I think what has resonated most with me with everything I've learned throughout Psy 1001 is how easy I identify with many of the psychological tendencies displayed by humans and why it is important to be critical about everyday perceptions and claims. The course has shown me how valuable the scientific enterprise is in psychology. As a future scientist, it has re-solidified the importance of seeking scientific evidence for observations and hypothesis. Psy 1001 has done this by demonstrating how common perceptions encountered everyday can be misguided. To name a few-- "Opposites Attract", "Crime rates increase during the full moon", and "Newborns are not cognitively active until a few months after being born". The course has made me aware that I am just as capable as my neighbor to fall victim to many of the tenants of psychology, and that I'm anything but a unique individual within a large sample size. Because I'm made aware of this, I'm more enlightened about my own weaknesses and I can now work to strengthen them. Of course, the way I will start is to start is to be less accepting of extraordinary claims (without the provision of evidence), avoiding confirmation bias, and being more humble about my susceptibility to psychological tendencies that I perceive as negative.
leuer022: April 2012 Archives
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/inside-world-childhood-schizophrenia-10090286
This past weekend, 20/20 featured an expose on children living with Schizophrenia. Not really knowing anything about schizophrenia (other than it's a serious psychological disorder), I decided to tune in.
What I learned was shocking. The symptoms elicited by the children in the documentary included hallucinations, beliefs not based in reality, and extremely disturbing meditations, including inclinations to hurt close family members.
Experts of the disorder express that for whatever unfortunate reason, schizophrenia puts the mind into an extreme defense mode when it inaccurately perceives the dangers of the world to an extreme level. They speculated that deficiencies in brain grey matter may be correlated to the disease. Also, there is a genetic factor that plays a role.
It's obvious the disease has a huge impact on families, both emotionally and financially. Parents grapple with the disorder as they live in fear of their children, witness the strain of dark delusions on their children, and juggle enormous medical expenses.
The horrific toll this disorder takes on a family is unimaginable. What I found inspiring was the unconditional love and support these parents had for their children. It really struck a chord with me that it is of great importance to be compassionate and sensitive to people impacted by psychological disorders.
