"Since time immemorial, healers have respected the link between mind and body--namely, how emotions can both create disease as well as heal it. Indeed, anthropologists who have explored the history of healing have long been aware of the pivotal role that the mind-body connection has played in different cultures, throughout the ages.

Modern scientists, however, have been reluctant to acknowledge the existence of the ephemeral mind-body connection, primarily because the power of the mind to induce healing could not be proven by clinical research. For this reason, the treatment of mind and body has been kept strictly separate. Medical schools, for instance, have traditionally given more credence to medical or surgical solutions rather than psychiatric ones.

But things are now changing. Over the last decade, well-designed research studies have been conducted, and there's currently an accumulating mass of scientific data showing just how intimately connected mind and body truly are."

If you want to read more about mind body healing, the link is

www.wholehealthmd.com/print/view/1,1560,AR_1198,00.html

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Lots of someones, actually. Yahoo! Personals --0-1278537912-1133981564=:54895-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 7 19:11:18 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Trinity Allred) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 12:11:18 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject) Message-ID: I think that movie we watched in class yesterday was neat. I especially thought the bit about the russians was really interesting. My in-laws spent extensive time all over in that country. Most of the people there believe in this psychic healing stuff. At least that is what my in-laws tell me. What is really really amazing to me that these people will spend most of their income on this "healing" program. But I guess that is no different than people here spending $100 per visit to a chiropractor. It is all a bunch of bologna. Trinity A. Allred _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 7 20:49:14 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 15:49:14 -0500 Subject: [Psych3120] farewell message board Message-ID: <8C7C986D156D17A-14BC-144CF@FWM-R19.sysops.aol.com> ----------MailBlocks_8C7C986D156D17A_14BC_13D7F_FWM-R19.sysops.aol.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Yesterday's video on the paranormal was really entertaining and interesting. It complemented Thursday's discussion on claims of the paranormal from last Thursday. Some people also made some very interesting comments regarding this topic following the class on Tuesday and on the message board. I have enjoyed reading what others have had to say. Personally, I have always been pretty skeptical of things like this. It is fun and amusing, but not scientific. However, I agree with what many others have said about how it doesn't need to be scientific to be believed by many. And the power of the placebo effect was mentioned many times and is quite apparent in the video. People will believe what they want to believe, and if it gives people direction, than that is just fine. But as a psychology major, I can understand why many people call it all a hoax. On another note...I know our test review is tomorrow, but I was just finishing the study guide and I was wondering if anyone knew the strengths and weakness of Anderson's and Logan's theories (question #4). Were these ever specifically mentioned in class? If anyone knows, please post something. Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who participated in the message board. Many stimulating thougts were offered and there were lots of helpful messages regarding lectures, test questions, etc. I really enjoyed and appreciated the message board. Hope everyone does well on the test! -Danielle Stocking ----------MailBlocks_8C7C986D156D17A_14BC_13D7F_FWM-R19.sysops.aol.com Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii"

Yesterday's video on the paranormal was really entertaining and interesting. It complemented Thursday's discussion on claims of the paranormal from last Thursday. Some people also made some very interesting comments regarding this topic following the class on Tuesday and on the message board. I have enjoyed reading what others have had to say. Personally, I have always been pretty skeptical of things like this. It is fun and amusing, but not scientific. However, I agree with what many others have said about how it doesn't need to be scientific to be believed by many. And the power of the placebo effect was mentioned many times and is quite apparent in the video. People will believe what they want to believe, and if it gives people direction, than that is just fine. But as a psychology major, I can understand why many people call it all a hoax.

On another note...I know our test review is tomorrow, but I was just finishing the study guide and I was wondering if anyone knew the strengths and weakness of Anderson's and Logan's theories (question #4). Were these ever specifically mentioned in class? If anyone knows, please post something.

Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who participated in the message board. Many stimulating thougts were offered and there were lots of helpful messages regarding lectures, test questions, etc. I really enjoyed and appreciated the message board. Hope everyone does well on the test!

-Danielle Stocking

----------MailBlocks_8C7C986D156D17A_14BC_13D7F_FWM-R19.sysops.aol.com-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 7 20:55:24 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 15:55:24 -0500 Subject: [Psych3120] Exam 3 question 5 Message-ID: <8C7C987ADB87801-170C-18242@mblkn-m10.sysops.aol.com> ----------MailBlocks_8C7C987AD925281_170C_1079D_mblkn-m10.sysops.aol.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I have started the first part of this question. Describe the role of heuristics play in in decision making. Instead of making detailed calculations to select choices, people appear to use heuristics which are simple rules that require little calculation, and usually give an acceptable solution. There are used to speed up decision making, and simplify rule of thumbs. Heuristics can lead to non optimal choices and inconsistent decisions. A heuristic can be contrasted with a algorithms, a formula that produces consistent outcomes and may if it is selected correctly produce optimal decision. These algorithm's can be complex and difficult to calculate. There are three types of heuristics, one is representativeness which is used when people are asked to judge the probability that something belongs to a category, if it has features strongly associated with that category. The availability heuristic is used to judge the probability of events. You simply try to call examples of the event to mind. If many examples can be called to mind easily, you judge the event to be more probable. Anchoring and adjustment heuristic is used to estimate probabilities. You start with a probability value (the anchor) by doing a partial computation of the problem, then adjust this estimate upward or downward on the basis of other information the problem. The confirmation bias of heuristics is the tendency to seek information that confirms the initial hypothesis. Another bias is when part of anchoring bias. If you are given a series of pieces of information, you give more weight to early evidence in the sequence. For example when purchasing a car you are more likely to look at the car that starts off by saying that it's great on mileage, it's clean, and no rust then a description of a car that starts off by saying that it's rusted, not so good on gas, but it's clean. ___________________________________________________ Try the New Netscape Mail Today! Virtually Spam-Free | More Storage | Import Your Contact List http://mail.netscape.com ----------MailBlocks_8C7C987AD925281_170C_1079D_mblkn-m10.sysops.aol.com Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii"

