From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 1 00:50:41 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Thomas Blakemore)
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
Message-ID: <25066113.1196470241508.JavaMail.root@elwamui-royal.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
The lecture on prototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediately identify a telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where someone comes from. I also think these prototypes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily discern differences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of another. For example, an American Indian would have more trouble seeing difference amongst European Americans than a European American would. I think this is because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are more of their prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into that prototype.
I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they applicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neural processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 1 02:16:11 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Charles Lincoln Allen)
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
Message-ID: <53B33451F353DC4784145300898D36CC701A6D@CAMPUSV4.xds.umail.utah.edu>
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I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks =
and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. =
This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in =
class. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining =
characteristics of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for =
instance, and compiles them into a prototype of what a dog is. This then =
allows for us to recognize any type of dog based on the common features. =
Now, to me I would think that in order to form this prototype we must =
first have experiences with several types of dogs in order to compile =
the defining features. So, how in early childhood can a toddler, who may =
have only been around a toy poodle still recognize a mastiff as a dog? =
And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, raccoon, or any other =
four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little confused as to how =
the distinction between similar concepts are formed both during =
childhood and throughout life. =20
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Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with =
neural networks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on =
top" of one another. This seems similar to the prototype theory =
that we discussed earlier in class. It would seem that our brains pick =
the main defining characteristics of whatever concept we are looking at, =
say dogs for instance, and compiles them into a prototype of what a dog =
is. This then allows for us to recognize any type of dog based on the =
common features. Now, to me I would think that in order to form this =
prototype we must first have experiences with several types of dogs in =
order to compile the defining features. So, how in early childhood can a =
toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still recognize a =
mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, =
raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little =
confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed =
both during childhood and throughout life.
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 1 23:41:40 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Steve Best)
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 15:41:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Lessons Learned
Message-ID: <901530.30893.qm@web36504.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
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Last week I was traveling early to work and noticed that the almost-full moon was just "setting" low on the western horizon. It was a burning red, and in spite of the fact that we learned about the entire phenomenon and how it works in Illusions and constancies a couple of months ago in the first unit, it still seemed that the moon was many times larger as it sunk there on the horizon. The point is, that even when one learns the science behind a phenomenon, it is still sometimes hard to "see" things differently than they appear. So, the moon still looked huge that morning to me, even though I tried to look through the illusion.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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Last week I was traveling early to work and noticed that the almost-full moon was just "setting" low on the western horizon. It was a burning red, and in spite of the fact that we learned about the entire phenomenon and how it works in Illusions and constancies a couple of months ago in the first unit, it still seemed that the moon was many times larger as it sunk there on the horizon. The point is, that even when one learns the science behind a phenomenon, it is still sometimes hard to "see" things differently than they appear. So, the moon still looked huge that morning to me, even though I tried to look through the illusion.
Be a better pen pal.
Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.
--0-222495262-1196552500=:30893--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 2 01:28:16 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Miss Kitty)
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 18:28:16 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] In response to Thomas Blakemore's post on prototypes
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Thomas brought up an interesting point about prototypes and where he =
wondered if prototypes are formed for things such as taste and hearing. =
I agree with him in that there are. For example, all country music =
sounds the same to me because I probably have this prototype in my mind =
of twangy voices and lyrics about a tractor breaking down. prototype =
are very interesting things; one of the most interesting things I've =
learned about this class though is that there is no reality; it's all =
about how you perceive it.
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Thomas brought up an interesting point about prototypes and where =
he=20
wondered if prototypes are formed for things such as taste and hearing. =
I agree=20
with him in that there are. For example, all country music sounds the =
same to me=20
because I probably have this prototype in my mind of twangy voices and =
lyrics=20
about a tractor breaking down. prototype are very interesting =
things; one=20
of the most interesting things I've learned about this class though is =
that=20
there is no reality; it's all about how you perceive =
it.
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 2 01:30:26 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Miss Kitty)
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 18:30:26 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Anyone Thinking About Going Into Research?
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Since my entire network of family, friends and coworkers know I'm a =
psychology major, they always send me the most interesting psychological =
findings. Here is one I got:
=ABThe Effect of Country Music on Suicide=BB
(S. Stack and J. Gundlach; Wayne State University and Auburn University; =
1992)
"The greater the airtime devoted to country music, the greater the white =
suicide rate" According to the authors, Steven Stack and Jim Gundlach, =
the paper "assesses the link between country music and metropolitan =
suicide rates. Country music is hypothesized to nurture a suicidal mood =
through its concerns with problems common in the suicidal population, =
such as marital discord, alcohol abuse, and alienation from work. The =
results of a multiple regression analysis of 49 metropolitan areas show =
that the greater the airtime devoted to country music, the greater the =
white suicide rate. The effect is independent of divorce, southernness, =
poverty, and gun availability. The existence of a country music =
subculture is thought to reinforce the link between country music and =
suicide. Our model explains 51% of the variance in urban white suicide =
rates." The paper can be found =
online.
This is interesting to look at from a biopsychosocial model.
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Since my entire network of family, friends and coworkers know I'm a =
psychology major, they always send me the most interesting psychological =
findings. Here is one I got:
=ABThe Effect of Country Music on =
Suicide=BB (S. Stack and J. Gundlach; Wayne State University =
and=20
Auburn University; 1992) "The greater the airtime =
devoted=20
to country music, the greater the white suicide rate" According to =
the=20
authors, Steven Stack and Jim Gundlach, the paper "assesses the link =
between=20
country music and metropolitan suicide rates. Country music is =
hypothesized to=20
nurture a suicidal mood through its concerns with problems common in the =
suicidal population, such as marital discord, alcohol abuse, and =
alienation from=20
work. The results of a multiple regression analysis of 49 metropolitan =
areas=20
show that the greater the airtime devoted to country music, the greater =
the=20
white suicide rate. The effect is independent of divorce, southernness, =
poverty,=20
and gun availability. The existence of a country music subculture is =
thought to=20
reinforce the link between country music and suicide. Our model explains =
51% of=20
the variance in urban white suicide rates." The paper can be found =
online.
This is interesting to look at from a biopsychosocial model. =20
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 2 19:01:20 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (horii chieko)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 04:01:20 +0900
Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
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Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I found my self using strategies depend on the tasks.
While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, and shape.
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in order to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time.
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail$B8BDj!!(BWindows Live x Lost Odyssey$B%W%l%<%s%H%-%c%s%Z!<%s!!(B12$B7n(B21$BF|$^$G(B
http://go.windowslive.jp/
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Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I found my self using strategies depend on the tasks.
While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, and shape.
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in order to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time.
Hotmail$B8BDj!!(BWindows Live x Lost Odyssey$B%W%l%<%s%H%-%c%s%Z!<%s!!(B12$B7n(B21$BF|$^$G(B http://go.windowslive.jp/
--_19bdb79c-d29f-4b77-b0e0-6933dbf0f6fc_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sun Dec 2 21:13:03 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Andrea Kalvesmaki)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Memory
In-Reply-To: <200711301903.lAUJ35ZK012833@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID: <486164.53146.qm@web38915.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
If anyone gets a chance, grab a copy of National
Geographic magazine from November 2007. There is a
huge article on Memory, and on research of memory. The
article covers much of what we have been learning in
class, including info on H.M., but also covers two
other, current cases. One is in memory loss such as
H.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and no
new memories formed, but due to illness. And the other
case is a woman with a memory 'like a rolodex'. It
also goes into the history of memory, and the cultural
importance over time. For instance, before the age of
computers, memory for learning was much more vital
than it is today.
Here is a great quote that involves the neural
networks we are learning about now:
"What is a memory? The best that neuroscientists can
do for the moment is this: A memory is a stored
pattern of connections between neurons in the brain.
There are about a hundred billion of those neurons,
each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,000
synaptic connections with other neurons, which makes a
total of about five hundred trillion to a thousand
trillion synapses in the average adult brain. By
comparison, there are only about 32 trillion bytes of
information in the entire Library of Congress's print
collection. Every sensation we remember, every thought
we think, alters the connections within that vast
network. Synapses are strengthened or weakened or
formed anew. Our physical substance changes. Indeed,
it is always changing, every moment, even as we
sleep."
(Joshua Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic,
November 2007, p.36)
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 00:10:41 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Diana Alleman)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] Diana Alleman
Message-ID:
--_9216a618-18af-4abb-af4b-0fdd8dfa6976_
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Diana AllemanTopic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that humans after the age of
twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per year. This includes the amou=
nt and rate of which we
learn to be altered. I wonder what the
major contributions to cell loss are. Is
it from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how we are
biologically made up? Is there anyway to
save a small portion of those two grams each year?=20
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to. I watch my parents and gran=
dparents forget how
to do things they once were really good at.=20
For example, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone=92s name
and their relation to one another at a party.=20
Recently my family went to Florida
for thanksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We=
met several people over the five days we
were visiting. At the end of the trip my
mom had names and connections all turned around or forgotten. I thought to=
myself that this was not like
her. Normally she gets a hundred
percent. Could this be a part of her aging?=20
=20
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Diana Alleman
<=
o:p>Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that h=
umans after the age of
twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per year. =
This includes the amount and rate of which we
learn to be altered. I wonder what the
major contributions to cell loss are.Is
it from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how we are
biologically made up?Is there anyway to
save a small portion of those two grams each year?
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to.I watch my parents and grandparents forget how
to do things they once were really good at.For example, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone=92s =
name
and their relation to one another at a party.Recently my family went to Florida
for thanksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We met several people over the five days we
were visiting. At the end of the trip my
mom had names and connections all turned around or forgotten.I thought to myself that this was not like
her.Normally she gets a hundred
percent. Could this be a part of her aging?
=
--_9216a618-18af-4abb-af4b-0fdd8dfa6976_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 04:00:04 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This Test
Message-ID: <33392152.39451196654404875.JavaMail._WDIGSvc0406@abctvbar03>
You have received this ABCNEWS.com mail from:
David.Strayer@utah.edu
More on creativity -- see how the content of this course links up with everyday life...
Dave Strayer
Wanna Be President? Pass This Test
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/WhosCounting/story?id=3932705&page=1
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 04:33:20 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Spencer Weston)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:33:20 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Parallel Dist. Processing
References: <200712021904.lB2J3b1I015197@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
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The mind is truly amazing. I thought the model of semantic memory was =
good, but the parallel distributed processing is by far the best thing I =
have ever learned. Beyond being just a node or activation of a set of =
cells, the thought that activating a certain pattern of cells and that =
pattern of activation being a concept/memory is fantastic! Combine that =
with superpositional memory and prototype formation, it is no wonder =
nobody has ever filled up their memory. The capacity to learn is truly =
limitless and a good thing considering the rate technology is evolving. =
Soon, rather than learning how to synch our computers and ipods (windows =
users know what I mean), we will have to learn how to function in a =
world of flying cars and assistant robots. Imagine what could happen if =
you were able to link several minds together like the internet. =20
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------_=_NextPart_001_01C83565.CAD68015--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 04:36:41 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Andrea Stark)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36:41 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
Message-ID:
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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I found myself looking at the problems given in class and going for the =
more complicated ways to solve them instead of the more obvious, common =
sense ways. I've always felt like I can solve problems if given enough =
time to go at them from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed =
solving problems and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I =
never liked having to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the =
suggestions we were given on how to improve your problem solving, and I =
wish that I'd been taught those things years ago. I know that I never =
really define boundaries, so I look at too many options for the answers =
and cannot narrow it down much on my own. But I think my biggest =
weakness is in being able to work backwards. I don't do well with going =
the opposite way from normal and think this is where I need to start in =
my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself =
thinking that when I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination =
factor. Like a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! =
moment when the solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened =
all the time.=20
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
I found myself looking =
at the problems given in class and going for the more complicated ways =
to solve them instead of the more obvious, common sense ways. I've =
always felt like I can solve problems if given enough time to go at them =
from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed solving problems =
and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I never liked having =
to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the suggestions we were =
given on how to improve your problem solving, and I wish that I'd been =
taught those things years ago. I know that I never really define =
boundaries, so I look at too many options for the answers and cannot =
narrow it down much on my own. But I think my biggest weakness is in =
being able to work backwards. I don't do well with going the opposite =
way from normal and think this is where I need to start in my attempts =
to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself thinking that when =
I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination factor. Like a =
lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! moment when the =
solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened all the time. =
------_=_NextPart_001_01C83566.1991A6A0--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 05:13:26 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (sapna bhakta)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta)
In-Reply-To: <200712011903.lB1J2XAa025826@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712011903.lB1J2XAa025826@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
--_fdc8810d-bd0d-401b-8e4c-841a57118e5f_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
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It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume. =
You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things. It is =
interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that causes reduc=
tion in amount of learning. =20
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:02:33 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1146 - 4 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Fri,=
30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quint=
in Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had an unscientific hypothesis about lea=
rning and old age. In today=92s lecture (11/28/07) I discovered that it was=
a real hypothesis as we discussed increased proactive interference. Howeve=
r as we discovered the real culprit behind old age learning is neural cell =
loss. I found this somewhat disheartening to know that my brain is smaller =
than it was 20 years ago. But it also explains why I have to study more bef=
ore a test than I did in high school and also why I=92m not as good at Guit=
ar Hero as my son is. Another interesting point is that I know people in th=
ere nineties that seem as sharp as a tack This points out how resilient th=
e brain must be because the people are working with 30% - 40% (I=92m guessi=
ng because I didn=92t want to do the math) less brain than the had when the=
y were young. Dr. Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy lifestyle s=
uch as eating right, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss.=
He also said that staying mentally active is a benifit. This confirms news=
reports that I have seen in which older adults retain more of thier facult=
ies if they do the crossword puzzle in the news paper every morning. So I g=
uess cognitive ablity is like everthing else you have to take care of it.=20
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: arcadiave@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@li=
sts.csbs.utah.eduDate: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0700Subject: [Psych3120] =
problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me about who in hi=
gh school we were talking about intelligence and I said that intelligence w=
as the ratio of information gained from information received so that a pers=
on with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the information that was p=
resented to them and someone with information greater than 1 somehow got mo=
re information than the information that was presented. It now seems to me=
that a person's ability to do this is basically a problem solving ability.=
In any of these problem solving exercises, it requires you to make some i=
nformation beyond that which was given. I think this is something that sho=
uld and isn't ever taught, much to our detriment. It's sad how in many of =
the classic problem solving experiments that required this, like the candle=
and the box in the textbook or there was one with a metronome and a box th=
at I read about a long time ago, and college students who are supposed to b=
e smart couldn't do them. I think we are so conditioned in school that any=
thing that we are going to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't kno=
w how to learn things that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question =
on an exam where the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700From: =
tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.netTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psyc=
h3120] PrototypesThe lecture on prototypes the other day was really interes=
ting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many sha=
pes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a=
dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing app=
lies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet p=
eople are usually able to immediately identify a telephone as being a telep=
hone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with =
staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in=
an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on proto=
types to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discern=
ing people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Differen=
t prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereo=
types, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when=
applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototyp=
ical features to know where someone comes from. I also think these prototy=
pes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. In my S=
ocial Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily discern d=
ifferences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of another.=
For example, an American Indian would have more trouble seeing difference=
amongst European Americans than a European American would. I think this i=
s because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are more of the=
ir prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into that prot=
otype.I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as di=
scussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they ap=
plicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? =
It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neur=
al processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But=
if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, =
more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? =
For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans =
enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmm=
m.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700From: =
u0390673@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Neur=
al Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks and =
the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. This s=
eems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in class. It=
would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics of whate=
ver concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles them int=
o a prototype of what a dog is. This then allows for us to recognize any ty=
pe of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think that in or=
der to form this prototype we must first have experiences with several type=
s of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how in early child=
hood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still recogn=
ize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, ra=
ccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little conf=
used as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed both dur=
ing childhood and throughout life. =20
_________________________________________________________________
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_1120=
07=
--_fdc8810d-bd0d-401b-8e4c-841a57118e5f_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume.&n=
bsp; You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things.&nb=
sp; It is interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that ca=
uses reduction in amount of learning.
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500 From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had =
an unscientific hypothesis about learning and old age. In today=92s lecture=
(11/28/07) I discovered that it was a real hypothesis as we discussed incr=
eased proactive interference. However as we discovered the real culprit beh=
ind old age learning is neural cell loss. I found this somewhat dishearteni=
ng to know that my brain is smaller than it was 20 years ago. But it also e=
xplains why I have to study more before a test than I did in high school an=
d also why I=92m not as good at Guitar Hero as my son is. Another interesti=
ng point is that I know people in there nineties that seem as sharp as a ta=
ck This points out how resilient the brain must be because the people=
are working with 30% - 40% (I=92m guessing because I didn=92t want to do t=
he math) less brain than the had when they were young. Dr. Strayer also poi=
nted out that living a heathy lifestyle such as eating right, staying fit a=
nd avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss. He also said that staying mentall=
y active is a benifit. This confirms news reports that I have seen in which=
older adults retain more of thier faculties if they do the crossword puzzl=
e in the news paper every morning. So I guess cognitive ablity is like=
everthing else you have to take care of it.
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: arcadiave@hotmail.com=
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0=
700 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me=
about who in high school we were talking about intelligence and I said tha=
t intelligence was the ratio of information gained from information receive=
d so that a person with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the inform=
ation that was presented to them and someone with information greater than =
1 somehow got more information than the information that was presented.&nbs=
p; It now seems to me that a person's ability to do this is basically a pro=
blem solving ability. In any of these problem solving exercises, it r=
equires you to make some information beyond that which was given. I t=
hink this is something that should and isn't ever taught, much to our detri=
ment. It's sad how in many of the classic problem solving experiments=
that required this, like the candle and the box in the textbook or there w=
as one with a metronome and a box that I read about a long time ago, and co=
llege students who are supposed to be smart couldn't do them. I think=
we are so conditioned in school that anything that we are going to be aske=
d was explicitly stated that we don't know how to learn things that aren't =
handed to us. Imagine having a question on an exam where the answer w=
as never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:5=
0:41 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csb=
s.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
The lecture on pr=
ototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect=
for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in gene=
ral, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen=
that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so =
many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediat=
ely identify a telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototypes in=
so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, comp=
uters, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just look=
ing around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in the =
room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discerning=
ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of differe=
nt racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any spec=
ific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generally ca=
lled stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where someon=
e comes from. I also think these prototypes become more general when appli=
ed to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class we talked a=
bout how people can more easily discern differences amongst people of their=
own race than amongst people of another. For example, an American Indian =
would have more trouble seeing difference amongst European Americans than a=
European American would. I think this is because we tend to believe peopl=
e outside of our own race are more of their prototype than they really are =
because we try to fit them into that prototype. I'm also wondering somet=
hing about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in class, only applica=
ble to visual representation? Or are they applicable to other senses? Do =
we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like we do, though I'=
m not sure if they would follow the same neural processes and thus be defin=
ed as the same thing by these processes. But if we can form prototypes of =
the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex forms of represen=
tation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, are the stereoty=
pes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying violence but shying a=
way from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:1=
6:11 -0700 From: u0390673@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
=
<=
BR>
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neura=
l networks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one =
another. This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earli=
er in class. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining character=
istics of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and co=
mpiles them into a prototype of what a dog is. This then allows for us to r=
ecognize any type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would t=
hink that in order to form this prototype we must first have experiences wi=
th several types of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how=
in early childhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy pood=
le still recognize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a=
cat, horse, raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was jus=
t a little confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are =
formed both during childhood and throughout life.
Connect and share in new wa=
ys with Windows Live. Connect now!
=
--_fdc8810d-bd0d-401b-8e4c-841a57118e5f_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 05:18:07 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Yoshida Taihei)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:18:07 +0900
Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject)
Message-ID:
--_488cd6a8-8543-4f5f-8c30-58a106c5a413_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-2022-jp"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
I was surprised we will loose a brain weight as we get older. I had been thinking the reason why if we get older we can't memorize well, is just a reaction time. however, we will loose 25% of brain when we become a 70. at the same time, I've heard if someone who uses fingers to do something even we get old, such as playing pianon, violin, or playing Video game also, they won't loose their ability than someone who doesn't. So, I guess we can try to keep our brain by using fingers.
_________________________________________________________________
$B$[$i!"JQ$o$C$?$G$7$g!)!!%^%$%/%m%=%U%H$H$$$C$7$g$K!"
I was surprised we will loose a brain weight as we get older. I had been thinking the reason why if we get older we can't memorize well, is just a reaction time. however, we will loose 25% of brain when we become a 70. at the same time, I've heard if someone who uses fingers to do something even we get old, such as playing pianon, violin, or playing Video game also, they won't loose their ability than someone who doesn't. So, I guess we can try to keep our brain by using fingers.
$B$[$i!"JQ$o$C$?$G$7$g!)!!%^%$%/%m%=%U%H$H$$$C$7$g$K!"http://go.windowslive.jp/
--_488cd6a8-8543-4f5f-8c30-58a106c5a413_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 05:21:50 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (bryan miller)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:21:50 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] Aging your brain
Message-ID:
--_63e0903d-560b-439e-9239-44227e5f3a10_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting. I h=
ave always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenerate q=
uickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of two =
grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmother=
seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became very=
sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continued t=
o read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im sure m=
any factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful one. =
I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the effec=
ts of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be very =
dramatic in many cases.
_________________________________________________________________
Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista=AE + Windows Live=99.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_C=
PC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007=
--_63e0903d-560b-439e-9239-44227e5f3a10_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting. I h=
ave always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenerate q=
uickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of two =
grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmother=
seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became very=
sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continued t=
o read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im sure m=
any factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful one. =
I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the effec=
ts of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be very =
dramatic in many cases.
Get the power of Windows + Web with =
the new Windows Live. Power up!
=
--_63e0903d-560b-439e-9239-44227e5f3a10_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 05:32:07 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (bryan miller)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:32:07 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] man vs. machine
Message-ID:
--_6c7cf762-af52-4bc1-afc1-83914a82f635_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was fasci=
nating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a similar =
level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid progress of=
technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a few disti=
nct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single neuron to=
contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our brains to =
streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the plastici=
ty of our brains to reroute and reorganize cognitive functioning from a dam=
aged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall every thing like the=
y do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently natural selection=
has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll see how it goes.
_________________________________________________________________
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_1120=
07=
--_6c7cf762-af52-4bc1-afc1-83914a82f635_
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The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was fasci=
nating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a sim=
ilar level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid progre=
ss of technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a few =
distinct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single neur=
on to contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our brain=
s to streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the pla=
sticity of our brains to reroute and reorganize cognitive functioning from =
a damaged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall every thin=
g like they do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently natural=
selection has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll see how i=
t goes. Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
=
--_6c7cf762-af52-4bc1-afc1-83914a82f635_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 05:56:03 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Matt Hansen)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:56:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Prototype formation
Message-ID: <675071.67338.qm@web51901.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
--0-1157767661-1196661363=:67338
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Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we can
tell a dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique
features cancel out. Our neural network acts as a signal averager as
stated by Dr. Strayer. It is so interesting that we take information
and simplify it to make sense of it and then add detail for future
recognition. Our minds seem to be very efficient at cutting corners
when its effective and taking on detail when needed. Let say you own a
dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, though prototype formation
you know its a dog, but then you recognize detail to know that its not
your dog. This is especially important when your neighbors dog keeps
trying to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Make Yahoo! your homepage.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
--0-1157767661-1196661363=:67338
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we can
tell a dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique
features cancel out. Our neural network acts as a signal averager as
stated by Dr. Strayer. It is so interesting that we take information
and simplify it to make sense of it and then add detail for future
recognition. Our minds seem to be very efficient at cutting corners
when its effective and taking on detail when needed. Let say you own a
dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, though prototype formation
you know its a dog, but then you recognize detail to know that its not
your dog. This is especially important when your neighbors dog keeps
trying to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites.
Make Yahoo! your homepage.
--0-1157767661-1196661363=:67338--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 06:27:35 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Spencer Weston)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:27:35 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] aging and neurons
References: <200712030518.lB35I43G025064@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
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Trying to stay awake for the night shift, I just added 2 packets of =
sugar to my coffee. Why 2 packets? Well, it is what I normally add, =
but I noticed each one weighs one gram. Thus, I just added the amount =
of sugar for the amount of neural cells I will lose this year. The =
amazing thing to me is the fault tolerance of our mind. We may not make =
good eyewitnesses, but we can sure recognize and learn things well. I =
was struck by the ability of our minds to go through so much wear and =
tear over a lifespan yet not fail because of missing information. When =
I am 80, chances are I will still be able to view an object and =
recognize it for what it is and what it may be used for despite losing =
120 grams of neural cells! How many other animals could lose such a =
percentage of their brains and still fair as well? If only I could =
continue to learn at my current pace rather than slowing down as I age.=20
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 07:19:37 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Thomas Blakemore)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:19:37 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Psych3120] Mental Representations
Message-ID: <22739740.1196666377980.JavaMail.root@elwamui-darkeyed.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
I thought the discussion about how we process things based on questions and the nature of the subject was really interesting. For example, if we are asked a question about size or number, how we the question is phrased and the amount or size of the object or objects affects processing time and perception. Like the congruity effect, where if asked "which is smaller, one or two?" compared with being asked "which is bigger, one or two?" we can answer the first question more quickly, because one and two are smaller numbers so asking which is bigger provides a contradiction which increases processing time. Or making a comparison between two objects or animals. If we are asked which is bigger and given the choice between a coin and car or a computer and a printer we could answer the first question more quickly, because the two objects have such a disparity in size. To me, the most interesting one of these is how we compress differences between larger numbers. For example, the difference between $2000 and $4000 dollars seems a lot more than the difference between $565,000 and $567,000, when in fact they are the same. This is because we look at numbers like these in terms of percentages, and the difference between percentages is actually quite great, but just the difference between them isn't much. It's just so interesting how we organize and perceive the world in ways that drastically affect our abilities of perception, sometimes even without our realizing it. That's why perception can be such a tricky business, because we need these "short-cuts" to be able to make sense of the world around us, but these "short-cuts" sometimes negatively affect our ability to process.
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 07:21:09 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Amanda Lindsey)
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:21:09 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs
In-Reply-To: <200712030517.lB35H2dE025048@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712030517.lB35H2dE025048@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
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It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we first start losing information stored in out long term memory. When we were learning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "transience" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When I went back home last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about the process of memory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 years old. She is still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she tends to be very forgetful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us by our own name, she occasionally calls us one of the cat's names. It is very interesting to me to think about how things from your memory just slip away from you.
Amanda Lindsey
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 22:17:02 -0700
From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions to
psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: chorii-chorii@hotmail.co.jp
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 04:01:20 +0900
Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I found my self using strategies depend on the tasks.
While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, and shape.
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in order to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time.
Hotmail$B8BDj!!(BWindows Live x Lost Odyssey$B%W%l%<%s%H%-%c%s%Z!<%s!!(B12$B7n(B21$BF|$^$G(B http://go.windowslive.jp/
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13:03 -0800
From: akalvesmaki@yahoo.com
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] Memory
If anyone gets a chance, grab a copy of National
Geographic magazine from November 2007. There is a
huge article on Memory, and on research of memory. The
article covers much of what we have been learning in
class, including info on H.M., but also covers two
other, current cases. One is in memory loss such as
H.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and no
new memories formed, but due to illness. And the other
case is a woman with a memory 'like a rolodex'. It
also goes into the history of memory, and the cultural
importance over time. For instance, before the age of
computers, memory for learning was much more vital
than it is today.
Here is a great quote that involves the neural
networks we are learning about now:
"What is a memory? The best that neuroscientists can
do for the moment is this: A memory is a stored
pattern of connections between neurons in the brain.
There are about a hundred billion of those neurons,
each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,000
synaptic connections with other neurons, which makes a
total of about five hundred trillion to a thousand
trillion synapses in the average adult brain. By
comparison, there are only about 32 trillion bytes of
information in the entire Library of Congress's print
collection. Every sensation we remember, every thought
we think, alters the connections within that vast
network. Synapses are strengthened or weakened or
formed anew. Our physical substance changes. Indeed,
it is always changing, every moment, even as we
sleep."
(Joshua Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic,
November 2007, p.36)
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: dinanna32@hotmail.com
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] Diana Alleman
Diana AllemanTopic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that humans after the age of
twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per year. This includes the amount and rate of which we
learn to be altered. I wonder what the
major contributions to cell loss are. Is
it from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how we are
biologically made up? Is there anyway to
save a small portion of those two grams each year?
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to. I watch my parents and grandparents forget how
to do things they once were really good at.
For example, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone$B!G(Bs name
and their relation to one another at a party.
Recently my family went to Florida
for thanksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We met several people over the five days we
were visiting. At the end of the trip my
mom had names and connections all turned around or forgotten. I thought to myself that this was not like
her. Normally she gets a hundred
percent. Could this be a part of her aging?
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00:04 -0800
From: David.Strayer@utah.edu
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This Test
You have received this ABCNEWS.com mail from:
David.Strayer@utah.edu
More on creativity -- see how the content of this course links up with everyday life...
Dave Strayer
Wanna Be President? Pass This Test
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/WhosCounting/story?id=3932705&page=1
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:33:20 -0700
From: Spencer.Weston@intermountainmail.org
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] Parallel Dist. Processing
The mind is truly amazing. I thought the model of semantic memory was good, but the parallel distributed processing is by far the best thing I have ever learned. Beyond being just a node or activation of a set of cells, the thought that activating a certain pattern of cells and that pattern of activation being a concept/memory is fantastic! Combine that with superpositional memory and prototype formation, it is no wonder nobody has ever filled up their memory. The capacity to learn is truly limitless and a good thing considering the rate technology is evolving. Soon, rather than learning how to synch our computers and ipods (windows users know what I mean), we will have to learn how to function in a world of flying cars and assistant robots. Imagine what could happen if you were able to link several minds together like the internet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36:41 -0700
From: a.stark@utah.edu
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
I found myself looking at the problems given in class and going for the more complicated ways to solve them instead of the more obvious, common sense ways. I've always felt like I can solve problems if given enough time to go at them from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed solving problems and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I never liked having to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given on how to improve your problem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught those things years ago. I know that I never really define boundaries, so I look at too many options for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my own. But I think my biggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I don't do well with going the opposite way from normal and think this is where I need to start in my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself thinking that when I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination factor. Like a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! moment when the solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened all the time. --Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.com
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta)
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume. You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things. It is interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that causes reduction in amount of learning.
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:02:33 -0700
From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1146 - 4 msgs
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions to
psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500
From: quinting@aol.com
Subject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had an unscientific hypothesis about learning and old age. In today$B!G(Bs lecture (11/28/07) I discovered that it was a real hypothesis as we discussed increased proactive interference. However as we discovered the real culprit behind old age learning is neural cell loss. I found this somewhat disheartening to know that my brain is smaller than it was 20 years ago. But it also explains why I have to study more before a test than I did in high school and also why I$B!G(Bm not as good at Guitar Hero as my son is. Another interesting point is that I know people in there nineties that seem as sharp as a tack This points out how resilient the brain must be because the people are working with 30% - 40% (I$B!G(Bm guessing because I didn$B!G(Bt want to do the math) less brain than the had when they were young. Dr. Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy lifestyle such as eating right, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss. He also said that staying mentally active is a benifit. This confirms news reports that I have seen in which older adults retain more of thier faculties if they do the crossword puzzle in the news paper every morning. So I guess cognitive ablity is like everthing else you have to take care of it.
