Welle's Wacky World of Psychology

PsychSim 5: Hunger & the Fat Rat

2012-02-12T13:39:00.001-06:00

Don't forget to complete that PsychSim, Hunger and the Fat Rat! You'll be exploring the role of the hypothalamus in regulating the eating habits and body weight of your virtual "rats.

AP Courses Are Pathway to Success for UW-Madison Students

2012-02-08T16:57:00.001-06:00

A recent article from the College Board Connection highlighted the role AP course credits play in admission and future college success for students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Among other findings reported in the article, which featured reports on the 2011 class of AP test takers as well as a 2009 study regarding AP students at the UW, were the following:

75% of all incoming UW-Madison freshman earned credit via AP courses and exams, a record high.

Students who received AP credit were able to graduate sooner than other students. They were also able to start advanced classes sooner, freeing up space in a crowded system.

Students who earned a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP Exam were doing just as well or better than those who took courses at the UW, lending confidence to departments that grant AP credit that students taking and passing AP exams are adequately prepared.

Turns out, your AP teacher might be in the best position to teach you how to Bucky...

Math Invades Psychology Class

2012-01-24T13:16:00.000-06:00

Frequency Histogram for Composite Scores on Final Exam

Students tend to have strong feelings about mathematics...so when the topic comes up in AP Psych I usually get a "love it" or "hate it" reaction from students. Regardless of one's emotional response to math, however, it is helpful to know some basic statistical concepts if you're trying to make sense of some things in psychology, particularly test score interpretation (e.g. in intelligence and personality testing).

So, in addition to the practice on basic descriptive statistics students are completing for tomorrow (to access the accompanying PsychSim Module for this WS, click here), we've been using some meaningful examples of score distributions to become more comfortable with the topic. Particularly, we've been examining performance data from our 1st Semester final (which, as the frequency histogram above illustrates, distribute rather normally).

However, if you're still feeling confused about z-scores, the normal curve, percentile ranks, and standard deviation, there are a number of great websites out there to give you some guidance (unfortunately, our text does not go into a great amount of detail about these statistical concepts). Consider consulting any of these for review:

A Beginner's Guide to Descriptive Statistics (includes examples and procedure for calculating standard deviation).
Online calculator for descriptive stats (can copy & paste data and it will give you the standard deviation, among other measures)
Handy, printable guide to the Normal Curve & Z-scores
Statistics Tutorial: Standard Normal Distribution (& z-scores)

If you come across any other sites that you feel would be helpful to a beginning psych student, please include them in the comments section. I'd love to add them to my list.

MacGyver & Functional Fixedness

2012-01-06T08:24:00.001-06:00

Today we tackle functional fixedness as a problem-solving obstacle. For inspiration, some video clips of TV icons known for successfully (and not-so-successfully) overcoming this common problem. From the 1980s TV Show, MacGyver:

And the later SNL parody, MacGruber:

The Marshmallow Challenge

2012-01-03T13:51:00.000-06:00

A 3rd Hour team completes the tallest tower of the day: 31''!

Today in class we kicked off our unit on cognition by tackling a now-fairly-famous team problem-solving task: The Marshmallow Challenge. Our teams' performances very closely mimicked the findings of Tom Wujec, which he summarizes in the brief talk I've embedded below.

The task is an excellent illustration of the complexities inherent in problem-solving (e.g. mental set interferes with effective design, incentives don't always work the way you would think, communication problems and social jockeying can be an issue, etc.).

Winning team from 7th Hour

Throughout the day we had 16 of 24 teams successfully construct towers that held the marshmallow, very close to the success rate found by Wujec (60%). The tallest tower measured 31 inches and was completed by Nick, Rachel, Sam, and Kayla in my 3rd hour class!

If you've got some spaghetti, marshmallows, and some string and tape, maybe you would want to try this out with your own family tonight. :-)

Note to my fellow psych teachers who follow this blog: this was the first year I attempted this task with students, and I'd highly recommend it. Not only does it serve as a great jumping-off point for conversations about problem-solving, but it is engaging and the supplies are cheap. To do this with 100 students today I only had to spend $14! (A bargain compared to some of my other demos/activities for the same amount of people.)

More complete instructions are available here.

Probably the cutest marshmallow of the day: Smiley!

What's Ahead in AP Psych?

2012-01-02T14:48:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

I'm here at school working on getting ready for the upcoming week and for our final content unit prior to the end of the semester - no small task after a busy lead-up to Christmas break! You all were able to relax a bit and catch up on some much-needed rest over these past days. We'll hit the ground running tomorrow, so I thought I'd give you a head's up about what January's busy schedule looks like.

Students can begin reading content from Chapter 10, as we will begin exploring that information (on thinking and language) in class tomorrow. The quiz on Chapter 10 will take place MONDAY, JAN. 9th.
Per usual, there will be a study session prior to this unit's test. That optional test prep opportunity will take place THURSDAY, JAN. 12th, as the unit test will be FRIDAY, JAN. 13th.

Following the unit test, we will immediately begin reviewing for the semester final. Students will get a chance to get a jump on their reviewing during a weekend review session scheduled for SUNDAY, JAN. 15th from NOON - 2 PM. (Note: on the course syllabus I scheduled this for 5-7 pm, but I've altered the timing since I anticipate that a fair number of my students will want to be free to watch the Packer game, which starts at 3:30 PM that day).

The following week during class will find us reviewing in various ways on Monday and Tuesday, and there is a final evening study session scheduled for TUESDAY, JAN. 17th from 5 - 7 PM.

Students will get more information about the content and format of the final exam in the coming weeks, but I thought I'd get the dates out there to you as a reminder to schedule in your reviewing time carefully.

Let's get ready to finish the semester strong, everyone! Welcome back.Final exams will take place from Jan 18-20 at Chi-Hi. :)

Dreams Video & Viewing Questions

2012-01-02T14:41:00.001-06:00

For those who were absent for part or all of the Dreams video we viewed in class December 20-21, I've embedded the full playlist below. While viewing the video in class, students used this viewing guide to organize their notes. I suggest that, if you missed the video, you watch and complete the viewing guide as well.

Learning & Memory Quizlets

2011-12-14T11:40:00.000-06:00

Each of the two topics for this unit - Learning and Memory - have their own Quizlet flashcard sets. I've embedded them below, but you are also welcome to visit each set page and print off your own flashcards. Good luck with your studies!

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Guest Speaker on Hypnosis

2011-12-13T12:13:00.001-06:00

Timed perfectly to match our in-class discussions of the phenomenon of hypnosis next week, Psychology Club is pleased to welcome Richard Marano, hypnotherapist, to Chi-Hi.

Mr. Marano, who operates the Hypnosis Center of Eau Claire, will be giving a presentation from 5-7 PM in our high school library on Tuesday, December 20th.

Following a talk about the phenomenon of hypnosis and how it is used in psychotherapy, Mr. Marano will lead any interested attendees in exercises that will allow them to experience hypnosis themselves.
These guided imagery exercises are completely voluntary and harmless, and often experienced as very relaxing.

Students interested in participating in the exercises are urged to avoid caffeine and any other stimulating agents in the afternoon prior to the presentation, as these things can interfere with one's ability to focus and relax, which is necessary for hypnosis.

Psychology Essay Contest Announced

2011-12-12T13:59:00.000-06:00

Each year, the APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) sponsors an essay competition for high school students. This year's topic concerns natural disasters and offers students the chance to apply their knowledge of psychology to real life situations.

Directions and application instructions can be found here.

The winner will receive a $250 award. Deadline is March 5, 2012.

I can help you think through and review your submission if you like.