I have started the first part of this question. Describe the role of heuristics play in

in decision making.

Instead of making detailed calculations to select choices, people appear to

use heuristics which are simple rules that require little calculation, and usually

give an acceptable solution. There are used to speed up decision making,

and simplify rule of thumbs. Heuristics can lead to non optimal choices and

inconsistent decisions. A heuristic can be contrasted with a algorithms,

a formula that produces consistent outcomes and may if it is selected

correctly produce optimal decision. These algorithm's can

be complex and difficult to calculate. There are three types of heuristics,

one is representativeness which is used when people are asked to judge the

probability that something belongs to a category, if it has features strongly

associated with that category. The availability heuristic is used to judge

the probability of events. You simply try to call examples of the event to mind.

If many examples can be called to mind easily, you judge the event to be more

probable. Anchoring and adjustment heuristic is used to estimate probabilities.

You start with a probability value (the anchor) by doing a partial computation

of the problem, then adjust this estimate upward or downward on the basis of

other information the problem. The confirmation bias of heuristics is the tendency

to seek information that confirms the initial hypothesis. Another bias is when part of

anchoring bias. If you are given a series of pieces of information, you give more

weight to early evidence in the sequence. For example when purchasing a car

you are more likely to look at the car that starts off by saying that it's great on mileage,

it's clean, and no rust then a description of a car that starts off by saying that it's rusted,

not so good on gas, but it's clean.

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http://mail.netscape.com ----------MailBlocks_8C7C987AD925281_170C_1079D_mblkn-m10.sysops.aol.com-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 8 01:13:37 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Spencer Banks) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 18:13:37 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] weekly post Message-ID: As I was looking for something in the news about psychology, one article really stuck out to me. It talks about the effect that high blood pressure can have on someone over the long run. Fittingly enough, for this course anyways, research has shown that high blood pressure, as patients get older, they might otherwise have worse-than-normal problems with short-term memory and verbal ability. New research shows that uncontrolled hypertension puts people at higher risk for sharper drops in these cognitive functions than does blood pressure that's normal due to diet, exercise and/or medication. The study appears in the current November issue of Neuropsychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association. Maybe this means that the 7 sins of memory will become the 8 sins of memory, adding high blood pressure to the list. Ok, probably not. Spencer Banks From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 8 06:01:43 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Doug Christopherson) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 23:01:43 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Message delayed Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_1e5e_6c77_219a Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Joel- I sent this message last week and received a notification telling me it was delayed. I just wanted to make sure that you saw it was posted. Thanks >From: postmaster@mail.hotmail.com >To: dougchristopherson@hotmail.com >Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Delay) >Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2005 06:04:16 -0800 > >This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification. > >THIS IS A WARNING MESSAGE ONLY. > >YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESEND YOUR MESSAGE. > >Delivery to the following recipients has been delayed. > > psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu > > > _________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement ------=_NextPart_000_1e5e_6c77_219a Content-Type: message/delivery-status; name="attach3"; Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="attach3"; UmVwb3J0aW5nLU1UQTogZG5zO2hvdG1haWwuY29tDQpSZWNlaXZlZC1Gcm9t LU1UQTogZG5zO21haWwuaG90bWFpbC5jb20NCkFycml2YWwtRGF0ZTogU2F0 LCAzIERlYyAyMDA1IDE2OjE2OjA0IC0wODAwDQoNCkZpbmFsLVJlY2lwaWVu dDogcmZjODIyO3BzeWNoMzEyMEBsaXN0cy5jc2JzLnV0YWguZWR1DQpBY3Rp b246IGRlbGF5ZWQNClN0YXR1czogNC40LjcNCldpbGwtUmV0cnktVW50aWw6 IE1vbiwgNSBEZWMgMjAwNSAxNjoxNjoyMCAtMDgwMA0K ------=_NextPart_000_1e5e_6c77_219a Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Received: from mail pickup service by hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Sat, 3 Dec 2005 16:16:04 -0800 Message-ID: Received: from 65.54.174.200 by by103fd.bay103.hotmail.msn.com with HTTP; Sun, 04 Dec 2005 00:16:04 GMT X-Originating-IP: [67.166.114.97] X-Originating-Email: [dougchristopherson@hotmail.com] X-Sender: dougchristopherson@hotmail.com From: "Doug Christopherson" To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Bcc: Subject: Weekly Post- Doug Christopherson Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 17:16:04 -0700 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed X-OriginalArrivalTime: 04 Dec 2005 00:16:04.0429 (UTC) FILETIME=[EA306FD0:01C5F867] Received: from mail pickup service by hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Sat, 3 Dec 2005 16:16:04 -0800 Message-ID: Received: from 65.54.174.200 by by103fd.bay103.hotmail.msn.com with HTTP; Sun, 04 Dec 2005 00:16:04 GMT X-Originating-IP: [67.166.114.97] X-Originating-Email: [dougchristopherson@hotmail.com] X-Sender: dougchristopherson@hotmail.com From: "Doug Christopherson" To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Bcc: Subject: Weekly Post- Doug Christopherson Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 17:16:04 -0700 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed X-OriginalArrivalTime: 04 Dec 2005 00:16:04.0429 (UTC) FILETIME=[EA306FD0:01C5F867] What is it about thinking technically during a task (golf swing) that causes us to execute the taks with less precision. The golf swing is a perfect example of this. When I golf I like to warm-up before I play by hitting a few balls. After I'm warm, however, I stop immediately because I don't want to waste the mental energy on the practice range that I could be using on the course. I suppose this is an example of how an implicit memory task can become more complicated when we try to think about it explicitly. I seem to play my best golf when I am relaxed and don't care about my score. The moment (literally) I start thinking about where my swing plane is, or if my grip is too strong, or whatever else, my swing plane becomes off, my grip becomes too strong, etc. Instances like these remind me of "What the Bleep Do We Know", and just how much we become what we think. The more I question the way I golf, the less able I am to perform. Maybe that's why Happy Gilmore's swing was so effective (ha). I know, I know, Happy was great because of Chubs. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ ------=_NextPart_000_1e5e_6c77_219a-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 8 18:32:55 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu) Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 13:32:55 EST Subject: [Psych3120] review Message-ID: <1c0.364554fa.30c9d657@aol.com> -------------------------------1134066775 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit hey i was wondering if anyone could share their review notes...i went to the review but there was noooo parking...none in the meters, none in the pay lot by the bookstore...none!...so pretty much im totally upset that i missed this review cuz i've never missed one before. so if anyone could help that would be great...and i do good on the tests so the help could go both ways. so if u would like to...email me at _meggie1413@aol.com_ (mailto:meggie1413@aol.com) . thank u. meghan kueny -------------------------------1134066775 Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