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From: arcadiave@hotmail.com
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me about who in high school we were talking about intelligence and I said that intelligence was the ratio of information gained from information received so that a person with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the information that was presented to them and someone with information greater than 1 somehow got more information than the information that was presented. It now seems to me that a person's ability to do this is basically a problem solving ability. In any of these problem solving exercises, it requires you to make some information beyond that which was given. I think this is something that should and isn't ever taught, much to our detriment. It's sad how in many of the classic problem solving experiments that required this, like the candle and the box in the textbook or there was one with a metronome and a box that I read about a long time ago, and college students who are supposed to be smart couldn't do them. I think we are so conditioned in school that anything that we are going to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't know how to learn things that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question on an exam where the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
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Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700
From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
The lecture on prototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediately identify a telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where someone comes from. I also think these prototypes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily discern differences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of another. For example, an American Indian would have more trouble seeing difference amongst European Americans than a European American would. I think this is because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are more of their prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into that prototype.
I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they applicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neural processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700
From: u0390673@utah.edu
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in class. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles them into a prototype of what a dog is. This then allows for us to recognize any type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think that in order to form this prototype we must first have experiences with several types of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how in early childhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still recognize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed both during childhood and throughout life.
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It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we first start losing information stored in out long term memory. When we were learning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "transience" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When I went back home last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about the process of memory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 years old. She is still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she tends to be very forgetful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us by our own name, she occasionally calls us one of the cat's names. It is very interesting to me to think about how things from your memory just slip away from you.
Amanda Lindsey
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 22:17:02 -0700 From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: chorii-chorii@hotmail.co.jp To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 04:01:20 +0900 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I found my
self using strategies depend on the tasks.
While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, and shape.
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in order to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time.
Hotmail$B8BDj!!(BWindows Live x Lost Odyssey$B%W%l%<%s%H%-%c%s%Z!<%s!!(B12$B7n(B21$BF|$^$G(B http://go.windowslive.jp/
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13:03 -0800 From: akalvesmaki@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Memory
If anyone gets a chance, grab a copy of National Geographic magazine from November 2007. There is a huge article on Memory, and on research of memory. The article covers much of what we have been learning in class, including info on H.M., but also covers two other, current cases. One is in memory loss such as H.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and no new memories formed, but due to illness. And the other case is a woman with a memory 'like a rolodex'. It also goes into the history of memory, and the cultural importance over time. For instance, before the age of computers, memory for learning was much more vital than it is today. Here is a great quote that involves the neural networks we are learning about now: "What is a memory? The best that neuroscientists can do for the moment is this: A memory is a stored pattern of connections between neurons in the brain. There are about a hundred billion of those ne
urons, each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 synaptic connections with other neurons, which makes a total of about five hundred trillion to a thousand trillion synapses in the average adult brain. By comparison, there are only about 32 trillion bytes of information in the entire Library of Congress's print collection. Every sensation we remember, every thought we think, alters the connections within that vast network. Synapses are strengthened or weakened or formed anew. Our physical substance changes. Indeed, it is always changing, every moment, even as we sleep." (Joshua Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic, November 2007, p.36)
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: dinanna32@hotmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] Diana Alleman
Diana Alleman
Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that humans after the age of twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per year.This includes the amount and rate of which we learn to be altered. I wonder what the major contributions to cell loss are.Is it from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how we are biologically made up?Is there anyway to save a small portion of those two grams each year?
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to.I watch my parents and grandparents forget how to do things they once were really good at.
For example, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone$B!G(Bs name and their relation to one another at a party. Recently my family went to Florida for thanksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We met several people over the five days we were visiting. At the end of the trip my mom had names and connections all turned around or forgotten.I thought to myself that this was not like her.Normally she gets a hundred percent. Could this be a part of her aging?
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00:04 -0800 From: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This Test
You have received this ABCNEWS.com mail from:
David.Strayer@utah.edu
More on creativity -- see how the content of this course links up with everyday life... Dave Strayer
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:33:20 -0700 From: Spencer.Weston@intermountainmail.org To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Parallel Dist. Processing
The mind is truly amazing. I thought the model of semantic memory was good, but the parallel distributed processing is by far the best thing I have ever learned. Beyond being just a node or activation of a set of cells, the thought that activating a certain pattern of cells and that pattern of activation being a concept/
memory is fantastic! Combine that with superpositional memory and prototype formation, it is no wonder nobody has ever filled up their memory. The capacity to learn is truly limitless and a good thing considering the rate technology is evolving. Soon, rather than learning how to synch our computers and ipods (windows users know what I mean), we will have to learn how to function in a world of flying cars and assistant robots. Imagine what could happen if you were able to link several minds together like the internet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36:41 -0700 From: a.stark@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
I found myself looking at the problems given in class and going for the more complicated ways to solve them instead of the more obvious, common sense ways. I've always felt like I can solve problems if given enough time to go at them from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed solving problems and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I never liked having to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given on how to improve your problem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught those things years ago. I know that I never really define boundaries, so I look at too many options for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my own. But I think my biggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I don't do well with going the opposite way from normal and think this is where I need to start in my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself thinking that when I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination factor. Like a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! moment when the solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened all the time.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta)
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume. You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things. It is interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that causes reduction in amount of learning.
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:02:33 -0700 From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1146 - 4 msgs To:
psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500 From: quinting@aol.com Subject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had an unscientific hypothesis about learning and old age. In today$B!G(Bs lecture (11/28/07) I discovered that it was a real hypothesis as we discussed increased proactive interference. However as we discovered the real culprit behind old age learning is neural cell loss. I found this somewhat disheartening to know that my brain is smaller than it was 20 years ago. But it also explains why I have to study more before a test than I did in high school and also why I$B!G(Bm not as good at Guitar Hero as my son is. Another interesting point is that I know people in there nineties that seem as sharp as a tack This points out how resilient the brain must be because the people are working with 30% - 40% (I$B!G(Bm guessing because I didn$B!G(Bt want to do the math) less brain than the had when they were young. Dr. Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy lifestyle such as eating right, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss. He also said that staying mentally active is a benifit.
This confirms news reports that I have seen in which older adults retain more of thier faculties if they do the crossword puzzle in the news paper every morning. So I guess cognitive ablity is like everthing else you have to take care of it.
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: arcadiave@hotmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me about who in high school we were talking about intelligence and I said that intelligence was the ratio of information gained from information received so that a person with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the information that was presented to them and someone with information greater than 1 somehow got more information than the information that was presented. It now seems to me that a person's ability to do this is basically a problem solving ability. In any of these problem solving exercises, it requires you to make some information beyond that which was given. I think this is something that should and isn't ever taught, much to our detriment. It's sad how in many of the cl
assic problem solving experiments that required this, like the candle and the box in the textbook or there was one with a metronome and a box that I read about a long time ago, and college students who are supposed to be smart couldn't do them. I think we are so conditioned in school that anything that we are going to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't know how to learn things that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question on an exam where the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
The lecture on prototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediately identify a telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where someone comes from. I al
so think these prototypes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily discern differences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of another. For example, an American Indian would have more trouble seeing difference amongst European Americans than a European American would. I think this is because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are more of their prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into that prototype. I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they applicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neural processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700 From: u0390673@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in class. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles them into a prototype o
f what a dog is. This then allows for us to recognize any type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think that in order to form this prototype we must first have experiences with several types of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how in early childhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still recognize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed both during childhood and throughout life.
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 07:37:34 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Thomas Blakemore)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:37:34 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Psych3120] Aging and the Brain
Message-ID: <29391700.1196667455185.JavaMail.root@elwamui-darkeyed.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
So was anyone else a little distraught by the lecture on aging and the brain? It seemed like one of those moments in life when you have to face your own mortality, a pretty difficult concept for us young people, with our notions of invincibility and immortality which have not yet been dashed by a decreased metabolism. I found it kind of tough to hear that my brain may already by in a state of decay, like I ought to get out there and invent cold fusion or something, put this pink, squishy thing in my head to good use. But all illusions of grandeur aside, it really is alarming to be losing two packets of Sweet N' Low a year, and that's only from normal deterioration, it doesn't even include blackout drinking binges or blunt trauma to the head. Add those variables into the mix and what are we looking at here, three, four packets of faux sugar a year? That's not fun for anyone, except for people in the alcohol business, because what better remedy for such a startling statistic is there than drinking your weight in liquor? I can't think of one, but they may have something to do with the dizziness.
But seriously, my questions is does this loss in brain mass affect aquisition of new skills and knowledge only or does it also affect performance of old skills? How about of knowledge already learned? It seems to make sense that it would affect performance of old skills, as (and I'm not being an ageist) older people tend to be not so good drivers and people seem to lose their balance more when they're older. I don't know, but either way I'm going to have to stop drinking and start wearing a helmet.
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 08:47:39 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu)
Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:47:39 -0500
Subject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Phenomenon's Uri Geller
Message-ID: <8CA03A04B47758B-FD4-70C5@MBLK-M15.sysops.aol.com>
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As I was printing up tomorrows lecture I noticed a picture of Uri Geller who was famous in the 1970's (he is currently a judge on the show Phenomenon) and purported to be a mind reader and mystic saying he could bend spoons with his mind. I remember during the height of his fame he was invited to be on the Tonight Show then hosted by Johnny Carson. Johnny, as we liked to call him, was also a showman and as such didn't believe Uri's claims. Johnny consulted with some of the magicians of the day and had them give him ideas about how to test Uri. When Uri came on the show Johnny tested him by asking him to perform a simple task as a test of his powers. Uri was given a simple task, he was presented with several small metal vials one of which contained water, if I remember correctly. Uri was to use his mind powers to reveal which one had the water in it of course he was not allowed to touch them. After several minutes of waving his hand over the vials he told the audience that he wasn't feeling it that night. After 30 years he apparently still can't feel it because he was unable to tell what was written on the card that Criss Angel had sealed in envelopes. Criss, on the show Phenomenon, had challenged several of the performers including Uri that they could not tell him what was written on the cards and backed it up with one million dollars.
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As I was printing up tomorrows lecture I noticed a picture of Uri Geller who was famous in the 1970's (he is currently a judge on the show Phenomenon) and purported to be a mind reader and mystic saying he could bend spoons with his mind. I remember during the height of his fame he was invited to be on the Tonight Show then hosted by Johnny Carson. Johnny, as we liked to call him, was also a showman and as such didn't believe Uri's claims. Johnny consulted with some of the magicians of the day and had them give him ideas about how to test Uri. When Uri came on the show Johnny tested him by asking him to perform a simple task as a test of his powers. Uri was given a simple task, he was presented with several small metal vials one of which contained water, if I remember correctly. Uri was to use his mind powers to reveal which one had the water in it of course he was not allowed to touch them. After several minutes of waving his hand over the vials he told the audience that he wasn't feeling it that night. After 30 years he apparently still can't feel it because he was unable to tell what was written on the card that Criss Angel had sealed in envelopes. Criss, on the show Phenomenon, had challenged several of the performers including Uri that they could not tell him what was written on the cards and backed it up with one million dollars.
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 08:57:41 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Alissa Nielson)
Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:57:41 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] alissa nielson
In-Reply-To: <200712011903.lB1J2XAa025826@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712011903.lB1J2XAa025826@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID: <47536295.34EC.0053.0@kleinfelder.com>
--=__PartAC8AB515.0__=
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when we talked about heuristics a while ago i thought of what we were =
learning at the time in my sociology class about stereotypes
stereotypes are a shortcut for us to solve a problem we may face about how =
to treat or feel, trust, approach, handle someone or a situation
although they are not good they are pretty automatic, even if we don't =
want to stereotype people we do
just as using heuristics is automatic, rather than taking the time to use =
algorithms, stereotypes are automatic, rather than getting to know a =
person before making a quick judgment about him and moving on
KLEINFELDER
EXPECT MORE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
Warning: Information provided via electronic media is not
guaranteed against defects including translation and =
transmission errors.
If the reader is not the intended recipient, you are hereby =
notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this =
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this =
information in error, please notify the sender immediately.
=
=0D
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Content-Description: HTML
when we talked about heuristics a while ago i thought of what we were =
learning at the time in my sociology class about stereotypes
stereotypes are a shortcut for us to solve a problem we may face =
about how to treat or feel, trust, approach, handle someone or a situation<=
/DIV>
although they are not good they are pretty automatic, even if we =
don't want to stereotype people we do
just as using heuristics is automatic, rather than taking the time to =
use algorithms, stereotypes are automatic, rather than getting to know a =
person before making a quick judgment about him and moving on
<=
/HTML>
KLEINFELDER
EXPECT MORE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
Warning: Information provided via electronic media is not
guaranteed against defects including translation and =
transmission errors.
If the reader is not the intended recipient, you are hereby =
notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this =
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this =
information in error, please notify the sender immediately.
=
=0D
--=__PartAC8AB515.0__=--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 14:25:13 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Amanda French)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 06:25:13 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] Grocery Shopping
In-Reply-To: <200712030517.lB35H2dE025048@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712030517.lB35H2dE025048@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
--_7f677ecc-264b-4325-967f-1bc092e9bc3a_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
While this example may seem a bit dated, I recently found myself utilizing =
some of the tools I've acquired in cognitive psych. For example, when I wen=
t grocery shopping earlier last week, I was forced to make a mental list wh=
ile driving. I knew I wanted to make cookies, so those ingredients were rel=
atively simple, I just had to remember the recipe. Beyond that, however, th=
ere were many other random items that I needed. Not wanting to leave anythi=
ng out, I decided to place all of the items in a scene. I put some cereal o=
n top of a door frame (that was sitting in the forest), I had hummus sittin=
g on a lily pad and cat food near a cave. The more ridiculous the things we=
re, the easier it was for me to recall at the store. In the end, I was able=
to purchase 8 random items (excluding the baking goods which were easy to =
remember). Not only was I impressed at my ability to recall of that informa=
tion, but I was excited to have learned something practical in college!
=20
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Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.Download today it's FREE=
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While this example may seem a bit dated, I recently found myself utilizing =
some of the tools I've acquired in cognitive psych. For example, when I wen=
t grocery shopping earlier last week, I was forced to make a mental list wh=
ile driving. I knew I wanted to make cookies, so those ingredients were rel=
atively simple, I just had to remember the recipe. Beyond that, however, th=
ere were many other random items that I needed. Not wanting to leave anythi=
ng out, I decided to place all of the items in a scene. I put some cereal o=
n top of a door frame (that was sitting in the forest), I had hummus sittin=
g on a lily pad and cat food near a cave. The more ridiculous the thin=
gs were, the easier it was for me to recall at the store. In the end, I was=
able to purchase 8 random items (excluding the baking goods which were eas=
y to remember). Not only was I impressed at my ability to recall of that in=
formation, but I was excited to have learned something practical in college=
!
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting. I have always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenerate quickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of two grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmother seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became very sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continued to read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im sure many factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful one. I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the effects of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be very dramatic in many cases.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. Power up! From: bryan miller <bmiller171@hotmail.com> To: postings for pysch <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu> Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:32:07 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] man vs. machine
The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was fascinating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a similar level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid progress of technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a few distinct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single neuron to contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our brains to streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the plasticity of our brains to
reroute and reorganize cognitive functioning from a damaged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall every thing like they do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently natural selection has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll see how it goes. Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now! Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:56:03 -0800 (PST) From: Matt Hansen <mattsweden@yahoo.com> To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototype formation
Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we can tell a dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique features cancel out. Our neural network acts as
a signal averager as stated by Dr. Strayer. It is so interesting that we take information and simplify it to make sense of it and then add detail for future recognition. Our minds seem to be very efficient at cutting corners when its effective and taking on detail when needed. Let say you own a dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, though prototype formation you know its a dog, but then you recognize detail to know that its not your dog. This is especially important when your neighbors dog keeps trying to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:27:35 -0700 From: "Spencer Weston" <Spencer.Weston@intermountainmail.org> To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] aging and neurons
Trying to stay awake for the
night shift, I just added 2 packets of sugar to my coffee. Why 2 packets? Well, it is what I normally add, but I noticed each one weighs one gram. Thus, I just added the amount of sugar for the amount of neural cells I will lose this year. The amazing thing to me is the fault tolerance of our mind. We may not make good eyewitnesses, but we can sure recognize and learn things well. I was struck by the ability of our minds to go through so much wear and tear over a lifespan yet not fail because of missing information. When I am 80, chances are I will still be able to view an object and recognize it for what it is and what it may be used for despite losing 120 grams of neural cells! How many other animals could lose such a percentage of their brains and still fair as well? If only I could continue to learn at my current pace rather than slowing down as I age. Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:19:37 -0700 (GMT-07:00) From: Thomas Blakemore
<tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net> To: Postings <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu> Subject: [Psych3120] Mental Representations
I thought the discussion about how we process things based on questions and the nature of the subject was really interesting. For example, if we are asked a question about size or number, how we the question is phrased and the amount or size of the object or objects affects processing time and perception. Like the congruity effect, where if asked "which is smaller, one or two?" compared with being asked "which is bigger, one or two?" we can answer the first question more quickly, because one and two are smaller numbers so asking which is bigger provides a contradiction which increases processing time. Or making a comparison between two objects or animals. If we are asked which is bigger and given the choice between a coin and car or a computer and a printer we could answer the first question more quickly, because the two objects
have such a disparity in size. To me, the most interesting one of these is how we compress differences between larger numbers. For example, the difference between $2000 and $4000 dollars seems a lot more than the difference between $565,000 and $567,000, when in fact they are the same. This is because we look at numbers like these in terms of percentages, and the difference between percentages is actually quite great, but just the difference between them isn't much. It's just so interesting how we organize and perceive the world in ways that drastically affect our abilities of perception, sometimes even without our realizing it. That's why perception can be such a tricky business, because we need these "short-cuts" to be able to make sense of the world around us, but these "short-cuts" sometimes negatively affect our ability to process.
It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we first start losing information stored in out long term memory. When we were learning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "transience" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When I went back home last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about the process of memory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 years old. She is still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she tends to be very forgetful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us by our own name, she occasionally calls us one of the cat's names. It is very interesting to me to think about how things from your memory just slip away from
you.
Amanda Lindsey
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 22:17:02 -0700 From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: chorii-chorii@hotmail.co.jp To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec
2007 04:01:20 +0900 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I ! found my self using strategies depend on the tasks.
While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, and shape.
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in order to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13:03 -0800 From: akalvesmaki@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Memory
If anyone gets a chance, grab a copy of National Geographic magazine from November 2007. There is a huge article on Memory, and on research of memory. The article covers much of what we have been learning in class, including info on H.M., but also covers two other, current cases. One is in memory loss such as H.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and no new memories formed, but due to illness. And the other case is a woman with a memory 'like a rolodex'. It also goes into the history of memory, and the cultural importance over time. For instance, before the age
of computers, memory for learning was much more vital than it is today. Here is a great quote that involves the neural networks we are learning about now: "What is a memory? The best that neuroscientists can do for the moment is this: A memory is a stored pattern of connections between neurons in the brain. There are about a hundred billion of ! those ne urons, each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 synaptic connections with other neurons, which makes a total of about five hundred trillion to a thousand trillion synapses in the average adult brain. By comparison, there are only about 32 trillion bytes of information in the entire Library of Congress's print collection. Every sensation we remember, every thought we think, alters the connections within that vast network. Synapses are strengthened or weakened or formed anew. Our physical substance changes. Indeed, it is always changing, every moment, even
as we sleep." (Joshua Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic, November 2007, p.36)
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: dinanna32@hotmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] Diana Alleman
Diana Alleman
Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that humans after the age of twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per year.This includes the amount and rate of which we learn to be altered. I wonder what the major
contributions to cell loss are.Is it from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how we are biologically made up?Is there anyway to save a small portion of those two grams each year?
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to.I watch my parents and grandparents forget how to do things they once were really good at. For example, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone¡Çs name and their relation to one another at a party. Recently my family went to Florida for thanksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We met several people over the five days we were visiting. At the end of the trip my mom had names and connections all turned
around or forgotten.I thought to myself that this was not like her.Normally she gets a hundred percent. Could this be a part of her aging?
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00:04 -0800 From: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This Test
You have received this ABCNEWS.com mail from:
David.Strayer@utah.edu
More on creativity -- see how the content of this course links up with everyday life... Dave Strayer
--Forwarded Message
Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:33:20 -0700 From: Spencer.Weston@intermountainmail.org To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Parallel Dist. Processing
The mind is truly amazing. I thought the model of semantic memory was good, but the parallel distributed processing is by far the best thing I have ever learned. Beyond being just a node or activation of a set of cells, the thought that activating a certain pattern of cells and that pattern of activation being a ! concept/ memory is fantastic! Combine that with superpositional memory and prototype formation, it is no wonder nobody has ever filled up their memory. The capacity to learn is truly limitless and a good thing considering the rate technology is evolving. Soon, rather than learning how to synch our computers and ipods (windows users know what I mean), we will have to learn how to function in a world of flying cars and assistant robots. Imagine what could
happen if you were able to link several minds together like the internet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36:41 -0700 From: a.stark@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
I found myself looking at the problems given in class and going for the more complicated ways to solve them instead of the more obvious, common sense ways. I've always felt like I can solve problems if given enough time to go at them from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed solving problems and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I never liked having to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given on how to improve your problem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught those things years ago. I know that I never really define
boundaries, so I look at too many options for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my own. But I think my biggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I don't do well with going the opposite way from normal and think this is where I need to start in my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself thinking that when I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination factor. Like a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! moment when the solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened all the time.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta)
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume. You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things. It is interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that causes reduction in amount of learning.
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:02:33 -0700 From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1146 - 4 msg! s To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500 From: quinting@aol.com Subject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had an unscientific hypothesis about learning and old age. In today¡Çs lecture (11/28/07) I discovered that it was a real hypothesis as we discussed increased proactive interference. However as we discovered the real culprit behind old age learning is neural cell loss. I found this somewhat disheartening to know that my brain is smaller than it was 20 years ago. But it also explains why I have to study more before a test than I did in high school and also why I¡Çm not as good at Guitar
Hero as my son is. Another interesting point is that I know people in there nineties that seem as sharp as a tack This points out how resilient the brain must be because the people are working with 30% - 40% (I¡Çm guessing because I didn¡Çt want to do the math) less brain than the had when they were young. Dr. Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy lifestyle such as eating right, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss. He also said that staying mentally active is a ! benifit. This confirms news reports that I have seen in which older adults retain more of thier faculties if they do the crossword puzzle in the news paper every morning. So I guess cognitive ablity is like everthing else you have to take care of it.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: arcadiave@hotmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0700 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me about who in high school we were talking about intelligence and I said that intelligence was the ratio of information gained
from information received so that a person with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the information that was presented to them and someone with information greater than 1 somehow got more information than the information that was presented. It now seems to me that a person's ability to do this is basically a problem solving ability. In any of these problem solving exercises, it requires you to make some information beyond that which was given. I think this is something that should and isn't ever taught, much to our detriment. It's sad how in many o! f the cl assic problem solving experiments that required this, like the candle and the box in the textbook or there was one with a metronome and a box that I read about a long time ago, and college students who are supposed to be smart couldn't do them. I think we are so conditioned in school that anything that we are going to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't know how to learn
things that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question on an exam where the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
The lecture on prototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediately identify a
telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where someone comes fro! m. I al so think these prototypes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily discern differences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of another. For example, an American Indian would have more
trouble seeing difference amongst European Americans than a European American would. I think this is because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are more of their prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into that prototype. I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they applicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neural processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700 From: u0390673@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in class. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles them into a pro! totype o f what a dog is. This then allows for us to recognize any type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think that in order to form this prototype we must first have experiences with
several types of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how in early childhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still recognize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed both during childhood and throughout life.
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--0-1362258281-1196703837=:64852--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Mon Dec 3 21:16:51 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Megan Larsen)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:16:51 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Parapsychology
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I thought today's lecture was really interesting...i myself have never real=
ly been into any of those alien or tarot card things. I do have friend thou=
gh who is really into it. She always reads her horoscope and takes it fairl=
y seriously. She has a "psychic" that she goes to for advice and takes that=
VERY seriously. She has actually been accurate about a lot of things, but =
it is always a little skewed. As you listen to my friend talk about what he=
r psychic says is going to happen, it seems as though most of those things =
could really apply to anyone if you think about it hard enough. Anyways...I=
just think it is interesting how people rely on things like that so heavil=
y sometimes, but when you look deeper into it it just doesn't seem quite so=
phemnomenal.=
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I thought today's lecture was really interesting...i myself have never real=
ly been into any of those alien or tarot card things. I do have friend thou=
gh who is really into it. She always reads her horoscope and takes it fairl=
y seriously. She has a "psychic" that she goes to for advice and takes=
that VERY seriously. She has actually been accurate about a lot =
of things, but it is always a little skewed. As you listen to my friend tal=
k about what her psychic says is going to happen, it seems as though most o=
f those things could really apply to anyone if you think about it hard enou=
gh. Anyways...I just think it is interesting how people rely on things like=
that so heavily sometimes, but when you look deeper into it it just doesn'=
t seem quite so phemnomenal.
=
--_b18fcfb8-6b0c-474c-a6c9-04c22242d2ee_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 03:52:45 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Andrea Stark)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 20:52:45 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] parapsychology
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I found it very interesting that 2/3 of the population believes in =
psychic events happening. I would not have thought it would be that high =
a percentage of people. I do like how we looked at the subject from a =
scientific view and how those things have no evidence supporting them. =
It made a lot of sense to me that our biases and fallacies in =
perception, memory, and decision making are what determine how we =
interpret certain things and that we see what we want to see or expect =
to see. I enjoyed listening to the backwards music just to see what some =
very interesting people with too much time on their hands came up with. =
I don't think the songwriters really planned on their music being =
listened to backwards. Those few that were done intentionally you can =
tell because they were very clear and it didn't take a lot of =
imagination to try to distinguish the backwards line and in order to get =
it clear backwards, it was unclear in the forward sense. I like that we =
could tie together how we have studied that we need to be able to attend =
to and process information in order for it to have any effect on us, and =
obviously the backwards gibberish isn't anything that we can attend to =
or interpret in any meaningful way. And I'm sure that those subliminal =
messages don't affect our behavior. The most effective persuasion for =
behavior change is going to be information that we attend to and process =
consciously and advertisers know that.
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I found it very =
interesting that 2/3 of the population believes in psychic events =
happening. I would not have thought it would be that high a percentage =
of people. I do like how we looked at the subject from a scientific view =
and how those things have no evidence supporting them. It made a lot of =
sense to me that our biases and fallacies in perception, memory, and =
decision making are what determine how we interpret certain things and =
that we see what we want to see or expect to see. I enjoyed listening to =
the backwards music just to see what some very interesting people with =
too much time on their hands came up with. I don't think the songwriters =
really planned on their music being listened to backwards. Those few =
that were done intentionally you can tell because they were very clear =
and it didn't take a lot of imagination to try to distinguish the =
backwards line and in order to get it clear backwards, it was unclear in =
the forward sense. I like that we could tie together how we have studied =
that we need to be able to attend to and process information in order =
for it to have any effect on us, and obviously the backwards gibberish =
isn't anything that we can attend to or interpret in any meaningful way. =
And I'm sure that those subliminal messages don't affect our behavior. =
The most effective persuasion for behavior change is going to be =
information that we attend to and process consciously and advertisers =
know that.
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 04:01:13 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Dan Lauritzen)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 21:01:13 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Ghostbusters
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I may be getting my geek on here, but I couldn't help but think of
Ghostbusters and Dr. Vanckman during the whole lecture. It reminded me of
all flaws in parapsychology research. During the first movie he is testing
two students with the flash cards, giving shocks for correct answers. He
always tells the girl she is right and the guy that he is wrong. I also
remember a show on Sci-fi channel that was someone communicating with the
dead for a studio audience. It all seems about as fake Ghostbusters, not as
entertaining for me though.
Things like this are great for making money but hold little value for
research. The sad part is that the people who are good at pulling this
stuff off make more than researchers. I guess the truth is of its own
value.
--
Dan Lauritzen
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I may be getting my geek on here, but I couldn't help but think of Ghostbusters and Dr. Vanckman during the whole lecture. It reminded me of all flaws in parapsychology research. During the first movie he is testing two students with the flash cards, giving shocks for correct answers. He always tells the girl she is right and the guy that he is wrong. I also remember a show on Sci-fi channel that was someone communicating with the dead for a studio audience. It all seems about as fake Ghostbusters, not as entertaining for me though.
Things like this are great for making money but hold little value for research. The sad part is that the people who are good at pulling this stuff off make more than researchers. I guess the truth is of its own value.
-- Dan Lauritzen
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 04:22:10 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (David Dunn)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 20:22:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Background Props
Message-ID: <209546.43908.qm@web50606.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
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In talking today about subliminal messages I found it interesting about the use of background props that are used to communicate thought or anticipate action. The Example that was used in class was the picture of "Joe Camel" with the submarine in the background that was rising, rising, rising. It was said that this was done to insinuate sexual connotations. I found this funny, but in a commercial that I saw on TV yesterday for some bran flakes, it showed a construction worker talking about being "normal" while in the background at the construction site there was a large beam being dislodged from its location. Shortly thereafter a dump truck was seen dumping 50 gallon barrels. This was all during the construction workers talking about how bran has helped him feel better in the mornings.
I guess even though this tactic was used long before Leonardo da Vinci's time people today seem to feel that it works. I'll be willing to wager that if looking for this technique it will be seen much more often.
David Dunn
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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In talking today about subliminal messages I found it interesting about the use of background props that are used to communicate thought or anticipate action. The Example that was used in class was the picture of "Joe Camel" with the submarine in the background that was rising, rising, rising. It was said that this was done to insinuate sexual connotations. I found this funny, but in a commercial that I saw on TV yesterday for some bran flakes, it showed a construction worker talking about being "normal" while in the background at the construction site there was a large beam being dislodged from its location. Shortly thereafter a dump truck was seen dumping 50 gallon barrels. This was all during the construction workers talking about how bran has helped him
feel better in the mornings.
I guess even though this tactic was used long before Leonardo da Vinci's time people today seem to feel that it works. I'll be willing to wager that if looking for this technique it will be seen much more often.
David Dunn
Be a better pen pal.
Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.
--0-792616394-1196742130=:43908--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 04:42:40 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Andrea Kalvesmaki)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 20:42:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Parapsychology
In-Reply-To: <200712031748.lB3Hm3hR002727@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID: <325729.35379.qm@web38902.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
After today's lecture, and after reading the article
about the Yeti, I think there are some important
distinctions to make. I agree that claims of the
paranormal and extra-spectacular need a skeptical
approach, and need to have information to back it up.
However, parapsychology is a very broad category of
classification, with many topics within it, some of
which have psychological, cultural, and social value
and worth, which is important to articulate.
For instance, if one is a psychologist and is dealing
with a patient who claims to have been visited by his
dead mother, it would be very inappropriate to just
point out 'evidence' that we cannot prove it was her.
