color&id=12855
http://www.apartment-ideas.com/psychology-of-colour.html

Choise of Industrial psychology.

2007-09-23T04:22:00.000-07:00

Psychology as speciality is becoming more and more popular. Psychologists are working in all possible ranges and levels. Begining with hospital's consultants up to industrial workers. One of the most popular subfield is industrial or organizational psychology. Why does so many contemporary psychologists are interested in this range?

First of all, it's usually the most profitable, well payed job, which guarantees you fixed salary, sometimes "spiced" with bonuses, and there you can make a lot of useful acquaintance . It's important to earn a lot, because money could be named as an engine of today's world and some meaningful contacts could become the bridge to your luck in the future. In industrial range you can meet a lot of influential and powerful people and you are always around the bussiness workers, lawyers etc, the most gainful and wealthful range.

Furthermore, you can work in more traditional workplace like office or bureau, you can allways communicate with your collegues and work in a team, in other words, to be socialy active. There are a lot of psychologists who loves their proffesion but don't want to work as a traditional and most known personal psychologist, so the best choise for them is industrial psychology.

On the other hand, organizational psychology is quite far away from a traditional conception of this proffesion. Industrial psychologists sometimes are more close to occupation than psychology and some of them loses their faces as psychologists. This i would consider the main disadvantage of organisational psichology.

All things considered, although there are advantages and disatvandages of working as an industrial psychologist, it's his/her's personal choice where to work. Psychology is needed everywhere and everyone can choose that field which is more close to them. There is nothing to loose :)

Why I've decided to study psychology

2007-09-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

Psychology was my dream profession long before. I can't remember when exactly
I've got that idea in my mind, to study psychology. But I have clearly imagined myself in this profession. I have always liked to communicate with others and somehow had a success to earn someone's trust at a short time. Yes, people didn't hesitate to tell me their life stories even if they where strangers or simply virtual talkers. They have opened their hearts in front of me at a very short time. This fact inspired me additionally. So i lived with this idea about my future profession a few years and when all my classmates started to head up about their studies in the last form, I felt good, because I knew what I need. At least I thought so :)

But the moment when I had to announce my formal choice has finaly came and then the doubts have started... I had an application blank in front of me and didn't know what to write in the first place and what should go after that. The priorities started confusing me. It was hard, because all friends and relatives around me said that psychology isn't a promising proffesion, they suggested me to study economics, law, management and so on. They saw a better and more promising life for me, I guess.

I started to doubt if I really could afford to work as a personal psychologist for example, because it is hard to help somebody else when you have your own problems, it could be immposible to disassociate from my work after workhours. I was afraid that I will mix and confuse my own life with my client's. I considered a lot and decided not to loose my old desire nevertheless, because I think that it's very important to work in your pleasant field, and actually it is the only occupation I adore.