hey i was wondering if anyone could share their review notes...i went t= o=20 the review but there was noooo parking...none in the meters, none in the pay= lot=20 by the bookstore...none!...so pretty much im totally upset that i missed thi= s=20 review cuz i've never missed one before. so if anyone could help that=20 would be great...and i do good on the tests so the help could go both=20 ways. so if u would like to...email me at meggie1413@aol.com. thank u.

meghan kueny

-------------------------------1134066775-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 8 18:52:39 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Kimberly Hollie) Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 10:52:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Psych3120] skepticism In-Reply-To: <200512071901.MAA15219@topo.csbs.utah.edu> Message-ID: <20051208185239.90187.qmail@web34003.mail.mud.yahoo.com> --0-152175001-1134067959=:89409 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit When I first read question number 8 on the study guide, I thought that it was a little ridiculous. That is until I starting thinking about it. All semester we have been talking about the fallacies of the human experience. Over and over again when we were studying perception we were presented with examples of how our mind/eyes make up for what we cannot see. Especially in peripheral vision, where we fill in the blanks. Also when presented with a picture upside down, it can look vastly different than it does right side up, or pictures can even appear to be moving if looked at in the right way. But it is not only our vision that can fail us. Our memory is not perfect either. If prompted correctly we may remember something distinctly that never actually happened. All of this could be reason for one to be skeptical of the world around them and any inconsistencies with natural occurances. --------------------------------- Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-152175001-1134067959=:89409 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

When I first read question number 8 on the study guide, I thought that it was a little ridiculous. That is until I starting thinking about it. All semester we have been talking about the fallacies of the human experience. Over and over again when we were studying perception we were presented with examples of how our mind/eyes make up for what we cannot see. Especially in peripheral vision, where we fill in the blanks. Also when presented with a picture upside down, it can look vastly different than it does right side up, or pictures can even appear to be moving if looked at in the right way. But it is not only our vision that can fail us. Our memory is not perfect either. If prompted correctly we may remember something distinctly that never actually happened. All of this could be reason for one to be skeptical of the world around them and any inconsistencies with natural occurances.

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Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-152175001-1134067959=:89409-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 9 04:43:49 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Jennifer Burrup) Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 21:43:49 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] POST #11 In-Reply-To: Message-ID:

Hello all,

I wanted to address this weeks post about that psychic video we watched. I really enjoyed it. I actually found it quite amusing, not to mention very entertaining. Watching those people that actually believe that they had some sort of psychic type of ability was interesting...it makes me want to diagnose them with a mental disorder, but I will leave that up to the professionals. I think my favorite part about the video was when those two women tried to describe TED BUNDY's character...ha ha. Very interesting how they got 2/3 of what they said was wrong. Hmm...I might have to invest in that book about why people believe wierd things.

