Phineas Gage Lives!



Model of the path taken by the rod & its impact on white matter.

Well, sort of. Obviously this famous case study patient from the early days of brain science has been deceased for some time. However, a team of researchers recently published an article, Mapping Connectivity Damage in the Case of Phineas Gage, in PLoSONE which attempts to use modern brain imaging techniques to simulate the damage that occurred when that unlucky railroad worker had a tamping iron run through his head.

Besides reinforcing the idea that Gage was incredibly "lucky" in that this accident didn't kill him, the research also attempts to shed light on the role of white matter in shaping the behavioral changes experienced by Phineas.

The article is getting a lot of attention from Gage fans everywhere (e.g., CNN Health) and has sparked renewed interest in the story of the poor Phineas, who may not have been as permanently impaired by the injury as psychology lore would have us believe. In all, Gage's case is a great reminder of both the strengths and limitations of using case examples to learn about the brain. And these images are going straight into next year's slides for my neuroscience unit.

Reference:

Van Horn JD, Irimia A, Torgerson CM, Chambers MC, Kikinis R, et al. (2012) Mapping Connectivity Damage in the Case of Phineas Gage. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37454. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037454

The Home Stretch

Looking for some online review tools for brushing up on your AP Psychology knowledge over the weekend? In addition to topic area Quizlet sets that we've been using all year, here are some links you might find helpful:

1. ShortYouTube Clips on Difficult AP Psych Topics - These were created by a fellow AP Psychology teacher for the benefit of psychology students everywhere. At the time of this post, he's uploaded 33 brief (3-5 minute) videos on some of the most tricky concepts in AP Psych, including reviews of Standard Deviation, Neurotransmitters, Schedules of Reinforcement, Types of Memory, and more.
2. Famous Psychologists Quizlet - for reviewing all those people and their work!
3. Practice Multiple Choice Questions - sorted by topic area
4. Twitter as a last resort? - Twitter users, if you are stuck, you can compose a Tweet with a question and the hashtag #appsychreview. There are a number of psychology teachers that have been answering questions from AP Psych students via that hashtag, including myself (@Welle_APpsych).

I hope to see a number of you at Sunday's review session, too!

6th Hour Students review Stage Theories of Development

 

Look at All These AP Psych Exam Takers!

We've got quite a crew here at Chi-Hi on a Sunday taking practice AP Psych Exams to test their skills for the national test, now about two weeks away. Great turnout for a sunny Sunday afternoon!

For any students who were not able to make this practice exam administration, see Mrs. Welle ASAP if you'd like to arrange to take one in the next week or so. It is a great exercise for honing your skills and narrowing the focus of your reviewing!

About 20 Chi-Hi Students made it in for today's practice exam. Way to go, guys!

Reviewing Psych Disorders and Treatments

As we approach what is probably one of the most difficult unit tests of the year, you're probably looking for ways to consolidate all that information about Psych Disorders and Treatments that we've been learning about this unit. In addition to the multiple choice study guide you received following the reading quiz, you've got a number of tools at your disposal.
One is the Quizlet Vocab Review embedded below. Also, if you'd like some additional multiple choice practice, you might want to check out these online practice questions from www.appsychology.com . You'll want to select "Psychological Disorders" and/or "Therapies" to test your skills for this unit.

Of course, we also have a study session scheduled for this evening from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, so if you prefer to review in person with classmates, that is an option, too!

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

The Weeks Ahead

As I write this, only 26 days remain until the AP Psychology Exam on May 7^th! That means the next three and a half weeks will be extremely busy as we conclude our final curricular units and continue to intensify our reviewing.

No doubt, these last few weeks leading up to the exam will be a challenge for all. We’ve been building to this point all year. The content from our latest unit – on Psychological Disorders and Treatment – will be the most challenging we’ve faced to this point. Students will have to master many new vocabulary words (over one hundred) and apply concepts learned in previous units in order to differentiate between 27 different psych disorders and 9 different treatment approaches. They will have to know names of many common psychiatric drugs and the mechanisms by which they work.

Additionally, students will continue work on their 40-Day Countdown Packets. These comprehensive (but lengthy) review guides, which were distributed in early March, should be worked on DAILY from now until their completion. They are due on May 8^th (the day following the exam), and students have been marking their progress on charts in our classroom. While many students have been impressive in their progress to date, others are now finding themselves making up for time lost due to procrastination. Parents might help encourage their students to make steady progress on this assignment, as delaying it only means risking future nights of anxiety, panic, and despair as the exam date approaches.

It will also help to remain alert to a number of upcoming opportunities for review, engagement, and mastery over the next few weeks. These include a chance to take a full-length practice exam, two evening study sessions for our (two) remaining unit tests, and two weekend study opportunities for the AP Exam itself. Here are the “big” calendar items:

·        Thursday, April 12^th – “Out of the Shadows” Event @ Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire (5:30 PM). Interested students have already registered for this event, which focuses on child and adolescent mental health in the Chippewa Valley.