Memory Exploration

2011-12-08T08:15:00.001-06:00

Here's the link to the Memory Test created by the University of Edinburgh. Click where it says "Click here to start" to begin the exercise. It will take you about 20 minutes, and you will do the best if you are not disturbed or distracted during completion.

You will not be diagnosed with a "good" or "bad" memory on the basis of your results, though you will be provided with an explanation of some known phenomena about memory.

If nothing else, it's a fun challenge and a great illustration of some of the ways that memory is assessed.

Punishment & Operant Conditioning

2011-12-06T11:53:00.001-06:00

As we discussed in class today, punishment can be used to influence behavior in subjects, but it does come with some major downsides. Punishment doesn't actually teach a desired behavior, it just discourages bad behavior. Physical punishments that parents use can sometimes teach unintended lessons: hitting solves problems, parents are to be feared, etc.

However, we have all seen and perhaps experienced robust examples of how punishments can effectively discourage unwanted behaviors. My recent most favorite example of people creatively employing punishment to deter a behavior comes from Vilnius, Lithuania. The Mayor of that city, fed up with people parking their expensive cars in no parking zones, launched this video (which appears to be more of a public service announcement than an organized enforcement campaign) of himself running over expensive, but illegally parked cars with a tank.

Why were expensive cars the problem? Presumably inexpensive cars parked illegally would create as big of a problem for the city, but there seems to be some assumptions being made about the motivations of the owners of the fancy cars: the Mayor notes wanting to send a message to drivers who "think they are above the law." Perhaps, also, it is more fun to run over expensive cars?

The mayor was honored with an Ig Nobel prize (the humorous counterpart to the Nobel prize)at this year's ceremony at Harvard University.

My favorite quote from the video: in answer to the question of what the city should do about the problem, Mayor Zuokas says, "It seems that a tank is the best solution."

Thresholds & Subliminal Sensation

2011-11-07T11:36:00.000-06:00

Today in class we explored absolute and difference thresholds, particularly as they relate to "subliminal sensation." I usually have quite a few students interested in exploring these things on their own, so to that end here are the links to the musical backmasking site we looked at in class and another that examines "reverse speech" in recorded speech. As you probably can guess, based on the psychological research about subliminal messaging, I don't give a whole lot of weight to the claims made by some of the authors of these sites, but you should feel free to explore them on your own in light of the research we discussed in class.

And for fun...this video clip from the popular Monty Python series pokes fun at the inconvenience of working with people who have varying absolute thresholds for hearing. Thanks, Nathan S., for passing this on.

Developmental Psych Quizlet

2011-11-02T13:30:00.000-05:00

For your reviewing pleasure, the Developmental Psych Quizlet! (Note: this is always available under the "study resources" section of this page.)

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Nature & Nurture Quizlet

2011-10-18T13:43:00.002-05:00

Those of you studying from home tonight might find the Nature and Nurture Quizlet vocab review helpful. Also don't forget to check out the Unit Objectives for Chapter 3 for a handy checklist of stuff you should be prepared to know and do for tomorrow's test.

Good luck with your studying!

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

We're Famous!

2011-10-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

One of our AP Psych students was recently featured by WQOW TV 18 News, and this means our 7th hour AP Psych class got to be on television! The story is about Alex, but the rest of us are happy to ride his coattails to fame.

Darwin Awards

2011-10-06T13:32:00.002-05:00

For those who enjoy morbid humor, The Darwin Awards are an entertaining way to to explore applications of evolutionary psychology. The website (and resultant books) have become popular fare for morning radio DJs hoping to fill air time and similar "stupid news" outlets.

The site is a compilation of submitted news stories (look for those marked "confirmed true" as others that have turned out to be hoaxes are still listed) about people who have met their untimely deaths in creatively stupid ways. According to the byline for the site, "The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of the human genome by honoring those who accidentally remove themselves from it."

Admittedly, it is a bit crass to find humor in others' deaths, and use descretion when clicking around the site. I would also caution that the site authors, while attempting humor, are not always well-versed in evolutionary theory, nor are those who submit comments on particular articles. However, it should be commended for drawing our attention to ways in which natural selection in human beings continues, sometimes in surprising ways.

For a couple points extra credit for tomorrow's class, you may visit the site and find one (appropriate) Darwin Award to share. It's nice to start class with a little humor. :) But please, don't WIN any Darwin Awards! This is not an honor anyone wants to attain!

Brain Food Extra Credit

2011-09-30T12:14:00.001-05:00

Mrs. Welle's Brain Cake - 2010

After completing the Orange Brain Surgery lab earlier this week, you have undoubtedly figured out that the best models of the brain are edible ones. So, our next Psych Club meeting will feature a celebration of delicious neuroanatomy through a "Brain Food" contest.
Current AP Psych students who participate will earn 5 points extra credit (computed in test category), as this will help them review important structures in the brain/nervous system.

The Rules:

Entries must be edible representations of the brain or portions of the nervous system (e.g. neuron, synapse, brain stem, etc).
Component parts must be accurately labeled.
Entries will be judged during LUNCH A, so they must be delivered to room 136 no later than 12:15. You have to set up/complete registration for your entry during lunch (or have a friend do so), so please don't just leave your creation in my room in the morning an assume it will get set out.
Winners will be announced and snacking will commence during our regular meeting time (Lunch B)!

Even if you do not wish to enter (and earn Extra Credit), you are welcome to join us for the meeting & eating. There is always plenty of food to go around.

Be sure to wear your new Psych Club t-shirt, too, since those will be distributed early next week!

If you are looking for inspiration and ideas, check out the AP Psychology facebook page for pictures of some of last year's entries and winners.

Neuroscience Quizlet

2011-09-29T12:18:00.001-05:00

Per request, I'm posting the Quizlet flashcard review here for ease of access. Keep in mind, this link is permanently available on the Study Resources tab for this page if you need to access it later.

Test for this Unit will be TUESDAY, October 4th!

Study these flash cards | Study neuroscience flash cards

The Teenage Brain

2011-09-29T12:11:00.000-05:00

Dr. Jay Giedd (U of M) studies teen brain development using MRI

Today in class we viewed a selected portion of a Frontline documentary entitled "Inside the Teenage Brain". The program provides an introduction to what recent advances in neuroscience have revealed about the biological causes behind well-documented differences between adult and teenage thinking.

As often happens when we view and discuss the program, I received a lot of requests to communicate this information to parents (e.g. "Could you please come talk to my dad about this?"). Since it seems a little presumptuous to phone my students' parents out-of-the-blue for a nice talk about neuroscience, I'll post the links here and let students start the conversations themselves. Students may want to watch the full version (we only watched a portion in class) and parents may find this extremely interesting as well.

The website to accompany the program also has numerous resources for the parents of teenagers, which some may find helpful.

Another helpful video resource can be found in another PBS series from a few years ago, "The Secret Life of the Brain." Episode Three is focused entirely on the unique developmental features of the teenage brain.

While this program is quite good, I would note that there are some remaining controversies about using the "underdeveloped prefrontal cortex" explanation to explain teen decision-making (this is one of the concepts presented in the Frontline video). These were highlighted in a recent article from National Geographic on the brains of teenagers.

Mouse Party Assignment

2011-09-22T12:53:00.002-05:00

Poor, poor intoxicated mice.

Here it is! The link to the Mouse Party interactive! You should have received this worksheet, which you will use to record your answers. Remember, this assignment will require you to use what you learned in class today to determine whether a drug is an agonist or antagonist for a particular neurotransmitter. It will be due tomorrow (Sept. 23).