From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 9 04:44:27 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (kevin davis) Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 21:44:27 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] ACT Architecture? Message-ID: Hey everyone. I've been writing out answers in preparaton for the test and have seem to be doing alright save for coming up with a brief description of the ACT model. I think I get the general idea of it but I could use some help putting the processes of the model into words (if that makes sense). So if anyone wants to practice a little I (and I'm sure others) would be very appreciative. Anyway I hope ya'll have a good weekend. Don't study too hard. -Kevin From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 9 17:40:52 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Jonathan Gallimore) Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 09:40:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Psych3120] RE: a fun horoscope thing Message-ID: <20051209174052.51947.qmail@web34610.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Okay I know that everyone is cramming for finals but I got this cool horoscope type of thing in my e-mail and I thought that I could pass it on to all of you. As you do this look at how accurate the answers are for you, and also look at how the answers are broad and vague and could apply to almost anyone. This is a good exercise in critical thinking and remember that critical thinking does not only apply to parapsychology but also to psychology as well. It is our duty to critically read over studies and examine the evidence to see if there are flaws just like what you are doing with this test. Thanks. ---Jonathan Gallimore Horoscope Test... If you are honest this tells the truth - it's pretty good Write your answers on a piece of paper. No cheating !! The answers are at the bottom of this page. 1. Write the name of a person of the opposite sex. 2. Which is your favourite colour out of red, black, blue, green, yellow? 3. Your first initial? 4. Your month of birth? 5. Which color do you like more, black or white? 6. Name of a person of the same sex as yours. 7. Your favourite number? 8. Do you like Sydney or Brisbane more? 9. Do you like a lake or the ocean more? 10. Write down a wish (a realistic one). When you're done, scroll down. (Don't cheat) Answers: 1. You are completely in love with this person. 2. If you choose: Red - You are alert and your life is full of love. Black - you are conservative and aggressive. Green - your soul is relaxed and you are laid back Blue - you are spontaneous and love kisses and affection from the ones you love. Yellow- you are a very happy person and give good advice to those who are down. 3.If your initial is: A-K You have a lot of love to give in friendships in your life. L-R You try to enjoy your life to the maximum and your love life is soon to blossom. S-Z You like to help others and your future love life looks very good. 4.If you were born in: Jan-Mar: The year will go very well for you and you will discover that you fall in love with someone totally unexpected. April-June: You will have a strong love relationship that will last long and the memories will last forever. July-Sep: You will have a great year and will experience a major life-changing experience for the good. Oct-Dec: Your love life will not be too great, but eventually you will find your soul mate. 5.If you chose..... Black: Your life will take on a different direction, it will be the best thing for you, and you will be glad for the change. White: You will have a friend who completely confides in you and would do anything for you, but you may not realize it. 6.This person is your best friend. 7.This is how many close friends you have in your lifetime. 8.If you chose: Sydney: You like adventure. Brisbane: You are a laid back person. 9.If you chose: Lake: You are loyal to your friends and your lover and are very reserved. Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people. 10.This wish will come true only if you send this to five people in one hour. Send it to ten people, and it will come true before your next birthday! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 9 20:05:46 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Rachel B) Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 20:05:46 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] parapsychology Message-ID: When I was about 10 years old, I was very scared about the possibility of aliens. I woke up in the middle of the night and as I was going to the bathroom, I noticed something flying outside in the distance that looked like a flying saucer. I was so convinced that seeing is believing that I sat by the window for the next hour or so until it came closer to the house. I felt really crazy when it got close enough I could see it was a blimp!! That was my lesson not to believe what everyone tells you. I have been much more skeptical since that happened. I really enjoyed the video in class. It is amazing what people will pay for to be cured. -Rachel Braun Johnson From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 10 02:14:53 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Dave Callister) Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 18:14:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Psych3120] palm reading-post 14 Message-ID: <20051210021453.48088.qmail@web32909.mail.mud.yahoo.com> --0-1177450400-1134180893=:45686 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit The other day I went to visit a friend with my wife. This friend had her sister over who is a palm reader. We got to talking, and I asked her about her "gift" as she referred to it as. She said that she communicates with the dead all the time and that she is able to relay messages from the dead to their loved ones. We gave her certain tid bits of info about ourselves, and after a 20 minute conversation, she offered to read our palms. I agreed because I was so curious as to what she would say. She told us about 5 things that were correct, and about 5 that were not correct. I did notice something ironic however. If you don't believe in palm readings (as I don't) you should get one and focus on the things that they tell you. Two key points stuck out to me. 1) they will always engage in a conversation with you before they read your palm, and then will regurgitate things back to you that you may have already revealed to them, most likely subconciously. 2) They say many generic things that could be true for a number of different people. Also, I believe that palm readers who are really good, are also very good facial expression readers. I think that as they are telling you something, they will continue based on your reaction. So in essence, it is true that good palm readers are also good psychologists, they just don't want you to know it. :) Dave --------------------------------- Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-1177450400-1134180893=:45686 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

