First off, I want to say that I had a great time being in Mrs. Halfen's AP Psychology class. From the start I knew this class was going to be really interesting, and the class had definitely went above and beyond my expectations. It makes me a little sad knowing that the semester is winding down to a close.
What did you like about the class?
I think what appealed to me most was just learning about all of the different concepts of the human mind. Watching interesting videos and learning about psychology helped me to better understand my own thoughts and feelings. Psychology is also just a really cool subject. =]
What was your favorite activity or project?
My favorite activity in Psychology was taking the IQ test. It was interesting to actually take one and see what my score was.
What didn't you like about the class?
As the semester moved on, I think our pace slowed down a lot, and we seemed sort of rushed to learn the rest of the chapters before the semester ended. Hurricane Ike was probably the cause of much of that, but I still didn't like that whole "hurried" feeling.
What do you think I should leave out next year?
At the moment, I can't really think of anything that should be left out.
(Maybe take out all of those hard quizzes and tests? (Only joking of course.))
Do you have any suggestions or ideas for things I could do next year in AP Psych?
Same answer as above. =P
Do you have any suggestions or ideas for next semester in AP Econ?
I've seen those Monopoly board games in the classroom, and I really hope that we can just have times where we just sit down and play Monopoly. I really love that game. =]
Overall, I had a great time being in AP Psych, and I'm really looking forward to being in AP Econ next semester. Thanks for all of your hard work Mrs. Halfen!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Teens and Video Games
An article from the psychcentral blog virtually destroyed the idea that American teenagers that play video games are socially inactive and more prone to violence. The Pew Internet and American Life Project conducted a national survey, and the results disproved virtually all of the negative stereotypes about teens and videogames.
As an avid videogame player with lots of experience in many different types of games, I knew from the start that virtual games and physical violence had no correlation. When I'm playing a 'violent' game, I'm not fantasizing about blowing up the school or running over pedestrians. The thought that someone could think that violent gaming leads to violent actions simply astounds me (although I can only speak for myself).
The survey's results only back up my ideas. Virtually all of America's teenagers have reported playing some kind of videogame. Now, if every teenager in America were playing games, then why hasn't America drowned in social inactivity and rampant violence? The answer is simple: because there's no correlation between this digital medium and social disorder.
If anything, the video game industry has actually improved the lives of young adults. The survey reported vast amounts of social interactions among many different types of videogame players. About half of those surveyed reported to playing games in which they learn about moral, ethical, and social issues. And while our nation may be doing poor econimically, the videogame industry shows no signs of economic trouble.
I believe that the debate over video games and their effect on young teenagers has gone a long way, but is almost over. With the Pew Internet and American Life Project's survey results, it's only a matter of time before others can accept the fact that videogames are okay.
As an avid videogame player with lots of experience in many different types of games, I knew from the start that virtual games and physical violence had no correlation. When I'm playing a 'violent' game, I'm not fantasizing about blowing up the school or running over pedestrians. The thought that someone could think that violent gaming leads to violent actions simply astounds me (although I can only speak for myself).
The survey's results only back up my ideas. Virtually all of America's teenagers have reported playing some kind of videogame. Now, if every teenager in America were playing games, then why hasn't America drowned in social inactivity and rampant violence? The answer is simple: because there's no correlation between this digital medium and social disorder.
If anything, the video game industry has actually improved the lives of young adults. The survey reported vast amounts of social interactions among many different types of videogame players. About half of those surveyed reported to playing games in which they learn about moral, ethical, and social issues. And while our nation may be doing poor econimically, the videogame industry shows no signs of economic trouble.
I believe that the debate over video games and their effect on young teenagers has gone a long way, but is almost over. With the Pew Internet and American Life Project's survey results, it's only a matter of time before others can accept the fact that videogames are okay.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Personality Tests
Jung Typology Test
Results: ISTJ
moderately expressed introvert
slightly expressed sensing personality
moderately expressed thinking personality
slightly expressed judging personality
This test asked a lot of questions based on social concepts and thinking patterns. For this reason, I believe that validity of this test is pretty good - I do think i'm introverted, after all.
Personality Lab - CCQ (Understand Your Personality)
Results
Extraversion: 33
Agreeableness: 73
Conscientiousness: 75
Neuroticism: 62
Openness to New Experience: 57
I think that this test is pretty comprehensive, as it asks a lot of personal and self-evaluation questions and asks you to rank them on a scale of 1 to 9, rather than just "yes or no". It also gives a great description of each of the"Big Five" trait domains., which makes me believe in the validity of the test.
