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

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:

1. The individual fails to resist from stealing things that has no value for him/her.
   
2. The individual feels tension before stealing.
3. The individuals tension is reduced when he/she can steal something.
4. 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

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

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

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'

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

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 :)