If you've got time after completing the Mouse Party assignment, you might want to check out some of the other cool interactives and games created for you by the Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah. For example:

This animated slide show is an EXCELLENT review of the principles we have been discussing in class over the past two days, including neural transmission and the generation of action potentials.
The "Make a Mad, Mad Neuron" game will help you review the parts of the neuron and their functions.
If you're interested in learning about the effects of various abused drugs, this animated interactive gives a basic review of the effects of various drug types and reasons they are often abused.
And...my favorite (besides the Mouse Party), the Cerebral Commando game, which challenges you to help keep the balance in a synapse by encouraging reception and reuptake.

Learn...and have fun!

Neural Messages PsychSim

2011-09-21T08:52:00.000-05:00

Today in class you will be utilizing an online module (PsychSim) on neural firing and communication. The format is pretty user-friendly. You simply read the prompts and navigate the module using the "next" and "previous" buttons. As you complete the module, you should also be filling out this accompanying worksheet. Not only will this earn you some points, as it is an assignment, but it will be handy later as a study tool for this portion of Unit 2. This will be due tomorrow (Sept. 22).

If you are REALLY a quick study, you might also want to work ahead on an out-of-class assignment you will be getting from me later this week. The assignment, which will be due Friday, requires you to utilize the Mouse Party interactive and this accompanying worksheet. Have fun!

New Quizlet Flashcards Available!

2011-09-14T13:13:00.003-05:00

For most subjects in AP Psych, I have created online flashcards sets through Quizlet for your reviewing pleasure! I recently updated and added new terms/people to the two sets for this unit: History & Approaches and Research Methods. If you access them using the links provided, you'll be able to play games and test yourself on major terms and people for this unit.

I am in the process of transferring all of my Quizlet links to the Study Resources page of this website. So, you should be able to access them there at any time. Please be patient with me as I make the switch with all of the vocab review links.

If you are in the mood for a very quick review, you can use the applets I've embedded in this post for simple flashcard review. Happy studying!

History & Approaches Set (Prologue):

Study these flash cards | Study history flash cards

Research Methods Set (Chapter 1):

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Practice with Correlation Coefficients

2011-09-13T16:55:00.002-05:00

Today in class we practiced matching scatterplots with correlation coefficients using this online game. The applet generates random correlation coefficients and accompanying scatterplots and keeps track of your success in matching them.

Give it a try tonight if you're still feeling shaky about scatterplots and correlation coefficients. To give yourself even more practice, see if you can come up with an example of two variables that might be related in the manner described by the correlation coefficients generated for you.

Here's one last test. What does the scatterplot to the left suggest about the relationship between arm strength and grip strength?

Can you take a guess as to what correlation coefficient might describe the relationship depicted on the scatterplot?

(The answer? r =.686. Were you close?)

The Scientific Attitude: A "Baloney Detection Kit"

2011-09-08T16:30:00.008-05:00

For the next few days in class, we will become increasingly familiar with the research methods used by psychologists. Thus, we will be talking a great deal about the scientific approach to answering research questions (which differs considerably from political, religious, or other methods of asking and answering questions). This will involve understanding what is meant by the phrase "scientific theory" and beginning to think with the skepticism of a scientist when presented with claims about human abilities and behavior.

The video below features an excellent description of this scientific "attitude" from famed skeptic Michael Shermer. He describes science as a "Baloney Detection Kit," and describes some general rules for thinking scientifically.

Some things to watch for:

His descriptive of our tendency to see patterns, especially illusory correlations

His specific mention of confirmation bias as a source of error

In point #3: the need for replication of research results

In point #9: a description of the nature of scientific theories...and how they are different from what most of us casually refer to as "theories"

My personal favorite quote: "You want a mind open enough to accept radical new ideas, but not so open that your brains fall out."

First Psych Club Meeting Scheduled!

2011-08-31T14:14:00.004-05:00

Psychology Club will be meeting FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd during Lunch B in room 136 (Mrs. Welle's room)! This is quicker than I had anticipated, but advisors for Lunch & Learn clubs met to put together the master schedule today and this is what we got...

Which is okay, because it means we can get out T-shirts ordered right away. :)

From here on out, Psychology Club meetings will be held the first Friday of the month (also during Lunch B in rm 136).

I'll post the T-shirt design options soon, so stay tuned.

Blog Links Updated & Reorganized

2011-08-30T15:28:00.003-05:00

In preparation for the 2011-2012 school year, I've updated a number of links on this site which you may find useful. If you are viewing this page on your internet browser, you should see beneath the title header several stationary links that you may consult throughout the year, including:

A stable link to the Course Syllabus, which contains a list of important dates for quizzes, study sessions, and tests.

Lesson Plans for the 2011-12 school year.

A list of Study Resources and links that will be updated continually throughout the school year.

A list of Objectives for each unit, which enumerate specifically what you are expected to know at the conclusion of each unit and in preparation for the AP exam.

These resources will ALWAYS be available for viewing on the blog, despite changes in the content of my posts, which often deal with current psych- or class-related news. Hope you find them useful, and I'll see you soon. :)

Your First Reading Assignment

2011-08-22T09:15:00.003-05:00

As I write this, 16 AP Psych students have already picked up their textbooks and we are only an hour or so into textbook pick up! Yay!

As students discovered this morning, you will get a copy of your first reading assignment when you come in to pick up the book. In it, there are directions for how to tackle the your first section of reading: the Prologue & Chapter 1.

While you are free to use any method of note taking you choose as you read the textbook, I'd recommend exploring the Cornell method if you haven't already. It's a very effective system that has been shown to improve retention of material (when used for textbook reading or for class lecture notes).

Good luck, and welcome to AP Psych!

Getting Prepared for AP Psychology

2011-08-18T15:54:00.007-05:00

Note: Click here for a printer-friendly version of this post.

We are now just a couple of weeks away from the start of the school year, and I hope you are all getting ready for a fantastic experience in AP Psychology! I know I am.

We will have many exciting adventures together in psych class starting September 1, but there are a few things students can take care of before classes begin in order to get off to a smooth start in AP Psychology. Students should:

1. Plan to stop by the classroom (Rm 136) and pick up your textbook next week during one of the times listed below. You will get directions on your first reading assignment (in preparation for your first quiz, which comes up quickly). Many students, whether they have taken an AP course before or not, need time to adjust to the pace and density of the reading load in AP Psych, so getting started before classes begin will help you ease into the process. AND…there might be treats (if I get my act together in time to make them).

Monday, August 22: 8AM – Noon & 1–3PM
Tuesday, August 23: 8AM – Noon & 1–3PM
Wednesday, August 24: 3-5 PM
Thursday, August 25: 8AM – Noon & 1–3PM

Please note that I will generally not be available to check out textbooks during the “Staff Work Days” August 29-31, as I will likely be in planning and training meetings much of those days, so don’t put this off assuming I will be around. If you absolutely cannot make it during any of the times listed above, email me at wellevk@chipfalls.k12.wi.us to set up a time so you don’t arrive to find a dark room & locked door.

2. As you complete your back-to-school shopping, be sure to obtain a 3-ring binder for use during this class. Because exams are cumulative and you will need to save most materials for studying for the AP exam in May, all former AP Psych students can attest to the necessity of the 3-ring binder! I’d recommend looking for one that is sturdy and at least 1½ -2 inches wide. (Three inches is excessive, though, and just weighs down your backpack.)You will likely fill it up by May, which is the point. This may seem obvious, but I’ll mention it anyway: you’ll also need a notebook or loose-leaf paper (your choice) to go in the binder. This is where you’ll keep your notes.