·        Friday, April 13^th – Psych Club Team Trivia – Lunch B in rm 136. Get together a group of (no more than 5) fellow psych enthusiasts and test your knowledge of psychological terms, people, and concepts while reviewing for the AP Psych exam. Prizes and glory for the winners…but doesn’t everybody win when we learn? J

·        Monday, April 16^th – Psych Disorders & Treatment Test Review Session – 5:00 – 7:00 PM in rm 136. One final review with classmates and Mrs. Welle as you prepare for a very challenging unit test!

·        Tuesday, April 17^th – TEST: Psych Disorders & Treatment

·        Sunday, April 22^nd – Optional Practice AP Exam - 3:00-5:00 PM in rm 136. Take a full length practice test for the AP Psych Exam. Results (scored before you leave) will help you determine areas of relative strength and weakness (i.e. you will identify which topics need the most review in the final two weeks before the real thing). This also will help calm the nerves of first-time AP test takers (through simulated practice).

·        Tuesday, April 24^th – LAST Chapter Quiz (Ch. 18); Mandatory Pre-administration Meeting 2^nd Hour for all AP Testers. During 2^nd hour on this day all students registered for AP exams (in all subject areas) will complete pre-administration procedures for test day in the cafeteria, with the help of Student Services Staff. (Note to my 2^nd hour students…we’ll come up with a work-around for your quiz.)

·        Sunday, April 29^th – OPTIONAL AP EXAM REVIEW SESSION - 5:00 – 8:00 PM in rm 136. Prepare for the AP Psych Exam with the help of Mrs. Welle and your classmates. We’ll be taking suggestions for topic areas to be covered during the week prior.

·        Monday, April 30^th – Social Psychology Test Review Session – 5:00 – 7:00 PM in rm 136. Join us for our LAST review session for a unit test! Vocab, flashcards, & practice Free-Responses!

·        Tuesday, May 1^st – TEST: Social Psychology

·        Saturday, May 5^th = PROM… Have fun, but for goodness sake use good judgment and don’t wear yourself out too much.

·        Sunday, May 6^th – FINAL (OPTIONAL) AP EXAM REVIEW SESSION AND SIGMUND FREUD’S BIRTHDAY PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA – 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (or later, as needed). This is it! Your chance to clarify any lingering confusions that you were alerted to during all your prior reviewing endeavors. It will be aimed at achieving confidence, fluency, and mastery of all we’ve learned this year. A time for putting the “final touches” on your understanding so that you can proceed to the exam the following day with cool self-assurance. Since this day is also Sigmund Freud’s birthday, wear your Psych Club shirt and expect cake.

• Monday, May 7^th – AP PSYCHOLOGY EXAMINATION @ CVTC Old Notre Dame Middle School (location changed from previous years to accomodate our larger crew)

I told you we’d be busy!

Given how much is on our plates this time of year, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. When you start to feel this way, remember that I am ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help you meet this challenge. My room is open to you during lunch for getting assistance or for just a quiet place to work (and you might see some classmates there). Please take advantage of all the evening and after-school study opportunities you can. It will help calm your nerves and improve your grades.

I’m confident that all of my students have what it takes to finish strong in the coming weeks, but it will take continued discipline and an “eyes on the prize” mentality. Best of luck to everyone as we grit our teeth and roll up our sleeves for this final round!

Then we’ll all have a collective sigh of relief on May 8^th. J

Out of the Shadows - Children's Mental Health

On April 12th, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Continuing Education Office will be hosting a community event to raise awareness about children's mental health. Entitled, "Out of the Shadows: Children's Mental Health," the program is intended for "families, communities, educators, and others affected by children's mental health to talk with one another about child and adolescent mental health issues, hear from a variety of professionals that touch the lives of children with mental health needs, and discover how everyone can better work together."

The event, which will be held at the Sacred Heart Hospital Auditorium in Eau Claire, will take place from 5:30 - 8:00 PM and feature a viewing of the film Are the Kids Alright?, a documentary film examining the crisis in mental health care for children and adolescents at risk. A panel discussion on children's mental health in the Chippewa Valley will follow the film. Pre-registration and payment ($15) for the event is required, as participants will be treated to a hors d'oeuvre reception and receive educational materials to accompany the program.

Since this event coincides perfectly with our in-class coverage of psychological disorders and their treatment, it is a very timely topic for AP Psych students. As such, Mrs. Welle is offering up hefty extra credit for those who ultimately attend. Due to the expense and effort outside of school, 10 POINTS extra credit will be awarded to attendees. Keep your ticket/program to demonstrate proof of attendance, though you likely will also see Mrs. Welle there.

If you wish to register online via credit card, you may do so by following this link. However, since many students may prefer to pay via cash or check (and...if the number of participants is limited, Psych Club may be able to kick in some of the cost), Mrs. Welle will collect registration forms & payments from interested students up until the end of this week (March 30th). Copies are available in the classroom. (If paying by check, you can make checks payable to UW-Eau Claire.)

Practice: Applying Personality Theory

Today in class we will be practicing applying the four major personality theories we've discussed over the past couple of weeks. Here are some SNL videos with characters we'll use for analysis: Surprise Party Sue and The Googly Eyes Gardener.

Surprise Party Sue


FYI: Sue also gets excited about surprise proposals...


The Googly Eyes Gardener