Also, culturally, certain phenomenon have intricate
value and place in a person's thoughts, lifestyle
choices and well-being. For instance, the article
about the Yeti is written from a very sensational
point of view. Of course the footprints can be fakes,
they do not prove the existence of a Yeti... but what
about the cultural and spiritual significance of the
Sherpas' BELIEF about the Yeti, and what they have to
say about the Yeti's place in society and
spirituality? An anthropologist or social psychologist
would be asking very different questions than whether
or not the footprint is a fake...
and, in cognitive psychology, it is important to know
this aspect of life when dealing with parapsychology.
For, as in the work we have done with memory, our
beliefs of how the world works really guides our
perceptions and memory recollections. Parapsychology
ties into this, in many ways, and there needs to be
some sensitivity to it. Now, I am not saying believe
in the Yeti story, or that the paranormal exists...
but on social and psychological levels, one has to
remain aware of the other uses and implications of
perceptions... every read any Carl Jung?
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 04:54:47 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (JAMES C HINCKLE)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 21:54:47 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Julie Hinckle: Parapsychology
Message-ID:
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Today's lecture made me stop and think about paranormal events and that =
there are a lot of people who do believe in ESP, aliens living on earth, =
ghosts and psychic experiences. I was surprised to see the statistics =
listed in the 1991 Gallup poll, especially that 42% believed they could =
communicate with the dead. Lately, the media has opened the door for TV =
shows like Ghost Whisperer, Phenomenon, the reality show where psychics =
compete against one another, and the show where the psychic lady talks =
to the dead, (sorry, I don't know the names...I just see them =
advertised), to become familiar to the public. I have watched Ghost =
Whisperer a couple of times and it is very believable. If people are =
susceptible to persuasion, I can see where the realism of these shows =
could turn them into believers. In the 1940's, my mother had an eerie =
experience with a fortune teller at a state fair back in the midwest. =
He predicted that her brother (who was in the military) would die on a =
certain date. Unfortunately, his prediction came true. That incident =
never made her a believer. She knew it was sheer coincidence that it =
actually happened, however, it really freaked her out nonetheless. I =
think the people who claim to have super powers where they can tell =
fortunes, read tarot cards, palm read, etc. don't have ESP but instead =
make generalized guesses with the hope that every now and then one will =
come true. Isn't that the law of probability?
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Today's lecture made me stop and think about paranormal events and =
that=20
there are a lot of people who do believe in ESP, aliens living on =
earth,=20
ghosts and psychic experiences. I was surprised to see the =
statistics=20
listed in the 1991 Gallup poll, especially that 42% believed they could=20
communicate with the dead. Lately, the media has opened the =
door for=20
TV shows like Ghost Whisperer, Phenomenon, the reality show where =
psychics=20
compete against one another, and the show where the psychic lady =
talks to=20
the dead, (sorry, I don't know the names...I just see them advertised), =
to=20
become familiar to the public. I have watched Ghost =
Whisperer a couple of times and it is very believable. If =
people are=20
susceptible to persuasion, I can see where the realism of these shows=20
could turn them into believers. In the 1940's, my =
mother=20
had an eerie experience with a fortune teller at a state fair back =
in the=20
midwest. He predicted that her brother (who was in the=20
military) would die on a certain date. Unfortunately, his =
prediction=20
came true. That incident never made her a believer. She =
knew it=20
was sheer coincidence that it actually happened, however, it=20
really freaked her out nonetheless. I think the people who =
claim to=20
have super powers where they can tell fortunes, read tarot =
cards, palm=20
read, etc. don't have ESP but instead make generalized guesses =
with=20
the hope that every now and then one will come true. Isn't that =
the law of=20
probability? &=
nbsp; =20
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 06:20:38 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Steve Best)
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 22:20:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Failure to Reconstruct
Message-ID: <57827.85183.qm@web36505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
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The other day I was looking through a catalog getting some ideas for Christmas presents. I found one item in particular, then made a mental note of where it was and continued looking through the rest of the catalog. When I went back to find the original item, I couldn't locate it - I was sure of at least the position on the page on which the item was found, but after looking through the entire catalog, it was not where I had "remembered".
After fine combing the catalog page by page, I finally found the item in a different position than I had remembered. It then occurred to me that this was among other things, an example of what we had learned about a few weeks ago with reconstructive memory - an omission in recall, probably due to schemata.
It's always remarkable to me to finally be able to understand some of the concepts behind behaviors that we cope with for years sometimes.
Steve Best
____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
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The other day I was looking through a catalog getting some ideas for Christmas presents. I found one item in particular, then made a mental note of where it was and continued looking through the rest of the catalog. When I went back to find the original item, I couldn't locate it - I was sure of at least the position on the page on which the item was found, but after looking through the entire catalog, it was not where I had "remembered". After fine combing the catalog page by page, I finally found the item in a different position than I had remembered. It then occurred to me that this was among other things, an example of what we had learned about a few weeks ago with reconstructive memory - an omission in recall, probably due to schemata. It's always remarkable to
me to finally be able to understand some of the concepts behind behaviors that we cope with for years sometimes. Steve Best
Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you
with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.
--0-1390820355-1196749238=:85183--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 20:02:00 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Dan Lauritzen)
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:02:00 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] suggestibility
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I was thinking about what we talked about earlier in the class on changing
peoples memories by the way a question is asked. People are definately open
to having their thoughts and emotions manipulated by various stimuli. Like
background images, music, colors, and certain words can affect the meaning
of an interaction, question, or image. What is interesting is when we talk
about subliminal messages the idea is basically the same, trying to
manipulate thoughts and opinions. However, subliminal inputs are thought to
be beyond what we can consciously recognize. Similar in a way to the dual
listening task, having focus on one thing but receiving basic parts of the
other message. I think that it works in cases like that, but the idea of
hidden messages in movies making me hungry, I don't think so.
--
Dan Lauritzen
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I was thinking about what we talked about earlier in the class on changing peoples memories by the way a question is asked. People are definately open to having their thoughts and emotions manipulated by various stimuli. Like background images, music, colors, and certain words can affect the meaning of an interaction, question, or image. What is interesting is when we talk about subliminal messages the idea is basically the same, trying to manipulate thoughts and opinions. However, subliminal inputs are thought to be beyond what we can consciously recognize. Similar in a way to the dual listening task, having focus on one thing but receiving basic parts of the other message. I think that it works in cases like that, but the idea of hidden messages in movies making me hungry, I don't think so.
-- Dan Lauritzen
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 21:20:12 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (sapna bhakta)
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 21:20:12 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] aliens (Sapna Bhakta)
In-Reply-To: <200712031748.lB3Hm3hR002727@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712031748.lB3Hm3hR002727@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
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All through out the beginning of the lecture, I was wondering who/what dete=
rmined what an alien looked like. It was interesting to see how the alien =
timeline changed so drastically at the early on. It seems as though an ali=
en looked like whatever "creature" was popular during that time is what an =
alien looked lilke, however how it seems to stay the same. =20
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 10:48:03 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1150 - 7 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:37:34 -0700From: t=
mblakemoreslc@earthlink.netTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych=
3120] Aging and the BrainSo was anyone else a little distraught by the lect=
ure on aging and the brain? It seemed like one of those moments in life wh=
en you have to face your own mortality, a pretty difficult concept for us y=
oung people, with our notions of invincibility and immortality which have n=
ot yet been dashed by a decreased metabolism. I found it kind of tough to =
hear that my brain may already by in a state of decay, like I ought to get =
out there and invent cold fusion or something, put this pink, squishy thing=
in my head to good use. But all illusions of grandeur aside, it really is=
alarming to be losing two packets of Sweet N' Low a year, and that's only =
from normal deterioration, it doesn't even include blackout drinking binges=
or blunt trauma to the head. Add those variables into the mix and what ar=
e we looking at here, three, four packets of faux sugar a year? That's not=
fun for anyone, except for people in the alcohol business, because what be=
tter remedy for such a startling statistic is there than drinking your weig=
ht in liquor? I can't think of one, but they may have something to do with=
the dizziness. But seriously, my questions is does this loss in brain mas=
s affect aquisition of new skills and knowledge only or does it also affect=
performance of old skills? How about of knowledge already learned? It se=
ems to make sense that it would affect performance of old skills, as (and I=
'm not being an ageist) older people tend to be not so good drivers and peo=
ple seem to lose their balance more when they're older. I don't know, but =
either way I'm going to have to stop drinking and start wearing a helmet.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon,=
3 Dec 2007 03:47:39 -0500From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quinti=
n Fidler: Phenomenon's Uri Geller
As I was printing up tomorrows lecture I noticed a picture of Uri Geller wh=
o was famous in the 1970's (he is currently a judge on the show Phenomenon)=
and purported to be a mind reader and mystic saying he could bend spoons w=
ith his mind. I remember during the height of his fame he was invited to be=
on the Tonight Show then hosted by Johnny Carson. Johnny, as we liked to c=
all him, was also a showman and as such didn't believe Uri's claims. Johnny=
consulted with some of the magicians of the day and had them give him idea=
s about how to test Uri. When Uri came on the show Johnny tested him by ask=
ing him to perform a simple task as a test of his powers. Uri was given a s=
imple task, he was presented with several small metal vials one of which co=
ntained water, if I remember correctly. Uri was to use his mind powers to r=
eveal which one had the water in it of course he was not allowed to touch t=
hem. After several minutes of waving his hand over the vials he told the au=
dience that he wasn't feeling it that night. After 30 years he apparently s=
till can't feel it because he was unable to tell what was written on the ca=
rd that Criss Angel had sealed in envelopes. Criss, on the show Phenomenon,=
had challenged several of the performers including Uri that they could not=
tell him what was written on the cards and backed it up with one million d=
ollars.=20
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:57:41 -0800From: A=
Nielson@kleinfelder.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120=
] alissa nielson
when we talked about heuristics a while ago i thought of what we were learn=
ing at the time in my sociology class about stereotypes
stereotypes are a shortcut for us to solve a problem we may face about how =
to treat or feel, trust, approach, handle someone or a situation
although they are not good they are pretty automatic, even if we don't want=
to stereotype people we do
just as using heuristics is automatic, rather than taking the time to use a=
lgorithms, stereotypes are automatic, rather than getting to know a person =
before making a quick judgment about him and moving onKLEINFELDEREXPECT MOR=
E-------------------------------------------------------------------------W=
arning: Information provided via electronic media is notguaranteed against =
defects including translation and transmission errors.If the reader is not =
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, dis=
tribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you h=
ave received this information in error, please notify the sender immediatel=
y.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: une_fille_03@hotmail.comTo: psych3120=
@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 06:25:13 -0800Subject: [Psych3120=
] Grocery Shopping
While this example may seem a bit dated, I recently found myself utilizing =
some of the tools I've acquired in cognitive psych. For example, when I wen=
t grocery shopping earlier last week, I was forced to make a mental list wh=
ile driving. I knew I wanted to make cookies, so those ingredients were rel=
atively simple, I just had to remember the recipe. Beyond that, however, th=
ere were many other random items that I needed. Not wanting to leave anythi=
ng out, I decided to place all of the items in a scene. I put some cereal o=
n top of a door frame (that was sitting in the forest), I had hummus sittin=
g on a lily pad and cat food near a cave. The more ridiculous the things we=
re, the easier it was for me to recall at the store. In the end, I was able=
to purchase 8 random items (excluding the baking goods which were easy to =
remember). Not only was I impressed at my ability to recall of that informa=
tion, but I was excited to have learned something practical in college!
=20
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 10:40:52 -0700From: D=
avid.Strayer@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] =
[Fwd: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stoke Yeti mystery - Yahoo! News] ---=
----- Original Message --------Subject: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stok=
e Yeti mystery - Yahoo! NewsDate: 02 Dec 2007 18:58:18 -0800From: David str=
ayer Reply-To: David.Strayer@utah.eduTo: psych3120@=
lists.csbs.lutah.eduCC: David.Strayer@utah.edu David strayer (David.Straye=
r@utah.edu) has sent you a news article.(Email address has not been verifie=
d.)------------------------------------------------------------Personal mes=
sage: This just in.... Just in time for this week's lectures.--Dave Footpri=
nts stoke Yeti mystery - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071202/od=
_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_nepal_yeti =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3DYahoo! Newshttp://=
news.yahoo.com/=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 09:43:57 -0800From: j=
oeboyer31@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Re=
: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1149 - 7 msgsA few weeks ago we learned that we =
weigh earlier information heavier than info. presented later. I decided to =
put this into practice in a slightly different context. I had to write a 10=
page paper fpor another class in which we had to include a bunch of refere=
nces. I didn't want to use all references from lecture and the book, but it=
was a lot of effort to look up too many online. So I decided to use refere=
nces that I had to do more research for at the beginning of the paper and g=
et it into her mind that I was using a lot of those references online and t=
hen for most of the paper use lecture notes as a reference. Even though it =
wasn't a requirement I wanted it to seem like I was going the extra mile.ps=
ych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu wrote:=20
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduTo s=
ubscribe or unsubscribevia the World Wide Web, visithttp://lists.csbs.utah.=
edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with subject or bod=
y 'help' topsych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.eduYou can reach the person ma=
naging the list atpsych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.eduWhen replying, please =
edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Contents of Psych312=
0 digest..."Today's Topics:1. (no subject) (Yoshida Taihei)2. Aging your br=
ain (bryan miller)3. man vs. machine (bryan miller)4. Prototype formation (=
Matt Hansen)5. aging and neurons (Spencer Weston)6. Mental Representations =
(Thomas Blakemore)7. RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs (Amanda Lin=
dsey)From: Yoshida Taihei To: Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:18:07 +0900Subject: [Psych3120] (no subje=
ct)
I was surprised we will loose a brain weight as we get older. I had been t=
hinking the reason why if we get older we can't memorize well, is just a re=
action time. however, we will loose 25% of brain when we become a 70. at =
the same time, I've heard if someone who uses fingers to do something even =
we get old, such as playing pianon, violin, or playing Video game also, the=
y won't loose their ability than someone who doesn't. So, I guess we can t=
ry to keep our brain by using fingers.
=A4=DB=A4=E9=A1=A2=CA=D1=A4=EF=A4=C3=A4=BF=A4=C7=A4=B7=A4=E7=A1=A9=A1=A1=A5=
=DE=A5=A4=A5=AF=A5=ED=A5=BD=A5=D5=A5=C8=A4=C8=A4=A4=A4=C3=A4=B7=A4=E7=A4=CB=
=A1=A2=BC=A1=A4=CE=A5=C7=A5=B8=A5=BF=A5=EB=A5=E9=A5=A4=A5=D5=A4=D8 http://g=
o.windowslive.jp/ From: bryan miller To: postings f=
or pysch Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:21:50 +000=
0Subject: [Psych3120] Aging your brain
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting. I h=
ave always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenerate q=
uickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of two =
grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmother=
seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became very=
sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continued t=
o read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im sure m=
any factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful one. =
I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the effec=
ts of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be very =
dramatic in many cases.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. Power up! From: bryan miller To: postings f=
or pysch Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:32:07 +000=
0Subject: [Psych3120] man vs. machine
The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was fasci=
nating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a similar =
level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid progress of=
technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a few disti=
nct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single neuron to=
contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our brains to =
streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the plastici=
ty of our brains toreroute and reorganize cognitive functioning from a dama=
ged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall every thing like they=
do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently natural selection =
has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll see how it goes.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now! Date: Sun, 2 =
Dec 2007 21:56:03 -0800 (PST)From: Matt Hansen To: ps=
ych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Prototype formation
Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we can tell a=
dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique features cancel =
out. Our neural network acts asa signal averager as stated by Dr. Strayer.=
It is so interesting that we take information and simplify it to make se=
nse of it and then add detail for future recognition. Our minds seem to be=
very efficient at cutting corners when its effective and taking on detail =
when needed. Let say you own a dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, t=
hough prototype formation you know its a dog, but then you recognize detai=
l to know that its not your dog. This is especially important when your ne=
ighbors dog keeps trying to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. Da=
te: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:27:35 -0700From: "Spencer Weston" To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] a=
ging and neuronsTrying to stay awake for thenight shift, I just added 2 pac=
kets of sugar to my coffee. Why 2 packets? Well, it is what I normally add,=
but I noticed each one weighs one gram. Thus, I just added the amount of s=
ugar for the amount of neural cells I will lose this year. The amazing thin=
g to me is the fault tolerance of our mind. We may not make good eyewitness=
es, but we can sure recognize and learn things well. I was struck by the ab=
ility of our minds to go through so much wear and tear over a lifespan yet =
not fail because of missing information. When I am 80, chances are I will s=
till be able to view an object and recognize it for what it is and what it =
may be used for despite losing 120 grams of neural cells! How many other an=
imals could lose such a percentage of their brains and still fair as well? =
If only I could continue to learn at my current pace rather than slowing do=
wn as I age. Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:19:37 -0700 (GMT-07:00)From: Thomas B=
lakemoreTo: Postings Subject: [Psych3120] Mental RepresentationsI thought the discussion =
about how we process things based on questions and the nature of the subjec=
t was really interesting. For example, if we are asked a question about siz=
e or number, how we the question is phrased and the amount or size of the o=
bject or objects affects processing time and perception. Like the congruity=
effect, where if asked "which is smaller, one or two?" compared with being=
asked "which is bigger, one or two?" we can answer the first question more=
quickly, because one and two are smaller numbers so asking which is bigger=
provides a contradiction which increases processing time. Or making a comp=
arison between two objects or animals. If we are asked which is bigger and =
given the choice between a coin and car or a computer and a printer we coul=
d answer the first question more quickly, because the two objectshave such =
a disparity in size. To me, the most interesting one of these is how we com=
press differences between larger numbers. For example, the difference betwe=
en $2000 and $4000 dollars seems a lot more than the difference between $56=
5,000 and $567,000, when in fact they are the same. This is because we look=
at numbers like these in terms of percentages, and the difference between =
percentages is actually quite great, but just the difference between them i=
sn't much. It's just so interesting how we organize and perceive the world =
in ways that drastically affect our abilities of perception, sometimes even=
without our realizing it. That's why perception can be such a tricky busin=
ess, because we need these "short-cuts" to be able to make sense of the wor=
ld around us, but these "short-cuts" sometimes negatively affect our abilit=
y to process.From: Amanda Lindsey To: Date: Sun, 2 Dec 200723:21:09 -0800Subject: [Psych3120=
] RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs
It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we fir=
st start losing information stored in out long term memory. When we were l=
earning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "transienc=
e" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When I went back h=
ome last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about the process of m=
emory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 years old. She i=
s still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she tends to be very forge=
tful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us by our own name, she oc=
casionally calls us one of the cat's names. It is very interesting to me t=
o think about how things from your memory just slip away fromyou.Amanda Lin=
dsey
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 22:17:02 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: chorii-chorii@hotmail.co.jpTo: psych3=
120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec2007 04:01:20 +0900Subject: [Psych31=
20] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I ! found my se=
lf using strategies depend on the tasks. While I was doing a card game, con=
centration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, a=
nd shape. In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if =
I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order compared to the one I tirie=
d to make some semantic connections in order to remnber. It was interesting=
to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem so=
lving at the same time. =20
Hotmail=B8=C2=C4=EA=A1=A1Windows Live x LostOdyssey=A5=D7=A5=EC=A5=BC=A5=F3=
=A5=C8=A5=AD=A5=E3=A5=F3=A5=DA=A1=BC=A5=F3=A1=A112=B7=EE21=C6=FC=A4=DE=A4=
=C7 http://go.windowslive.jp/
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13:03 -0800From: a=
kalvesmaki@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] M=
emoryIf anyone gets a chance, grab a copy of NationalGeographic magazine fr=
om November 2007. There is ahuge article on Memory, and on research of memo=
ry. Thearticle covers much of what we have been learning inclass, including=
info on H.M., but also covers twoother, current cases. One is in memory lo=
ss such asH.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and nonew memories =
formed, but due to illness. And the othercase is a woman with a memory 'lik=
e a rolodex'. Italso goes into the history of memory, and the culturalimpor=
tance over time. For instance, before the age ofcomputers, memory for learn=
ing was much more vitalthan it is today.Here is a great quote that involves=
the neuralnetworks we are learning about now:"What is a memory? The best t=
hat neuroscientists cando for the moment is this: A memory is a storedpatte=
rn of connections between neurons in the brain.There are about a hundred bi=
llion of ! those ne urons,each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,0=
00synaptic connections with other neurons, which makes atotal of about five=
hundred trillion to a thousandtrillion synapses in the average adult brain=
. Bycomparison, there are only about 32 trillion bytes ofinformation in the=
entire Library of Congress's printcollection. Every sensation we remember,=
every thoughtwe think, alters the connections within that vastnetwork. Syn=
apses are strengthened or weakened orformed anew. Our physical substance ch=
anges. Indeed,it is always changing, every moment, even as wesleep."(Joshua=
Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic,November 2007, p.36)=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: dinanna32@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@li=
sts.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +0000Subject: [Psych3120] D=
iana Alleman
Diana Alleman
Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that humans after the age oftwenty lose two g=
rams of neural cell loss per year. This includes the amount and rate of wh=
ich welearn to be altered. I wonder what themajorcontributions to cell los=
s are. Isit from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how=
we arebiologically made up? Is there anyway tosave a small portion of tho=
se two grams each year?=20
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to. I watch my parents and gran=
dparents forget howto do things they once were really good at. For example=
, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone=A1=C7s nameand their r=
elation to one another at a party. Recently my family went to Floridafor th=
anksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We met s=
everal people over the five days wewere visiting. At the end of the trip m=
ymom had names and connections all turnedaround or forgotten. I thought to=
myself that this was not likeher. Normally she gets a hundredpercent. Cou=
ld this be a part of her aging? =20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00:04 -0800From: D=
avid.Strayer@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] =
ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This TestYou have received this ABCNE=
WS.com mail from: David.Strayer@utah.edu More on creativity -- see how the =
content of this course links up with everyday life...Dave Strayer Wanna Be =
President? Pass This Testhttp://abcnews.go.com/Technology/WhosCounting/stor=
y?id=3D3932705&page=3D1
--Forwarded MessageAttachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:33:20 -0700From: Sp=
encer.Weston@intermountainmail.orgTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject:=
[Psych3120] Parallel Dist. Processing The mind is truly amazing. I though=
t the model of semantic memory was good, but the parallel distributed proce=
ssing is by far the best thing I have ever learned. Beyond being just a no=
de or activation of a set of cells, the thought that activating a certain p=
attern of cells and that pattern of activation being a ! concept/ memo=
ry is fantastic! Combine that with superpositional memory and prototype fo=
rmation, it is no wonder nobody has ever filled up their memory. The capac=
ity to learn is truly limitless and a good thing considering the rate techn=
ology is evolving. Soon, rather than learning how to synch our computers a=
nd ipods (windows users know what I mean), we will have to learn how to fun=
ction in a world of flying cars and assistant robots. Imagine what could h=
appen if you were able to link several minds together like the internet. =20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36:41 -0700From: a=
.stark@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] proble=
m solving
I found myself looking at the problems given in class and going for the mor=
e complicated ways to solve them instead of the more obvious, common sense =
ways. I've always felt like I can solve problems if given enough time to go=
at them from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed solving prob=
lems and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I never liked havin=
g to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given=
on how to improve your problem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught th=
ose things years ago. I know that I never really defineboundaries, so I loo=
k at too many options for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my =
own. But I think my biggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I =
don't do well with going the opposite way from normal and think this is whe=
re I need to start in my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I =
found myself thinking that when I solve a problem it comes more from the il=
lumination factor. Like a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that A=
h Hah! moment when the solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happe=
ned all the time.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.comTo: psych3120=
@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 +0000Subject: [Psych3120=
] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta)
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume. =
You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things. It is =
interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that causes reduc=
tion in amount of learning. =20
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:02:33 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1146 - 4 msg! sTo: psych3120@lists.cs=
bs.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.=
utah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://l=
ists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with=
subject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can re=
ach the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu Whe=
n replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: C=
ontents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Fri,=
30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quint=
in Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had an unscientific hypothesis about lea=
rning and old age. In today=A1=C7s lecture (11/28/07) I discovered that it =
was a real hypothesis as we discussed increased proactive interference. How=
ever as we discovered the real culprit behind old age learning is neural ce=
ll loss. I found this somewhat disheartening to know that my brain is small=
er than it was 20 years ago. But it also explains why I have to study more =
before a test than I did in high school and also why I=A1=C7m not as good a=
t GuitarHero as my son is. Another interesting point is that I know people =
in there nineties that seem as sharp as a tack This points out how resilie=
nt the brain must be because the people are working with 30% - 40% (I=A1=C7=
m guessing because I didn=A1=C7t want to do the math) less brain than the h=
ad when they were young. Dr. Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy =
lifestyle such as eating right, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce=
this loss. He also said that staying mentally active is a ! benifit. This =
confirms news reports that I have seen in which older adults retain more of=
thier faculties if they do the crossword puzzle in the news paper every mo=
rning. So I guess cognitive ablity is like everthing else you have to take =
care of it.=20
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: arcadiave@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@li=
sts.csbs.utah.eduDate: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0700Subject: [Psych3120] =
problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me about who in hi=
gh school we were talking about intelligence and I said that intelligence w=
as the ratio of information gainedfrom information received so that a perso=
n with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the information that was pr=
esented to them and someone with information greater than 1 somehow got mor=
e information than the information that was presented. It now seems to me =
that a person's ability to do this is basically a problem solving ability. =
In any of these problem solving exercises, it requires you to make some in=
formation beyond that which was given. I think this is something that shou=
ld and isn't ever taught, much to our detriment. It's sad how in many o! f=
the cl assic problem solving experiments that required this, like the cand=
le and the box in the textbook or there was one with a metronome and a box =
that I read about a long time ago, and college students who are supposed to=
be smart couldn't do them. I think we are so conditioned in school that a=
nything that we are going to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't k=
now how to learnthings that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question=
on an exam where the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700From: =
tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.netTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psyc=
h3120] PrototypesThe lecture on prototypes the other day was really interes=
ting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many sha=
pes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a=
dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing app=
lies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet p=
eople are usually able to immediately identify a telephone as being a telep=
hone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with =
staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in=
an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on proto=
types to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discern=
ing people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Differen=
t prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereo=
types, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when=
applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototyp=
ical features to know where someone comes fro! m. I al so think these=
prototypes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. =
In my Social Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily d=
iscern differences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of =
another. For example, an American Indian would have more trouble seeing di=
fference amongst European Americans than a European American would. I thin=
k this is because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are mor=
e of their prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into t=
hat prototype.I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototype=
s, as discussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are=
they applicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and ta=
sting? It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the s=
ame neural processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these process=
es. But if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of=
other, more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cu=
ltures? For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Am=
ericans enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype als=
o? Hhmmm.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700From: =
u0390673@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Neur=
al Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks and =
the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. This s=
eems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in class. It=
would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics of whate=
ver concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles them int=
o a pro! totype o f what a dog is. This then allows for us to recognize any=
type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think that in=
order to form this prototype we must first have experiences withseveral ty=
pes of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how in early chi=
ldhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still reco=
gnize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, =
raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little co=
nfused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed both d=
uring childhood and throughout life. =20
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_________________________________Psych3120 mailing listPsych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduhttp://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
All through out the beginning of the lecture, I was wondering who/what dete=
rmined what an alien looked like. It was interesting to see how the a=
lien timeline changed so drastically at the early on. It seems as tho=
ugh an alien looked like whatever "creature" was popular during that time i=
s what an alien looked lilke, however how it seems to stay the same. =
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:37=
:34 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Aging and the Brain
So was an=
yone else a little distraught by the lecture on aging and the brain? It se=
emed like one of those moments in life when you have to face your own morta=
lity, a pretty difficult concept for us young people, with our notions of i=
nvincibility and immortality which have not yet been dashed by a decreased =
metabolism. I found it kind of tough to hear that my brain may already by =
in a state of decay, like I ought to get out there and invent cold fusion o=
r something, put this pink, squishy thing in my head to good use. But all =
illusions of grandeur aside, it really is alarming to be losing two packets=
of Sweet N' Low a year, and that's only from normal deterioration, it does=
n't even include blackout drinking binges or blunt trauma to the head. Add=
those variables into the mix and what are we looking at here, three, four =
packets of faux sugar a year? That's not fun for anyone, except for people=
in the alcohol business, because what better remedy for such a startling s=
tatistic is there than drinking your weight in liquor? I can't think of on=
e, but they may have something to do with the dizziness. But seriously=
, my questions is does this loss in brain mass affect aquisition of new ski=
lls and knowledge only or does it also affect performance of old skills? H=
ow about of knowledge already learned? It seems to make sense that it woul=
d affect performance of old skills, as (and I'm not being an ageist) older =
people tend to be not so good drivers and people seem to lose their balance=
more when they're older. I don't know, but either way I'm going to have t=
o stop drinking and start wearing a helmet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 03:47:39 -0500 From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Phenomenon's Uri Geller
As I was printing up tomorrows lecture I noticed a pictur=
e of Uri Geller who was famous in the 1970's (he is currently a judge on th=
e show Phenomenon) and purported to be a mind reader and mystic saying he c=
ould bend spoons with his mind. I remember during the height of his fame he=
was invited to be on the Tonight Show then hosted by Johnny Carson. Johnny=
, as we liked to call him, was also a showman and as such didn't believe Ur=
i's claims. Johnny consulted with some of the magicians of the day and had =
them give him ideas about how to test Uri. When Uri came on the show Johnny=
tested him by asking him to perform a simple task as a test of his powers.=
Uri was given a simple task, he was presented with several small metal via=
ls one of which contained water, if I remember correctly. Uri was to use hi=
s mind powers to reveal which one had the water in it of course he was not =
allowed to touch them. After several minutes of waving his hand over the vi=
als he told the audience that he wasn't feeling it that night. After 30 yea=
rs he apparently still can't feel it because he was unable to tell what was=
written on the card that Criss Angel had sealed in envelopes. Criss, on th=
e show Phenomenon, had challenged several of the performers including Uri t=
hat they could not tell him what was written on the cards and backed it up =
with one million dollars.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:57=
:41 -0800 From: ANielson@kleinfelder.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.uta=
h.edu Subject: [Psych3120] alissa nielson
when we talked about heuristics a while ago i thought of what we were =
learning at the time in my sociology class about stereotypes
stereotypes are a shortcut for us to solve a problem we may face about=
how to treat or feel, trust, approach, handle someone or a situation
=
although they are not good they are pretty automatic, even if we don't=
want to stereotype people we do
just as using heuristics is automatic, rather than taking the time to =
use algorithms, stereotypes are automatic, rather than getting to know a pe=
rson before making a quick judgment about him and moving on
Warning: Information pro=
vided via electronic media is not guaranteed against defects including t=
ranslation and transmission errors.
If the reader is not the int=
ended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distri=
bution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you =
have received this information in error, please notify the sender immed=
iately.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: une_fille_03@hotmail.=
com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 06:25:13 =
-0800 Subject: [Psych3120] Grocery Shopping
While this example may seem a bit dated, I recently found mysel=
f utilizing some of the tools I've acquired in cognitive psych. For example=
, when I went grocery shopping earlier last week, I was forced to make a me=
ntal list while driving. I knew I wanted to make cookies, so those ingredie=
nts were relatively simple, I just had to remember the recipe. Beyond that,=
however, there were many other random items that I needed. Not wanting to =
leave anything out, I decided to place all of the items in a scene. I put s=
ome cereal on top of a door frame (that was sitting in the forest), I had h=
ummus sitting on a lily pad and cat food near a cave. The more ridicul=
ous the things were, the easier it was for me to recall at the store. In th=
e end, I was able to purchase 8 random items (excluding the baking goods wh=
ich were easy to remember). Not only was I impressed at my ability to recal=
l of that information, but I was excited to have learned something practica=
l in college!