3. Visit the course website – www.pumaattack.blogspot.com - and sign up for email updates (via the box on the top left of the page), if desired. If you regularly access your email, this will be a great way to stay on top of what is happening in class, as you will receive email notifications each time the blog is updated with links, assignments, or class news. Many parents have found this a helpful resource in the past.

4. “Like” us on Facebook if you are a regular Facebook user. There is a “like” box on the course website, for your convenience. I post reminders about upcoming quizzes, deadlines, course links, and fun video links on this page. “Liking” it means those posts show up in your Newsfeed. However, I will not have access to your personal page (nor will you have access to mine) so we both preserve our privacy.*

5. Consider ordering the textbook companion study guide. I will be posting more information about this resource as I update the website for this year. This is an OPTIONAL study guide that helps students focus their text readings, so the school does not provide copies. You can purchase them for ULTRA CHEAP on used book sites like half.com. Many students have found these very helpful; others develop their own reading strategies and do just fine. I’ll be happy to answer questions about the study guide (and have copies for display) when you pick up your textbook. The reason I mention it now is that it generally takes a while to ship, and the wait can be frustrating if you’re counting on using it to prepare for an important test.

Welcome to AP Psychology! I’m sure reading through this has got you thinking about what this class will be like, so please, bring any questions you have when you come to pick up your book. I hope to meet each of you next week and am looking forward to it!

*FYI: Please don’t take it personally, but as a general rule I don’t accept personal friend requests on FB from current Chi-Hi students or parents. Once you graduate, if you want to stay in contact, you are more than welcome to send a request to Mrs. Welle. Before then, it’s probably best to maintain some teacher-student (or teacher-parent) boundaries.

We Are Mobile!

2011-08-13T16:48:00.003-05:00

Students beginning AP Psych this fall will have even more tech tools at their disposal.

For example, just this afternoon I updated the format for this blog (our course website) to be mobile-friendly. Thus, you should be able to view posts easily on any smart phone. Signing up for email updates from the blog with an email account linked to your phone will ensure you won't miss a thing in AP Psych.

As in the past, the course Facebook page will be utilized to issue reminders and share interesting links and videos. Click the "like" button in the left sidebar to get updates on your Facebook account.

I am also considering using text alerts to issue reminders about tests, quizzes and the like. Given the communication tools I already have in place, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with a third avenue of information dispensation, but I'll be looking for student feedback on the issue soon, perhaps through a survey on this site.

Have a Great Summer!

2011-06-03T15:18:00.002-05:00

It's been a great journey this year in AP Psych, mostly because of the quality of my travel companions. :) Have a great summer!

Outstanding AP Psych Students Recognized

2011-06-01T08:32:00.005-05:00

As a member of TOPSS (Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools), I have the opportunity to recognize the achievement of two outstanding psychology students in the spring of each year. Since I have so many fantastic students, it is hard to identify winners, so I have to go by "the numbers," so to speak.

In reviewing student grades from both first and second semesters, I select the top male and top female performers. This year, as usual, this led me to two very deserving honorees, Dan Magyar and Joyce King.

Both have consistently earned top scores on examinations and course assignments, as well as demonstrating interest in psychology above and beyond what is expected to excel in the course. In addition to receiving certificates commemorating their efforts this year, their names have been submitted to the American Psychological Association (APA) for recognition in the organization's online listing of each year's recipients.

Congratulations Dan and Joyce!

Can't get enough of Jim Jones and his Creepiness?

2011-05-20T08:14:00.001-05:00

This week in class we watched the WGBH American Experience film "Jonestown," which is the story of the People's Temple and its ultimate tragic end in 1978. The film is LITTERED with examples of basic principles of social psychology, and I think my students did a great job identifying them.

For those of you who can't get enough of the People's Temple, Jim Jones, or survivor stories, there are plenty of resources online for you to consult. A great place to start is the film's companion website. The teacher's resources section has links to several different websites that each examine the incident from a different angle, as well as a list of printed resources for futher study. There's also a photo gallery that includes many of the still images seen in the film.

I'd highly recommend the film, though it does involve some very "mature" and disturbing content. My students can attest to the fact that it is shocking and emotional, and extremely well done.

A Long Overdue Thanks

2011-05-16T09:04:00.010-05:00

With my end-of-the-year grading slowing down for a moment (and sure to pick up again very soon), I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank some folks for various acts of kindness over the past few weeks.

First, a big thank you to Clarissa C.-P., whose generosity helped me fulfill a life-long dream: owning my own Sigmund Freud Action Figure! While shopping at the Mall of America, this thoughtful student stumbled upon the item and was kind enough to gift it to me. Not only did this make my day, but Action Figure Sigmund will retain a place of honor in my classroom for years to come. I may have to build a special shelf for it.

Secondly, I would like to thank the anonymous friend who left me a copy of Demitri Martin's This is a Book. You obviously know my taste very well. The note inside suggested this book would "put a smile on my face," and that was exactly what happened. I had time to read it while recovering from the oral surgery I was out for a few weeks ago, and I quickly learned that I had to be careful to control my laughter because I was at risk of ripping out my many stitches. :) It was laugh-out-loud hilarious and even contained a few pithy quotes that will be useful in teaching psychology. Definitely brightened my day.

Moreover, these acts of kindness have reiterated to me the greatness of the people I am priviledged to work with every day. 2011 has been rough for me (so far) in a number of ways, but I have been so pleasantly and gratefully surprised by the support and encouragement I have received from friends, colleagues, and students throughout the mess. It seems like every time I had a day where I felt hopeless or lost, someone was always there to pick me up.

I can't thank you enough for that.

And we're back!

2011-05-13T12:57:00.003-05:00

Hooray for Blogger being up and running again! That makes finding THIS LINK TO YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT APPROVAL FORM so much easier.

Be sure to save a copy to GoogleDocs and share it with your team members so you can all work on the form simultaneously, if needed. The completed version is required for approval no later than Friday, May 20, but I would advise you to get it to Mrs. Welle ASAP so that you can begin your data collection without delay.

Sand Brains

2011-05-13T12:51:00.003-05:00

Check out this video of neuroscience enthusiasts building anatomically correct sand-art brains in London. If my classroom was located anywhere near beaches adequate to do this, it already would have happened. Brilliant.

Vincent Van Gogh - Mental Illness and Genius

2011-05-11T09:42:00.008-05:00

Some of my students are aware of artists and great thinkers who suffered from mental illness. Among them was the popular painter Vincent Van Gogh, known for his impressive use of color
in works such as "Starry Night" (shown to the right).

There is some speculation about how a modern psychologist would respond to Van Gogh's constellation of symptoms. Some have suggested that he suffered from bipolar disorder, given his bouts of significant productivity that might be understood as manic episodes. He certainly suffered from bouts of severe depression, and ultimately took his own life in 1890.

Knowing Van Gogh's struggles gives one an interesting lens to view his numerous works. Although it's difficult to know how much his illness influenced each particular piece of his art, it certainly is tempting to believe that his depression seeped into some of the more somber scenes and faces he created.

Below, a compilation of images from Van Gogh's work, set to Don McLean's "Vincent," which references the artist and his difficult life.

Repost: John Nash Info

2011-05-11T09:37:00.002-05:00

Note: This is a "re-post" of information I posted last spring in coordination with our classes' viewing of the related films. I'm putting it up again for the benefit of my current students, who may want to explore more about Nash's life.

The case of Nobel Prize winner John Nash presents an interesting platform for exploring the nature of mental illness. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994 for his contribution to game theory, Nash had suffered from paranoid schizophrenia much of his life.

Nash's life was depicted in the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind, which took considerable dramatic license with his story (although still a good film, in my opinion).