Personality Lab - Life Goals
Results:
Financial Success: Higher than average
Social Recognition: Slightly lower than average
Attractiveness: Lower than average
Affiliation: Average
Community Involvement: Average
Self Acceptance: Less than average
Valuing of Goals: Intrinsic over Extrinsic (Average)
This test seems to cover really broad and general universal concepts, such as love and money. Because of this, I think that this test covers a difficult subject, but still does a decent job in providing the test taker with a breakdown of results. I also think that the test is pretty valid.
Personality Lab - Sim Personality
Neatness (v. Sloppy): 5/10
Outgoing (v. Shy): 2/10
Active (v. Lazy): 2/10
Playful (v. Seriousness): 3/10
Nice (v. Grouchy): 6/10
This test was pretty easy to take. It asked personal questions and scored you based on the different types of Sim personality traits. For the most part, I agree with most of the results; I'm more quiet and reserved, and I am pretty lazy. However, I don't want to think of myself as serious all the time; after all, I spend a good part of my time playing games. Overall, I think this test is pretty valid.
Planet Personality - Followership Test
Proactive Followership: 14/25
Passive Followership: 17/25
Self Efficacy: 30 (Average is 30.34)
Capacity for Power: 26 (Average is 23.73)
This test determines your own 'follower' style. Proactive followership expresses the desire to lead up and occasionally challenge leadership, while passive followership expresses the desire to cooperate and go with the flow. This test was much different than the others, as it targeted a specific area. I generally agree with these results, and I think this test is pretty valid.
Results: ISTJ
moderately expressed introvert
slightly expressed sensing personality
moderately expressed thinking personality
slightly expressed judging personality
This test asked a lot of questions based on social concepts and thinking patterns. For this reason, I believe that validity of this test is pretty good - I do think i'm introverted, after all.
Personality Lab - CCQ (Understand Your Personality)
Results
Extraversion: 33
Agreeableness: 73
Conscientiousness: 75
Neuroticism: 62
Openness to New Experience: 57
I think that this test is pretty comprehensive, as it asks a lot of personal and self-evaluation questions and asks you to rank them on a scale of 1 to 9, rather than just "yes or no". It also gives a great description of each of the"Big Five" trait domains., which makes me believe in the validity of the test.
Personality Lab - Life Goals
Results:
Financial Success: Higher than average
Social Recognition: Slightly lower than average
Attractiveness: Lower than average
Affiliation: Average
Community Involvement: Average
Self Acceptance: Less than average
Valuing of Goals: Intrinsic over Extrinsic (Average)
This test seems to cover really broad and general universal concepts, such as love and money. Because of this, I think that this test covers a difficult subject, but still does a decent job in providing the test taker with a breakdown of results. I also think that the test is pretty valid.
Personality Lab - Sim Personality
Neatness (v. Sloppy): 5/10
Outgoing (v. Shy): 2/10
Active (v. Lazy): 2/10
Playful (v. Seriousness): 3/10
Nice (v. Grouchy): 6/10
This test was pretty easy to take. It asked personal questions and scored you based on the different types of Sim personality traits. For the most part, I agree with most of the results; I'm more quiet and reserved, and I am pretty lazy. However, I don't want to think of myself as serious all the time; after all, I spend a good part of my time playing games. Overall, I think this test is pretty valid.
Planet Personality - Followership Test
Proactive Followership: 14/25
Passive Followership: 17/25
Self Efficacy: 30 (Average is 30.34)
Capacity for Power: 26 (Average is 23.73)
This test determines your own 'follower' style. Proactive followership expresses the desire to lead up and occasionally challenge leadership, while passive followership expresses the desire to cooperate and go with the flow. This test was much different than the others, as it targeted a specific area. I generally agree with these results, and I think this test is pretty valid.
Friday, December 5, 2008
A Letter to Mom
Odd numbered computer / Pencil between teeth
Average rating: 4.3
Dear Mom,
College life here at Stanford is for the most part enjoyable, but with my disorder I tend to find discomfort in every little thing that bothers me. It is definitely different than my home life, where things are always comfortable and perfect. Here, I have to share a room with my roommate Dan, who is a COMPLETE and TOTAL slob. He never picks up after himself, he leaves smudges everywhere... he's just a total mess. I even have to make his bed for him every morning, because that awful, dirty sight is just too much to handle!
The schoolwork here is also very tiring. My standards of work and productivity are sometimes too high for the required assignments; a lot of times i don't turn in a project because I just don't feel that it's good enough. I honestly don't see how others in my class can finish their work and still find time for leisure and goofing-off. And since I'm usually at my dorm doing my work, I haven't really had the time to make friends. I'm pretty stressed out.
Group projects are also bothersome. I'm always disagreeing with everyone else, as the project *has* to turn out the way that I want it too. Their opinions just don't reach up to my standards and expectations, and most of the time the project remains unfinished because of all the arguing that goes on. It's a shame, really.