The other day I went to visit a friend with my wife. This friend had her sister over who is a palm reader. We got to talking, and I asked her about her "gift" as she referred to it as. She said that she communicates with the dead all the time and that she is able to relay messages from the dead to their loved ones. We gave her certain tid bits of info about ourselves, and after a 20 minute conversation, she offered to read our palms. I agreed because I was so curious as to what she would say. She told us about 5 things that were correct, and about 5 that were not correct. I did notice something ironic however. If you don't believe in palm readings (as I don't) you should get one and focus on the things that they tell you. Two key points stuck out to me. 1) they will always engage in a conversation with you before they read your palm, and then will regurgitate things back to you that you may have already revealed to them, most likely subconciously. 2) They say many generic things that could be true for a number of different people. Also, I believe that palm readers who are really good, are also very good facial expression readers. I think that as they are telling you something, they will continue based on your reaction. So in essence, it is true that good palm readers are also good psychologists, they just don't want you to know it. :)

Dave

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Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-1177450400-1134180893=:45686-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 10 19:24:37 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Brett Powell) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 11:24:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Psych3120] Question # 7 Message-ID: <20051210192437.86090.qmail@web36215.mail.mud.yahoo.com> --0-2045257855-1134242677=:85024 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit My study partner and I had some trouble with this question. We put the best information we could together. I hope this can help others and maybe I can get some feedback too. Thanks! Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) models constitute a new approach to issues of representation in cognitive psychology. Briefly describe the assumptions of PDP models. How would such models account for instance and prototype formation? How would such models account for semantic priming? Book pgs. 268-273, 549 Online notes dated: 11/25 Class notes dated: 11/29 Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) is a model using a distributed representation with nodes and links. The model learns as weights are modified. Parallel – many computations at once. Distributed – many processing units. Processing - information processing. A PDP is a three layer network. The two outside layers are input nodes and output nodes. The layer in the middle is hidden nodes (also can be thought of as inter-neurons). Hidden layers act as abstract associations between input and output. PDP is a neural inspired model of cognition with simple neural like processing units. The processing units are highly interconnected. Memory representations are distributed throughout the network. This model is used to determine how the mind works (can you get a car loan, get a credit card, make stock market predictions). The more stable something is, the more predictable it is when using this model and other neural network models. Memories are represented in the connections between processing units. The two types of connections are inhibitory and facilitory. Inhibitory connections can be illustrated using the Necker Cube. Inhibitory connections inhibit your ability to see both sides of the Necker Cube at once. PDP is a simple pattern associator where patterns are represented as a collection of features (Visual pattern of rose could be represented like the following: +1, -1, -1, +1; Smell pattern of a rose could be represented like the following: -1, -1, +1, +1) These patterns are combined to create a network. This rose example would combine the visual and smell patterns to create a 16 unit network. Given a visual pattern of a rose, the network can produce the smell of a rose. Given the smell pattern of a rose, the network can produce the visual pattern of a rose. This model is fault tolerant. You can lose some input but still receive an output. You don’t have to have complete input for the network to produce plausible output. For example, you could still recognize a rose even if you couldn’t see the stem. Another feature of the PDP model is graceful degradation. Graceful degradation means that if part of the system is damages or malfunctions, it doesn’t shut down. Performance may get worse, but the system is still somewhat functional. Generalization is also incorporated into the model. With generalization you respond to a new stimulus in the way you would respond to an old stimulus that is similar. For example, you are trying to figure out the flavor of the ice cream you are eating. You would say “it’s not vanilla but it tastes like vanilla.” PDP models account for instance, prototype, and semantic priming. Instances are stored in memory. They will be recognized as instances and not generalities unless the instance continues to happen over and over at which time it may become a generality. Unique features for instances. Prototypes are a generic representation of a stimulus. Common features form prototypes. The neural network will work as a signal averager that will create a prototype for something according to what are the most common features for that prototype. For example, the prototype for a dog is that is has four legs, a tail, two ears, fur/hair, etc. Prototypes are an emergent property of superpositional memory. Superpositional memories are single memories that have some common features that are laid on top of each other. Within the PDP models, semantic priming is not due to spreading activation. Semantic priming occurs because the state that the network settles into on the Prime is similar to the state that the network settles into on the Probe (facilitation). If you see breadànurse and doctorànurse, semantic priming would occur in doctorànurse because they are similar therefore having similar neural networks. --------------------------------- Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-2045257855-1134242677=:85024 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

My study partner and I had some trouble with this question. We put the best information we could together. I hope this can help others and maybe I can get some feedback too. Thanks!

Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) models constitute a new approach to issues of representation in cognitive psychology. Briefly describe the assumptions of PDP models. How would such models account for instance and prototype formation? How would such models account for semantic priming?