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 10:40=
:52 -0700 From: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.=
edu Subject: [Psych3120] [Fwd: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stoke Yeti=
mystery - Yahoo! News]
-------- Original Message ---=
----- Subject: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stoke Yeti mystery - Yahoo=
! News Date: 02 Dec 2007 18:58:18 -0800 From: David strayer <David=
.Strayer@utah.edu> Reply-To: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@=
lists.csbs.lutah.edu CC: David.Strayer@utah.edu
David stray=
er (David.Strayer@utah.edu) has sent you a news article. (Email address =
has not been verified.) ------------------------------------------------=
------------ Personal message:
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 09:43=
:57 -0800 From: joeboyer31@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u Subject: [Psych3120] Re: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1149 - 7 msgs A few weeks ago we learned that we weigh earlier information heavier than =
info. presented later. I decided to put this into practice in a slightly di=
fferent context. I had to write a 10 page paper fpor another class in which=
we had to include a bunch of references. I didn't want to use all referenc=
es from lecture and the book, but it was a lot of effort to look up too man=
y online. So I decided to use references that I had to do more research for=
at the beginning of the paper and get it into her mind that I was using a =
lot of those references online and then for most of the paper use lecture n=
otes as a reference. Even though it wasn't a requirement I wanted it to see=
m like I was going the extra mile.
psych3120-request@lists.csb=
s.utah.edu wrote:=20
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via th=
e World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych312=
0 or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to psych3=
120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can reach the person managing th=
e list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu
When replying, plea=
se edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of P=
sych3120 digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. (no subject) (Yoshida =
Taihei) 2. Aging your brain (bryan miller) 3. man vs. machine (bryan =
miller) 4. Prototype formation (Matt Hansen) 5. aging and neurons (Sp=
encer Weston) 6. Mental Representations (Thomas Blakemore) 7. RE: Psy=
ch3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs (Amanda Lindsey) From: Yoshida Taihe=
i <tai600102@hotmail.com> To: <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu>=
; Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:18:07 +0900 Subject: [Psych3120] (no subje=
ct)
I was surprised we will loose a brain weight as we get older. I had b=
een thinking the reason why if we get older we can't memorize well, is just=
a reaction time. however, we will loose 25% of brain when we become =
a 70. at the same time, I've heard if someone who uses fingers to do =
something even we get old, such as playing pianon, violin, or playing Video=
game also, they won't loose their ability than someone who doesn't. =
So, I guess we can try to keep our brain by using fingers.
=A4=DB=A4=E9=A1=A2=CA=D1=A4=EF=A4=C3=A4=BF=A4=C7=A4=B7=A4=E7=A1=A9=A1=A1=A5=
=DE=A5=A4=A5=AF=A5=ED=A5=BD=A5=D5=A5=C8=A4=C8=A4=A4=A4=C3=A4=B7=A4=E7=A4=CB=
=A1=A2=BC=A1=A4=CE=A5=C7=A5=B8=A5=BF=A5=EB=A5=E9=A5=A4=A5=D5=A4=D8 http://go.windowslive.jp/ From: bryan miller <bmiller171@hotmai=
l.com> To: postings for pysch <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu>Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:21:50 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] Aging your b=
rain
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting. I h=
ave always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenerate q=
uickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of two =
grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmother=
seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became very=
sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continued t=
o read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im sure m=
any factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful one. =
I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the effec=
ts of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be very =
dramatic in many cases.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. href=3D"htt=
p://www.windowslive.com/?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_powerofwindows_112007" targ=
et=3D_new>Power up! From: bryan miller <bmiller171@hotmail.com>=
; To: postings for pysch <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu> Date: =
Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:32:07 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] man vs. machine <=
BR>
The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was fasci=
nating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a sim=
ilar level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid progre=
ss of technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a few =
distinct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single neur=
on to contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our brain=
s to streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the pla=
sticity of our brains to reroute and reorganize cognitive functioning fr=
om a damaged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall every t=
hing like they do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently natu=
ral selection has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll see ho=
w it goes.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now! Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:56:03 -0800 (PST) From: Mat=
t Hansen <mattsweden@yahoo.com> To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] Prototype formation
Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we =
can tell a dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique f=
eatures cancel out. Our neural network acts as a signal averager a=
s stated by Dr. Strayer. It is so interesting that we take info=
rmation and simplify it to make sense of it and then add detail for future =
recognition. Our minds seem to be very efficient at cutting corners w=
hen its effective and taking on detail when needed. Let say you own a=
dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, though prototype formation you k=
now its a dog, but then you recognize detail to know that its not you=
r dog. This is especially important when your neighbors dog keeps try=
ing to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.=
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:27:35 -0700 From: "Spencer Weston" <Spencer=
.Weston@intermountainmail.org> To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu S=
ubject: [Psych3120] aging and neurons
Trying to stay awake for thenight shift, I just added 2 packets of sugar to my coffee. Why 2 packets?=
Well, it is what I normally add, but I noticed each one weighs one gram. T=
hus, I just added the amount of sugar for the amount of neural cells I will=
lose this year. The amazing thing to me is the fault tolerance of our mind=
. We may not make good eyewitnesses, but we can sure recognize and learn th=
ings well. I was struck by the ability of our minds to go through so much w=
ear and tear over a lifespan yet not fail because of missing information. W=
hen I am 80, chances are I will still be able to view an object and recogni=
ze it for what it is and what it may be used for despite losing 120 grams o=
f neural cells! How many other animals could lose such a percentage of thei=
r brains and still fair as well? If only I could continue to learn at my cu=
rrent pace rather than slowing down as I age. Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:=
19:37 -0700 (GMT-07:00) From: Thomas Blakemore <tmblakemoreslc@ear=
thlink.net> To: Postings <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu> Sub=
ject: [Psych3120] Mental Representations
I thought the discussion ab=
out how we process things based on questions and the nature of the subject =
was really interesting. For example, if we are asked a question about size =
or number, how we the question is phrased and the amount or size of the obj=
ect or objects affects processing time and perception. Like the congruity e=
ffect, where if asked "which is smaller, one or two?" compared with being a=
sked "which is bigger, one or two?" we can answer the first question more q=
uickly, because one and two are smaller numbers so asking which is bigger p=
rovides a contradiction which increases processing time. Or making a compar=
ison between two objects or animals. If we are asked which is bigger and gi=
ven the choice between a coin and car or a computer and a printer we could =
answer the first question more quickly, because the two objects have suc=
h a disparity in size. To me, the most interesting one of these is how we c=
ompress differences between larger numbers. For example, the difference bet=
ween $2000 and $4000 dollars seems a lot more than the difference between $=
565,000 and $567,000, when in fact they are the same. This is because we lo=
ok at numbers like these in terms of percentages, and the difference betwee=
n percentages is actually quite great, but just the difference between them=
isn't much. It's just so interesting how we organize and perceive the worl=
d in ways that drastically affect our abilities of perception, sometimes ev=
en without our realizing it. That's why perception can be such a tricky bus=
iness, because we need these "short-cuts" to be able to make sense of the w=
orld around us, but these "short-cuts" sometimes negatively affect our abil=
ity to process.
It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we fir=
st start losing information stored in out long term memory. When we w=
ere learning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "tran=
sience" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When I w=
ent back home last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about the pr=
ocess of memory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 years o=
ld. She is still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she tends t=
o be very forgetful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us by =
our own name, she occasionally calls us one of the cat's names. It is=
very interesting to me to think about how things from your memory just sli=
p away from you.
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: chorii-chorii@hotmail=
.co.jp To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 04:=
01:20 +0900 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I !=
found my self using strategies depend on the tasks. While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what I=
need from the choices of color, number of card, and shape.=
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group =
if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order =
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in order=
to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing was o=
ne I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time. &n=
bsp;
Hotmail=B8=C2=C4=EA=A1=A1Windows Live x Lost Odyssey=A5=D7=A5=EC=A5=BC=
=A5=F3=A5=C8=A5=A5=E3=A5=F3=A5=DA=A1=BC=A5=F3=A1=A112=B7=EE21=C6=FC=A4=
=DE=A4=C7 http://go.windowslive.jp/
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13=
:03 -0800 From: akalvesmaki@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.e=
du Subject: [Psych3120] Memory
If anyone gets a chance, grab=
a copy of National Geographic magazine from November 2007. There is ahuge article on Memory, and on research of memory. The article covers =
much of what we have been learning in class, including info on H.M., but=
also covers two other, current cases. One is in memory loss such as =
H.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and no new memories formed=
, but due to illness. And the other case is a woman with a memory 'like =
a rolodex'. It also goes into the history of memory, and the culturalimportance over time. For instance, before the age of computers, me=
mory for learning was much more vital than it is today. Here is a gre=
at quote that involves the neural networks we are learning about now:"What is a memory? The best that neuroscientists can do for the moment =
is this: A memory is a stored pattern of connections between neurons in =
the brain. There are about a hundred billion of ! those ne urons,each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 synaptic connections wi=
th other neurons, which makes a total of about five hundred trillion to =
a thousand trillion synapses in the average adult brain. By compariso=
n, there are only about 32 trillion bytes of information in the entire L=
ibrary of Congress's print collection. Every sensation we remember, ever=
y thought we think, alters the connections within that vast network. =
Synapses are strengthened or weakened or formed anew. Our physical subst=
ance changes. Indeed, it is always changing, every moment, even as w=
e sleep." (Joshua Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic, Nove=
mber 2007, p.36)
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: dinanna32@hotmail.com=
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +00=
00 Subject: [Psych3120] Diana Alleman
Diana Alleman
Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
<=
BR>
I was astonished to find out that h=
umans after the age of twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per yea=
r.This includes the amount and rate of which we lear=
n to be altered. I wonder what the major contribut=
ions to cell loss are.Is it from the environment we =
live in and the choices we make or how we are biologically made up? Is there anyway to save a small portion of those two gram=
s each year?
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to.=
I watch my parents and grandparents forget how to do thing=
s they once were really good at. For example, my mo=
m always had a knack for remembering everyone=A1=C7s name and their rela=
tion to one another at a party. Recently my family we=
nt to Florida for thanksgiving to spend time=
with relatives we do not see very often. We met several=
people over the five days we were visiting. At the e=
nd of the trip my mom had names and connections all turned around or =
forgotten.I thought to myself that this was not likeher.Normally she gets a hundred percent. Could this=
be a part of her aging?
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00=
:04 -0800 From: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.=
edu Subject: [Psych3120] ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This Test=
You have received this ABCNEWS.com mail from:
David.St=
rayer@utah.edu
More on creativity -- see how the content of this co=
urse links up with everyday life... Dave Strayer
The mind is truly amazing. I thought the model of semantic memory=
was good, but the parallel distributed processing is by far the best thing=
I have ever learned. Beyond being just a node or activation of a set of c=
ells, the thought that activating a certain pattern of cells and that patte=
rn of activation being a ! concept/ memory is fantastic! Combine that=
with superpositional memory and prototype formation, it is no wonder nobod=
y has ever filled up their memory. The capacity to learn is truly limitles=
s and a good thing considering the rate technology is evolving. Soon, rath=
er than learning how to synch our computers and ipods (windows users know w=
hat I mean), we will have to learn how to function in a world of flying car=
s and assistant robots. Imagine what could happen if you were able to =
link several minds together like the internet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36=
:41 -0700 From: a.stark@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] problem solving
I found myself looking at =
the problems given in class and going for the more complicated ways to solv=
e them instead of the more obvious, common sense ways. I've always felt lik=
e I can solve problems if given enough time to go at them from many angles,=
but I've never particularly enjoyed solving problems and although math was=
one of my favorite subjects, I never liked having to do story problems. So=
now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given on how to improve your pr=
oblem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught those things years ago. I kn=
ow that I never really define boundaries, so I look at too many options =
for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my own. But I think my bi=
ggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I don't do well with goi=
ng the opposite way from normal and think this is where I need to start in =
my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself thinking =
that when I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination factor. Lik=
e a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! moment when the=
solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened all the time.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.=
com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 =
+0000 Subject: [Psych3120] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta) =
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of=
brain volume. You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacti=
ng to things. It is interesting that while you get older you neural c=
ell loss that causes reduction in amount of learning.
Send Psych3120 mailing list=
submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or u=
nsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/=
listinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or=
body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can r=
each the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more sp=
ecific than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500 From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had =
an unscientific hypothesis about learning and old age. In today=A1=C7s lect=
ure (11/28/07) I discovered that it was a real hypothesis as we discussed i=
ncreased proactive interference. However as we discovered the real culprit =
behind old age learning is neural cell loss. I found this somewhat disheart=
ening to know that my brain is smaller than it was 20 years ago. But it als=
o explains why I have to study more before a test than I did in high school=
and also why I=A1=C7m not as good at Guitar Hero as my son is. Another =
interesting point is that I know people in there nineties that seem as shar=
p as a tack This points out how resilient the brain must be because t=
he people are working with 30% - 40% (I=A1=C7m guessing because I didn=A1=
=C7t want to do the math) less brain than the had when they were young. Dr.=
Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy lifestyle such as eating rig=
ht, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss. He also said tha=
t staying mentally active is a ! benifit. This confirms news reports that I=
have seen in which older adults retain more of thier faculties if they do =
the crossword puzzle in the news paper every morning. So I guess cogni=
tive ablity is like everthing else you have to take care of it. <=
/FONT>
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: arcadiave@hotmail.com=
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0=
700 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminde=
d me about who in high school we were talking about intelligence and I said=
that intelligence was the ratio of information gained from information =
received so that a person with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the=
information that was presented to them and someone with information greate=
r than 1 somehow got more information than the information that was present=
ed. It now seems to me that a person's ability to do this is basicall=
y a problem solving ability. In any of these problem solving exercise=
s, it requires you to make some information beyond that which was given.&nb=
sp; I think this is something that should and isn't ever taught, much to ou=
r detriment. It's sad how in many o! f the cl assic problem solving e=
xperiments that required this, like the candle and the box in the textbook =
or there was one with a metronome and a box that I read about a long time a=
go, and college students who are supposed to be smart couldn't do them.&nbs=
p; I think we are so conditioned in school that anything that we are going =
to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't know how to learn things=
that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question on an exam where=
the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:5=
0:41 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csb=
s.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
The lecture on pr=
ototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect=
for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in gene=
ral, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen=
that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so =
many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediat=
ely identify a telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototype=
s in so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, =
computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just =
looking around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in =
the room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discer=
ning ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of dif=
ferent racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any =
specific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generall=
y called stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where so=
meone comes fro! m. I al so think these prototypes become more genera=
l when applied to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class=
we talked about how people can more easily discern differences amongst peo=
ple of their own race than amongst people of another. For example, an Amer=
ican Indian would have more trouble seeing difference amongst European =
Americans than a European American would. I think this is because we tend =
to believe people outside of our own race are more of their prototype than =
they really are because we try to fit them into that prototype. I'm also=
wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in cla=
ss, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they applicable to ot=
her senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like =
we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neural processes a=
nd thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But if we can for=
m prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex f=
orms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, =
are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying viole=
nce but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:1=
6:11 -0700 From: u0390673@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
=
<=
BR>
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural netwo=
rks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another=
. This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in c=
lass. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics =
of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles =
them into a pro! totype o f what a dog is. This then allows for us to recog=
nize any type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think=
that in order to form this prototype we must first have experiences withseveral types of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how =
in early childhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodl=
e still recognize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a =
cat, horse, raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just=
a little confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are f=
ormed both during childhood and throughout life.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
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_____________________ Psych3120 mailing list Psych3120@lists.csbs.uta=
h.edu http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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=
--_dc48ad16-ee4e-488f-ab7c-5b340ab1b1a7_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Tue Dec 4 21:19:54 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Todd Aylesworth)
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:19:54 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] back playing
Message-ID:
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I have heard a lot about the backwards messages in music. the people that
have published their finding on the matter have been part of religous groups
that say that the back playing has to do with the power of Satan. there
reasoning behind their findings are the only other being that could
configure one saying going forward and another backwards is in there beliefs
is one God and the other Satan. around the class learnings I don't think
that this back masking will ever influence an individual to do any. I have
listened to queen's another one bites the dust and I have never had the need
to smoke any gonja.
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I have heard a lot about the backwards messages in music. the people that have published their finding on the matter have been part of religous groups that say that the back playing has to do with the power of Satan. there reasoning behind their findings are the only other being that could configure one saying going forward and another backwards is in there beliefs is one God and the other Satan. around the class learnings I don't think that this back masking will ever influence an individual to do any. I have listened to queen's another one bites the dust and I have never had the need to smoke any gonja.
------=_Part_23096_108265.1196803194041--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 04:58:23 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (erica smith)
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 21:58:23 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject)
Message-ID:
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
So after the whole lecture on subliminal messages and alien abductions it m=
ade me realize how sucked in people can get with these ideas. One thing th=
at came to mind were how "documentaries" are shown on tv talking about area=
51 or proof that the world is going to end. People that start watching th=
ese shows may not believe it at first, but if they continue to watch it, th=
er opinions and biases may grow to favor those that are presented. I thoug=
ht it was very interesting how the lecture emphasized that with things like=
this, they do not show evidence from another view point, such as how they =
don't let people into area 50 either. I just think its intriguing how sway=
ed people can get into thinking something that at first may have appeared c=
ompletely illogical.=20
erica smith
_________________________________________________________________
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate.=A0 Join i=
n.
www.windowslive.com/smile?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_oprsmilewlhmtagline=
--_8d2fc4b2-4146-468c-8a5e-a855b87741b3_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
So after the whole lecture on subliminal messages and alien abductions it m=
ade me realize how sucked in people can get with these ideas. One thi=
ng that came to mind were how "documentaries" are shown on tv talking about=
area 51 or proof that the world is going to end. People that start w=
atching these shows may not believe it at first, but if they continue to wa=
tch it, ther opinions and biases may grow to favor those that are presented=
. I thought it was very interesting how the lecture emphasized that w=
ith things like this, they do not show evidence from another view point, su=
ch as how they don't let people into area 50 either. I just think its=
intriguing how swayed people can get into thinking something that at first=
may have appeared completely illogical.
erica smith
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
=
--_8d2fc4b2-4146-468c-8a5e-a855b87741b3_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 17:35:34 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Melissa Davenport)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 10:35:34 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1152 - 2 msgs
In-Reply-To: <200712042133.lB4LWZON016781@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712042133.lB4LWZON016781@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
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As I am getting ready for the final exam next week, I am doing plenty of st=
udying on PDP Networks. I found it so interesting to learn about Pattern As=
sociator.
If I go and smell a lovely rose in the spring time, the network produces th=
e visual aspect of a rose. Visa Versa, if I see a rose, then the network pr=
oduces a smell of a rose.=20
through these little connections and synapses, our brain creates all of our=
perception and memory and everything else around us.
I also found it interesting to know that older adults who have a slower rat=
e of learning, have had a loss in neural plasticity, more proactive interfe=
rence, more variablity, and neural=20
cell loss. Melissa Davenport
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:32:35 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1152 - 2 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:02:00 -0700From: l=
acertadeus@gmail.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] s=
uggestibility
I was thinking about what we talked about earlier in the class on changing =
peoples memories by the way a question is asked. People are definately ope=
n to having their thoughts and emotions manipulated by various stimuli. Li=
ke background images, music, colors, and certain words can affect the meani=
ng of an interaction, question, or image. What is interesting is when we t=
alk about subliminal messages the idea is basically the same, trying to man=
ipulate thoughts and opinions. However, subliminal inputs are thought to b=
e beyond what we can consciously recognize. Similar in a way to the dual l=
istening task, having focus on one thing but receiving basic parts of the o=
ther message. I think that it works in cases like that, but the idea of hi=
dden messages in movies making me hungry, I don't think so. =20
=20
-- Dan Lauritzen=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.comTo: psych3120=
@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 21:20:12 +0000Subject: [Psych3120=
] aliens (Sapna Bhakta)
All through out the beginning of the lecture, I was wondering who/what dete=
rmined what an alien looked like. It was interesting to see how the alien =
timeline changed so drastically at the early on. It seems as though an ali=
en looked like whatever "creature" was popular during that time is what an =
alien looked lilke, however how it seems to stay the same. =20
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 10:48:03 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1150 - 7 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:37:34 -0700From: t=
mblakemoreslc@earthlink.netTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych=
3120] Aging and the BrainSo was anyone else a little distraught by the lect=
ure on aging and the brain? It seemed like one of those moments in life wh=
en you have to face your own mortality, a pretty difficult concept for us y=
oung people, with our notions of invincibility and immortality which have n=
ot yet been dashed by a decreased metabolism. I found it kind of tough to =
hear that my brain may already by in a state of decay, like I ought to get =
out there and invent cold fusion or something, put this pink, squishy thing=
in my head to good use. But all illusions of grandeur aside, it really is=
alarming to be losing two packets of Sweet N' Low a year, and that's only =
from normal deterioration, it doesn't even include blackout drinking binges=
or blunt trauma to the head. Add those variables into the mix and what ar=
e we looking at here, three, four packets of faux sugar a year? That's not=
fun for anyone, except for people in the alcohol business, because what be=
tter remedy for such a startling statistic is there than drinking your weig=
ht in liquor? I can't think of one, but they may have something to do with=
the dizziness. But seriously, my questions is does this loss in brain mas=
s affect aquisition of new skills and knowledge only or does it also affect=
performance of old skills? How about of knowledge already learned? It se=
ems to make sense that it would affect performance of old skills, as (and I=
'm not being an ageist) older people tend to be not so good drivers and peo=
ple seem to lose their balance more when they're older. I don't know, but =
either way I'm going to have to stop drinking and start wearing a helmet.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon,=
3 Dec 2007 03:47:39 -0500From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quinti=
n Fidler: Phenomenon's Uri Geller
As I was printing up tomorrows lecture I noticed a picture of Uri Geller wh=
o was famous in the 1970's (he is currently a judge on the show Phenomenon)=
and purported to be a mind reader and mystic saying he could bend spoons w=
ith his mind. I remember during the height of his fame he was invited to be=
on the Tonight Show then hosted by Johnny Carson. Johnny, as we liked to c=
all him, was also a showman and as such didn't believe Uri's claims. Johnny=
consulted with some of the magicians of the day and had them give him idea=
s about how to test Uri. When Uri came on the show Johnny tested him by ask=
ing him to perform a simple task as a test of his powers. Uri was given a s=
imple task, he was presented with several small metal vials one of which co=
ntained water, if I remember correctly. Uri was to use his mind powers to r=
eveal which one had the water in it of course he was not allowed to touch t=
hem. After several minutes of waving his hand over the vials he told the au=
dience that he wasn't feeling it that night. After 30 years he apparently s=
till can't feel it because he was unable to tell what was written on the ca=
rd that Criss Angel had sealed in envelopes. Criss, on the show Phenomenon,=
had challenged several of the performers including Uri that they could not=
tell him what was written on the cards and backed it up with one million d=
ollars.=20
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:57:41 -0800From: A=
Nielson@kleinfelder.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120=
] alissa nielson
when we talked about heuristics a while ago i thought of what we were learn=
ing at the time in my sociology class about stereotypes
stereotypes are a shortcut for us to solve a problem we may face about how =
to treat or feel, trust, approach, handle someone or a situation
although they are not good they are pretty automatic, even if we don't want=
to stereotype people we do
just as using heuristics is automatic, rather than taking the time to use a=
lgorithms, stereotypes are automatic, rather than getting to know a person =
before making a quick judgment about him and moving onKLEINFELDEREXPECT MOR=
E-------------------------------------------------------------------------W=
arning: Information provided via electronic media is notguaranteed against =
defects including translation and transmission errors.If the reader is not =
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, dis=
tribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you h=
ave received this information in error, please notify the sender immediatel=
y.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: une_fille_03@hotmail.comTo: psych3120=
@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 06:25:13 -0800Subject: [Psych3120=
] Grocery Shopping
While this example may seem a bit dated, I recently found myself utilizing =
some of the tools I've acquired in cognitive psych. For example, when I wen=
t grocery shopping earlier last week, I was forced to make a mental list wh=
ile driving. I knew I wanted to make cookies, so those ingredients were rel=
atively simple, I just had to remember the recipe. Beyond that, however, th=
ere were many other random items that I needed. Not wanting to leave anythi=
ng out, I decided to place all of the items in a scene. I put some cereal o=
n top of a door frame (that was sitting in the forest), I had hummus sittin=
g on a lily pad and cat food near a cave. The more ridiculous the things we=
re, the easier it was for me to recall at the store. In the end, I was able=
to purchase 8 random items (excluding the baking goods which were easy to =
remember). Not only was I impressed at my ability to recall of that informa=
tion, but I was excited to have learned something practical in college!
=20
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 10:40:52 -0700From: D=
avid.Strayer@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] =
[Fwd: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stoke Yeti mystery - Yahoo! News] ---=
----- Original Message --------Subject: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stok=
e Yeti mystery - Yahoo! NewsDate: 02 Dec 2007 18:58:18 -0800From: David str=
ayer Reply-To: David.Strayer@utah.eduTo: psych3120@=
lists.csbs.lutah.eduCC: David.Strayer@utah.edu David strayer (David.Straye=
r@utah.edu) has sent you a news article.(Email address has not been verifie=
d.)------------------------------------------------------------Personal mes=
sage: This just in.... Just in time for this week's lectures.--Dave Footpri=
nts stoke Yeti mystery - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071202/od=
_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_nepal_yeti =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3DYahoo! Newshttp://=
news.yahoo.com/=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 09:43:57 -0800From: j=
oeboyer31@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Re=
: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1149 - 7 msgsA few weeks ago we learned that we =
weigh earlier information heavier than info. presented later. I decided to =
put this into practice in a slightly different context. I had to write a 10=
page paper fpor another class in which we had to include a bunch of refere=
nces. I didn't want to use all references from lecture and the book, but it=
was a lot of effort to look up too many online. So I decided to use refere=
nces that I had to do more research for at the beginning of the paper and g=
et it into her mind that I was using a lot of those references online and t=
hen for most of the paper use lecture notes as a reference. Even though it =
wasn't a requirement I wanted it to seem like I was going the extra mile.ps=
ych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu wrote:=20
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduTo s=
ubscribe or unsubscribevia the World Wide Web, visithttp://lists.csbs.utah.=
edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with subject or bod=
y 'help' topsych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.eduYou can reach the person ma=
naging the list atpsych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.eduWhen replying, please =
edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Contents of Psych312=
0 digest..."Today's Topics:1. (no subject) (Yoshida Taihei)2. Aging your br=
ain (bryan miller)3. man vs. machine (bryan miller)4. Prototype formation (=
Matt Hansen)5. aging and neurons (Spencer Weston)6. Mental Representations =
(Thomas Blakemore)7. RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs (Amanda Lin=
dsey)From: Yoshida Taihei To: Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:18:07 +0900Subject: [Psych3120] (no subje=
ct)
I was surprised we will loose a brain weight as we get older. I had been t=
hinking the reason why if we get older we can't memorize well, is just a re=
action time. however, we will loose 25% of brain when we become a 70. at =
the same time, I've heard if someone who uses fingers to do something even =
we get old, such as playing pianon, violin, or playing Video game also, the=
y won't loose their ability than someone who doesn't. So, I guess we can t=
ry to keep our brain by using fingers.