However, for the most part college life is alright. I'm learning a lot about myself and the curriculum, and it's a really interesting and fulfilling experience. I'll be coming home during the winter break, so I'll be seeing you soon. Until then, take care!
Your son,
Keith Magdoza
Average rating: 4.3
Dear Mom,
College life here at Stanford is for the most part enjoyable, but with my disorder I tend to find discomfort in every little thing that bothers me. It is definitely different than my home life, where things are always comfortable and perfect. Here, I have to share a room with my roommate Dan, who is a COMPLETE and TOTAL slob. He never picks up after himself, he leaves smudges everywhere... he's just a total mess. I even have to make his bed for him every morning, because that awful, dirty sight is just too much to handle!
The schoolwork here is also very tiring. My standards of work and productivity are sometimes too high for the required assignments; a lot of times i don't turn in a project because I just don't feel that it's good enough. I honestly don't see how others in my class can finish their work and still find time for leisure and goofing-off. And since I'm usually at my dorm doing my work, I haven't really had the time to make friends. I'm pretty stressed out.
Group projects are also bothersome. I'm always disagreeing with everyone else, as the project *has* to turn out the way that I want it too. Their opinions just don't reach up to my standards and expectations, and most of the time the project remains unfinished because of all the arguing that goes on. It's a shame, really.
However, for the most part college life is alright. I'm learning a lot about myself and the curriculum, and it's a really interesting and fulfilling experience. I'll be coming home during the winter break, so I'll be seeing you soon. Until then, take care!
Your son,
Keith Magdoza
Friday, November 21, 2008
Case Study 6
Case Study 6: A 28-year-old woman was walking through her local shopping mall when she began to feel intensely anxious. The anxiety was accompanied by sensations of choking, smothering, and a sudden sense that the people and stores around her were unreal. She began to fear that she was going crazy and the more she worried about this the more anxious she became. A guard, seeing that she was in distress, brought her to the mall office where she was able to lie down. A few minutes later the symptoms began to subside. She went home after leaving the mall but she did not tell her husband what happened. A week later she had a similar attack while she was walking down the street. She was able to reach her house where she lay down until the attack ended. In the following three weeks she had two or more attacks. Between attacks she was constantly worried about having another attack. The patient was finally forced to tell her husband about the problem because she was so fearful of not being able to get help if an attack occurred that she would not leave her house alone or travel on public transportation.
This patient would be diagnosed with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.
The patient suffers from recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, whose symptoms include sensations of choking, shortness of breath, and derealization. She also suffers from agoraphobia, where the patient fears being outside her home alone and several modes of public transportation. Her persistant concern about having additional attacks has led to a significant change in behavior. Moreover, these panic attacks are not the result of substance abuse or a mental disorder. Because of all of these symptoms, the patient can be diagnosed with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.
A recommended mode of therapy for the patient would be the behavioral therapy of gradual systematic desensitization. In this process, the patient would be taught relaxation skills in order to help her control her fear and anxiety. Once these skills are learned, the patient would use them in order to cope with her panic attacks. With enough practice, the patient would hopefully have created a resistance to her panic disorder.
This patient would be diagnosed with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.
The patient suffers from recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, whose symptoms include sensations of choking, shortness of breath, and derealization. She also suffers from agoraphobia, where the patient fears being outside her home alone and several modes of public transportation. Her persistant concern about having additional attacks has led to a significant change in behavior. Moreover, these panic attacks are not the result of substance abuse or a mental disorder. Because of all of these symptoms, the patient can be diagnosed with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.
A recommended mode of therapy for the patient would be the behavioral therapy of gradual systematic desensitization. In this process, the patient would be taught relaxation skills in order to help her control her fear and anxiety. Once these skills are learned, the patient would use them in order to cope with her panic attacks. With enough practice, the patient would hopefully have created a resistance to her panic disorder.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A Look into ADHD
Mozart is most famously known for his exquisite and unique music compositions; Taking inspiration from numerous sources, Mozart created innovative classical styles for writing music. However, one of his sources of inspiration could possibly result from a psychological disorder known as ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Some characteristics of ADHD include impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity. Letters that Mozart wrote to his friends and family show these prominent signs of ADHD. His music can also be looked at as a canvas of spontaneous yet creative energy, possibly resulting from his ADHD. Thus, this ADHD has impacted his career through his compositions; his creative and impulsive writings could be defined as both genius and a psychological disorder.
ADHD affects about 3-5% of the world's population today. Although this psychological disorder can create benefits, as in the case of Mozart, I feel that those who suffer from ADHD are generally worse off; they may be picked on as children or be categorizes as "stupid." This is why psychological help centers are important in our society today, as they help in diagnosing and treating patients who have these illnesses.
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