Book pgs. 268-273, 549

Online notes dated: 11/25

Class notes dated: 11/29

Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) is a model using a distributed representation with nodes and links. The model learns as weights are modified. Parallel – many computations at once. Distributed – many processing units. Processing - information processing. A PDP is a three layer network. The two outside layers are input nodes and output nodes. The layer in the middle is hidden nodes (also can be thought of as inter-neurons). Hidden layers act as abstract associations between input and output. PDP is a neural inspired model of cognition with simple neural like processing units. The processing units are highly interconnected. Memory representations are distributed throughout the network. This model is used to determine how the mind works (can you get a car loan, get a credit card, make stock market predictions). The more stable something is, the more predictable it is when using this model and other neural network models. Memories are represented in the connections between processing units. The two types of connections are inhibitory and facilitory. Inhibitory connections can be illustrated using the Necker Cube. Inhibitory connections inhibit your ability to see both sides of the Necker Cube at once. PDP is a simple pattern associator where patterns are represented as a collection of features (Visual pattern of rose could be represented like the following: +1, -1, -1, +1; Smell pattern of a rose could be represented like the following: -1, -1, +1, +1) These patterns are combined to create a network. This rose example would combine the visual and smell patterns to create a 16 unit network. Given a visual pattern of a rose, the network can produce the smell of a rose. Given the smell pattern of a rose, the network can produce the visual pattern of a rose. This model is fault tolerant. You can lose some input but still receive an output. You don’t have to have complete input for the network to produce plausible output. For example, you could still recognize a rose even if you couldn’t see the stem. Another feature of the PDP model is graceful degradation. Graceful degradation means that if part of the system is damages or malfunctions, it doesn’t shut down. Performance may get worse, but the system is still somewhat functional. Generalization is also incorporated into the model. With generalization you respond to a new stimulus in the way you would respond to an old stimulus that is similar. For example, you are trying to figure out the flavor of the ice cream you are eating. You would say “it’s not vanilla but it tastes like vanilla.”

PDP models account for instance, prototype, and semantic priming. Instances are stored in memory. They will be recognized as instances and not generalities unless the instance continues to happen over and over at which time it may become a generality. Unique features for instances. Prototypes are a generic representation of a stimulus. Common features form prototypes. The neural network will work as a signal averager that will create a prototype for something according to what are the most common features for that prototype. For example, the prototype for a dog is that is has four legs, a tail, two ears, fur/hair, etc. Prototypes are an emergent property of superpositional memory. Superpositional memories are single memories that have some common features that are laid on top of each other. Within the PDP models, semantic priming is not due to spreading activation. Semantic priming occurs because the state that the network settles into on the Prime is similar to the state that the network settles into on the Probe (facilitation). If you see breadànurse and doctorànurse, semantic priming would occur in doctorànurse because they are similar therefore having similar neural networks.

Yahoo! Shopping
Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-2045257855-1134242677=:85024-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 10 23:12:34 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Kendrick) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 16:12:34 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] palm reading Message-ID: <33375ed40512101512q6f33b5bcu49645e121a504ba0@mail.gmail.com> ------=_Part_18252_19635180.1134256354004 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Disposition: inline Did you know that there is a palm reading class available here at the U?! Its in the llpd - personal development section of the spring 2006 classes. You don't get credit, but you may be able to start a nice career or pay for college, like that fella in the video earlier this week. Anyhow, I hope I didn't offend people with one of my posts. I just sometimes get frustrated about how "not fair" things are, when really it isn't fair for everyone. If getting the bachelor's is killing you, from what I hear grad school will destroy you. I just figure if my wife can do it, so can I and so can anyone else who really wants it. Thats kind of wha= t I meant. Probably didn't win any friends again. Kendrick. ------=_Part_18252_19635180.1134256354004 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Disposition: inline

Did you know that there is a palm reading class available here a= t the U?! Its in the llpd - personal development section of the sprin= g 2006 classes. You don't get credit, but you may be able to start a = nice career or pay for college, like that fella in the video earlier this w= eek. =20

Anyhow, I hope I didn't offend people with one of my posts. I ju= st sometimes get frustrated about how "not fair" things are, when= really it isn't fair for everyone. If getting the bachelor= 's is killing you, from what I hear grad school will destroy you. I j= ust figure if my wife can do it, so can I and so can anyone else who really= wants it. Thats kind of what I meant. Probably didn't win any = friends again.

Kendrick.

------=_Part_18252_19635180.1134256354004-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 11 00:32:12 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Emily Liljenquist) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 17:32:12 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject) Message-ID: I was reading previous posts and one struck me. It regarded the movie we watched in class on Tuesday and the concept of parapsychology in general. The person (I'm so sorry I forgot your name!) talked about how certain things, such as palm readings and astrology, give people direction. Perhaps we think they are absolutely insane. Some people believe in these concepts with every fiber of their being and this could be due to the fact that they receive hope and guidance from hearing that they will meet the man or woman of their dreams someday. It was interesting to hear from the man who devoted his life to disproving concepts of parapsychology. What was even more interesting is that when he exposed the deceit, or attempted to expose the deceit, many people continued to believe. It kind of proved that it is not just the concept of believing, but instead it's about the sense of hope. I mean I'll be honest, I own a 2005 Aries Horoscope book and I've been known to share certain passages with my friends that I have looked into way too much...and that's just it, I wanted certain things to be true so badly, that I looked into them way too much. I'm sure many of you can relate to this as well. So maybe we should let those people carry on and believe. If it makes you happy, wonderful. Carry on, friends. From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 11 01:25:45 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Abby Wright) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 18:25:45 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Posting #14 Message-ID: Well, I can’t believe the semester has finally come to an end! Time flies when you’re having fun I suppose. Anyway, I just want to comment on James Randi’s website. I don’t know if any of you know her, but the renowned psychic Sylvia Brown (who has a regular guest appearance on Montel) has accepted the million dollar challenge back in 2001. However, she has yet to make good on her acceptance. Personally, I am not surprised. After seeing that NOVA special and how Randi managed to show that those two Russian psychics weren’t very good, I’m surprised that anyone would accept his challenge. What’s funny though, is on his website it a calendar of the weeks that have gone by since she accepted the challenge. Anyway, I want to wish everyone good luck on the test, and thank Dr. Strayer and Joel for a wonderful, enriching semester :) From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 11 17:38:51 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (alexis cononelos) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 09:38:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject) Message-ID: <20051211173851.14831.qmail@web52403.mail.yahoo.com> --0-1978301014-1134322731=:14295 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Not that I don't think there is a billion dollar industry built off of scamming others, but that is not to say that everything can be discredited on that basis. Also I think people forget the fact that astrology has been around since the dawn of civilization and has a scientific mathematical origin. Whether or not people read them correctly and just how much can be “seen” through them is another question. Astrology has been the bases of people's faith to millions everywhere throughout generations. It’s not what you believe in that matters it’s what you get from believing in something. --------------------------------- Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-1978301014-1134322731=:14295 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Not that I don't think there is a billion dollar industry built off of scamming others, but that is not to say that everything can be discredited on that basis.