=A4=DB=A4=E9=A1=A2=CA=D1=A4=EF=A4=C3=A4=BF=A4=C7=A4=B7=A4=E7=A1=A9=A1=A1=A5=
=DE=A5=A4=A5=AF=A5=ED=A5=BD=A5=D5=A5=C8=A4=C8=A4=A4=A4=C3=A4=B7=A4=E7=A4=CB=
=A1=A2=BC=A1=A4=CE=A5=C7=A5=B8=A5=BF=A5=EB=A5=E9=A5=A4=A5=D5=A4=D8 http://g=
o.windowslive.jp/ From: bryan miller To: postings f=
or pysch Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:21:50 +000=
0Subject: [Psych3120] Aging your brain
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting. I h=
ave always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenerate q=
uickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of two =
grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmother=
seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became very=
sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continued t=
o read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im sure m=
any factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful one. =
I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the effec=
ts of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be very =
dramatic in many cases.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. Power up! From: bryan miller To: postings f=
or pysch Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:32:07 +000=
0Subject: [Psych3120] man vs. machine
The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was fasci=
nating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a similar =
level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid progress of=
technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a few disti=
nct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single neuron to=
contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our brains to =
streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the plastici=
ty of our brains toreroute and reorganize cognitive functioning from a dama=
ged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall every thing like they=
do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently natural selection =
has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll see how it goes.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now! Date: Sun, 2 =
Dec 2007 21:56:03 -0800 (PST)From: Matt Hansen To: ps=
ych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Prototype formation
Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we can tell a=
dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique features cancel =
out. Our neural network acts asa signal averager as stated by Dr. Strayer.=
It is so interesting that we take information and simplify it to make se=
nse of it and then add detail for future recognition. Our minds seem to be=
very efficient at cutting corners when its effective and taking on detail =
when needed. Let say you own a dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, t=
hough prototype formation you know its a dog, but then you recognize detai=
l to know that its not your dog. This is especially important when your ne=
ighbors dog keeps trying to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. Da=
te: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:27:35 -0700From: "Spencer Weston" To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] a=
ging and neuronsTrying to stay awake for thenight shift, I just added 2 pac=
kets of sugar to my coffee. Why 2 packets? Well, it is what I normally add,=
but I noticed each one weighs one gram. Thus, I just added the amount of s=
ugar for the amount of neural cells I will lose this year. The amazing thin=
g to me is the fault tolerance of our mind. We may not make good eyewitness=
es, but we can sure recognize and learn things well. I was struck by the ab=
ility of our minds to go through so much wear and tear over a lifespan yet =
not fail because of missing information. When I am 80, chances are I will s=
till be able to view an object and recognize it for what it is and what it =
may be used for despite losing 120 grams of neural cells! How many other an=
imals could lose such a percentage of their brains and still fair as well? =
If only I could continue to learn at my current pace rather than slowing do=
wn as I age. Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:19:37 -0700 (GMT-07:00)From: Thomas B=
lakemoreTo: Postings Subject: [Psych3120] Mental RepresentationsI thought the discussion =
about how we process things based on questions and the nature of the subjec=
t was really interesting. For example, if we are asked a question about siz=
e or number, how we the question is phrased and the amount or size of the o=
bject or objects affects processing time and perception. Like the congruity=
effect, where if asked "which is smaller, one or two?" compared with being=
asked "which is bigger, one or two?" we can answer the first question more=
quickly, because one and two are smaller numbers so asking which is bigger=
provides a contradiction which increases processing time. Or making a comp=
arison between two objects or animals. If we are asked which is bigger and =
given the choice between a coin and car or a computer and a printer we coul=
d answer the first question more quickly, because the two objectshave such =
a disparity in size. To me, the most interesting one of these is how we com=
press differences between larger numbers. For example, the difference betwe=
en $2000 and $4000 dollars seems a lot more than the difference between $56=
5,000 and $567,000, when in fact they are the same. This is because we look=
at numbers like these in terms of percentages, and the difference between =
percentages is actually quite great, but just the difference between them i=
sn't much. It's just so interesting how we organize and perceive the world =
in ways that drastically affect our abilities of perception, sometimes even=
without our realizing it. That's why perception can be such a tricky busin=
ess, because we need these "short-cuts" to be able to make sense of the wor=
ld around us, but these "short-cuts" sometimes negatively affect our abilit=
y to process.From: Amanda Lindsey To: Date: Sun, 2 Dec 200723:21:09 -0800Subject: [Psych3120=
] RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs
It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we fir=
st start losing information stored in out long term memory. When we were l=
earning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "transienc=
e" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When I went back h=
ome last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about the process of m=
emory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 years old. She i=
s still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she tends to be very forge=
tful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us by our own name, she oc=
casionally calls us one of the cat's names. It is very interesting to me t=
o think about how things from your memory just slip away fromyou.Amanda Lin=
dsey
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 22:17:02 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: chorii-chorii@hotmail.co.jpTo: psych3=
120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec2007 04:01:20 +0900Subject: [Psych31=
20] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and I ! found my se=
lf using strategies depend on the tasks. While I was doing a card game, con=
centration, I told what I need from the choices of color, number of card, a=
nd shape. In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words group if =
I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order compared to the one I tirie=
d to make some semantic connections in order to remnber. It was interesting=
to find what I was doing was one I just studied and I was doing problem so=
lving at the same time. =20
Hotmail=B8=C2=C4=EA=A1=A1Windows Live x LostOdyssey=A5=D7=A5=EC=A5=BC=A5=F3=
=A5=C8=A5=AD=A5=E3=A5=F3=A5=DA=A1=BC=A5=F3=A1=A112=B7=EE21=C6=FC=A4=DE=A4=
=C7 http://go.windowslive.jp/
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13:03 -0800From: a=
kalvesmaki@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] M=
emoryIf anyone gets a chance, grab a copy of NationalGeographic magazine fr=
om November 2007. There is ahuge article on Memory, and on research of memo=
ry. Thearticle covers much of what we have been learning inclass, including=
info on H.M., but also covers twoother, current cases. One is in memory lo=
ss such asH.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and nonew memories =
formed, but due to illness. And the othercase is a woman with a memory 'lik=
e a rolodex'. Italso goes into the history of memory, and the culturalimpor=
tance over time. For instance, before the age ofcomputers, memory for learn=
ing was much more vitalthan it is today.Here is a great quote that involves=
the neuralnetworks we are learning about now:"What is a memory? The best t=
hat neuroscientists cando for the moment is this: A memory is a storedpatte=
rn of connections between neurons in the brain.There are about a hundred bi=
llion of ! those ne urons,each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,0=
00synaptic connections with other neurons, which makes atotal of about five=
hundred trillion to a thousandtrillion synapses in the average adult brain=
. Bycomparison, there are only about 32 trillion bytes ofinformation in the=
entire Library of Congress's printcollection. Every sensation we remember,=
every thoughtwe think, alters the connections within that vastnetwork. Syn=
apses are strengthened or weakened orformed anew. Our physical substance ch=
anges. Indeed,it is always changing, every moment, even as wesleep."(Joshua=
Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic,November 2007, p.36)=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: dinanna32@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@li=
sts.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +0000Subject: [Psych3120] D=
iana Alleman
Diana Alleman
Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
I was astonished to find out that humans after the age oftwenty lose two g=
rams of neural cell loss per year. This includes the amount and rate of wh=
ich welearn to be altered. I wonder what themajorcontributions to cell los=
s are. Isit from the environment we live in and the choices we make or how=
we arebiologically made up? Is there anyway tosave a small portion of tho=
se two grams each year?=20
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to. I watch my parents and gran=
dparents forget howto do things they once were really good at. For example=
, my mom always had a knack for remembering everyone=A1=C7s nameand their r=
elation to one another at a party. Recently my family went to Floridafor th=
anksgiving to spend time with relatives we do not see very often. We met s=
everal people over the five days wewere visiting. At the end of the trip m=
ymom had names and connections all turnedaround or forgotten. I thought to=
myself that this was not likeher. Normally she gets a hundredpercent. Cou=
ld this be a part of her aging? =20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00:04 -0800From: D=
avid.Strayer@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] =
ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This TestYou have received this ABCNE=
WS.com mail from: David.Strayer@utah.edu More on creativity -- see how the =
content of this course links up with everyday life...Dave Strayer Wanna Be =
President? Pass This Testhttp://abcnews.go.com/Technology/WhosCounting/stor=
y?id=3D3932705&page=3D1
--Forwarded MessageAttachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:33:20 -0700From: Sp=
encer.Weston@intermountainmail.orgTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject:=
[Psych3120] Parallel Dist. Processing The mind is truly amazing. I though=
t the model of semantic memory was good, but the parallel distributed proce=
ssing is by far the best thing I have ever learned. Beyond being just a no=
de or activation of a set of cells, the thought that activating a certain p=
attern of cells and that pattern of activation being a ! concept/ memo=
ry is fantastic! Combine that with superpositional memory and prototype fo=
rmation, it is no wonder nobody has ever filled up their memory. The capac=
ity to learn is truly limitless and a good thing considering the rate techn=
ology is evolving. Soon, rather than learning how to synch our computers a=
nd ipods (windows users know what I mean), we will have to learn how to fun=
ction in a world of flying cars and assistant robots. Imagine what could h=
appen if you were able to link several minds together like the internet. =20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36:41 -0700From: a=
.stark@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] proble=
m solving
I found myself looking at the problems given in class and going for the mor=
e complicated ways to solve them instead of the more obvious, common sense =
ways. I've always felt like I can solve problems if given enough time to go=
at them from many angles, but I've never particularly enjoyed solving prob=
lems and although math was one of my favorite subjects, I never liked havin=
g to do story problems. So now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given=
on how to improve your problem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught th=
ose things years ago. I know that I never really defineboundaries, so I loo=
k at too many options for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my =
own. But I think my biggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I =
don't do well with going the opposite way from normal and think this is whe=
re I need to start in my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I =
found myself thinking that when I solve a problem it comes more from the il=
lumination factor. Like a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that A=
h Hah! moment when the solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happe=
ned all the time.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.comTo: psych3120=
@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 +0000Subject: [Psych3120=
] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta)
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause loss of brain volume. =
You always wonder why older folks are slower at reacting to things. It is =
interesting that while you get older you neural cell loss that causes reduc=
tion in amount of learning. =20
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 12:02:33 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1146 - 4 msg! sTo: psych3120@lists.cs=
bs.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.=
utah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://l=
ists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with=
subject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can re=
ach the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu Whe=
n replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: C=
ontents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Fri,=
30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quint=
in Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
In an earlier post I stated that I had an unscientific hypothesis about lea=
rning and old age. In today=A1=C7s lecture (11/28/07) I discovered that it =
was a real hypothesis as we discussed increased proactive interference. How=
ever as we discovered the real culprit behind old age learning is neural ce=
ll loss. I found this somewhat disheartening to know that my brain is small=
er than it was 20 years ago. But it also explains why I have to study more =
before a test than I did in high school and also why I=A1=C7m not as good a=
t GuitarHero as my son is. Another interesting point is that I know people =
in there nineties that seem as sharp as a tack This points out how resilie=
nt the brain must be because the people are working with 30% - 40% (I=A1=C7=
m guessing because I didn=A1=C7t want to do the math) less brain than the h=
ad when they were young. Dr. Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy =
lifestyle such as eating right, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce=
this loss. He also said that staying mentally active is a ! benifit. This =
confirms news reports that I have seen in which older adults retain more of=
thier faculties if they do the crossword puzzle in the news paper every mo=
rning. So I guess cognitive ablity is like everthing else you have to take =
care of it.=20
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: arcadiave@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@li=
sts.csbs.utah.eduDate: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0700Subject: [Psych3120] =
problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it reminded me about who in hi=
gh school we were talking about intelligence and I said that intelligence w=
as the ratio of information gainedfrom information received so that a perso=
n with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all the information that was pr=
esented to them and someone with information greater than 1 somehow got mor=
e information than the information that was presented. It now seems to me =
that a person's ability to do this is basically a problem solving ability. =
In any of these problem solving exercises, it requires you to make some in=
formation beyond that which was given. I think this is something that shou=
ld and isn't ever taught, much to our detriment. It's sad how in many o! f=
the cl assic problem solving experiments that required this, like the cand=
le and the box in the textbook or there was one with a metronome and a box =
that I read about a long time ago, and college students who are supposed to=
be smart couldn't do them. I think we are so conditioned in school that a=
nything that we are going to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't k=
now how to learnthings that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question=
on an exam where the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:50:41 -0700From: =
tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.netTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psyc=
h3120] PrototypesThe lecture on prototypes the other day was really interes=
ting. The dog example was perfect for this, since dogs come in so many sha=
pes and sizes, yet people, in general, are able to tell when something is a=
dog, even if they have never seen that species before. The same thing app=
lies to telephones. There are so many different types of telephones, yet p=
eople are usually able to immediately identify a telephone as being a telep=
hone. We really use prototypes in so much in perceiving things, like with =
staplers, speakers, printers, computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in=
an office right now and just looking around me, applying thoughts on proto=
types to different objects in the room). We even use prototypes in discern=
ing people, that is, in discerning ethnicity of different people. Differen=
t prototypical features of different racial groups generally lead to stereo=
types, so I won't go into any specific features. In fact, prototypes, when=
applied to race, are generally called stereotypes. But we do use prototyp=
ical features to know where someone comes fro! m. I al so think these=
prototypes become more general when applied to groups other than our own. =
In my Social Psychology class we talked about how people can more easily d=
iscern differences amongst people of their own race than amongst people of =
another. For example, an American Indian would have more trouble seeing di=
fference amongst European Americans than a European American would. I thin=
k this is because we tend to believe people outside of our own race are mor=
e of their prototype than they really are because we try to fit them into t=
hat prototype.I'm also wondering something about prototypes. Are prototype=
s, as discussed in class, only applicable to visual representation? Or are=
they applicable to other senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and ta=
sting? It seems like we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the s=
ame neural processes and thus be defined as the same thing by these process=
es. But if we can form prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of=
other, more complex forms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cu=
ltures? For example, are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Am=
ericans enjoying violence but shying away from sex, is that a prototype als=
o? Hhmmm.=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:16:11 -0700From: =
u0390673@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Neur=
al Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural networks and =
the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another. This s=
eems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in class. It=
would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics of whate=
ver concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles them int=
o a pro! totype o f what a dog is. This then allows for us to recognize any=
type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think that in=
order to form this prototype we must first have experiences withseveral ty=
pes of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how in early chi=
ldhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodle still reco=
gnize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a cat, horse, =
raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just a little co=
nfused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are formed both d=
uring childhood and throughout life. =20
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.utah.eduhttp://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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ow.
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Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
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07=
--_9ce33ab1-89e0-4013-af98-55f6ee4d0ebc_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
As I am getting ready for the final exam next week, I am doing plenty of st=
udying on PDP Networks. I found it so interesting to learn about Pattern As=
sociator.
If I go and smell a lovely rose in the spring time, the network produces th=
e visual aspect of a rose. Visa Versa, if I see a rose, then the netwo=
rk produces a smell of a rose.
through these little connections and synapses, our brain creates all of our=
perception and memory and everything else around us.
I also found it interesting to know that older adults who have a slower rat=
e of learning, have had a loss in neural plasticity, more proactive interfe=
rence, more variablity, and neural
cell loss. Melissa Davenport
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:02=
:00 -0700 From: lacertadeus@gmail.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.e=
du Subject: [Psych3120] suggestibility
I was thinking about what we talked about earlier in the class on chan=
ging peoples memories by the way a question is asked. People are defi=
nately open to having their thoughts and emotions manipulated by various st=
imuli. Like background images, music, colors, and certain words can a=
ffect the meaning of an interaction, question, or image. What is inte=
resting is when we talk about subliminal messages the idea is basically the=
same, trying to manipulate thoughts and opinions. However, sublimina=
l inputs are thought to be beyond what we can consciously recognize.&n=
bsp; Similar in a way to the dual listening task, having focus on one thing=
but receiving basic parts of the other message. I think that it work=
s in cases like that, but the idea of hidden messages in movies making me h=
ungry, I don't think so.
-- Dan Lauritzen
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.=
com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 21:20:12 =
+0000 Subject: [Psych3120] aliens (Sapna Bhakta)
All through out the beginning of the lecture, I was wondering w=
ho/what determined what an alien looked like. It was interesting to s=
ee how the alien timeline changed so drastically at the early on. It =
seems as though an alien looked like whatever "creature" was popular during=
that time is what an alien looked lilke, however how it seems to stay the =
same.
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:37=
:34 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Aging and the Brain
So was an=
yone else a little distraught by the lecture on aging and the brain? It se=
emed like one of those moments in life when you have to face your own morta=
lity, a pretty difficult concept for us young people, with our notions of i=
nvincibility and immortality which have not yet been dashed by a decreased =
metabolism. I found it kind of tough to hear that my brain may already by =
in a state of decay, like I ought to get out there and invent cold fusion o=
r something, put this pink, squishy thing in my head to good use. But all =
illusions of grandeur aside, it really is alarming to be losing two packets=
of Sweet N' Low a year, and that's only from normal deterioration, it does=
n't even include blackout drinking binges or blunt trauma to the head. Add=
those variables into the mix and what are we looking at here, three, four =
packets of faux sugar a year? That's not fun for anyone, except for people=
in the alcohol business, because what better remedy for such a startling s=
tatistic is there than drinking your weight in liquor? I can't think of on=
e, but they may have something to do with the dizziness. But seriously=
, my questions is does this loss in brain mass affect aquisition of new ski=
lls and knowledge only or does it also affect performance of old skills? H=
ow about of knowledge already learned? It seems to make sense that it woul=
d affect performance of old skills, as (and I'm not being an ageist) older =
people tend to be not so good drivers and people seem to lose their balance=
more when they're older. I don't know, but either way I'm going to have t=
o stop drinking and start wearing a helmet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 03:47:39 -0500 From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Phenomenon's Uri Geller
As I was printing up tomorrows lecture I noticed a pictur=
e of Uri Geller who was famous in the 1970's (he is currently a judge on th=
e show Phenomenon) and purported to be a mind reader and mystic saying he c=
ould bend spoons with his mind. I remember during the height of his fame he=
was invited to be on the Tonight Show then hosted by Johnny Carson. Johnny=
, as we liked to call him, was also a showman and as such didn't believe Ur=
i's claims. Johnny consulted with some of the magicians of the day and had =
them give him ideas about how to test Uri. When Uri came on the show Johnny=
tested him by asking him to perform a simple task as a test of his powers.=
Uri was given a simple task, he was presented with several small metal via=
ls one of which contained water, if I remember correctly. Uri was to use hi=
s mind powers to reveal which one had the water in it of course he was not =
allowed to touch them. After several minutes of waving his hand over the vi=
als he told the audience that he wasn't feeling it that night. After 30 yea=
rs he apparently still can't feel it because he was unable to tell what was=
written on the card that Criss Angel had sealed in envelopes. Criss, on th=
e show Phenomenon, had challenged several of the performers including Uri t=
hat they could not tell him what was written on the cards and backed it up =
with one million dollars.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:57=
:41 -0800 From: ANielson@kleinfelder.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.uta=
h.edu Subject: [Psych3120] alissa nielson
when we talked about heuristics a while ago i thought of what we were =
learning at the time in my sociology class about stereotypes
stereotypes are a shortcut for us to solve a problem we may face about=
how to treat or feel, trust, approach, handle someone or a situation
=
although they are not good they are pretty automatic, even if we don't=
want to stereotype people we do
just as using heuristics is automatic, rather than taking the time to =
use algorithms, stereotypes are automatic, rather than getting to know a pe=
rson before making a quick judgment about him and moving on
Warning: Information pro=
vided via electronic media is not guaranteed against defects including t=
ranslation and transmission errors.
If the reader is not the int=
ended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distri=
bution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you =
have received this information in error, please notify the sender immed=
iately.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: une_fille_03@hotmail.=
com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 06:25:13 =
-0800 Subject: [Psych3120] Grocery Shopping
While this example may seem a bit dated, I recently found m=
yself utilizing some of the tools I've acquired in cognitive psych. For exa=
mple, when I went grocery shopping earlier last week, I was forced to make =
a mental list while driving. I knew I wanted to make cookies, so those ingr=
edients were relatively simple, I just had to remember the recipe. Beyond t=
hat, however, there were many other random items that I needed. Not wanting=
to leave anything out, I decided to place all of the items in a scene. I p=
ut some cereal on top of a door frame (that was sitting in the forest), I h=
ad hummus sitting on a lily pad and cat food near a cave. The more rid=
iculous the things were, the easier it was for me to recall at the store. I=
n the end, I was able to purchase 8 random items (excluding the baking good=
s which were easy to remember). Not only was I impressed at my ability to r=
ecall of that information, but I was excited to have learned something prac=
tical in college!
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 10:40=
:52 -0700 From: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.=
edu Subject: [Psych3120] [Fwd: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stoke Yeti=
mystery - Yahoo! News]
-------- Original Message ---=
----- Subject: Yahoo! News Story - Footprints stoke Yeti mystery - Yahoo=
! News Date: 02 Dec 2007 18:58:18 -0800 From: David strayer <David=
.Strayer@utah.edu> Reply-To: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@=
lists.csbs.lutah.edu CC: David.Strayer@utah.edu
David stray=
er (David.Strayer@utah.edu) has sent you a news article. (Email address =
has not been verified.) ------------------------------------------------=
------------ Personal message:
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 09:43=
:57 -0800 From: joeboyer31@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u Subject: [Psych3120] Re: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1149 - 7 msgs A few weeks ago we learned that we weigh earlier information heavier than =
info. presented later. I decided to put this into practice in a slightly di=
fferent context. I had to write a 10 page paper fpor another class in which=
we had to include a bunch of references. I didn't want to use all referenc=
es from lecture and the book, but it was a lot of effort to look up too man=
y online. So I decided to use references that I had to do more research for=
at the beginning of the paper and get it into her mind that I was using a =
lot of those references online and then for most of the paper use lecture n=
otes as a reference. Even though it wasn't a requirement I wanted it to see=
m like I was going the extra mile.
psych3120-request@lists.csb=
s.utah.edu wrote:
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via th=
e World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych312=
0 or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to psych3=
120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can reach the person managing th=
e list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu
When replying, plea=
se edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of P=
sych3120 digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. (no subject) (Yoshida =
Taihei) 2. Aging your brain (bryan miller) 3. man vs. machine (bryan =
miller) 4. Prototype formation (Matt Hansen) 5. aging and neurons (Sp=
encer Weston) 6. Mental Representations (Thomas Blakemore) 7. RE: Psy=
ch3120 digest, Vol 1 #1148 - 7 msgs (Amanda Lindsey) From: Yoshida Taihe=
i <tai600102@hotmail.com> To: <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu>=
; Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:18:07 +0900 Subject: [Psych3120] (no subje=
ct)
I was surprised we will loose a brain weight as we get older. I h=
ad been thinking the reason why if we get older we can't memorize well, is =
just a reaction time. however, we will loose 25% of brain when we bec=
ome a 70. at the same time, I've heard if someone who uses fingers to=
do something even we get old, such as playing pianon, violin, or playing V=
ideo game also, they won't loose their ability than someone who doesn't.&nb=
sp; So, I guess we can try to keep our brain by using fingers.
=A4=DB=A4=E9=A1=A2=CA=D1=A4=EF=A4=C3=A4=BF=A4=C7=A4=B7=A4=E7=A1=A9=A1=
=A1=A5=DE=A5=A4=A5=AF=A5=ED=A5=BD=A5=D5=A5=C8=A4=C8=A4=A4=A4=C3=A4=B7=A4=E7=
=A4=CB=A1=A2=BC=A1=A4=CE=A5=C7=A5=B8=A5=BF=A5=EB=A5=E9=A5=A4=A5=D5=A4=D8 http://go.windowslive.jp/ From: bryan miller <bmiller171@h=
otmail.com> To: postings for pysch <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu&=
gt; Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:21:50 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] Aging y=
our brain
The lecture on the brain and the effects of aging was very interesting.=
I have always wondered about the tendency for some individuals to degenera=
te quickly while others seem to prolong it almost indifinatly. The rate of =
two grams on average a year after the age of twenty is alarming. My grandmo=
ther seemed to fall appart toatly between the age of 55 and 57. She became =
very sednitary and refused to interact socialy while my grandfather continu=
ed to read on average two hours a day and lecture well into his 80's. Im su=
re many factors contribute to brain health but its use must be a powerful o=
ne. I would be very interested in see a comparison of brain decay and the e=
ffects of exercise and continued learning. I imaging the effects would be v=
ery dramatic in many cases.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. href=3D=
"http://www.windowslive.com/?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_powerofwindows_112007" =
target=3D_new>Power up! From: bryan miller <bmiller171@hotmail.co=
m> To: postings for pysch <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu> Da=
te: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:32:07 +0000 Subject: [Psych3120] man vs. machine<=
BR>
The lecture on cognition and the components that make it possible was f=
ascinating. It would seem that the ability for computers to emulate a=
similar level of consciousness would be fast approaching with the rapid pr=
ogress of technology on the nano level. But it seems that we humans have a =
few distinct advantages still. First that of our multiple uses of a single =
neuron to contain memories. Second, the synaptic pruning which allows our b=
rains to streamline themselves after exposure to our environment. Third the=
plasticity of our brains to reroute and reorganize cognitive functionin=
g from a damaged area to a functioning one. Well, we don't recall eve=
ry thing like they do, and we aren't as quick at retrieval, but apparently =
natural selection has picked us over them for quite a while now so we'll se=
e how it goes.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now! Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:56:03 -0800 (PST) From=
: Matt Hansen <mattsweden@yahoo.com> To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah=
.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototype formation
Prototype formation is a fascinating subject. How is it that we =
can tell a dog from a cat. Common features form a prototype, unique f=
eatures cancel out. Our neural network acts as a signal averager a=
s stated by Dr. Strayer. It is so interesting that we take info=
rmation and simplify it to make sense of it and then add detail for future =
recognition. Our minds seem to be very efficient at cutting corners w=
hen its effective and taking on detail when needed. Let say you own a=
dog and your neighbor just got a new dog, though prototype formation you k=
now its a dog, but then you recognize detail to know that its not you=
r dog. This is especially important when your neighbors dog keeps try=
ing to sneak over and eat your dogs food.
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.=
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 23:27:35 -0700 From: "Spencer Weston" <Spe=
ncer.Weston@intermountainmail.org> To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] aging and neurons
Trying to stay awake for t=
he night shift, I just added 2 packets of sugar to my coffee. Why 2 pack=
ets? Well, it is what I normally add, but I noticed each one weighs one gra=
m. Thus, I just added the amount of sugar for the amount of neural cells I =
will lose this year. The amazing thing to me is the fault tolerance of our =
mind. We may not make good eyewitnesses, but we can sure recognize and lear=
n things well. I was struck by the ability of our minds to go through so mu=
ch wear and tear over a lifespan yet not fail because of missing informatio=
n. When I am 80, chances are I will still be able to view an object and rec=
ognize it for what it is and what it may be used for despite losing 120 gra=
ms of neural cells! How many other animals could lose such a percentage of =
their brains and still fair as well? If only I could continue to learn at m=
y current pace rather than slowing down as I age. Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007=
00:19:37 -0700 (GMT-07:00) From: Thomas Blakemore <tmblakemoreslc=
@earthlink.net> To: Postings <psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu>Subject: [Psych3120] Mental Representations
I thought the discussio=
n about how we process things based on questions and the nature of the subj=
ect was really interesting. For example, if we are asked a question about s=
ize or number, how we the question is phrased and the amount or size of the=
object or objects affects processing time and perception. Like the congrui=
ty effect, where if asked "which is smaller, one or two?" compared with bei=
ng asked "which is bigger, one or two?" we can answer the first question mo=
re quickly, because one and two are smaller numbers so asking which is bigg=
er provides a contradiction which increases processing time. Or making a co=
mparison between two objects or animals. If we are asked which is bigger an=
d given the choice between a coin and car or a computer and a printer we co=
uld answer the first question more quickly, because the two objects have=
such a disparity in size. To me, the most interesting one of these is how =
we compress differences between larger numbers. For example, the difference=
between $2000 and $4000 dollars seems a lot more than the difference betwe=
en $565,000 and $567,000, when in fact they are the same. This is because w=
e look at numbers like these in terms of percentages, and the difference be=
tween percentages is actually quite great, but just the difference between =
them isn't much. It's just so interesting how we organize and perceive the =
world in ways that drastically affect our abilities of perception, sometime=
s even without our realizing it. That's why perception can be such a tricky=
business, because we need these "short-cuts" to be able to make sense of t=
he world around us, but these "short-cuts" sometimes negatively affect our =
ability to process.
It was also very shocking for me to hear about how young we are when we=
first start losing information stored in out long term memory. When =
we were learning about it in class, I automatically thought of the sin of "=
transience" from the seven sins of memory that we learned about. When=
I went back home last week for Thanksgiving break, I also thought about th=
e process of memory loss when I was talking to my grandmother who is 82 yea=
rs old. She is still fairly healthy and functioning well, but she ten=
ds to be very forgetful. She has four cats, and instead of calling us=
by our own name, she occasionally calls us one of the cat's names. I=
t is very interesting to me to think about how things from your memory just=
slip away from you.
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: chorii-chorii@hotmail=
.co.jp To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 04:=
01:20 +0900 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving
Recently I did several tasks we studied or did in class and=
I ! found my self using strategies depend on the tasks. While I was doing a card game, concentration, I told what&nb=
sp;I need from the choices of color, number of card, and sh=
ape.
In another game, I had a hard time recalling the words gr=
oup if I just tied to remenber as it appeared in order =
compared to the one I tiried to make some semantic connections in o=
rder to remnber.
It was interesting to find what I was doing w=
as one I just studied and I was doing problem solving at the same time=
.
Hotmail=B8=C2=C4=EA=A1=A1Windows Live x Lost Odyssey=A5=D7=A5=EC=A5=
=BC=A5=F3=A5=C8=A5=A5=E3=A5=F3=A5=DA=A1=BC=A5=F3=A1=A112=B7=EE21=C6=FC=
=A4=DE=A4=C7 http://go.windowslive.jp/
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:13=
:03 -0800 From: akalvesmaki@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.e=
du Subject: [Psych3120] Memory
If anyone gets a chance, grab=
a copy of National Geographic magazine from November 2007. There is ahuge article on Memory, and on research of memory. The article covers =
much of what we have been learning in class, including info on H.M., but=
also covers two other, current cases. One is in memory loss such as =
H.M, in other words, hippocampal destruction, and no new memories formed=
, but due to illness. And the other case is a woman with a memory 'like =
a rolodex'. It also goes into the history of memory, and the culturalimportance over time. For instance, before the age of computers, me=
mory for learning was much more vital than it is today. Here is a gre=
at quote that involves the neural networks we are learning about now:"What is a memory? The best that neuroscientists can do for the moment =
is this: A memory is a stored pattern of connections between neurons in =
the brain. There are about a hundred billion of ! those ne urons,each of which can make perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 synaptic connections wi=
th other neurons, which makes a total of about five hundred trillion to =
a thousand trillion synapses in the average adult brain. By compariso=
n, there are only about 32 trillion bytes of information in the entire L=
ibrary of Congress's print collection. Every sensation we remember, ever=
y thought we think, alters the connections within that vast network. =
Synapses are strengthened or weakened or formed anew. Our physical subst=
ance changes. Indeed, it is always changing, every moment, even as w=
e sleep." (Joshua Foer, "Remember This", National Geographic, Nove=
mber 2007, p.36)
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: dinanna32@hotmail.com=
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:10:41 +00=
00 Subject: [Psych3120] Diana Alleman
Diana Alleman
Topic: Aging and Skill Acquisition
<=
BR>
I was astonished to find out that h=
umans after the age of twenty lose two grams of neural cell loss per yea=
r.This includes the amount and rate of which we lear=
n to be altered. I wonder what the major contribut=
ions to cell loss are.Is it from the environment we =
live in and the choices we make or how we are biologically made up? Is there anyway to save a small portion of those two gram=
s each year?
Aging is a frightful thing to look forward to.=
I watch my parents and grandparents forget how to do thing=
s they once were really good at. For example, my mo=
m always had a knack for remembering everyone=A1=C7s name and their rela=
tion to one another at a party. Recently my family we=
nt to Florida for thanksgiving to spend time=
with relatives we do not see very often. We met several=
people over the five days we were visiting. At the e=
nd of the trip my mom had names and connections all turned around or =
forgotten.I thought to myself that this was not likeher.Normally she gets a hundred percent. Could this=
be a part of her aging?
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 20:00=
:04 -0800 From: David.Strayer@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.=
edu Subject: [Psych3120] ABCNEWS.com: Wanna Be President? Pass This Test=
You have received this ABCNEWS.com mail from:
David.St=
rayer@utah.edu
More on creativity -- see how the content of this co=
urse links up with everyday life... Dave Strayer
The mind is truly amazing. I thought the model of semantic memory=
was good, but the parallel distributed processing is by far the best thing=
I have ever learned. Beyond being just a node or activation of a set of c=
ells, the thought that activating a certain pattern of cells and that patte=
rn of activation being a ! concept/ memory is fantastic! Combine that=
with superpositional memory and prototype formation, it is no wonder nobod=
y has ever filled up their memory. The capacity to learn is truly limitles=
s and a good thing considering the rate technology is evolving. Soon, rath=
er than learning how to synch our computers and ipods (windows users know w=
hat I mean), we will have to learn how to function in a world of flying car=
s and assistant robots. Imagine what could happen if you were able to =
link several minds together like the internet.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:36=
:41 -0700 From: a.stark@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] problem solving
I found myself looking at =
the problems given in class and going for the more complicated ways to solv=
e them instead of the more obvious, common sense ways. I've always felt lik=
e I can solve problems if given enough time to go at them from many angles,=
but I've never particularly enjoyed solving problems and although math was=
one of my favorite subjects, I never liked having to do story problems. So=
now I'm looking at the suggestions we were given on how to improve your pr=
oblem solving, and I wish that I'd been taught those things years ago. I kn=
ow that I never really define boundaries, so I look at too many options =
for the answers and cannot narrow it down much on my own. But I think my bi=
ggest weakness is in being able to work backwards. I don't do well with goi=
ng the opposite way from normal and think this is where I need to start in =
my attempts to improve my problem solving ability. I found myself thinking =
that when I solve a problem it comes more from the illumination factor. Lik=
e a lightbulb suddenly going off in my head or that Ah Hah! moment when the=
solution just seems to come to me. I wish that happened all the time.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.=
com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 05:13:26 =
+0000 Subject: [Psych3120] aging and skill acquistion (sapna Bhakta) =
It was interesting to find out that aging can cause los=
s of brain volume. You always wonder why older folks are slower at re=
acting to things. It is interesting that while you get older you neur=
al cell loss that causes reduction in amount of learning.
