Sensation is the process by which our sensory receptors and nervouse system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment. It is what we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Perception is how we organize those senses. It allows us to recognize meaningful objects and events. Perception is how we perceive things as good or bad. If we sense a stove as hot our perception perceives it as something we shouldn't touch.
The most interesting thing I learned in chapter 6 was about pain, specifically the section on controlling pain. Pain is both physical and psychological and is treated physically and psychologically. I found it interesting how in some experiments, people with pain were given fake drugs and they felt better. The fake drug caused the brain to dispense real pain-killing chemicals. I always hear stories about people just blocking out pain and I always found it interesting. There are some people out there that have a huge pain threshold. I personally knew a guy that had his jaw broken, doctors wired it shut, and two days later he cut the wires off himself with a wire cutter. It is almost like he feels no pain at all. I finally understand that either he must be really good at just blocking the pain out or he is just crazy.
The article I read was called "Seven Ways Music Influences Mood." The article talked about how music can be connected to and influence our emotions. Music appeals to our senses and can influence our mood greatly. I agree with many of the things mentioned in the article. Music can either calm me down or get me pumped up for a game. I think music applies to all of our lives. We all listen to music and we all have experienced how it can affect our mood. Many of us listen to music when we work out to get us going and pumped up. Others listen to it when we are alone to help us relax and stay calm.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Blog Post #6
I learned a lot from my interview. I interviewed my neighbor who is 81 years old. I never asked him what his childhood was like before, but after talking to him about it I'm glad that it is not like it was back then. I wasn't very surprised to hear that he had to work when he was younger, because I've heard that before, but I was surprised at how much he actually worked. He worked 6 days a week and anywhere from 8-12 hours a day plus 3 more hours of barn chores. Most adults don't even work that much and he started at the age of 17. He had some pretty funny stories to tell too. One was about how him and his brothers were at a bar in Marshfield, across from the police station. His brothers got into a fight so they told him to hold their coats. When the cops came to break it up they not only arrested his brothers, but him too and he didn't even do anything. The judge even told him that he shouldn't have been arrested but they still made him pay $18 to get out of jail.
I didn't think the video was too bad. I liked their idea that during adolescents parents should let their kids experiment and experience things. They should only step in when it becomes an issue or their child possibly being injured or harmed. I don't exactly know how to describe my time as an adolescent. I mean I remember arguing with my mom at times but I don't really think it was ever a really bad argument. I guess ya it wasn't a horrible time for me because my parents were good about it and I have always been laid back. I don't really know how my time as an adolescent will affect me as I become an adult. I don't think it will really affect me very much.
The thing I learned the most in chapter 4 was I guess just more on the nature v. nurture issue. The chapter just talked about how both our genetics and environment affect who we are. Our culture and friends affect us greatly. You can see a difference in attitudes and norms from culture to culture. In China it isn't uncommon for many kids to share one room where in the United States most kids have their own room or possibly share with a sibling. Also there are different accepted customs in each country. For example if we saw two guys kissing in public most of us would think they are homosexual, while in some countries that is the normal greeting between two guy friends.
One thing I learned in chapter 5 was about the three main parenting styles. There are three main styles used by parents and they reflect how, and to what extent, parents seek to control their children. The first is authoritarian and they are the very strict parents that make rules and expect obedience. The second style is permissive and these are the parents that pretty much let their kids do whatever they want with no control. The third style is authoritative who are both demanding and responsive. I would say my parents are authoritative because I do get a lot of freedoms but yet if my parents told me to do something I would do it. Often times I just tell them when I am going to be home and if its alright they say ok or they say be home earlier than that.
I didn't think the video was too bad. I liked their idea that during adolescents parents should let their kids experiment and experience things. They should only step in when it becomes an issue or their child possibly being injured or harmed. I don't exactly know how to describe my time as an adolescent. I mean I remember arguing with my mom at times but I don't really think it was ever a really bad argument. I guess ya it wasn't a horrible time for me because my parents were good about it and I have always been laid back. I don't really know how my time as an adolescent will affect me as I become an adult. I don't think it will really affect me very much.
The thing I learned the most in chapter 4 was I guess just more on the nature v. nurture issue. The chapter just talked about how both our genetics and environment affect who we are. Our culture and friends affect us greatly. You can see a difference in attitudes and norms from culture to culture. In China it isn't uncommon for many kids to share one room where in the United States most kids have their own room or possibly share with a sibling. Also there are different accepted customs in each country. For example if we saw two guys kissing in public most of us would think they are homosexual, while in some countries that is the normal greeting between two guy friends.
One thing I learned in chapter 5 was about the three main parenting styles. There are three main styles used by parents and they reflect how, and to what extent, parents seek to control their children. The first is authoritarian and they are the very strict parents that make rules and expect obedience. The second style is permissive and these are the parents that pretty much let their kids do whatever they want with no control. The third style is authoritative who are both demanding and responsive. I would say my parents are authoritative because I do get a lot of freedoms but yet if my parents told me to do something I would do it. Often times I just tell them when I am going to be home and if its alright they say ok or they say be home earlier than that.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Blog #5
One thing I learned in this chapter was about molecular genetics. Scientists study genes and seek to identify which specific genes are linked to influencing certain behaviors. Genetics tests can now identify if a baby is at risk for a certain disease before it is even born. In some countries like China, where boys are highly valued, the testing of a child's sex has led to millions of abortions. In the future doctors may screen children before they are born or possibly be able to alter their genes to make them to the parent's wants. I don't agree with this. I think it would lead to a bunch of wonder kids that are completely perfect. It just isn't right. I can understand altering genes to prevent a deadly disorder or something bad like that but genes should not be changed to change looks.
Another thing I learned from the chapter is about how everything we observe when we are younger has an affect on our brain development. You can see this every day. With most kids you can tell which ones have very supportive parents and which ones don't. The kids with parents that care a lot seem to excel more in life than those with parents who don't care at all. When we are maturing it is important that we develop all the parts of our brain because otherwise those cells can be used for something else.
One other thing that I liked to learn about was about how our gender affects us in so many ways. The book talks about all the differences between males and females and I thought it was neat to read about some of it. Most of it I already knew about, but it was cool to read more in depth on it. I also thought it was funny reading about the male answer syndrome. I never realized how true it was. When talking to most guys they would rather make up a completely wrong answer that could possibly be right instead of saying that they just don't know.
Another thing I learned from the chapter is about how everything we observe when we are younger has an affect on our brain development. You can see this every day. With most kids you can tell which ones have very supportive parents and which ones don't. The kids with parents that care a lot seem to excel more in life than those with parents who don't care at all. When we are maturing it is important that we develop all the parts of our brain because otherwise those cells can be used for something else.
One other thing that I liked to learn about was about how our gender affects us in so many ways. The book talks about all the differences between males and females and I thought it was neat to read about some of it. Most of it I already knew about, but it was cool to read more in depth on it. I also thought it was funny reading about the male answer syndrome. I never realized how true it was. When talking to most guys they would rather make up a completely wrong answer that could possibly be right instead of saying that they just don't know.
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