Also I think people forget the fact that astrology has been around since the dawn of civilization and has a scientific mathematical origin. Whether or not people read them correctly and just how much can be “seen” through them is another question. Astrology has been the bases of people's faith to millions everywhere throughout generations. It’s not what you believe in that matters it’s what you get from believing in something.

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Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping --0-1978301014-1134322731=:14295-- From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 11 21:48:34 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Jonathan Gallimore) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 13:48:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Psych3120] RE: study session Message-ID: <20051211214834.64484.qmail@web34615.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I talked with some people Thursday after class about a study session on Tuesday and I wanted to give them the room number for that and it is 1007 in the BHS building. You need to go to the tenth floor turn right off of the elevator and it is the first door on your right. For those of you interested in joining it is Tuesday 12/13/2005 at 10:45 am until we pass out and die from studying ((hahahahaha)) or decide to go home. Any question then please e-mail me at godjon@yahoo.com. Thank you! ----Jonathan Gallimore __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 11 22:32:50 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Dave Jones) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 15:32:50 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] The Debate Message-ID: It's interesting to see how much discussion this last class period has given the class. It seems that everybody has a say when relating to psychics and astrology and the like. There is no definitive answer and people seem to have a response to that which everyone else has to say. I think it would be safe to say that these thoughts of the paranormal can be a huge part of peoples lives. It is just interesting how everybody relates to them in different ways. On a side note since we were thinking of the paranormal I realized that it could just be mentioned how other "unexplainable" events could be seen in a different light now that we have learned so much about cognition. The Loch Ness monster seems to me easily explained now with how easily our eyes can fool us. David Jones From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 12 01:05:49 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Drew Bennion) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 18:05:49 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Post For Drew Bennion Message-ID: I found the video with the Amazing Randy probably one of the most interesting pieces of information Ive thought about this semester. Ive always known that there were people out there who truely believed in things that didn't necesaraly make sense to me. For the most part, I always thought that psychic readings and astrological predicitions were general statements intended only for entertainment. The part I don't like, as Randy pointed out, is when the line that separates reality is blurred and people fall for it. I don't know if anyone else out there has heard of Criss Angel-Mindfreak, but he is an amazing magician. He doesn't share his secrets however he never leads his audience to believe that he is magical in some way. He emphasizes the sleight of hand and sometimes talks about the same thing Randy talks about - manipulating people's perceptions to see things his way. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 12 02:16:05 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (nicole funk) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:16:05 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Weekly Post Message-ID:

I am starting to study for the final and I was going over the study guide and came across number 8. I think it is important to have a skeptical approach to parapsychology so that you are not taken advantage of. It is good to know where science stands on these issues. Being skeptical means that you question accusations rather than buying in to every claim that comes along. A skeptical approach would include questions like: What are the claims exactly?, What is the evidence for them?, Is this evidence credible?, Are there alternative interpretations?. The material in this course is consistent with a skeptical approach to parapsychology. Much of the material has involved analysis and questioning as well as looking at concrete, physical causes for different functions and malfunctions of the brain. It is very important to have this approach to information that comes our way in order to use what we have learned about real evidence and how the mind works to find out what is actually true.