Send Psych3120 mailing list=
submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or u=
nsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/=
listinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or=
body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can r=
each the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more sp=
ecific than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:44:40 -0500 From: quinting@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Hypothesis revisited
=
In an earlier post I stated that I had =
an unscientific hypothesis about learning and old age. In today=A1=C7s lect=
ure (11/28/07) I discovered that it was a real hypothesis as we discussed i=
ncreased proactive interference. However as we discovered the real culprit =
behind old age learning is neural cell loss. I found this somewhat disheart=
ening to know that my brain is smaller than it was 20 years ago. But it als=
o explains why I have to study more before a test than I did in high school=
and also why I=A1=C7m not as good at Guitar Hero as my son is. Another =
interesting point is that I know people in there nineties that seem as shar=
p as a tack This points out how resilient the brain must be because t=
he people are working with 30% - 40% (I=A1=C7m guessing because I didn=A1=
=C7t want to do the math) less brain than the had when they were young. Dr.=
Strayer also pointed out that living a heathy lifestyle such as eating rig=
ht, staying fit and avoiding alcohol can reduce this loss. He also said tha=
t staying mentally active is a ! benifit. This confirms news reports that I=
have seen in which older adults retain more of thier faculties if they do =
the crossword puzzle in the news paper every morning. So I guess cogni=
tive ablity is like everthing else you have to take care of it. <=
/FONT>
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: arcadiave@hotmail.com=
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:41 -0=
700 Subject: [Psych3120] problem solving and intelligence
in talking about problem solving in general, it rem=
inded me about who in high school we were talking about intelligence and I =
said that intelligence was the ratio of information gained from informat=
ion received so that a person with a ratio of less than 1 didn't absorb all=
the information that was presented to them and someone with information gr=
eater than 1 somehow got more information than the information that was pre=
sented. It now seems to me that a person's ability to do this is basi=
cally a problem solving ability. In any of these problem solving exer=
cises, it requires you to make some information beyond that which was given=
. I think this is something that should and isn't ever taught, much t=
o our detriment. It's sad how in many o! f the cl assic problem solvi=
ng experiments that required this, like the candle and the box in the textb=
ook or there was one with a metronome and a box that I read about a long ti=
me ago, and college students who are supposed to be smart couldn't do them.=
I think we are so conditioned in school that anything that we are go=
ing to be asked was explicitly stated that we don't know how to learn th=
ings that aren't handed to us. Imagine having a question on an exam w=
here the answer was never given in class!
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. <=
A href=3D"http://by123w.bay123.mail.live.com/mail/www.windowslive.com/smile=
?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_oprsmilewlhmtagline" target=3D_new>Join in! =
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:5=
0:41 -0700 From: tmblakemoreslc@earthlink.net To: psych3120@lists.csb=
s.utah.edu Subject: [Psych3120] Prototypes
The lecture on pr=
ototypes the other day was really interesting. The dog example was perfect=
for this, since dogs come in so many shapes and sizes, yet people, in gene=
ral, are able to tell when something is a dog, even if they have never seen=
that species before. The same thing applies to telephones. There are so =
many different types of telephones, yet people are usually able to immediat=
ely identify a telephone as being a telephone. We really use prototype=
s in so much in perceiving things, like with staplers, speakers, printers, =
computers, cell phones (sorry, I'm sitting in an office right now and just =
looking around me, applying thoughts on prototypes to different objects in =
the room). We even use prototypes in discerning people, that is, in discer=
ning ethnicity of different people. Different prototypical features of dif=
ferent racial groups generally lead to stereotypes, so I won't go into any =
specific features. In fact, prototypes, when applied to race, are generall=
y called stereotypes. But we do use prototypical features to know where so=
meone comes fro! m. I al so think these prototypes become more genera=
l when applied to groups other than our own. In my Social Psychology class=
we talked about how people can more easily discern differences amongst peo=
ple of their own race than amongst people of another. For example, an Amer=
ican Indian would have more trouble seeing difference amongst European =
Americans than a European American would. I think this is because we tend =
to believe people outside of our own race are more of their prototype than =
they really are because we try to fit them into that prototype. I'm also=
wondering something about prototypes. Are prototypes, as discussed in cla=
ss, only applicable to visual representation? Or are they applicable to ot=
her senses? Do we form prototypes for hearing and tasting? It seems like =
we do, though I'm not sure if they would follow the same neural processes a=
nd thus be defined as the same thing by these processes. But if we can for=
m prototypes of the senses, can we form prototypes of other, more complex f=
orms of representation? Can we form prototypes of cultures? For example, =
are the stereotypes of different cultures, such as Americans enjoying viole=
nce but shying away from sex, is that a prototype also? Hhmmm.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:1=
6:11 -0700 From: u0390673@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] Neural Networks (Charles Lincoln Allen)
=
<=
BR>
I was thinking about the theory of memory dealing with neural netwo=
rks and the fact that memories are able to be coded "on top" of one another=
. This seems similar to the prototype theory that we discussed earlier in c=
lass. It would seem that our brains pick the main defining characteristics =
of whatever concept we are looking at, say dogs for instance, and compiles =
them into a pro! totype o f what a dog is. This then allows for us to recog=
nize any type of dog based on the common features. Now, to me I would think=
that in order to form this prototype we must first have experiences withseveral types of dogs in order to compile the defining features. So, how =
in early childhood can a toddler, who may have only been around a toy poodl=
e still recognize a mastiff as a dog? And furthermore what distinguishes a =
cat, horse, raccoon, or any other four legged animal from a dog. I was just=
a little confused as to how the distinction between similar concepts are f=
ormed both during childhood and throughout life.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
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__________________________ Psych3120 mailing list Psych3120@lists.csb=
s.utah.edu http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. =
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share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect=
now!
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--_9ce33ab1-89e0-4013-af98-55f6ee4d0ebc_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 18:11:34 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Kandis Beverley)
Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:11:34 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Subliminal Messages
Message-ID:
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subliminal messages. I am a strong believer that people see what they want to see. That is why when two different people can look at the same object and see two different things. If people try to find something within something else, they are very likely to find it. The people that heard messages in the backwards music, interpreded it so they could hear messages. Words like "shlee" suddenly turned into she and "shatelen" turn into satan.
Theropists can use this to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about without really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that they might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometimes.
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 20:56:41 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Matt Hansen)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 12:56:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Parapsychology
Message-ID: <494070.29867.qm@web51901.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
--0-1670119779-1196888201=:29867
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The movie we watched in class today was really great. It was so funny to see those people sweat in front of the camera when their methods were being exposed. That whole radio thing for the evangelical guy was incredible, what a fake. Not everyone in that industry is fake. My Senior year of high school I called up a psychic reading hot line, it said the first five minutes were free and I had my timer ready. A woman answered the phone and immediately asked how old I was. She then asked if I was going to attend college. I said yes. She then told me not to waste my money on "this garbage" and to use that money to take my girlfriend out instead, also that I already knew what I was doing and just do it. This really caught me off guard. I suppose I thought it would be fun to see if the psychic reader could reveal my future, she sure did. Why do people want to believe all of that stuff? Could someone really have psychic ability? Our minds do love
to find similarity in everything so I suppose that does make it easier to be fooled. Although with the universe so unexplainable will we ever know the truth, could there be real psychics and healers out there, perhaps... Definitely not the folks on the video anyway.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
--0-1670119779-1196888201=:29867
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
The movie we watched in class today was really great. It was so funny to see those people sweat in front of the camera when their methods were being exposed. That whole radio thing for the evangelical guy was incredible, what a fake. Not everyone in that industry is fake. My Senior year of high school I called up a psychic reading hot line, it said the first five minutes were free and I had my timer ready. A woman answered the phone and immediately asked how old I was. She then asked if I was going to attend college. I said yes. She then told me not to waste my money on "this garbage" and to use that money to take my girlfriend out instead, also that I already knew what I was doing and just do it. This really caught me off guard. I
suppose I thought it would be fun to see if the psychic reader could reveal my future, she sure did. Why do people want to believe all of that stuff? Could someone really have psychic ability? Our minds do love to find similarity in everything so I suppose that does make it easier to be fooled. Although with the universe so unexplainable will we ever know the truth, could there be real psychics and healers out there, perhaps... Definitely not the folks on the video anyway.
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
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--0-1670119779-1196888201=:29867--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 21:41:56 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Andrea Stark)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:41:56 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] parapsychology video
Message-ID:
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As we watched the video today, I found myself amazed at how people could =
really fall for what these "psychics" were selling them. Honestly, all =
of the statements that were being made were so general and could be =
applied to almost anyone. And the ladies that were so wrong about Ted =
Bundy were incredibly awful. It really does show how much people's =
expectations influence their interpretations. I guess if you go into a =
situation expecting to hear about the future or about your life, then =
you make everything you hear somehow "fit" no matter how vague or off =
they really are. What I really appreciate is that most magicians admit =
they use trickery instead of trying to pass off their skills as =
something other-worldly and preying on true vulnerabilities of people in =
order to profit.
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=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
=0A=
As we watched the video =
today, I found myself amazed at how people could really fall for what =
these "psychics" were selling them. Honestly, all of the statements that =
were being made were so general and could be applied to almost anyone. =
And the ladies that were so wrong about Ted Bundy were incredibly awful. =
It really does show how much people's expectations influence their =
interpretations. I guess if you go into a situation expecting to hear =
about the future or about your life, then you make everything you hear =
somehow "fit" no matter how vague or off they really are. What I really =
appreciate is that most magicians admit they use trickery instead of =
trying to pass off their skills as something other-worldly and preying =
on true vulnerabilities of people in order to =
profit.
------_=_NextPart_001_01C83787.A8251E9C--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 23:24:47 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Natalie Peatmoss)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 15:24:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Natalie Peatross
Message-ID: <726396.46337.qm@web51511.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
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I was thinking in class today how in the movie the guy was a magician and was saying there is a logical or rational explanation for most or all tricks or illusions. I was thinking about the guy in Vegas..Chris Angel..they also call him the mind freak. He is amazing. Some of the stuff he does is amazing. I would love to know how he does it. I am usually pretty skeptical but some of the stuff he does, I don't know how it could be explained. He takes a martini glass out of a picture a guy painted. He drank the martini and then put the empty glass back into the painting. It was pretty cool. He has levitated across buildings, he has done things where it looks like he should have died. I would love to see someone call him out, to see if he is just good at pretending. There are a lot of things which seem logical. Like how he showed fortune tellers play off peoples expressions and cues. I think because things can be said in such general terms the fortune could apply to
anyone. I think the whole thing is really interesting.
---------------------------------
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
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I was thinking in class today how in the movie the guy was a magician and was saying there is a logical or rational explanation for most or all tricks or illusions. I was thinking about the guy in Vegas..Chris Angel..they also call him the mind freak. He is amazing. Some of the stuff he does is amazing. I would love to know how he does it. I am usually pretty skeptical but some of the stuff he does, I don't know how it could be explained. He takes a martini glass out of a picture a guy painted. He drank the martini and then put the empty glass back into the painting. It was pretty cool. He has levitated across buildings, he has done things where it looks like he should have died. I would love to see someone call him out, to see if he is just good at pretending. There are a lot of things which seem logical. Like how he showed fortune tellers play off peoples expressions and cues. I think because things can be
said in such general terms the fortune could apply to anyone. I think the whole thing is really interesting.
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
--0-1679172289-1196897087=:46337--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Wed Dec 5 23:48:55 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (carly ostler)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:48:55 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] "the secret"
In-Reply-To: <200712030725.lB37P2wt026727@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712030725.lB37P2wt026727@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
--_c64f4991-b47f-4b73-9488-5d250bc73e98_
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So the movie today in class was really interesting. I like finding logical=
reasons for things, and I'm not one to believe in the paranormal, or trend=
y trendy psychology beliefs. I don't remember the name of the guy in the m=
ovie, and I don't know if he's still alive in researching, but if he is, I =
wonder what he would have to say about "the secret", the book (and now tape=
and DVD) that claims that the mere act of postive thinking can make things=
come to pass. I am very skeptical of the whole idea, and I think it's just=
a trendy idea that people want to believe. I do believe that positive thin=
king is beneficial and can account for some self-fulfilling prophecies, but=
other than that, it holds no strength in my mind. I wonder how the doctor =
from the movie would handle this topic; if he would say it's all a ig hoax,=
or give it some credit for it's oppitimistic merit. any ideas or opinions?
=20
carly ostler
_________________________________________________________________
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate.=A0 Join i=
n.
www.windowslive.com/smile?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_oprsmilewlhmtagline=
--_c64f4991-b47f-4b73-9488-5d250bc73e98_
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So the movie today in class was really interesting. I like finding lo=
gical reasons for things, and I'm not one to believe in the paranormal, or =
trendy trendy psychology beliefs. I don't remember the name of the gu=
y in the movie, and I don't know if he's still alive in researching, but if=
he is, I wonder what he would have to say about "the secret", the book (an=
d now tape and DVD) that claims that the mere act of postive thinking =
can make things come to pass. I am very skeptical of the whole idea, and I =
think it's just a trendy idea that people want to believe. I do believe tha=
t positive thinking is beneficial and can account for some self-fulfilling =
prophecies, but other than that, it holds no strength in my mind. I wonder&=
nbsp;how the doctor from the movie would handle this topic; if he would say=
it's all a ig hoax, or give it some credit for it's oppitimistic merit. an=
y ideas or opinions?
carly ostler
Your smile counts. Th=
e more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!=
=
--_c64f4991-b47f-4b73-9488-5d250bc73e98_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 00:01:24 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Joseph Boyer)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:01:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Re: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1154 - 1 msg
In-Reply-To: <200712051903.lB5J2XFL027354@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID: <922616.52379.qm@web56908.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
--0-1999173705-1196899284=:52379
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
It occured to me today during that movie about psychics that people are constantly analyzing thei rlives and trying to make sense of things. They think of every possibility they can. So when they go to a psychic or read a horoscope it is bound to say something in there that reminds them of something they had thought of prior to that. Because it sounds familiar they automatically assume that it must be inspired. I don't know if that is correct but is just a thought.
psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu wrote: Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions to
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http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Subliminal Messages (Kandis Beverley)
From: "Kandis Beverley"
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:11:34 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Subliminal Messages
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subliminal messages. I am a strong believer that people see what they want to see. That is why when two different people can look at the same object and see two different things. If people try to find something within something else, they are very likely to find it. The people that heard messages in the backwards music, interpreded it so they could hear messages. Words like "shlee" suddenly turned into she and "shatelen" turn into satan.
Theropists can use this to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about without really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that they might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometimes.
_______________________________________________
Psych3120 mailing list
Psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
---------------------------------
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It occured to me today during that movie about psychics that people are constantly analyzing thei rlives and trying to make sense of things. They think of every possibility they can. So when they go to a psychic or read a horoscope it is bound to say something in there that reminds them of something they had thought of prior to that. Because it sounds familiar they automatically assume that it must be inspired. I don't know if that is correct but is just a thought.
psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu wrote:
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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You can reach the person managing the list
at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subliminal messages. I am a strong believer that people see what they want to see. That is why when two different people can look at the same object and see two different things. If people try to find something within something else, they are very likely to find it. The people that heard messages in the backwards music, interpreded it so they could hear messages. Words like "shlee" suddenly turned into she and "shatelen" turn into satan.
Theropists can use this to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about without really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that they might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometimes.
_______________________________________________ Psych3120 mailing list Psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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--0-1999173705-1196899284=:52379--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 02:13:19 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu)
Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:13:19 -0500
Subject: [Psych3120] Judd Tingey - in-class video
Message-ID: <8CA05C4B47A3EFA-998-252A@FWM-D07.sysops.aol.com>
----------MB_8CA05C4B47A3EFA_998_4B22_FWM-D07.sysops.aol.com
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I really enjoyed the video that we watched in class today.=C2=A0 That guy is=
really smart and apparently skeptical of everything.=C2=A0 On one hand I ag=
ree with what he is doing.=C2=A0 For example, the TV televangelist who made=20=
four million dollars off of unsuspected people should be brought to light.=
=C2=A0 It's unfair to take advantage of stupid people.=C2=A0But on the other=
hand, I think it is awesome that he is offering people hope.=C2=A0=20
=C2=A0
A price of admission is nothing compared to the placebo effect that may take=
place in a person's mind.=C2=A0 I recall watching 'Man on the Moon' a few y=
ears back in which Jim Carey portrays Andy Kaufman.=C2=A0 Kaufman's cancer b=
ecame terminal and so he was willing to do just about anything to cure himse=
lf.=C2=A0 He went to the Philippines and had that "surgery" performed in whi=
ch they pinch someone really hard and use slide of hand to make it look like=
they were pulling things out of that person's stomach.=C2=A0 I understand t=
hat this isn't a medical procedure, but I do think that if the mind is willi=
ng to embrace the concept, there are potential benefits.
=C2=A0
I feel as though the mind is a very powerful tool. =C2=A0I think that if the=
se people decide to use these procedures rather than seek actual medical car=
e there may be a problem.=C2=A0 But as a last resort or as a means for enter=
tainment I see nothing wrong with it.=C2=A0 I can only imagine the countless=
number of people who would pay money to have someone slap them on the foreh=
ead if they thought it would help them out with their problems.=C2=A0 It see=
ms no different than shelling out some change to buy a newspaper to flip to=20=
the last page to see one=E2=80=99s horoscope.=C2=A0 By the way, have you eve=
r noticed that on a 1-10 scale, a horoscope is never lower than a 6? I=E2=
=80=99ve had some pretty crappy days that I would certainly judge lower than=
a six, but I suppose optimism is what keeps this whole cycle going.
________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://o.aolcdn=
.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=3Daolcmp0005000000=
0003
----------MB_8CA05C4B47A3EFA_998_4B22_FWM-D07.sysops.aol.com
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8"
I really enjoyed the video that we watched in=
class today. That guy is really smart and apparently skeptical of eve=
rything. On one hand I agree with what he is doing. For example,=
the TV televangelist who made four million dollars off of unsuspected peopl=
e should be brought to light. It's unfair to take advantage of stupid=20=
people. But on the other hand, I think it is awesome that he is offerin=
g people hope.
A price of admission is nothing compared to t=
he placebo effect that may take place in a person's mind. I recall wat=
ching 'Man on the Moon' a few years back in which Jim Carey portrays Andy Ka=
ufman. Kaufman's cancer became terminal and so he was willing to do ju=
st about anything to cure himself. He went to the Philippines and had=20=
that "surgery" performed in which they pinch someone really hard and use sli=
de of hand to make it look like they were pulling things out of that person'=
s stomach. I understand that this isn't a medical procedure, but I do=20=
think that if the mind is willing to embrace the concept, there are potentia=
l benefits.
I feel as though the mind is a very powerful=20=
tool. I think that if these p=
eople decide to use these procedures rather than seek actual medical care th=
ere may be a problem.But as=20=
a last resort or as a means for entertainment I see nothing wrong with it.I can only imagine the countle=
ss number of people who would pay money to have someone slap them on the for=
ehead if they thought it would help them out with their problems.It seems no different than shelling out=
some change to buy a newspaper to flip to the last page to see one=E2=80=
=99s horoscope.By the way, h=
ave you ever noticed that on a 1-10 scale, a horoscope is never lower than a=
6? I=E2=80=99ve had some pretty crappy days that I would certainly judge lo=
wer than a six, but I suppose optimism is what keeps this whole cycle going.=
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
----------MB_8CA05C4B47A3EFA_998_4B22_FWM-D07.sysops.aol.com--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 05:16:44 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Spenser Harris)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:16:44 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] My "Psychic Power"
Message-ID:
--_f9e379cc-1d8f-4122-8eae-ad0adbf41fa0_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The past two lectures on parapsychology reminded me of something rather sil=
ly I believed when I was young. I used to think I would get psychic premoni=
tions of what episode of my favorite T.V. show, The Simpsons, would be reru=
n on some nights. I would randomly think of a funny part of an episode I'd =
seen before at some point during the day, and then that episode would appea=
r on T.V. that night. Being young, I attributed this to some psychic phenom=
enon. Over time, as I gained a more skeptic view of the world, I attributed=
this to simple coincidence. But the video today made me think of something=
I hadn't before. When the magician was talking about people who are afraid=
of flying getting a bad feeling everytime they fly, and forgetting the tim=
es that bad feeling didn't "predict" a bad flight, it made me realize that =
I did the same thing. I probably randomly thought of Simpsons jokes all the=
time, but only remembered the instances when they "predicted" that night's=
rerun. If I had actually tested my "premonitions" for prediction accuracy,=
I doubt it would prove to be accurate.
_________________________________________________________________
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_1120=
07=
--_f9e379cc-1d8f-4122-8eae-ad0adbf41fa0_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The past two lectures on parapsychology reminded me of something rather sil=
ly I believed when I was young. I used to think I would get psychic pr=
emonitions of what episode of my favorite T.V. show, The Simpsons, wou=
ld be rerun on some nights. I would randomly think of a funny part of an ep=
isode I'd seen before at some point during the day, and then that episode w=
ould appear on T.V. that night. Being young, I attributed this to some psyc=
hic phenomenon. Over time, as I gained a more skeptic view of the world, I =
attributed this to simple coincidence. But the video today made me think of=
something I hadn't before. When the magician was talking about&n=
bsp;people who are afraid of flying getting a bad feeling everytime they fl=
y, and forgetting the times that bad feeling didn't "predict" a bad flight,=
it made me realize that I did the same thing. I probably randomly thought =
of Simpsons jokes all the time, but only remembered the instances when they=
"predicted" that night's rerun. If I had actually tested my "premonit=
ions" for prediction accuracy, I doubt it would prove to be accurate. =
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
=
--_f9e379cc-1d8f-4122-8eae-ad0adbf41fa0_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 06:01:41 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (sapna bhakta)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 06:01:41 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] video (Sapna Bhakta)
In-Reply-To: <200712060520.lB65K2bL002830@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712060520.lB65K2bL002830@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
--_a4a9a2a9-0fe4-42e1-b37f-1f53c2065524_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The video today in class was really funny. It was interesting to see how t=
hings like that really work, cuz you know they arent really, but yet it see=
ms like they are. Putting pressure on them to perform a task that they hav=
e learned to master but yet not being able to perform it is really funny. T=
he palm reading to me seems like a waste of money. Anyone can read a palm =
and they would believe what was said. =20
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:20:02 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1155 - 7 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 12:56:41 -0800From: m=
attsweden@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Pa=
rapsychology
The movie we watched in class today was really great. It was so funny to s=
ee those people sweat in front of the camera when their methods were being =
exposed. That whole radio thing for the evangelical guy was incredible, wh=
at a fake. Not everyone in that industry is fake. My Senior year of high =
school I called up a psychic reading hot line, it said the first five minut=
es were free and I had my timer ready. A woman answered the phone and imme=
diately asked how old I was. She then asked if I was going to attend colle=
ge. I said yes. She then told me not to waste my money on "this garbage" =
and to use that money to take my girlfriend out instead, also that I alread=
y knew what I was doing and just do it. This really caught me off guard. =
Isuppose I thought it would be fun to see if the psychic reader could revea=
l my future, she sure did. Why do people want to believe all of that stuf=
f? Could someone really have psychic ability? Our minds do love to find s=
imilarity in everything so I suppose that does make it easier to be fooled.=
Although with the universe so unexplainable will we ever know the truth, =
could there be real psychics and healers out there, perhaps... Definitely =
not the folks on the video anyway.
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:41:56 -0700From: a=
.stark@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] paraps=
ychology video
As we watched the video today, I found myself amazed at how people could re=
ally fall for what these "psychics" were selling them. Honestly, all of the=
statements that were being made were so general and could be applied to al=
most anyone. And the ladies that were so wrong about Ted Bundy were incredi=
bly awful. It really does show how much people's expectations influence the=
ir interpretations. I guess if you go into a situation expecting to hear ab=
out the future or about your life, then you make everything you hear someho=
w "fit" no matter how vague or off they really are. What I really appreciat=
e is that most magicians admit they use trickery instead of trying to pass =
off their skills as something other-worldly and preying on true vulnerabili=
ties of people in order to profit.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 15:24:47 -0800From: s=
nortstd@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Nata=
lie PeatrossI was thinking in class today how in the movie the guy was a ma=
gician and was saying there is a logical or rational explanation for most o=
r all tricks or illusions. I was thinking about the guy in Vegas..Chris An=
gel..they also call him the mind freak. He is amazing. Some of the stuff =
he does is amazing. I would love to know how he does it. I am usually pret=
ty skeptical but some of the stuff he does, I don't know how it could be ex=
plained. He takes a martini glass out of a picture a guy painted. He drank=
the martini and then put the empty glass back into the painting. It was p=
retty cool. He has levitated across buildings, he has done things where it=
looks like he should have died. I would love to see someone call him out,=
to see if he is just good at pretending. There are a lot of things which =
seem logical. Like how he showed fortune tellers play off peoples expressi=
ons and cues. I think because things can besaid in such general terms the =
fortune could apply to anyone. I think the whole thing is really interesti=
ng.=20
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: carlyostler@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@=
lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:48:55 -0700Subject: [Psych3120]=
"the secret"
So the movie today in class was really interesting. I like finding logical=
reasons for things, and I'm not one to believe in the paranormal, or trend=
y trendy psychology beliefs. I don't remember the name of the guy in the m=
ovie, and I don't know if he's still alive in researching, but if he is, I =
wonder what he would have to say about "the secret", the book (and now tape=
and DVD) that claims that the mere act of postive thinking can make things=
come to pass. I am very skeptical of the whole idea, and I think it's just=
a trendy idea that people want to believe. I do believe that positive thin=
king is beneficial and can account for some self-fulfilling prophecies, but=
other than that, it holds no strength in my mind. I wonder how the doctor =
from the movie would handle this topic; if he would say it's all a ig hoax,=
or give it some credit for it's oppitimistic merit. any ideas or opinions?=
carly ostler
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:01:24 -0800From: j=
oeboyer31@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Re=
: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1154 - 1 msgIt occured to me today during that m=
ovie about psychics that people are constantly analyzing thei rlives and tr=
ying to make sense of things. They think of every possibility they can. So =
when they go to a psychic or read a horoscope it is bound to say something =
in there that reminds them of something they had thought of prior to that. =
Because it sounds familiar they automatically assume that it must be inspir=
ed. I don't know if that is correct but is just a thought.psych3120-request=
@lists.csbs.utah.edu wrote:=20
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduTo s=
ubscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visithttp://lists.csbs.utah=
.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with subject or bo=
dy 'help' topsych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.eduYou can reach the person m=
anaging the listatpsych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.eduWhen replying, please =
edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Contents of Psych312=
0 digest..."Today's Topics:1. Subliminal Messages (Kandis Beverley)From: "K=
andis Beverley" To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.e=
duDate: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:11:34 -0700Subject: [Psych3120] Subliminal Mess=
ages
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subliminal messages. I am a=
strong believer that people see what they want to see. That is why when tw=
o different people can look at the same object and see two different things=
. If people try to find something within something else, they are very like=
ly to find it. The people that heard messages in the backwards music, inter=
preded it so they could hear messages. Words like "shlee" suddenly turned i=
nto she and "shatelen" turn into satan. Theropists can =
use this to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard =
that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about witho=
ut really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that the=
y might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometimes.=20
_______________________________________________Psych3120 mailing listPsych3=
120@lists.csbs.utah.eduhttp://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Wed,=
5 Dec 2007 21:13:19 -0500From: thenudecoconut@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] =
Judd Tingey - in-class video
I really enjoyed the video that we watched in class today. That guy is rea=
lly smart and apparently skeptical of everything. On one hand I agree with=
what he is doing. For example, the TV televangelist who made four million=
dollars off of unsuspected people should be brought to light. It's unfair=
to take advantage of stupid people. But on the other hand, I think it is a=
wesome that he is offering people hope. =20
=20
A price of admission is nothing compared to the placebo effect that may tak=
e place in a person's mind. I recall watching 'Man on the Moon' a few year=
s back in which Jim Carey portrays Andy Kaufman. Kaufman's cancer became t=
erminal and so he was willing to do just about anything to cure himself. H=
e went to the Philippines and had that "surgery" performed in which they pi=
nch someone really hard and use slide of hand to make it look like they wer=
e pulling things out of that person's stomach. I understand that this isn'=
t a medical procedure, but I do think that if the mind is willing to embrac=
e the concept, there are potential benefits.
=20
I feel as though the mind is a very powerful tool. I think that if these p=
eople decide to use these procedures rather than seek actual medical care t=
here may be a problem. But as a last resort or as a means for entertainmen=
t I see nothing wrong with it. I can only imagine the countless number of =
people who would pay money to have someone slap them on the forehead if the=
y thought it would help them out with their problems. It seems no differen=
t than shelling out some change to buy a newspaper to flip to the last page=
to see one=92s horoscope. By the way, have you ever noticed that on a 1-1=
0 scale, a horoscope is never lower than a 6? I=92ve had some pretty crappy=
days that I would certainly judge lower than a six, but I suppose optimism=
is what keeps this whole cycle going.
