Second Year IB Psychology 2011 – 2012

A bit of fun on a Friday…. (or is it only Thursday?)

This week we began our discussion of why we are attracted to others.  We have begun by looking at the panoply or biochemicals that are responsible for that rush that we feel that we call love.

You should be able to discuss the roles of the following neurotransmitters on human relationships: serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenalin.

And the following hormones: testosterone, estrogen, oxytocin and vasopressin.

You should be able to discuss two studies that illustrate how hormones and neurotransmitters may play a role in attraction.  Please be sure to read the key study by Baumeister this weekend.

In addition, we looked at the video Face and started to explore evolutionary arguments.  Sophia sent me this great podcast which you may find helpful in understanding the role of pheromones on behaviour.

Do Human Pheromones Exist?

Take a look at this great video that my friend Jette sent me.

What do you think? Is there potentially an evolutionary root to helping behaviours like “reaching?” Why did we develop more complex helping strategies? And the positive feeling after helping which is clearly lacking in the chimp?

For more experiments with children, check out this link.

This week we wrapped up our study of helping behaviour.  We also took a look at our first Paper III.  Who knew that this week would be so momentous?

As we wrap up our research on what affects bystanderism/helping behaviour, please consider the following factors:

• Cultural dimensions
• Attention blindness
• Social norms
• Social Impact Theory
• Exchange theory (and that good feeling)
• Compliance techniques
• Diffusion of responsibility

As we now move on to the next part of the unit, here is a question to think about….

This week did not go according to plan.  Thank you for being flexible with the substitute while I coped with my broken ankle.  I am hoping (and hopping) that it will not have any significant effect on our work together.

This week we introduced the ideas of pro-social behaviour and altruism.  You should be sure to do the reading that was assigned so that we can quickly go over the relevant theories.  Be sure to understand that there are biological theories of altruism as well as psychological arguments. We will be examining the strengths and limitations of these theories next week.

In the meantime, take a look at this…..

This week we finally wrapped up our Abnormal Option.  We finished by examining cultural considerations in treatment.  You should be able to discuss the following:

• The role of language in therapy – consider the role of memory.
• The role of religion and spirituality in cross-cultural treatment.
• The role of cultural blindness in the treatment of PTSD in Sri Lanka.

We have now formally finished our study of abnormal behaviour!  It is time to move on to our final unit – human relationships.

For those of you interested in cultural and mental illness, here is a good clip on Indonesia.

Congratulations SL on having finished the course. We will be discussing in January what your life will be like now that you have technically finished the coursework

Best wishes for a happy holiday season.

In this lovely Ted Talks, Chimamanda Adichie talks about “the danger of a single story.” Her reflections on her childhood in Nigeria relate to our discussion of culture and therapy. How often do psychologists adopt a “single story” which influences their ability to help others?

As promised, here is a short film on fafafin’e in Samoa. See what you think.

This week we almost wrapped up PTSD and we definitely wrapped up our IA’s!   We discussed treatments for PTSD.  You should be able to discuss the following:

1. Which drug treatments are successful in the treatment of PTSD?  How might we explain this success?
2. Discuss two individual treatments and how they work – for example, testimonial therapy, virtual therapy, cognitive restructuring. How effective are they?
3. Be able to distinguish between psycho-educational group therapy and trauma-focused group therapy.
4. Discuss what is meant by “community therapy.”  How does it differ from regular group therapy?
5. Finally, what is meant when we say that war destroys the structures of community support?  How does the community itself impact the mental health of the individual?

So, between now and holiday we have two major goals.  First, final drafts of the Internal Assessment are due on Friday, December 9 at 3:00 pm.  No late papers will be accepted.

In addition, you should read the chapter in Crazy Like Us on PTSD in Sri Lanka following the tsunami.  Be ready to take another little quiz on the reading to make sure that you have mastered the main ideas.

To learn more about virtual therapy, here is an example for burn victims.  Take a look….

With our very very short week last week, I am combining the two weeks.

As you know, most of our classtime has been devoted to Internal Assessment. That being said, we have also introduced PTSD. You should be able to discuss the following ideas:

1. The symptomology of PTSD has changed over time. This has made diagnosis difficult and brings up questions about the nature of the disorder.
2. Describe the ABCS of the symptoms of the disorder.
3. Discuss the role of neurotransmitters and hormones in the aetiology of PTSD.
4. Discuss the role of explanatory styles in understanding the aetiology of PTSD.
5. What is the problem with the use of traumatologists after a school shooting?
6. What role might Social Learning play in the aetiology of PTSD?
7. Discuss the nature of intrusive memories.
8. What role might institutionalized discrimination play in the onset of PTSD?

Here is a very good interview about PTSD in Rwanda. Recommended viewing. (No graphic images, just a personal interview.)