For a more realistic consideration of his illness, treatment, and remarkable recovery, check out the American Experience documentary, A Brilliant Madness. The companion site features bios, extended interviews, and a timeline of mental health treatment.

Only a few hours to go!

2011-05-01T15:05:00.006-05:00

As I write this, there are still a number of AP Psych students reviewing in my room. We had a great turnout for this afternoon's study session, and I hope to see some of you tomorrow in the hours before the test.

I am VERY PROUD of all of the hard work my students have put in so far this year to prepare for this exam. I am confident that you have the tools to do well tomorrow, if you stay focused and apply what you already know. For those that I do see tomorrow, we'll work on quick vocabulary refreshers to keep these terms at the forefront of your thinking...and some relaxation techniques so that you don't let anxiety get the best of you.

With less than 24 hours now remaining before the AP Psych exam, some reminders:

You need to be at the testing site (CVTC-Chippewa Falls) by 11:45 AM. Please remember to wait quietly, as classes will be going on and you do not want to disturb them.

You will be released from classes after 3rd hour, unless you have a parent call you in so you can prepare/rest at home prior to the test (which is acceptable, BTW).

You will be excused from the rest of your classes for the remainder of the day (hours 4-7).

Plan for how you will obtain a light lunch/snack before the test, since lunch will not be served at school by the time you are released. And you don't want your tummy to be growling during the test...that's embarrassing and uncomfortable. :)

DO bring a couple of No. 2 pencils, a blue or black pen (or 2), and a watch that does not beep.

DO NOT bring calculators, cell phones, or psych-related clothing.

What to wear? Comfort is key, and since you don't know what the room temp will be (think of how cold/hot my room has been over the course of this past year!) the best strategy is to dress in layers. Comfy t-shirt topped off with a sweatshirt that you can take off if you get uncomfortable is probably ideal.

Remember to employ your best test-taking strategies on both sections of the test! We have discussed these at length throughout the year, so you know what to do.

And finally, AFTER THE TEST, NO DISCUSSING OF TEST CONTENT! Especially on social networking sites or other information outlets, but this does technically also apply to face-to-face conversations. Saying, "I think it went well," is okay; saying, "What did you put for question 32?" is not okay.

Good luck, everyone!!!! You can do it!

Today: Austin, Jeremy, Matt, and Tel review in style...in the recliners.

A Big Week in AP Psychology

2011-04-25T08:30:00.003-05:00

This week promises to be a busy one in AP Psychology as we complete our final preparations for the AP Psychology exam on Monday, May 2. Here's a list of some important dates/events in the next seven days:

Test: Social Psychology - Tuesday, April 26 (Quizlet embedded below)

Optional Practice Test - Thursday, April 28 (after school); Note: if Thursday doesn't work, I will also be available Wednesday after school to allow students time to take a practice test, or students can make other arrangements with me. Unfortunately, I cannot release official College Board materials to students to use outside of school. However, students may borrow/copy materials from unofficial, commercial test-prep books if it is impossible to arrange otherwise.

Final weekend review sesssion - Sunday, May 1, Noon - ?; I will stay as long as needed to help students review areas of the curriculum that they feel need the most reviewing.

AP PSYCHOLOGY EXAM - Monday, May 2 - 11:45 AM - CVTC Chippewa Falls Additional information will be posted here (final reminders, directions, etc.) in the coming days, though students should have received all pertinent information during the pre-registration session on April 19.

Happy Reviewing!

Study these flash cards Study psychology flash cards

Vestibular Sense & Dolphins

2011-04-18T13:37:00.008-05:00

While hunting for information in response to a student question (the best type of prompt to get me thinking!), I happened upon this interesting post on the vestibular sense of dolphins from the Dolphin Communication Project (DCP).

Is this a thinly-veiled excuse to share weird animal information? Maybe. But it does relate to psychology, particularly sensation.

According to the post, some evolutionary biologists believe dolphins evolved particularly small (and thus, less sensitive) vestibular systems as compared to other mammals because they have little need to be aware of which way is "up" in the way that land-based mammals do. Three times smaller than similarly-sized mammals, it turns out. Thus, they can now execute impressive barrel rolls and directional changes that would nauseate land-based mammals attempting to replicate them.

Of course, the original student question had nothing to do with dolphins, just motion sickness and weightlessness (which is addressed in the dolphin article to some degree).

If you're looking for a possible cure for motion sickness, this website on motion sickness offers a number of potential solutions, some more extreme than others. I was particularly intrigued by one strategy mentioned by the website: the "Puma Method," which unforunately does not reference the animal, but rather a NASA-employed Dr. Sam Puma. A video below...

Also, according to the website, those wrist bands for reducing motion sickness are probably effective only due to their role as placebos.

Philip Zimbardo on The Daily Show

2011-04-14T12:25:00.003-05:00

Philip Zimbardo - psychologist behind the famed Stanford Prison experiment - appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart a few years ago to promote his book, The Lucifer Effect. In the interview, the two discuss the relevance of the Stanford Prison Experiment to the (then current) Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Worth a view!

The Daily Show - Philip Zimbardo Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Colbert PAC & the Peripheral Route to Persuasion

2011-04-13T08:58:00.006-05:00

Today in class we will be discussing persuasive strategies. Particularly, we will address the difference between the central route to persuasion - providing facts and logical arguments to directly convince the audience of the correctness of your position - and the peripheral one.

The peripheral route to persuasion involves indirectly appealing to your audience, often through emotional sounds and images, but sometimes without providing any specific information to support your case. There is nothing inherently good or bad about either strategy, though the audience may respond differently to either approach, depending on the context and the issue being discussed.

Increasingly, political advertisements have taken the peripheral route...appealing to our patriotism and emotions without providing any real information about a candidate's position or the facts surrounding an issue. Late night political comedy shows have picked up on this endless source of material. In the clip below, Stephen Colbert satarizes a particularly outstanding example of these high-impact, low-information ads from former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Adler's Ashes?

2011-04-11T13:40:00.005-05:00

Ready for some weird psychology history?

According to this article in The Guardian, the long-missing remains of Alfred Adler were recently discovered in Edinburgh. How did they get there and why was this a mystery? Apparently, Adler, a psychologist remembered today for his early friendship with Sigmund Freud, for creating the idea of the inferiority complex, and for founding a unique approach to psychotherapy, unexpectedly suffered a heart attack in 1937 when visiting Aberdeen for a lecture tour.

His Viennese family lost track of the remains when they were shipped south to Edinburgh for cremation, where they have remained since. Surviving family members believe the chaos surrounding the start of World War II likely interfered with communication efforts following the prominent psychologist's death.

Adler's ashes will be returned to Vienna and a ceremony is planned to commemorate the famed, and now found, psychologist.

Study Resources for Upcoming Test

2011-04-08T12:39:00.004-05:00

Whew! In April deadlines seem to rocket toward me at light speed, so I'll admit that Monday's test feels like it snuck up on me. However, with the AP exam less than a month away, this is no time to be pushing deadlines back...so here we go! If you're looking for a way to review the vocabulary from this unit, you might consider trying the Abnormal Psych Quizlet located on this page. Or try the embedded flashcards below.

Study these flash cards | Study disorders flash cards

We also have a study session scheduled for 5:00 PM Sunday evening if you would like further review with the assistance of friends and your teacher. Test is Monday, of course.