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: banzaiduck506@hotmail.comTo: psych312=
0@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:16:44 -0700Subject: [Psych312=
0] My "Psychic Power"
The past two lectures on parapsychology reminded me of something rather sil=
ly I believed when I was young. I used to think I would get psychic premoni=
tions of what episode of my favorite T.V. show, The Simpsons, would be reru=
n on some nights. I would randomly think of a funny part of an episode I'd =
seen before at some point during the day, and then that episode would appea=
r on T.V. that night. Being young, I attributed this to some psychic phenom=
enon. Over time, as I gained a more skeptic view of the world, I attributed=
this to simple coincidence. But the video today made me think of something=
I hadn't before. When the magician was talking about people who are afraid=
of flying getting a bad feeling everytime they fly, and forgetting the tim=
es that bad feeling didn't "predict" a bad flight, it made me realize that =
I did the same thing. I probably randomly thought of Simpsons jokes all the=
time, but only remembered the instances when they "predicted" that night's=
rerun. If I had actually tested my "premonitions" for prediction accuracy,=
I doubt it would prove to be accurate.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
_________________________________________________________________
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.Download today it's FREE=
!
http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_sharelife_1120=
07=
--_a4a9a2a9-0fe4-42e1-b37f-1f53c2065524_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The video today in class was really funny. It was interesting to see =
how things like that really work, cuz you know they arent really, but yet i=
t seems like they are. Putting pressure on them to perform a task tha=
t they have learned to master but yet not being able to perform it is reall=
y funny. The palm reading to me seems like a waste of money. =
; Anyone can read a palm and they would believe what was said. &n=
bsp;
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 12:56=
:41 -0800 From: mattsweden@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u Subject: [Psych3120] Parapsychology
The movie we watched in class today was really great. It was so =
funny to see those people sweat in front of the camera when their methods w=
ere being exposed. That whole radio thing for the evangelical guy was=
incredible, what a fake. Not everyone in that industry is fake. =
; My Senior year of high school I called up a psychic reading hot line, it =
said the first five minutes were free and I had my timer ready. A wom=
an answered the phone and immediately asked how old I was. She then a=
sked if I was going to attend college. I said yes. She then tol=
d me not to waste my money on "this garbage" and to use that money to take =
my girlfriend out instead, also that I already knew what I was doing and ju=
st do it. This really caught me off guard. I suppose I thoug=
ht it would be fun to see if the psychic reader could reveal my future, she=
sure did. Why do people want to believe all of that stuff?&nbs=
p; Could someone really have psychic ability? Our minds do love to fi=
nd similarity in everything so I suppose that does make it easier to be foo=
led. Although with the universe so unexplainable will we ever know th=
e truth, could there be real psychics and healers out there, perhaps...&nbs=
p; Definitely not the folks on the video anyway.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:41=
:56 -0700 From: a.stark@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] parapsychology video
As we watched the video to=
day, I found myself amazed at how people could really fall for what these "=
psychics" were selling them. Honestly, all of the statements that were bein=
g made were so general and could be applied to almost anyone. And the ladie=
s that were so wrong about Ted Bundy were incredibly awful. It really does =
show how much people's expectations influence their interpretations. I gues=
s if you go into a situation expecting to hear about the future or about yo=
ur life, then you make everything you hear somehow "fit" no matter how vagu=
e or off they really are. What I really appreciate is that most magicians a=
dmit they use trickery instead of trying to pass off their skills as someth=
ing other-worldly and preying on true vulnerabilities of people in order to=
profit.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 15:24=
:47 -0800 From: snortstd@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] Natalie Peatross
I was thinking in class tod=
ay how in the movie the guy was a magician and was saying there is a logica=
l or rational explanation for most or all tricks or illusions. I was =
thinking about the guy in Vegas..Chris Angel..they also call him the mind f=
reak. He is amazing. Some of the stuff he does is amazing. I wo=
uld love to know how he does it. I am usually pretty skeptical but so=
me of the stuff he does, I don't know how it could be explained. He t=
akes a martini glass out of a picture a guy painted. He drank the martini a=
nd then put the empty glass back into the painting. It was pretty coo=
l. He has levitated across buildings, he has done things where it loo=
ks like he should have died. I would love to see someone call him out=
, to see if he is just good at pretending. There are a lot of things =
which seem logical. Like how he showed fortune tellers play off peopl=
es expressions and cues. I think because things can be said in suc=
h general terms the fortune could apply to anyone. I think the whole =
thing is really interesting.=20
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: carlyostler@hotmail.c=
om To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:48:55 -=
0700 Subject: [Psych3120] "the secret"
So the movie today in class was really interesting. I=
like finding logical reasons for things, and I'm not one to believe in the=
paranormal, or trendy trendy psychology beliefs. I don't remember th=
e name of the guy in the movie, and I don't know if he's still alive in res=
earching, but if he is, I wonder what he would have to say about "the secre=
t", the book (and now tape and DVD) that claims that the mere act of p=
ostive thinking can make things come to pass. I am very skeptical of the wh=
ole idea, and I think it's just a trendy idea that people want to believe. =
I do believe that positive thinking is beneficial and can account for some =
self-fulfilling prophecies, but other than that, it holds no strength in my=
mind. I wonder how the doctor from the movie would handle this topic;=
if he would say it's all a ig hoax, or give it some credit for it's oppiti=
mistic merit. any ideas or opinions?
carly ostler <=
/BLOCKQUOTE>
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:01=
:24 -0800 From: joeboyer31@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u Subject: [Psych3120] Re: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1154 - 1 msg
=
It occured to me today during that movie about psychics that people are con=
stantly analyzing thei rlives and trying to make sense of things. They thin=
k of every possibility they can. So when they go to a psychic or read a hor=
oscope it is bound to say something in there that reminds them of something=
they had thought of prior to that. Because it sounds familiar they automat=
ically assume that it must be inspired. I don't know if that is correct but=
is just a thought.
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the W=
orld Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to psych3120=
-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can reach the person managing the l=
ist at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu
When replying, plea=
se edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of P=
sych3120 digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Subliminal Messages (K=
andis Beverley) From: "Kandis Beverley" <kandisbeverley@hotmail.com&g=
t; To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:11:34 =
-0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Subliminal Messages
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subli=
minal messages. I am a strong believer that people see what they want to se=
e. That is why when two different people can look at the same object and se=
e two different things. If people try to find something within somethi=
ng else, they are very likely to find it. The people that heard messag=
es in the backwards music, interpreded it so they could hear messages.=
Words like "shlee" suddenly turned into she and "shatelen" turn into satan=
.
class=3DRTE> Theropists can use t=
his to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard =
that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about witho=
ut really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that the=
y might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometim=
es.
_______________________________________________ Psych3120 mai=
ling list Psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 21:13:19 -0500 From: thenudecoconut@aol.=
com Subject: [Psych3120] Judd Tingey - in-class video
I really enjoyed the video that we watched =
in class today. That guy is really smart and apparently skeptical of =
everything. On one hand I agree with what he is doing. For exam=
ple, the TV televangelist who made four million dollars off of unsuspected =
people should be brought to light. It's unfair to take advantage of s=
tupid people. But on the other hand, I think it is awesome that he is =
offering people hope.
A price of admission is nothing compared to=
the placebo effect that may take place in a person's mind. I recall =
watching 'Man on the Moon' a few years back in which Jim Carey portrays And=
y Kaufman. Kaufman's cancer became terminal and so he was willing to =
do just about anything to cure himself. He went to the Philippines an=
d had that "surgery" performed in which they pinch someone really hard and =
use slide of hand to make it look like they were pulling things out of that=
person's stomach. I understand that this isn't a medical procedure, =
but I do think that if the mind is willing to embrace the concept, there ar=
e potential benefits.
I feel as though the mind is a very powerfu=
l tool. I think that if thes=
e people decide to use these procedures rather than seek actual medical car=
e there may be a problem.Bu=
t as a last resort or as a means for entertainment I see nothing wrong with=
it.I can only imagine the =
countless number of people who would pay money to have someone slap them on=
the forehead if they thought it would help them out with their problems.It seems no different than sh=
elling out some change to buy a newspaper to flip to the last page to see o=
ne=92s horoscope.By the way=
, have you ever noticed that on a 1-10 scale, a horoscope is never lower th=
an a 6? I=92ve had some pretty crappy days that I would certainly judge low=
er than a six, but I suppose optimism is what keeps this whole cycle going.=
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: banzaiduck506@hotmail=
.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:16:44=
-0700 Subject: [Psych3120] My "Psychic Power"
The past two lectures on parapsychology reminded me of somethin=
g rather silly I believed when I was young. I used to think I would ge=
t psychic premonitions of what episode of my favorite T.V. show, The S=
impsons, would be rerun on some nights. I would randomly think of a funny p=
art of an episode I'd seen before at some point during the day, and then th=
at episode would appear on T.V. that night. Being young, I attributed this =
to some psychic phenomenon. Over time, as I gained a more skeptic view of t=
he world, I attributed this to simple coincidence. But the video today made=
me think of something I hadn't before. When the magician was tal=
king about people who are afraid of flying getting a bad feeling every=
time they fly, and forgetting the times that bad feeling didn't "predict" a=
bad flight, it made me realize that I did the same thing. I probably rando=
mly thought of Simpsons jokes all the time, but only remembered the instanc=
es when they "predicted" that night's rerun. If I had actually tested my&nb=
sp;"premonitions" for prediction accuracy, I doubt it would prove to be acc=
urate.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
Share life as =
it happens with the new Windows Live. Share =
now!
=
--_a4a9a2a9-0fe4-42e1-b37f-1f53c2065524_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 06:17:49 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Steve Best)
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:17:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Losing One's Mind
Message-ID: <354372.98131.qm@web36514.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
--0-465899800-1196921869=:98131
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I was amazed to learn the other day in class, how much brain mass is lost over time. I have a great aunt who will be 98 years old in a couple of months, who would be a good candidate to refute that research. She still has full faculties, can recognize everyone and remember their names, tell jokes without messing them up, still plays the harmonica, and can do many other remarkable things that would be considered to be miraculous at her age. What is different for her? She must have suffered the same fate that everyone else suffers after so many years. Perhaps the difference for her is that she has managed to stay very active and keep her mind stimulated rather than become sedentary. I don't know how she does it, but she can still do the most amazing things!
Steve Best
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
--0-465899800-1196921869=:98131
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
I was amazed to learn the other day in class, how much brain mass is lost over time. I have a great aunt who will be 98 years old in a couple of months, who would be a good candidate to refute that research. She still has full faculties, can recognize everyone and remember their names, tell jokes without messing them up, still plays the harmonica, and can do many other remarkable things that would be considered to be miraculous at her age. What is different for her? She must have suffered the same fate that everyone else suffers after so many years. Perhaps the difference for her is that she has managed to stay very active and keep her mind stimulated rather than become sedentary. I don't know how she does it, but she can still do the most amazing
things! Steve Best
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--0-465899800-1196921869=:98131--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 09:10:32 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (MR. Robert Lee Lambert)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 01:10:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] Horoscopes
Message-ID: <9357.34932.qm@web51706.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
--0-1622989477-1196932232=:34932
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I think most of the Paranormal and horoscope is crazy. One of my friends told me that when she was little she always used to be into horoscopes and astrology. She would read it in amazement. Maybe around 11 or so, her mom dropped a bombshell and told her instead of her bday was is September, it was actually in November because she wanted her to make the dateline for elementary school and nov was too late. Anyways, it was funny because she says that her astrology before when she thought she was born in September always got it down to a T. It knew everything about her and what she wanted. Then when she had to switch signs, she read that It was just amazed how they could get everything right about her. just kinda funny.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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--0-1622989477-1196932232=:34932
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
I think most of the Paranormal and horoscope is crazy. One of my friends told me that when she was little she always used to be into horoscopes and astrology. She would read it in amazement. Maybe around 11 or so, her mom dropped a bombshell and told her instead of her bday was is September, it was actually in November because she wanted her to make the dateline for elementary school and nov was too late. Anyways, it was funny because she says that her astrology before when she thought she was born in September always got it down to a T. It knew everything about her and what she wanted. Then when she had to switch signs, she read that It was just amazed how they could get everything right about her. just
kinda funny.
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
--0-1622989477-1196932232=:34932--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 16:58:03 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (erica smith)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 09:58:03 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject)
Message-ID:
--_b6b96b45-e9e7-4215-9f5b-eb2e97233f0a_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
So after watching the film and seeing how many people were tricked into bel=
ieving all of these "psychic phenomenons" it made me wonder why people need=
something to hold on to. Does anyone know of any research done on this? A=
s in what kind of personality types do psychic phenomenons generally appeal=
to, or maybe similarities found in back ground? Do people just want so muc=
h to believe in something that they will allow themselves to be deceived wh=
en it is clearly a hoax? If anyone knows of anything, I would be intereste=
d, thanks.
erica smith
_________________________________________________________________
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_1120=
07=
--_b6b96b45-e9e7-4215-9f5b-eb2e97233f0a_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
So after watching the film and seeing how many people were tricked into bel=
ieving all of these "psychic phenomenons" it made me wonder why people need=
something to hold on to. Does anyone know of any research done on th=
is? As in what kind of personality types do psychic phenomenons generally a=
ppeal to, or maybe similarities found in back ground? Do people just want s=
o much to believe in something that they will allow themselves to be deceiv=
ed when it is clearly a hoax? If anyone knows of anything, I would be=
interested, thanks.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the ne=
w Windows Live. Power up!
=
--_1201ee62-7178-4182-8bac-7fda11357d69_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 17:30:28 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Amanda French)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 09:30:28 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] Sad
In-Reply-To: <200712060520.lB65K2bL002830@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712060520.lB65K2bL002830@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
--_3fdb4091-cdaf-4686-8773-b4a858424d1b_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I'd like to think that I've always been a skeptic. What these past few clas=
ses have taught me is that I have never been a skeptic, I've been someone w=
anting so much to be tricked and wanting so much to believe in mystical thi=
ngs, that I would convince myself that I was a skeptic and then allow mysel=
f to be tricked. That way, when I explained to other people what tricks I'd=
seen I could explain: "Yeah I didn't believe it either, but believe me, th=
is really happened!" With the knowledge that I have been like this for my e=
ntire life, it was difficult to accept that a magician could not melt metal=
with his finger tips, or that some creepy russian guy could not "charge" w=
ater! Regardless of the knowledge I've acquired, however, I will still be i=
mpressed by tricks! Regardless of whether they are magical or not, they are=
still done so seamlessly! It is pretty amazing still...even if it is total=
ly fake.
_________________________________________________________________
Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista=AE + Windows Live=99.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_C=
PC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007=
--_3fdb4091-cdaf-4686-8773-b4a858424d1b_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I'd like to think that I've always been a skeptic. What these past few clas=
ses have taught me is that I have never been a skeptic, I've been someone w=
anting so much to be tricked and wanting so much to believe in mystical thi=
ngs, that I would convince myself that I was a skeptic and then allow mysel=
f to be tricked. That way, when I explained to other people what tricks I'd=
seen I could explain: "Yeah I didn't believe it either, but believe me, th=
is really happened!" With the knowledge that I have been like this for my e=
ntire life, it was difficult to accept that a magician could not melt metal=
with his finger tips, or that some creepy russian guy could not "charge" w=
ater! Regardless of the knowledge I've acquired, however, I will still be i=
mpressed by tricks! Regardless of whether they are magical or not, they are=
still done so seamlessly! It is pretty amazing still...even if it is total=
ly fake. Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Liv=
e. Power up!
=
--_3fdb4091-cdaf-4686-8773-b4a858424d1b_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 18:44:00 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Megan Gertsch)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 10:44:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Psych3120] parapsychology
Message-ID: <393260.46940.qm@web56104.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
--0-1101912133-1196966640=:46940
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I don't know if any of you ever watch Penn & Teller: B***s***, but they have tons of really good episodes that go along with what we've been talking about in class. James Randi is actually on at least a few of them, like the ones about ESP, the end of the world, and signs from heaven. They also have episodes on things like alien abductions, ghostbusters, talking to the dead and conspiracy theories. They are all totally hilarious, but I would imagine that if you really believe strongly in any of these things that they might actually be pretty offensive.
Also, I saw Sylvia Brown once on Montel Williams because my mom made me watch it (she seriously believes in all this psychic stuff and my dad kind of believes in some supernatural things too, so it's seems kind of strange that I turned out to be the total skeptic that I am). Anyway, it seemed to me that Sylvia was very accurate about a lot of things, but it also seemed like she had talked to the people in the audience before the filming began and that the people who actually asked questions on camera had been pre-screened. She also made some predictions about which celebrity couples would break up that year. It seemed that she was basically stating the obvious though, like that Britney Spears and Kevin Federline would get divorced, ... hmm, big surprise.
Anyway, it has been a fun class and it's been really interesting reading everyone's thoughts on everything. Thanks, and Happy Holidays!
Megan Gertsch
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
--0-1101912133-1196966640=:46940
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
I don't know if any of you ever watch Penn & Teller: B***s***, but they have tons of really good episodes that go along with what we've been talking about in class. James Randi is actually on at least a few of them, like the ones about ESP, the end of the world, and signs from heaven. They also have episodes on things like alien abductions, ghostbusters, talking to the dead and conspiracy theories. They are all totally hilarious, but I would imagine that if you really believe strongly in any of these things that they might actually be pretty offensive.
Also, I saw Sylvia Brown once on Montel Williams because my mom made me watch it (she seriously believes in all this psychic stuff and my dad kind of believes in some supernatural things too, so it's seems kind of strange that I turned out to be the total skeptic that I am). Anyway, it seemed to me that Sylvia was very accurate about a lot of things, but it also seemed like she had talked to the people in the audience before the filming began and that the people who actually asked questions on camera had been pre-screened. She also made some predictions about which celebrity couples would break up that year. It seemed that she was basically stating the obvious though, like that Britney Spears and Kevin Federline would get divorced, ... hmm, big surprise.
Anyway, it has been a fun class and it's been really interesting reading everyone's thoughts on everything. Thanks, and Happy Holidays!
Megan Gertsch
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
--0-1101912133-1196966640=:46940--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 19:05:40 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (sapna bhakta)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 19:05:40 +0000
Subject: [Psych3120] Skeptical thinking (Sapna Bhakta)
In-Reply-To: <200712060621.lB66L27X003226@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712060621.lB66L27X003226@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
Message-ID:
--_66d995b6-7abf-4c38-9bb1-af13ea56a5ed_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
There all are soo many things that one might thing well that is just imposs=
ible, I think it is important for people to realize that there has to be ev=
idence in order for something to be factual. It just goes back to fantisie=
s, like santa clause, as a child you believe that he is real, but as you ge=
t older, you think well what was i thinking. =20
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 23:21:02 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1156 - 2 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.comTo: psych3120=
@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 06:01:41 +0000Subject: [Psych3120=
] video (Sapna Bhakta)
The video today in class was really funny. It was interesting to see how t=
hings like that really work, cuz you know they arent really, but yet it see=
ms like they are. Putting pressure on them to perform a task that they hav=
e learned to master but yet not being able to perform it is really funny. T=
he palm reading to me seems like a waste of money. Anyone can read a palm =
and they would believe what was said. =20
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:20:02 -0700From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah=
.eduSubject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1155 - 7 msgsTo: psych3120@lists.csbs=
.utah.eduSend Psych3120 mailing list submissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lis=
ts.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with s=
ubject or body 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu You can reac=
h the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu When =
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Con=
tents of Psych3120 digest..."=20
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 12:56:41 -0800From: m=
attsweden@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Pa=
rapsychology
The movie we watched in class today was really great. It was so funny to s=
ee those people sweat in front of the camera when their methods were being =
exposed. That whole radio thing for the evangelical guy was incredible, wh=
at a fake. Not everyone in that industry is fake. My Senior year of high =
school I called up a psychic reading hot line, it said the first five minut=
es were free and I had my timer ready. A woman answered the phone and imme=
diately asked how old I was. She then asked if I was going to attend colle=
ge. I said yes. She then told me not to waste my money on "this garbage" =
and to use that money to take my girlfriend out instead, also that I alread=
y knew what I was doing and just do it. This really caught me off guard. =
Isuppose I thought it would be fun to see if the psychic reader could revea=
l my future, she sure did. Why do people want to believe all of that stuf=
f? Could someone really have psychic ability? Our minds do love to find s=
imilarity in everything so I suppose that does make it easier to be fooled.=
Although with the universe so unexplainable will we ever know the truth, =
could there be real psychics and healers out there, perhaps... Definitely =
not the folks on the video anyway.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:41:56 -0700From: a=
.stark@utah.eduTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] paraps=
ychology video
As we watched the video today, I found myself amazed at how people could re=
ally fall for what these "psychics" were selling them. Honestly, all of the=
statements that were being made were so general and could be applied to al=
most anyone. And the ladies that were so wrong about Ted Bundy were incredi=
bly awful. It really does show how much people's expectations influence the=
ir interpretations. I guess if you go into a situation expecting to hear ab=
out the future or about your life, then you make everything you hear someho=
w "fit" no matter how vague or off they really are. What I really appreciat=
e is that most magicians admit they use trickery instead of trying to pass =
off their skills as something other-worldly and preying on true vulnerabili=
ties of people in order to profit.
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 15:24:47 -0800From: s=
nortstd@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Nata=
lie PeatrossI was thinking in class today how in the movie the guy was a ma=
gician and was saying there is a logical or rational explanation for most o=
r all tricks or illusions. I was thinking about the guy in Vegas..Chris An=
gel..they also call him the mind freak. He is amazing. Some of the stuff =
he does is amazing. I would love to know how he does it. I am usually pret=
ty skeptical but some of the stuff he does, I don't know how it could be ex=
plained. He takes a martini glass out of a picture a guy painted. He drank=
the martini and then put the empty glass back into the painting. It was p=
retty cool. He has levitated across buildings, he has done things where it=
looks like he should have died. I would love to see someone call him out,=
to see if he is just good at pretending. There are a lot of things which =
seem logical. Like how he showed fortune tellers play off peoples expressi=
ons and cues. I think because things can besaid in such general terms the =
fortune could apply to anyone. I think the whole thing is really interesti=
ng.=20
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: carlyostler@hotmail.comTo: psych3120@=
lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:48:55 -0700Subject: [Psych3120]=
"the secret"
So the movie today in class was really interesting. I like finding logical=
reasons for things, and I'm not one to believe in the paranormal, or trend=
y trendy psychology beliefs. I don't remember the name of the guy in the m=
ovie, and I don't know if he's still alive in researching, but if he is, I =
wonder what he would have to say about "the secret", the book (and now tape=
and DVD) that claims that the mere act of postive thinking can make things=
come to pass. I am very skeptical of the whole idea, and I think it's just=
a trendy idea that people want to believe. I do believe that positive thin=
king is beneficial and can account for some self-fulfilling prophecies, but=
other than that, it holds no strength in my mind. I wonder how the doctor =
from the movie would handle this topic; if he would say it's all a ig hoax,=
or give it some credit for it's oppitimistic merit. any ideas or opinions?=
carly ostler
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:01:24 -0800From: j=
oeboyer31@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] Re=
: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1154 - 1 msgIt occured to me today during that m=
ovie about psychics that people are constantly analyzing thei rlives and tr=
ying to make sense of things. They think of every possibility they can. So =
when they go to a psychic or read a horoscope it is bound to say something =
in there that reminds them of something they had thought of prior to that. =
Because it sounds familiar they automatically assume that it must be inspir=
ed. I don't know if that is correct but is just a thought.psych3120-request=
@lists.csbs.utah.edu wrote:=20
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduTo s=
ubscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visithttp://lists.csbs.utah=
.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with subject or bo=
dy 'help' topsych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.eduYou can reach the person m=
anaging the listatpsych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.eduWhen replying, please =
edit your Subject line so it is more specificthan "Re: Contents of Psych312=
0 digest..."Today's Topics:1. Subliminal Messages (Kandis Beverley)From: "K=
andis Beverley" To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.e=
duDate: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:11:34 -0700Subject: [Psych3120] Subliminal Mess=
ages
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subliminal messages. I am a=
strong believer that people see what they want to see. That is why when tw=
o different people can look at the same object and see two different things=
. If people try to find something within something else, they are very like=
ly to find it. The people that heard messages in the backwards music, inter=
preded it so they could hear messages. Words like "shlee" suddenly turned i=
nto she and "shatelen" turn into satan. Theropists can =
use this to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard =
that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about witho=
ut really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that the=
y might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometimes.=20
_______________________________________________Psych3120 mailing listPsych3=
120@lists.csbs.utah.eduhttp://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Wed,=
5 Dec 2007 21:13:19 -0500From: thenudecoconut@aol.comSubject: [Psych3120] =
Judd Tingey - in-class video
I really enjoyed the video that we watched in class today. That guy is rea=
lly smart and apparently skeptical of everything. On one hand I agree with=
what he is doing. For example, the TV televangelist who made four million=
dollars off of unsuspected people should be brought to light. It's unfair=
to take advantage of stupid people. But on the other hand, I think it is a=
wesome that he is offering people hope. =20
=20
A price of admission is nothing compared to the placebo effect that may tak=
e place in a person's mind. I recall watching 'Man on the Moon' a few year=
s back in which Jim Carey portrays Andy Kaufman. Kaufman's cancer became t=
erminal and so he was willing to do just about anything to cure himself. H=
e went to the Philippines and had that "surgery" performed in which they pi=
nch someone really hard and use slide of hand to make it look like they wer=
e pulling things out of that person's stomach. I understand that this isn'=
t a medical procedure, but I do think that if the mind is willing to embrac=
e the concept, there are potential benefits.
=20
I feel as though the mind is a very powerful tool. I think that if these p=
eople decide to use these procedures rather than seek actual medical care t=
here may be a problem. But as a last resort or as a means for entertainmen=
t I see nothing wrong with it. I can only imagine the countless number of =
people who would pay money to have someone slap them on the forehead if the=
y thought it would help them out with their problems. It seems no differen=
t than shelling out some change to buy a newspaper to flip to the last page=
to see one=92s horoscope. By the way, have you ever noticed that on a 1-1=
0 scale, a horoscope is never lower than a 6? I=92ve had some pretty crappy=
days that I would certainly judge lower than a six, but I suppose optimism=
is what keeps this whole cycle going.
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment--From: banzaiduck506@hotmail.comTo: psych312=
0@lists.csbs.utah.eduDate: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:16:44 -0700Subject: [Psych312=
0] My "Psychic Power"
The past two lectures on parapsychology reminded me of something rather sil=
ly I believed when I was young. I used to think I would get psychic premoni=
tions of what episode of my favorite T.V. show, The Simpsons, would be reru=
n on some nights. I would randomly think of a funny part of an episode I'd =
seen before at some point during the day, and then that episode would appea=
r on T.V. that night. Being young, I attributed this to some psychic phenom=
enon. Over time, as I gained a more skeptic view of the world, I attributed=
this to simple coincidence. But the video today made me think of something=
I hadn't before. When the magician was talking about people who are afraid=
of flying getting a bad feeling everytime they fly, and forgetting the tim=
es that bad feeling didn't "predict" a bad flight, it made me realize that =
I did the same thing. I probably randomly thought of Simpsons jokes all the=
time, but only remembered the instances when they "predicted" that night's=
rerun. If I had actually tested my "premonitions" for prediction accuracy,=
I doubt it would prove to be accurate.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:17:49 -0800From: s=
tevenlbest@yahoo.comTo: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] L=
osing One's Mind
I was amazed to learn the other day in class, how much brain mass is lost o=
ver time. I have a great aunt who will be 98 years old in a couple of mont=
hs, who would be a good candidate to refute that research. She still has f=
ull faculties, can recognize everyone and remember their names, tell jokes =
without messing them up, still plays the harmonica, and can do many other r=
emarkable things that would be considered to be miraculous at her age. Wha=
t is different for her? She must have suffered the same fate that everyone=
else suffers after so many years. Perhaps the difference for her is that =
she has managed to stay very active and keep her mind stimulated rather tha=
n become sedentary. I don't know how she does it, but she can still do the=
most amazingthings!Steve Best
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
_________________________________________________________________
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate.=A0 Join i=
n.
www.windowslive.com/smile?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_oprsmilewlhmtagline=
--_66d995b6-7abf-4c38-9bb1-af13ea56a5ed_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
There all are soo many things that one might thing well that is just imposs=
ible, I think it is important for people to realize that there has to be ev=
idence in order for something to be factual. It just goes back to fan=
tisies, like santa clause, as a child you believe that he is real, but as y=
ou get older, you think well what was i thinking.
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: sapnabhakta5@hotmail.=
com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 06:01:41 =
+0000 Subject: [Psych3120] video (Sapna Bhakta)
The video today in class was really funny. It was interes=
ting to see how things like that really work, cuz you know they arent reall=
y, but yet it seems like they are. Putting pressure on them to perfor=
m a task that they have learned to master but yet not being able to perform=
it is really funny. The palm reading to me seems like a waste of=
money. Anyone can read a palm and they would believe what was s=
aid.
Send Psych3120 mailing list s=
ubmissions to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or uns=
ubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120 or, via email, send a message with subject or b=
ody 'help' to psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can rea=
ch the person managing the list at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific=
than "Re: Contents of Psych3120 digest..."
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 12:56=
:41 -0800 From: mattsweden@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u Subject: [Psych3120] Parapsychology
The movie we watched in class today was really great. It was so =
funny to see those people sweat in front of the camera when their methods w=
ere being exposed. That whole radio thing for the evangelical guy was=
incredible, what a fake. Not everyone in that industry is fake. =
; My Senior year of high school I called up a psychic reading hot line, it =
said the first five minutes were free and I had my timer ready. A wom=
an answered the phone and immediately asked how old I was. She then a=
sked if I was going to attend college. I said yes. She then tol=
d me not to waste my money on "this garbage" and to use that money to take =
my girlfriend out instead, also that I already knew what I was doing and ju=
st do it. This really caught me off guard. I suppose I thoug=
ht it would be fun to see if the psychic reader could reveal my future, she=
sure did. Why do people want to believe all of that stuff?&nbs=
p; Could someone really have psychic ability? Our minds do love to fi=
nd similarity in everything so I suppose that does make it easier to be foo=
led. Although with the universe so unexplainable will we ever know th=
e truth, could there be real psychics and healers out there, perhaps...&nbs=
p; Definitely not the folks on the video anyway.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:41=
:56 -0700 From: a.stark@utah.edu To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.eduSubject: [Psych3120] parapsychology video
As we watched the video to=
day, I found myself amazed at how people could really fall for what these "=
psychics" were selling them. Honestly, all of the statements that were bein=
g made were so general and could be applied to almost anyone. And the ladie=
s that were so wrong about Ted Bundy were incredibly awful. It really does =
show how much people's expectations influence their interpretations. I gues=
s if you go into a situation expecting to hear about the future or about yo=
ur life, then you make everything you hear somehow "fit" no matter how vagu=
e or off they really are. What I really appreciate is that most magicians a=
dmit they use trickery instead of trying to pass off their skills as someth=
ing other-worldly and preying on true vulnerabilities of people in order to=
profit.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 15:24=
:47 -0800 From: snortstd@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu<=
BR>Subject: [Psych3120] Natalie Peatross
I was thinking in class tod=
ay how in the movie the guy was a magician and was saying there is a logica=
l or rational explanation for most or all tricks or illusions. I was =
thinking about the guy in Vegas..Chris Angel..they also call him the mind f=
reak. He is amazing. Some of the stuff he does is amazing. I wo=
uld love to know how he does it. I am usually pretty skeptical but so=
me of the stuff he does, I don't know how it could be explained. He t=
akes a martini glass out of a picture a guy painted. He drank the martini a=
nd then put the empty glass back into the painting. It was pretty coo=
l. He has levitated across buildings, he has done things where it loo=
ks like he should have died. I would love to see someone call him out=
, to see if he is just good at pretending. There are a lot of things =
which seem logical. Like how he showed fortune tellers play off peopl=
es expressions and cues. I think because things can be said in suc=
h general terms the fortune could apply to anyone. I think the whole =
thing is really interesting.
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: carlyostler@hotmail.c=
om To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:48:55 -=
0700 Subject: [Psych3120] "the secret"
So the movie today in class was really interesting. I=
like finding logical reasons for things, and I'm not one to believe in the=
paranormal, or trendy trendy psychology beliefs. I don't remember th=
e name of the guy in the movie, and I don't know if he's still alive in res=
earching, but if he is, I wonder what he would have to say about "the secre=
t", the book (and now tape and DVD) that claims that the mere act of p=
ostive thinking can make things come to pass. I am very skeptical of the wh=
ole idea, and I think it's just a trendy idea that people want to believe. =
I do believe that positive thinking is beneficial and can account for some =
self-fulfilling prophecies, but other than that, it holds no strength in my=
mind. I wonder how the doctor from the movie would handle this topic;=
if he would say it's all a ig hoax, or give it some credit for it's oppiti=
mistic merit. any ideas or opinions?
carly ostler <=
/BLOCKQUOTE>
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:01=
:24 -0800 From: joeboyer31@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.ed=
u Subject: [Psych3120] Re: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1154 - 1 msg
=
It occured to me today during that movie about psychics that people are con=
stantly analyzing thei rlives and trying to make sense of things. They thin=
k of every possibility they can. So when they go to a psychic or read a hor=
oscope it is bound to say something in there that reminds them of something=
they had thought of prior to that. Because it sounds familiar they automat=
ically assume that it must be inspired. I don't know if that is correct but=
is just a thought.