Nicole Funk

From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 12 06:03:18 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Doug Christopherson) Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 23:03:18 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] weekly post-Doug Christopherson Message-ID: The power of the mind was very apparent in the show we watched on psychics. The self-fulfilling prophecy which Shawn mentioned (in his post) is all too real. Don't quantum physics and shows like "What the Bleep..." tell us that we are what we think? The clinic I work in at the hospital primarily does research on study medications. Typically, half of our patients will be on the medication being tested and the other half on placebo. In some cases the placebo medication works 30% of the time, that is 30% of the patients put on placebo see an improvement in whatever their particular psychological disorder may be. I can't tell you how much time I've wasted worrying about some future event only to have that negative thought fulfilled because I didn't do anything to prevent it in the present. Just think about how much we could accomplish if we were always thinking positively about the present. People seeking psychological treatment are often too reliant on their medication, and not reliant enough on changing their negative thinking. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 12 07:50:09 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (stevebeardshall@juno.com) Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 07:50:09 GMT Subject: [Psych3120] Post #13 Message-ID: <20051211.235108.6340.112852@webmail23.lax.untd.com> I have been very interested in the last couple of classes. I don't now that I believe in any of the things that have been presented, I guess you could call me a "skeptic". However I do like how it has been pointed out that being a skeptic is really good. I think that having a guarded opinion in most things is the best way to go. In class we discussed all the pros and cons and I think the pros by far weigh out the cons. I was also impressed by the video and how it show that so many people are taken in by the false claims of others. I was especially surprised by the holy water in russia, i thought that was rediculous. Steve Beardshall From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 13 22:15:13 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Jessica Berry) Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 15:15:13 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Some notes on chapter 12: language In-Reply-To: <200512121901.MAA23389@topo.csbs.utah.edu> Message-ID: Chapter 12: Language 1. The process of differentiating individual speech sounds is even more difficult than identifying letters during reading. 2. Grammar and strings of words interpreted to signify meanings. 3. What makes language processing difficult? Language is full of ambiguities; words have multiple meaning, sentences can be interpreted in more than one way. 4. How are ambiguities resolved? The use of multiple sources of information at the same time. Context help to resolve ambiguity. 5. How are language and thought related? Can animals be taught the rudiments of language? Apes may have some rudimentary linguistic ability, but their skills have been exaggerated in the popular press. Do words and grammar of our language influence the way we think? The particular language you speak does have some effect on how you think. 6. What makes language processing difficult? There are ambiguities at every level of language: sentences, words, and even the sounds that compose individual words can be ambiguous. 7. Properties that help define language: 1. COMMUNICATIVE: Permits communication 2. ARBITRARY: The relationship between the elements in the language and their meaning is arbitrary. Arbitrariness is a key feature of symbols (i.e. it is all made up). A set of sounds stand for a particular meaning, but which sound stand for which meaning is arbitrary. 3. STRUCTURED: The pattern of symbols is not arbitrary (i.e. sentence: pattern of symbols creates meaning). 4. GENERATIVE: The basic units of language (words) can be used to build a limitless number of meanings. 5. DYNAMIC: Language is not static and is constantly changing as new words are added and the rules of grammar are modified. 8. Phonemes: individual speech sounds. (46 English) Difficult to perceive because individual speakers pronounce them differently. 9. Coarticulation: Making one movement in a way that anticipates future movements or is influenced by past movements. 10. Speech stream: researchers sometimes call speech this because when people speak, they produce a continuous stream of phonemes. --- song lyrics 11. People make inferences when they read text. 12. Grammar: set of rules that describe the permissible sentences that can be constructed in a language. Competence: people’s knowledge of grammar. Performance: the way people actually talk. Word-chain grammars propose that grammatical sentences are constructed word by word, with the speaker selecting the next word based on the associations of the rest of the words in the sentence. _________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 13 22:27:40 2005 From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu) Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 17:27:40 -0500 Subject: [Psych3120] Fwd: Exam 3 question 5 In-Reply-To: <8C7C987ADB87801-170C-18242@mblkn-m10.sysops.aol.com> References: <8C7C987ADB87801-170C-18242@mblkn-m10.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8C7CE4B9068F71A-178-10AAB@mblkn-m08.sysops.aol.com> ----------MailBlocks_8C7CE4B9068F71A_178_C05C_mblkn-m08.sysops.aol.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" -----Original Message----- From: katiesosassie10 To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sent: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 15:55:24 -0500 Subject: Exam 3 question 5 I have started the first part of this question. Describe the role of heuristics play in in decision making. Instead of making detailed calculations to select choices, people appear to use heuristics which are simple rules that require little calculation, and usually give an acceptable solution. There are used to speed up decision making, and simplify rule of thumbs. Heuristics can lead to non optimal choices and inconsistent decisions. A heuristic can be contrasted with a algorithms, a formula that produces consistent outcomes and may if it is selected correctly produce optimal decision. These algorithm's can be complex and difficult to calculate. There are three types of heuristics, one is representativeness which is used when people are asked to judge the probability that something belongs to a category, if it has features strongly associated with that category. The availability heuristic is used to judge the probability of events. You simply try to call examples of the event to mind. If many examples can be called to mind easily, you judge the event to be more probable. Anchoring and adjustment heuristic is used to estimate probabilities. You start with a probability value (the anchor) by doing a partial computation of the problem, then adjust this estimate upward or downward on the basis of other information the problem. The confirmation bias of heuristics is the tendency to seek information that confirms the initial hypothesis. Another bias is when part of anchoring bias. If you are given a series of pieces of information, you give more weight to early evidence in the sequence. For example when purchasing a car you are more likely to look at the car that starts off by saying that it's great on mileage, it's clean, and no rust then a description of a car that starts off by saying that it's rusted, not so good on gas, but it's clean. Katie Homan Try the New Netscape Mail Today! Virtually Spam-Free | More Storage | Import Your Contact List http://mail.netscape.com ___________________________________________________ Try the New Netscape Mail Today! 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To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Sent: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 15:55:24 -0500
Subject: Exam 3 question 5