If all of this is too overwhelming for you, and you are feeling in need of some support, go ahead and check out ELIZA, the computer therapist. Much like the chatbot we explored earlier in the year, this simple program is designed to converse with you as a client-centered therapist would. Perhaps she can help you manage your anxiety about the test, if that's an issue. :)

Psych Disorders Assignment Links

2011-04-05T13:58:00.000-05:00

By now, we've discussed in class three major categories of disorder: Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Schizophrenia. The worksheet you were given yesterday requires you to explore four additional categories of disorder. See below for links to each one:

Personality Disorders
Somatoform Disorders (note: some of these disorders are poised to be eliminated/subsumed under a different diagnostic name in the DSM-V; see this website for details)
Dissociative Disorders
Factitious Disorders (be sure to note difference between these & somatoform disorders; this category may be eliminated in the DSM-5 & given a new category name; see this website for details).

There are some major proposed changes ("reformulations") to the category of personality disorders in the DSM-5. Particularly, using trait severity ratings and increased emphasis on the person's level of functioning/social impairment in diagnosis.

Also, within the dissociative disorders, "Dissociative Fugue" may be eliminated and simply understood as a type of Dissociative Amnesia (see details).

Entertaining Video...Can You Identify the Conditioning Principles at Work?

2011-04-05T08:44:00.002-05:00

One of my fantastic psych teacher colleagues sent this one to me. Hilarious clip of a little one "selectively" throwing a fit. Can you identify what conditioning principles might be at work here? Why would this child relocate to continue the temper tantrum?

Quizlet for Personality Theory

2011-03-22T13:49:00.004-05:00

Greetings, all! As promised, here is the link to the Quizlet on Personality Theory for this unit.

From here on out it can also be accessed through the "commonly used course links" on the left hand side of the blog.

Happy studying!

<----P.S. Freud wants you to do well here. Don't let him down. He can be cranky about these things.

Thank You

2011-03-09T08:40:00.004-06:00

To the anonymous friend who left a SIGNED COPY of Mike Birbiglia's "Sleepwalk with Me" on my desk this morning, a deeply felt thank you. It made me cry.

Those who know me know that these past weeks have been extremely difficult for me, personally and professionally, and this act of generosity in the midst of a series of rather grim days moves me to tears.

I'm lost for words.

Quizlet for Motivation Unit

2011-02-15T08:28:00.003-06:00

Greetings, all.

This Quizlet on Motivation should help with test prep tonight. Good luck. :)

Battle of the Brains

2011-01-31T16:47:00.001-06:00

Video link: thinkers from different walks of life compete against each other on a variety of tests of mental ability.

PsychSim: Descriptive Stats

2011-01-26T08:30:00.003-06:00

I realized as I was falling asleep last night that I had told people I would post this link before leaving school...and then didn't. I hope it didn't interfere with your ability to access the PsychSim Module on Descriptive Statistics, since the link for PsychSim modules is always in the "course links" section of the blog.

But in case it did, I'll take the worksheets tomorrow, too, if need be. My apologies...

Inspiration for Your Studies: The Bias Song

2011-01-13T18:06:00.004-06:00

I am humbled by this AP Psych teacher's mad skills. The song includes a review of several of the terms we've covered during this unit on thinking & language. Other forms of "bias" in the song we will address later in the year...but you should find it entertaining nonetheless.

New Quizlet Added: Thinking & Language

2011-01-12T17:03:00.003-06:00

Sorry for the delay, but here's the link to the Quizlet on Thinking & Language! From here on out you will be able to find it on the "Commonly Used Course Links" list on the left hand side of the blog.

Talk with a Chat Bot: Ultra Hal

2011-01-11T11:58:00.003-06:00

Today in class we conversed with Ultra Hal, a chat bot who is designed to "learn" from the conversations you have with him.

Hal's developers are marketing software that will allow you to "talk" with your computer, much like having a virtual assistant. Apparently, Hal also has a Facebook presence and a character on 2nd Life.

He sounds like a busy guy, but if you want to catch up with him for a brief chat, here's the link!

Book I Want to Read: Sleepwalk With Me

2011-01-10T12:33:00.006-06:00

Sadly, despite its prominent place on my Christmas lists this year, this item was ignored by my gift-purchasing relatives in favor of other trinkets. Don't get me wrong, Santa (& his associates) were good to me this year, but I was disappointed not to receive Sleepwalk with Me (and Other Painfully True Stories) by Mike Birbiglia.

Why? Two reasons (one of which relates to psychology):

Mike Birbiglia is hilarious.
In the book he shares his experience of REM Sleep Disorder, which I have discuss in my classes during our "States of Consciousness" unit.

Ok, both could relate to psychology, but the second reason is clearly an easier fit if you are trying to justify including this book in your curriculum.

For those of you not familiar with Mike Birbiglia, he is a stand-up comedian whose work has been featured on NPR's This American Life on several occasions. I have purchased his previous albums and am envious of those who were able to catch his live tour show of the same title in 2008-09.

For those interested in his (very funny) account of discovering his REM sleep disorder, you can probably still listen to it on NPR's This American Life online archives. It aired during a show entitled "Fear of Sleep," which is appropriate given the situations he describes.

Or you could buy the book. Unfortunately for me, student loan-enduced poverty now forces me to choose between waiting for it at the library or enduring the 9 months until my birthday in the hopes someone will buy it then.

P.S. Mike, if you read this, perhaps you would consider "donating" a copy to a needy AP Psychology teacher (me). :)

P.S.S. Students, with final exams right around the corner, there is no time like the present to ingratiate yourself with your teacher. Nothing says 'A' like a great gift...

P.S.S.S. Okay, just kidding about that last part. I do not accept bribes. That would be unethical.

NOVA: What are Dreams? Link

2011-01-04T11:48:00.002-06:00

For those of you who missed all or part of the NOVA film we watched in class, here you go!

If the embeded video above does not play correctly, try this link.

Final Exam Review Dates

2011-01-03T11:56:00.010-06:00

Time to mark your calendars! The end of the semester is rapidly approaching, so as we finish our last unit of course content for this semester we also want to be looking ahead to the final exam.

Two Evening Review Sessions have been scheduled for the final.

Sunday, January 16th - 5:00 PM

and

Tuesday, January 18th - 5:00 PM

Since doing well on the final will require you to review all of the content from this year so far, it would be a good idea to bring your notes/binder (with handouts) and a textbook to the review sessions.

The final exam for this semester of AP Psych will consist of a practice AP exam (with only one free response). This has the advantage of giving you a sense of what an AP exam looks (and feels) like. It will be a good reminder of all you've learned over the course of this semester, as well as a way of alerting you to the fact that there is still much more to look forward to in AP Psych.

We'll talk about how the exam will be scored (and grades determined) in class as the exam approaches.

Psychology Snow Fort Progress

2010-12-14T22:01:00.002-06:00

We had a small, but dedicated work crew turn out for our snow fort building project. I must admit, I was very impressed with our progress. Not only did we complete several tunnels, but we planted a psychology flag and decorated the fort with pro-psychology propaganda. Some videos of our progress below...

After about 30 minutes of digging we had joined three tunnels. This next video is a little dark because our daylight was fading, and I was trying to film in a tunnel.

New Quizlet Links Added!

2010-12-14T13:12:00.004-06:00

Just in time for this unit's vocabulary review, links to two new Quizlets (online flashcard sets) have been added to this site. From here on out, they will be accessible through the "Commonly Used Course Links" section on the left-hand side of the blog page.

Here they are:

Quizlet -Learning

Quizlet- Memory

With 99 terms between the two of them, there's plenty to review!

Hope to see you at the review session this evening. Otherwise, best of luck on tomorrow's test!

Study Sessions and Possible Snow Fort Building

2010-12-13T12:29:00.004-06:00

As we discussed last week in class, there will be two after-school opportunities for you to review for your upcoming Learning & Memory Unit Test:

Monday, December 13 - Right After School

and

Tuesday, December 14 - 5:30 PM

However, due to our amazing good fortune of having a massive snow drift right outside the classroom window, from 4:00 to 5:30 on Tuesday we will be meeting to build a masterpiece snow fort outside my classroom window.