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions topsych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the W=
orld Wide Web, visit http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to psych3120=
-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
You can reach the person managing the l=
ist at psych3120-admin@lists.csbs.utah.edu
When replying, plea=
se edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of P=
sych3120 digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Subliminal Messages (K=
andis Beverley) From: "Kandis Beverley" <kandisbeverley@hotmail.com&g=
t; To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:11:34 =
-0700 Subject: [Psych3120] Subliminal Messages
Modays lecture was so interesting on Aliens and subli=
minal messages. I am a strong believer that people see what they want to se=
e. That is why when two different people can look at the same object and se=
e two different things. If people try to find something within somethi=
ng else, they are very likely to find it. The people that heard messag=
es in the backwards music, interpreded it so they could hear messages.=
Words like "shlee" suddenly turned into she and "shatelen" turn into satan=
.
class=3DRTE> Theropists can use t=
his to their advantage to try and help others. They can use fliipcard =
that have random markings and find what that person is thinking about witho=
ut really have to ask them. Sometimes it is an uncountious problem that the=
y might not know they have. So it does work to their advantage sometim=
es.
_______________________________________________ Psych3120 mai=
ling list Psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/li=
stinfo.cgi/psych3120
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- To: psych3120@lists.csbs.ut=
ah.edu Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 21:13:19 -0500 From: thenudecoconut@aol.=
com Subject: [Psych3120] Judd Tingey - in-class video
I really enjoyed the video that we watched =
in class today. That guy is really smart and apparently skeptical of =
everything. On one hand I agree with what he is doing. For exam=
ple, the TV televangelist who made four million dollars off of unsuspected =
people should be brought to light. It's unfair to take advantage of s=
tupid people. But on the other hand, I think it is awesome that he is =
offering people hope.
<=
BR>
A price of admission is nothing compared to=
the placebo effect that may take place in a person's mind. I recall =
watching 'Man on the Moon' a few years back in which Jim Carey portrays And=
y Kaufman. Kaufman's cancer became terminal and so he was willing to =
do just about anything to cure himself. He went to the Philippines an=
d had that "surgery" performed in which they pinch someone really hard and =
use slide of hand to make it look like they were pulling things out of that=
person's stomach. I understand that this isn't a medical procedure, =
but I do think that if the mind is willing to embrace the concept, there ar=
e potential benefits.
<=
BR>
I feel as though the mind is a very powerfu=
l tool. I think that if thes=
e people decide to use these procedures rather than seek actual medical car=
e there may be a problem.Bu=
t as a last resort or as a means for entertainment I see nothing wrong with=
it.I can only imagine the =
countless number of people who would pay money to have someone slap them on=
the forehead if they thought it would help them out with their problems.It seems no different than sh=
elling out some change to buy a newspaper to flip to the last page to see o=
ne=92s horoscope.By the way=
, have you ever noticed that on a 1-10 scale, a horoscope is never lower th=
an a 6? I=92ve had some pretty crappy days that I would certainly judge low=
er than a six, but I suppose optimism is what keeps this whole cycle going.=
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- From: banzaiduck506@hotmail=
.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:16:44=
-0700 Subject: [Psych3120] My "Psychic Power"
The past two lectures on parapsychology reminded me of some=
thing rather silly I believed when I was young. I used to think I woul=
d get psychic premonitions of what episode of my favorite T.V. show, T=
he Simpsons, would be rerun on some nights. I would randomly think of a fun=
ny part of an episode I'd seen before at some point during the day, and the=
n that episode would appear on T.V. that night. Being young, I attributed t=
his to some psychic phenomenon. Over time, as I gained a more skeptic view =
of the world, I attributed this to simple coincidence. But the video today =
made me think of something I hadn't before. When the magician was =
;talking about people who are afraid of flying getting a bad feeling e=
verytime they fly, and forgetting the times that bad feeling didn't "predic=
t" a bad flight, it made me realize that I did the same thing. I probably r=
andomly thought of Simpsons jokes all the time, but only remembered the ins=
tances when they "predicted" that night's rerun. If I had actually tested m=
y "premonitions" for prediction accuracy, I doubt it would prove to be=
accurate.
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!
--Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 22:17=
:49 -0800 From: stevenlbest@yahoo.com To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.e=
du Subject: [Psych3120] Losing One's Mind
I was amazed to learn the other day in class, how much brain mass is l=
ost over time. I have a great aunt who will be 98 years old in a coup=
le of months, who would be a good candidate to refute that research. =
She still has full faculties, can recognize everyone and remember their nam=
es, tell jokes without messing them up, still plays the harmonica, and can =
do many other remarkable things that would be considered to be miraculous a=
t her age. What is different for her? She must have suffered th=
e same fate that everyone else suffers after so many years. Perhaps t=
he difference for her is that she has managed to stay very active and keep =
her mind stimulated rather than become sedentary. I don't know how sh=
e does it, but she can still do the most amazing things! Steve Best
Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more w=
e donate. Join in!
=
--_66d995b6-7abf-4c38-9bb1-af13ea56a5ed_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 21:53:05 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Miss Kitty)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 14:53:05 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Parapsychology
Message-ID:
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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I found the parapsychology portion very interesting, probably because I =
grew up watching the X-Files (I still have nightmares about the =
inbreeders)
In any event, I find it interesting that despite the numerous scientific =
evidence disproving parapsychology, people still believe it. I think a =
lot of it is that they don't understand psychological and scientific =
research, and it's more fun for them to believe in it. They probably =
don't want to be proven "wrong" so they believe it nonetheless.
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I found the parapsychology portion very interesting, probably =
because I=20
grew up watching the X-Files (I still have nightmares about the=20
inbreeders)
In any event, I find it interesting that despite the numerous =
scientific=20
evidence disproving parapsychology, people still believe it. I think a =
lot of it=20
is that they don't understand psychological and scientific research, and =
it's=20
more fun for them to believe in it. They probably don't want to be =
proven=20
"wrong" so they believe it nonetheless.
------=_NextPart_000_004B_01C83817.B5600030--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Thu Dec 6 21:58:09 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Miss Kitty)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 14:58:09 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] abduction prone personality
Message-ID:
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------=_NextPart_000_0053_01C83818.6A22B850
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charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
In my writing class earlier this semester we had to do an analysis and =
critique of a scholarly article based on our major. I researched mine =
and came across an article about fantasy-proneness and alien abductions. =
This article did experiements on people who had claimed to have seen a =
UFO and/or taken part in an abduction. Most of these people showed =
similar characteristics to being fantasy-prone, or more likely to =
fabricate stories for attention such as dissociative personality =
disorder, BPD, and antisocial disorder, and showed an interest in =
violent acts and, most surprisingly, S&M.=20
They also found that the stories of alien abductions followed a certain =
schema, which isn't surprising seeing as there are so many alien movies =
out there in the media that most people have a certain idea of what a =
UFO looks like, a typical alien, and what an abduction would consist of. =
The researchers also found that leading questions and suggestibility =
played a huge role in getting people to admit to being abducted by =
aliens, and that hypnosis actually made people more likely to fabricate =
a story than non-hypnotized participants.
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In my writing class earlier this semester we had to do an analysis =
and=20
critique of a scholarly article based on our major. I researched mine =
and came=20
across an article about fantasy-proneness and alien abductions. This =
article did=20
experiements on people who had claimed to have seen a UFO and/or taken =
part in=20
an abduction. Most of these people showed similar characteristics =
to being=20
fantasy-prone, or more likely to fabricate stories for attention such as =
dissociative personality disorder, BPD, and antisocial disorder, and =
showed an=20
interest in violent acts and, most surprisingly, S&M.
They also found that the stories of alien abductions followed a =
certain=20
schema, which isn't surprising seeing as there are so many alien movies =
out=20
there in the media that most people have a certain idea of what a UFO =
looks=20
like, a typical alien, and what an abduction would consist of. =
The researchers also found that leading questions and =
suggestibility played=20
a huge role in getting people to admit to being abducted by aliens, and =
that=20
hypnosis actually made people more likely to fabricate a story than=20
non-hypnotized participants.
------=_NextPart_000_0053_01C83818.6A22B850--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 02:29:48 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Danielle Cysewski)
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 19:29:48 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] Heuristics
References: <200712061926.lB6JQ2js009400@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
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A heuristic is a strategy or approach that works under some =
circumstances, for some of the time, but is not guaranteed to yield the =
correct answer. In other words, a heuristic simplifies rules and gives a =
quick solution, reducing the burden on working memory. This is the =
advantage. For example, someone who is considering graduate programs may =
feel overwhelmed with the multitude of graduate programs so will decide =
to "go somewhere warm," which quickly narrows down their decisions. The =
decision to go somewhere warm is a heuristic. The problem with =
heuristics is that they can lead to errors and systematic biases. =
Heuristics aren't a real problem-solving technique - they are a short =
cut.=20
The availability heuristic is based on the thought likelihood of =
something happening. The ease of bringing an example of something to =
mind is a form of estimating the likelihood of something. We think that =
frequent events will be easy to recall and rare events will be =
difficult, but the bias is that we tend to over estimate rare events =
because they are more memorable. The representativeness heuristic is a =
judgment strategy that estimates how representative something is to its =
population. Someone who is intelligent and reserved is more likely to be =
judged as a librarian than a businessman, even though real probabilities =
tell us that because there are more businessmen, that person would =
probably be one. The anchoring heuristic says that we pay more attention =
to things at the beginning or end of a list. This presents the =
confirmation bias - the tendency to seek info that confirms initial =
hypothesis. This is clearly evident in the medical system, where once =
doctors have given a diagnosis, they are more likely to pay attention to =
the information that supports that diagnosis. The "as if" heuristic say =
that when several sources of evidence are presented, people tend to =
treat all info with equal reliability, even when they are not equally =
reliable. This is a manifestation of cognitive simplification - its =
easier to treat all evidence as the same instead of work to figure out =
important and unimportant sources of info.=20
Danielle Cysewski
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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A =
heuristic is a=20
strategy or approach that works under some circumstances, for some of =
the time,=20
but is not guaranteed to yield the correct answer. In other words, a =
heuristic=20
simplifies rules and gives a quick solution, reducing the burden on =
working=20
memory. This is the advantage. For example, someone who is considering =
graduate=20
programs may feel overwhelmed with the multitude of graduate programs so =
will=20
decide to =93go somewhere warm,=94 which quickly narrows down their =
decisions. The=20
decision to go somewhere warm is a heuristic. The problem with =
heuristics is=20
that they can lead to errors and systematic biases. Heuristics aren=92t =
a real=20
problem-solving technique =96 they are a short cut.=20
The =
availability=20
heuristic is based on the thought likelihood of something happening. The =
ease of=20
bringing an example of something to mind is a form of estimating the =
likelihood=20
of something. We think that frequent events will be easy to recall and =
rare=20
events will be difficult, but the bias is that we tend to over estimate =
rare=20
events because they are more memorable. The representativeness heuristic =
is a=20
judgment strategy that estimates how representative something is to its=20
population. Someone who is intelligent and reserved is more likely to be =
judged=20
as a librarian than a businessman, even though real probabilities tell =
us that=20
because there are more businessmen, that person would probably be one. =
The=20
anchoring heuristic says that we pay more attention to things at the =
beginning=20
or end of a list. This presents the confirmation bias =96 the tendency =
to seek=20
info that confirms initial hypothesis. This is clearly evident in the =
medical=20
system, where once doctors have given a diagnosis, they are more likely =
to pay=20
attention to the information that supports that diagnosis. The =93as =
if=94 heuristic=20
say that when several sources of evidence are presented, people tend to =
treat=20
all info with equal reliability, even when they are not equally =
reliable. This=20
is a manifestation of cognitive simplification =96 its easier to treat =
all=20
evidence as the same instead of work to figure out important and =
unimportant=20
sources of info.
Danielle=20
Cysewski
------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C8383E.5D49E1F0--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 12:29:55 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu)
Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:29:55 -0500
Subject: [Psych3120] Quintin Fidler: Actual evangelistic healings
Message-ID: <8CA06E402257B84-E84-2B31@WEBMAIL-MB12.sysops.aol.com>
----------MB_8CA06E402257B84_E84_59CB_WEBMAIL-MB12.sysops.aol.com
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One of the things James Randi didn't mention in his documentary was the number of people that were healed either by the evangelistic healer or the institute in the former Soviet Union. There is no doubt that there were many successful headings. I believe that they did heal a great many people, but not from any power that they had or by any paranormal means. I believe that many were healed using a well documented, tested and measurable effect known as the placebo effect. If you look at any drug study you will find reference to this effect. The placebo effect in essence states that if you believe that you will get better you get better. The problem is that the placebo effect can legitimize?shady characters?and products while promoting the paranormal. I think that this along with random chance are two of the main contributors to people's continued belief in the paranormal.?They give people the positive proof that they are looking for, however misplaced it is.?Of course this makes James Randi's job much harder?
________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aolcmp00050000000003
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Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii"
One of the things James Randi didn't mention in his documentary was the number of people that were healed either by the evangelistic healer or the institute in the former Soviet Union. There is no doubt that there were many successful headings. I believe that they did heal a great many people, but not from any power that they had or by any paranormal means. I believe that many were healed using a well documented, tested and measurable effect known as the placebo effect. If you look at any drug study you will find reference to this effect. The placebo effect in essence states that if you believe that you will get better you get better. The problem is that the placebo effect can legitimize shady characters and products while promoting the paranormal. I think that this along with random chance are two of the main contributors to people's continued belief in the paranormal. They give people the positive proof that they are looking for, however misplaced it is. Of course this makes James Randi's job much harder
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
----------MB_8CA06E402257B84_E84_59CB_WEBMAIL-MB12.sysops.aol.com--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 20:27:52 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Alissa Nielson)
Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:27:52 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] alissa nielson
Message-ID: <47593C49020000530001E046@gwmail1.kleinfelder.com>
The last example I gave of hueristics I hadn't realized til now that it was an example of Representativeness. I guess I had forgotten that we talked about the stereotype of librarian in class. Although, in my last example I didn't go as far as describing any base rate.
Does anybody have in their notes what Strayer said about what being skeptical means? I heard him say it but I didn't write it because I hadn't read the study guide questions yet and didn't know I would need to know it.
I am now going to attenpt to answer Study Guide question number 3:
Hueristics play the role of helping us to make a decision, make a choice, etc., quickly and efficiently without haveing to use too much of our working memory but not necessarily effectively and certainly not formally. They tend to not work some of the time but do not garuntee a correct answer.
Availability is the bias that cause people to believe something will happen because the odds of it happening are great. However, they think the likelihood of something happening is high when they hear more about it. The more likely they can think of an example of it happening the more frequently it must occur. Therefore, it is the tendency to overestimate rare events.
Representativeness is the judgement bias that we make which assumes that something happening a certain way is similar to how it always happens, or its population. We dont assume things will be random since in the real world they are not and so we incorrectly tend to make patterns of fake events.
Anchoring bias is giving more weight to the beginning or end of a given sequence of information rather than all the information.
"As If" bias is when people treat all cues, symptoms, events or whatever that they encounter in one situation as if they all had the same reliability.
KLEINFELDER
EXPECT MORE
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 20:56:11 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Alyssa Messina)
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 13:56:11 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] amazing randi video
Message-ID:
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I was thinking about the Amazing Randi video and why people are so suscepti=
ble to believe certain magic tricks, predictions, etc. and if there is any =
connection between heuristics we use. Might it be because we don't have an=
y sort of available information or past experience to explain what's happen=
ing, so supernatural powers are the most immediate explanation? Or is assu=
ming the authority of these people and the validity of their practices actu=
ally part of a heuristic? I was thinking that maybe this is kind of a soci=
al acceptance thing, it seems like people hold value in sharing beliefs and=
common knowledge, so if an evangelist appears to be healing multiple peopl=
e in a congregation it's probably something you would benefit from too. Or=
maybe obsession with the supernatural is just the result of curiosity abou=
t human existence and the fantasy elements of having psychic abilities. I =
recently wrote an argument for a philosophy class about why believing in ho=
roscopes is irrational, and yet every time my friends and I come across hor=
oscope pages we always read them and joke about how they could be true. I =
think the "placebo effect" of things like healing powers can sometimes be h=
elpful, but like Randi said i think it can also be potentially dangerous. =
I find evangelical leaders extremely disturbing- every time I see something=
like that it reminds me of the vivid portrayal of the mom in the movie req=
uiem for a dream, how she became so wrapped up in something that didn't exi=
st. People's power in words or deceitful practices can be just as dangerou=
s as addictive drugs, I think Randi's initiative to expose these kind of th=
ings was important. I guess it's ok to have fun with as long as you don't =
drink the Kool-Aid.
_________________________________________________________________
Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista=AE + Windows Live=99.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_C=
PC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007=
--_cc13c7bb-2f15-4113-bf4f-16cff794ed34_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I was thinking about the Amazing Randi video and why people are so suscepti=
ble to believe certain magic tricks, predictions, etc. and if there is any =
connection between heuristics we use. Might it be because we don't ha=
ve any sort of available information or past experience to explain what's h=
appening, so supernatural powers are the most immediate explanation? =
Or is assuming the authority of these people and the validity of their prac=
tices actually part of a heuristic? I was thinking that maybe this is=
kind of a social acceptance thing, it seems like people hold value in shar=
ing beliefs and common knowledge, so if an evangelist appears to be healing=
multiple people in a congregation it's probably something you would benefi=
t from too. Or maybe obsession with the supernatural is just the resu=
lt of curiosity about human existence and the fantasy elements of having ps=
ychic abilities. I recently wrote an argument for a philosophy class =
about why believing in horoscopes is irrational, and yet every time my frie=
nds and I come across horoscope pages we always read them and joke about ho=
w they could be true. I think the "placebo effect" of things like hea=
ling powers can sometimes be helpful, but like Randi said i think it can al=
so be potentially dangerous. I find evangelical leaders extremel=
y disturbing- every time I see something like that it reminds me of the viv=
id portrayal of the mom in the movie requiem for a dream, ho=
w she became so wrapped up in something that didn't exist. Peopl=
e's power in words or deceitful practices can be just as dangerous as addic=
tive drugs, I think Randi's initiative to expose these kind of things was i=
mportant. I guess it's ok to have fun with as long as you don't drink=
the Kool-Aid. Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windo=
ws Live. Power up!
=
--_cc13c7bb-2f15-4113-bf4f-16cff794ed34_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 21:52:48 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (David Farnham)
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 14:52:48 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] heuristics a response
Message-ID:
--_7f400fcd-5ad8-4312-83b3-be7f853cdd33_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
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the problem with heuristics is that most often, people use it inappropriate=
ly. I thought about this several years ago while reading Arthur Koestler's=
the Act of Creation which is about the creative process. Anyway in it he =
talked about habit as a downward process as we habitualize processes that w=
e're comfortable with to free up mental space to think about more important=
things. At the time my thought was "No we don't!" When you're tying your=
shoes or in the shower are you really thinking about important things? I =
know I spend most of my time when I'm doing habitual actions thinking about=
pointless things. This makes me think that we don't habitualize because i=
t's a smart strategy (although we could) but rather due to our inherent slo=
th. It's easier to do things habitually than consciously, in the same way =
that it's easier to make decisions with heuristics than to ACTUALLY think a=
bout them. When I was working in a lab over the summer it blew me away how=
many smart people can do procedures inefficiently or plain incorrectly bec=
ause "that's the way I've always done it." And unfortuately if you're only=
thinking in the short run, it is easier to use some rules of thumb to solv=
e problems instead of figuring out a better way or rule to do it. But this=
sticks you over and over again. Instead of being reactionary (like the pe=
rson who compulsively locks everything and won't go out after they get robb=
ed.) make clear choices based on the data that you currently have available=
. In summary, it is my opinion that heuristics are nothing more than slopp=
y thinking that occur when people are too lazy to actually think about the =
problem.
_________________________________________________________________
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_1120=
07=
--_7f400fcd-5ad8-4312-83b3-be7f853cdd33_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
the problem with heuristics is that most often, people use it inappropriate=
ly. I thought about this several years ago while reading Arthur Koest=
ler's the Act of Creation which is about the creative process. Anyway=
in it he talked about habit as a downward process as we habitualize proces=
ses that we're comfortable with to free up mental space to think about more=
important things. At the time my thought was "No we don't!" Wh=
en you're tying your shoes or in the shower are you really thinking about i=
mportant things? I know I spend most of my time when I'm doing habitu=
al actions thinking about pointless things. This makes me think that =
we don't habitualize because it's a smart strategy (although we could) but =
rather due to our inherent sloth. It's easier to do things habitually=
than consciously, in the same way that it's easier to make decisions with =
heuristics than to ACTUALLY think about them. When I was working in a=
lab over the summer it blew me away how many smart people can do procedure=
s inefficiently or plain incorrectly because "that's the way I've always do=
ne it." And unfortuately if you're only thinking in the short run, it=
is easier to use some rules of thumb to solve problems instead of figuring=
out a better way or rule to do it. But this sticks you over and over=
again. Instead of being reactionary (like the person who compulsivel=
y locks everything and won't go out after they get robbed.) make clear choi=
ces based on the data that you currently have available. In summary, =
it is my opinion that heuristics are nothing more than sloppy thinking that=
occur when people are too lazy to actually think about the problem. <=
hr />Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Connect now!
=
--_7f400fcd-5ad8-4312-83b3-be7f853cdd33_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 22:32:56 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (layla feize)
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 16:32:56 -0600
Subject: [Psych3120] (no subject)
Message-ID:
--_bd7bf530-133c-45cf-a205-5c8670b43999_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have problem with questions number 1 and 2 in the study guide. would one=
of you smart guys send me the answers for those questions. One million tha=
nks.
_________________________________________________________________
Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista=AE + Windows Live=99.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_C=
PC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007=
--_bd7bf530-133c-45cf-a205-5c8670b43999_
Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have problem with questions number 1 and 2 in the study guide. woul=
d one of you smart guys send me the answers for those questions. One millio=
n thanks.
Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Window=
s Live. Power up!
=
--_bd7bf530-133c-45cf-a205-5c8670b43999_--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 23:23:12 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu)
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 18:23:12 EST
Subject: [Psych3120] Heidi Williams: psychic stuff
Message-ID:
-------------------------------1197069792
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I think that psychic stuff is bull stuff, to be completely frank. There
just magic tricks. I have never believed in all of that stuff. What I think is
interesting is how impressionable people can be. All magicians or
"psychics" have to do is suggest something is happening or will happen and people fall
into their trap. I thought in the movie we watched where that psychologist
was doing palm reading when he was in college and his friend told him to say
the opposite of what he read in the palms and see what happned. He found
that he was just as accruate as when he did it his normal way. He said that all
he had to do is say some general things that could apply to alot of people
and they would work it around in their heads to fit his reading. This same
thing was exhibited with the star charts that all said that same thing and
everyone in the class said that it fit them very well. Our brains are problem
solvers and puzzle piecers. We are always looking for patterns in our lives
and and these so called psychics know this and can manipulate their
surroundings to accomodate our own intellectual tendencies. I didn't realize how
gullible alot of people can be.
**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest
products.
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
-------------------------------1197069792
Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I think that psychic stuff is bull stuff, to be completely frank. =
=20
There just magic tricks. I have never believed in all of that stuff.&n=
bsp;=20
What I think is interesting is how impressionable people can be. All=20
magicians or "psychics" have to do is suggest something is happening or will=
=20
happen and people fall into their trap. I thought in the movie we watc=
hed=20
where that psychologist was doing palm reading when he was in college and hi=
s=20
friend told him to say the opposite of what he read in the palms and see wha=
t=20
happned. He found that he was just as accruate as when he did it his=20
normal way. He said that all he had to do is say some general things t=
hat=20
could apply to alot of people and they would work it around in their heads t=
o=20
fit his reading. This same thing was exhibited with the star charts th=
at=20
all said that same thing and everyone in the class said that it fit them ver=
y=20
well. Our brains are problem solvers and puzzle piecers. We are=20
always looking for patterns in our lives and and these so called psychics kn=
ow=20
this and can manipulate their surroundings to accomodate our own intellectua=
l=20
tendencies. I didn't realize how gullible alot of people can=20
be.
-------------------------------1197069792--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Fri Dec 7 23:45:00 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu)
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 18:45:00 EST
Subject: [Psych3120] Heidi Williams:
Message-ID:
-------------------------------1197071100
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
I took a psychology class in high school and my teacher was an interesting
person. She was newly wed and had a new baby and was obsessed with psychology
related in any way to sex. All she taught was Freud and subliminal messages
related to sex. She really believed in all of that stuff and was facinated
by it. She showed us endless pictures and explained each one of them and,
not supprisingly, she found sexual material in all of them. How is a hamburger
supposed to be sexually explicit. I thought I must just be crazy or stupid
or something because I couldn't see anything in any of the pictures or hear
any of the backwards demonic messages. So when Dr. Strayer said that all of
this stuff is just people who have way too much time on their hands and are
looking for there to be sexual subliminal messages, it made me feel good about
myself. She just wants there to be all of that stuff in the advertisements.
wow, the influence we have over our selves is amazing. We really look at
the world through our own eyes and each person's perception of the world is
very different.
**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest
products.
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
-------------------------------1197071100
Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I took a psychology class in high school and my teacher was an=20
interesting person. She was newly wed and had a new baby and was obses=
sed=20
with psychology related in any way to sex. All she taught was Freud an=
d=20
subliminal messages related to sex. She really believed in a=
ll=20
of that stuff and was facinated by it. She showed us endless pict=
ures=20
and explained each one of them and, not supprisingly, she found sexual mater=
ial=20
in all of them. How is a hamburger supposed to be sexually=20
explicit. I thought I must just be crazy or stupid or something=20
because I couldn't see anything in any of the pictures or hear any of the=20
backwards demonic messages. So when Dr. Strayer said that all of=20=
this=20
stuff is just people who have way too much time on their hands and=
are=20
looking for there to be sexual subliminal messages, it made m=
e=20
feel good about myself. She just wants there to be all of that stuff i=
n=20
the advertisements. wow, the influence we have over our selves is=20
amazing. We really look at the world through our own eyes and eac=
h=20
person's perception of the world is very=20
different.
-------------------------------1197071100--
From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 8 05:44:03 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Amanda French)
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 21:44:03 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] PDP
Message-ID:
--_8644b382-c36c-424e-aa06-3f1cf23580d2_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Something I have found of interest throughout this course is the lack of em=
phasis on conscious thought and emotion. When looking over the study guide =
I came across the question about Parallel Distributed Processing. Upon read=
ing about this neural network approach to spreading activation, I found mys=
elf completely agreeing with everything said. (I do this often when informa=
tion is presented nicely.) Then it got me thinking. So much of what we've l=
earned over this past semester has not accounted for rational thinking or e=
motion. How can I believe so fully in something and at the same time be thi=
nking critically about, and consciously deciding whether to remember it or =
not. I am obviously not against the basis for what this research has been f=
ounded upon, I just think it is important that we, as students, take the ti=
me to incorporate what we know to be true into the new information we gathe=
r.
_________________________________________________________________
You keep typing, we keep giving. Download Messenger and join the i=92m Init=
iative now.
http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=3DTAGLM=
--_8644b382-c36c-424e-aa06-3f1cf23580d2_
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Something I have found of interest throughout this course is the lack of em=
phasis on conscious thought and emotion. When looking over the study guide =
I came across the question about Parallel Distributed Processing. Upon read=
ing about this neural network approach to spreading activation, I found mys=
elf completely agreeing with everything said. (I do this often when informa=
tion is presented nicely.) Then it got me thinking. So much of what we've l=
earned over this past semester has not accounted for rational thinking or e=
motion. How can I believe so fully in something and at the same time be thi=
nking critically about, and consciously deciding whether to remember it or =
not. I am obviously not against the basis for what this research has been f=
ounded upon, I just think it is important that we, as students, take t=
he time to incorporate what we know to be true into the new information we =
gather. You keep typing, we keep giving. Download Messenger and =
join the i=92m Initiative now. Join in!
=
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From psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu Sat Dec 8 23:01:56 2007
From: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu (Amanda Lindsey)
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 15:01:56 -0800
Subject: [Psych3120] RE: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1160 - 7 msgs
In-Reply-To: <200712081903.lB8J34K0000329@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
References: <200712081903.lB8J34K0000329@topo.csbs.utah.edu>
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This week's lecture has been really odd for me to listen to. I felt as if =
it was such an extreme difference from what we were talking about in past l=
ectures, such as memory. I'm kind of curious about why we would really eve=
n be learning about it so randomly at the end of the semester. It was inte=
resting to learning about the backwards messaging and aliens, but at the sa=
me time, I found it extremely strange. Also, wednesday's heuristics lectur=
e was almost as strange to for me to learn about. I don't know if this is =
just me, but it was just odd. =20
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 12:03:04 -0700
From: psych3120-request@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: Psych3120 digest, Vol 1 #1160 - 7 msgs
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Send Psych3120 mailing list submissions to
psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
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or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 12:27:52 -0800
From: anielson@kleinfelder.com
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Subject: [Psych3120] alissa nielson
The last example I gave of hueristics I hadn't realized til now that it was=
an example of Representativeness. I guess I had forgotten that we talked =
about the stereotype of librarian in class. Although, in my last example I=
didn't go as far as describing any base rate.
Does anybody have in their notes what Strayer said about what being skeptic=
al means? I heard him say it but I didn't write it because I hadn't read th=
e study guide questions yet and didn't know I would need to know it.
I am now going to attenpt to answer Study Guide question number 3:
Hueristics play the role of helping us to make a decision, make a choice, e=
tc., quickly and efficiently without haveing to use too much of our working=
memory but not necessarily effectively and certainly not formally. They t=
end to not work some of the time but do not garuntee a correct answer.
Availability is the bias that cause people to believe something will happen=
because the odds of it happening are great. However, they think the likel=
ihood of something happening is high when they hear more about it. The mor=
e likely they can think of an example of it happening the more frequently i=
t must occur. Therefore, it is the tendency to overestimate rare events.
Representativeness is the judgement bias that we make which assumes that so=
mething happening a certain way is similar to how it always happens, or its=
population. We dont assume things will be random since in the real world =
they are not and so we incorrectly tend to make patterns of fake events.
Anchoring bias is giving more weight to the beginning or end of a given seq=
uence of information rather than all the information.
"As If" bias is when people treat all cues, symptoms, events or whatever th=
at they encounter in one situation as if they all had the same reliability.
=20
=20
KLEINFELDER
EXPECT MORE
=20
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: alyssabyss@hotmail.com
To: psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 13:56:11 -0700
Subject: [Psych3120] amazing randi video
I was thinking about the Amazing Randi video and why people are so suscepti=
ble to believe certain magic tricks, predictions, etc. and if there is any =
connection between heuristics we use. Might it be because we don't have an=
y sort of available information or past experience to explain what's happen=
ing, so supernatural powers are the most immediate explanation? Or is assu=
ming the authority of these people and the validity of their practices actu=
ally part of a heuristic? I was thinking that maybe this is kind of a soci=
al acceptance thing, it seems like people hold value in sharing beliefs and=
common knowledge, so if an evangelist appears to be healing multiple peopl=
e in a congregation it's probably something you would benefit from too. Or=
maybe obsession with the supernatural is just the result of curiosity abou=
t human existence and the fantasy elements of having psychic abilities. I =
recently wrote an argument for a philosophy class about why believing in ho=
roscopes is irrational, and yet every time my friends and I come across hor=
oscope pages we always read them and joke about how they could be true. I =
think the "placebo effect" of things like healing po