This is assuming that the snow does not fall victim to the numerous snow plows and blowers roaming school properties today. Or to envious elementary school students. If our supply is taken, maybe we can find another drift...?

Dress warmly - it's supposed to be super cold tomorrow - and bring your best ideas and supplies for snow fort construction.

Oh...the possibilities!

Winter in AP Psych

2010-12-13T08:05:00.002-06:00

Over the weekend a big storm system dumped 22 inches of snow in our area. Returning to the classrooms today we found big snow drifts outside all of the classroom windows, including in AP Psych. What a lovely winter scene to contemplate during these last school days before the holidays!

Book Review: Out of Our Heads by Alva Noe

2010-11-30T16:22:00.002-06:00

Out of Our Heads: Why You Are Not Your Brain, and Other Lessons from the Biology of Consciousness by Alva Noe

Some of my students are chomping at the bit this year, eager to study the topic of human consciousness. We will get there in a few weeks, and I don't blame them for their enthusiasm. It's hard to imagine a more fascinating subject. If you are looking for some outside reading consciousness that will bend your mind to some degree, I'd recommend this book.

Alva Noe's basic thesis in Out of Our Heads: Why You Are Not Your Brain, and Other Lessons from the Biology of Consciousness is that neuroscientists hoping to uncover the "seat" of consciousness in the brain via fMRI's and similar techniques are bound to be disappointed.

Noe presents - with convincing support - the idea that consciousnes is a process created by our experiences with the world, including the reactions of our sensory systems. In essence, the disembodied brain would be unable to have a "conscious" experience because consciousness is tied up in all of the other things that make us human.

I appreciate the argument, and it is interesting to consider. But I did find myself feeling a little defensive about how easily Noe dismissed the work of neuroscientists and neuroimaging. Certainly, consciousness might be a more slippery concept than we first imagine. But that doesn't mean that neuroimaging studies of the brain are unimportant to our understanding of human consciousness, and sometimes I felt Noe was moving toward that idea.

View all my reviews

Notes - For Class 11/22/10

2010-11-22T01:22:00.004-06:00

Here's the link for Notes...for today. My 6th and 7th hour classes will not be graced with the honor of my presence today, since I have to attend a committee meeting.

But that shouldn't mean that they have to miss out on the exciting information we were going to discuss! Click on the link and opening the file should get you a powerpoint slide show with narration. It runs on its own...just sit back and enjoy.

2010 Visual Illusion Contest

2010-11-18T11:24:00.003-06:00

By request from my students, here is the link to the Neural Correlate Society's Visual Illusion of the Year contest.

We looked at some of the 2010 finalists and winners in class, but from the site you can view finalists from previous years as well. Definitely worth a look.

For example, the image below is one of the finalist entries. By looking the dot in the colored image for about a minute, and then shifting your gaze to the dot in the white grid, you can create two different perceptions of after-images. For the full story, see the original entry.

Selective Attention Video Demos

2010-11-16T11:35:00.005-06:00

Today in class I introduced the issue of Selective Attention - the notion that we can only attend to a limited amount of all the sensory information we are presented with, and thus sometimes fail to "see" even the most obvious stimuli. There are a number of great video demos of this, but here are my favorites.

The Office - Opening scenes from this season's "Costume Contest" Episode (entire video embedded below...all you really need is the first few minutes, though the rest is funny, too)

"Whodunnit?" from the UK's "Watch for Cyclists" ad campaign

"Do the Test" - Count the passes by the number of players in white jerseys and test your perceptual skills

The Monkey Business Illusion - Even works for those who have seen illusions like this before! A finalist for 2010 Illusion of the Year!

More Fun with Vision

2010-11-11T13:17:00.004-06:00

Thank you to one of my students, Adam S., for alerting me to this video by the Blue Man Group. The title - Rods and Cones - is a big hint as to what sensory process the song is dedicated to.

Also, by request, here is the link to the Rotating Spiral Illusion, which is great fun due to its ability to generate a strong motion after-image.

Some Links from Class - Sensation & Perception

2010-11-08T12:21:00.006-06:00

Today in class I shared a few links to sites that demonstrate principles of sensation and/or perception.

The Rotating Cat Illusion was a popular one. The cat appears to rotate one direction initially, but if you stare at it long enough it will seem to reverse directions. Different people have different initial perceptions of it (some see it rotating right, others left). This is a great illustration of how the exact same sensory stimulus can elicit different perceptions from people. A related illusion that you might be familiar with is the Spinning Silouette illusion, which is often INCORRECTLY described as a left/right brain personality test.

Note: if you are accessing this from school, the district's filters might block the cat website. Try Googling "spinning cat illusion" and maybe a site that you can access will be available.

For those of you interested in the backmasking and reverse speech sites, here are the links:

Song Clips & Lyrics (forward & reverse)

Reverse Speech (speeches and statements from public figures)

Butter Braid Sale Kick-off!

2010-11-01T13:24:00.003-05:00

Wow. What an attractive-looking bunch! You really can't go wrong with a Piaget shirt. :)

Today's Psych Club meeting kicked-off our fundraiser for the May 17th Next to Normal trip.

If you missed the meeting, you also missed out on some samples of the delicious Butter Braids we are selling to earn some cha-ching for the trip. But here's the pertinent info if you still need it:

Sale ends December 3rd (our next Psych Club meeting) and completed order forms & money are due that day. The product, which is delivered FROZEN, will arrive after school in the cafeteria on December 17th. Make sure that you (or a confederate) are available to pick up your stuff and deliver it that day, since Mrs. Welle does not have that much freezer space and cannot store your stuff indefinitely.

You make $4.50 per item you sell, and anyone hoping to write out a check can make it payable to Chi-Hi when they place their order. If you sell enough, you'll be able to score a rockin' seat at the Next to Normal performance, so good luck!

T-Shirts Have Arrived!

2010-10-25T13:22:00.004-05:00

Just in time for our Developmental Psych Unit!

Our 2010-11 Psych Club shirts arrived this afternoon, so you may pick them up at your leisure. These shirts will be excellent attire for tomorrow's viewing of the Piaget video we're watching in class.

Also, we have a Psych Club meeting coming up next week on Monday, November 1, during Lunch B. This would be another great time to sport your Piaget-wear, though the main purpose of the meeting is to distribute fundraising materials for the Butter Braid sale we will be doing to raise money for the Next to Normal trip on May 17th.

Final T-Shirt Order

2010-10-15T13:11:00.002-05:00

I'm submitting the order for Psych Club T-shirts today.

Please double check the final list to make sure your indicated size is correct. I may be able to make changes to the order as late as Monday (10/18/10), but after that, we're locked in!

If for some reason you do not see your name on the list, but you believe you did pay for a T-shirt, please let me know immediately.

Have a great weekend!

Darwin Awards

2010-10-07T16:58:00.004-05:00

Today in class I mentioned the Darwin Awards website as an example of stories and sites that poke fun at the idea of applying evolutionary theory to human behavior.

Feel free to check out the website, though use some caution in clicking on the links and stories. Though none seem to be too flagrantly inappropriate, people on the site have been recognized for killing themselves in profoundly stupid ways, which sometimes involved bad decisions about drug use or reproductive choices, so use the title of each story as a guide before exploring further. Of course, they are meant to be humorous, though sometimes its very morbid or crude humor.

The Darwin awards have been compiled into a very popular series of books and even a major motion picture, though I have seen the film and did not find it particularly entertaining. The idea of stupid deaths gets worn out pretty quickly, and that one is quite obviously not appropriate for an academic setting.

Dyslexia Info

2010-09-30T16:13:00.007-05:00

Today's class discussion and lecture, which featured information about how the brain processes language, sparked many questions about reading and language difficulties, particularly dyslexia.

For those interested in additional information about dyslexia research, the APA website has a number of links to information about the disorder.

For example, this article by Beth Azar describes two areas of difficulty that seem to accompany dyslexia: deficits in phoneme awareness (an inability to distinguish between different basic sounds in language) and slowed processing speed, which may be a more general problem for some (i.e. not limited to just language tasks).

Interestingly, researchers have developed ways for children to overcome some of these processing difficulties using video games. The games systematically train children to distinguish between similar sounding phonemes (e.g. "ba" and "pa"), a task essential for learning reading and writing. This may offer an alternative to costly and time-consuming speech therapy that was previously the popular treatment choice. fMRI scans have revealed changes in brain function following these video treatments.

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) may also be a good source of information for those with further questions.

Prefrontal Cortex news...

2010-09-29T21:22:00.002-05:00

This recent post on the nature of the prefrontal cortex from Neuroskeptic is worth a read. It reviews a current article which argues that the prefrontal cortex operates in a holistic manner (e.g. all together) rather than as distinct, independently functioning parts. I'm simplifying things a bit here, so check out the post and the original article for a more thorough version.

The post also includes a snippet reference to phrenology, so, bonus.

This is a great reminder of the complexity of the cortex in general and the importance of those "association areas" your textbook describes.

Psych Club Shirt Money Due Friday

2010-09-28T17:27:00.003-05:00

Greetings, all! If you are one of the many Psych Club members who ordered this year's club T-shirt - featuring the one and only Jean Piaget - this is just a friendly reminder that your $15 is due on Friday.

I hope to place the order before the weekend so we can get the shirts in a couple of weeks, so don't delay!

Also, as you are likely aware, our next Psych Club meeting is this Friday. We have a number of items on the agenda, including:

getting in place some fundraising plans for Next to Normal
possibly setting a date for our first Movie Night of the year (needs to happen soon...)
eating the Brain Food creations brought by our members

Mouse Party Assignment

2010-09-22T20:18:00.003-05:00

See how various drugs disrupt activity at the synaptic level. Use the Mouse Party interactive to complete your worksheet.

With funky music and cutesy intoxicated mice, this is a pretty fun way to learn about the neurotransmitters involved in psychoactive drugs.

Brain Food: Extra Credit Opportunity

2010-09-20T16:35:00.003-05:00

Friday, October 1 will be our next Psych Club Meeting, and given our current studies in Neuroscience, it will focus on fun with the brain.

We will be having a “Brain Food” competition. In order to participate (and earn some extra credit it AP Psych), you should bring some edible treat that features labeled parts of the brain or the nervous system.

The Rules:

1. Your entry must depict the brain or nervous system, or some component part of either (e.g. a neuron).

2. It must have labels for the component parts. This is educational food, after all.

3. Your name should be marked somewhere on or near your entry, so we know who gets credit.

4. Although items will not be judged on taste, it should be something edible; we will be eating all of the entries during Lunch B, so don’t get too attached to your brain. This also means hygiene/food safety is important. Wash your hands, all right?

5. You must have your entry here at the beginning of Lunch A so our guest judge can make his/her determination of winners, which will be announced during our meeting (Lunch B).

6. Although you can get reasonable assistance from family members, your creation must be your own. For example, you cannot have your mom or dad simply make your entire entry or do all of the decorating, but they can help you with the recipe. Likewise, you cannot order a pre-made treat from, say, a professional bakery.

7. This is a one-shot deal, so if you are sick or for some other reason unable to bring your treat on Friday, you’ll have to wait for the next extra credit opportunity. Sorry, but we don’t want your old cupcakes/dessert/jello/whatever three days later.

5 Points EC (in test category) for All Participants!
Though, Mrs. Welle reserves the right to adjust points (or not award them at all) if your entry seems to not reflect any effort/learning. Don’t bring us one crudely-constructed cupcake. That’s lame. Bring your A-game.

Need some ideas? Here are some links to inspire you, but be creative! With Halloween coming up, supplies are bound to be out there if you are motivated.

Brain cheese spread
Cerebral Cortex cupcakes (I'll be making some of these if time allows...)
Brain Pate
Brain Jello Mold
Brain Cake
Another Brain Cake
And another Brain Cake

PsychSim: Neural Messages

2010-09-20T15:48:00.004-05:00

Greeting, AP Psychology students! On Tuesday this week we will be making the trip across the hall to the computer lab to complete a PsychSim on Neural Messaging.

Click on the above link, then read through the module, using the "previous" and "next" buttons to navigate while finding answers to the questions on your accompanying worksheet.

You will get a printed copy in class, but if you lose the worksheet or were absent, here's link to another copy.

This will be due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, September 22.

Link for those who didn't get the handout...

2010-09-15T17:26:00.002-05:00

To those unfortunate few who did not get the handout with tonight's practice question, I sincerely apologize. It turned out to be harder than I thought to get that file uploaded, because I apparently did not have it saved on my computer at school.

So, instead, I've emailed those people who did not get it with the link just now (at your ePals account). If you would prefer that I send it to another email address, just email me tonight and I'll send it there. I should be at my computer most of the night, as I'm working on a paper for one of my classes, so I should be able to respond quickly.

I appreciate your patience and, again, apologize for not having the correct number of copies. It's too bad I only discovered this right before the bell, otherwise I would have had more printed right away. :(

Experimental Design

2010-09-12T19:57:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow (9/13/10) in class you will get your Practice Experimental Design assignment. This will require you to work with a team (two other students) to put together an idea for a hypothetical psychological experiment.

Use the link provided to complete the form with the required information. Remember to do a "save as" and save the file to your computer before filling in your group's information, otherwise the changes you make will be on everyone's form!

Completed forms can be printed off and physically handed in, or emailed to Mrs. Welle. Please double check with me in class to make sure I received any emailed assignments, though, because the school's SPAM filter is very aggressive and may block you. The assignment is due Wednesday, 9/15/10.

Study Resources for AP Psychology

2010-09-10T12:53:00.006-05:00

With the first quiz of the year behind us, it is about the time when many students begin to consider making changes to their study routines. If you feel your study habits need revitalization (or a serious kick in the pants), there are a number of resources available to give you some direction.

Free Resources

Your textbook has a companion website that offers chapter summaries, quizzes on anatomical diagrams (helpful for Chatper 2), and two online quizzes for each chapter. You may have to create an account (provide email address and a password) to access the site, but this is an easy step. This link is ALWAYS available in the links list on the left-hand side of the blog.

I have also (sometimes with the help of students) created online flashcard sets for your use. I am working toward having these available for every unit, but am not quite there yet. There is a set for research methods, and other sets are available on the links list (left-hand side).

I also have a number of flashcard sets (physical copies) available in my room for use during the school day, such as during a study hall or Lunch & Learn. However, I don't let students take these home at night because I've lost several sets that way...and I don't like losing money.

Resources for Purchase

Textbook companion Study Guide: it has TONS of study prompts, practice tests, reading questions, etc. to make sure you're understanding the reading in the book. I have provided a link to an online resource for purchasing used copies, which are available for super-cheap.

Barron's AP Psychology flashcards: I've had students who use these regularly to prepare for tests, and they also come in handy during AP exam time in the spring. The local Borders store has sometimes had copies of these on hand, so they might be a source if you don't like to order online. But call ahead because they usually only stock one or two copies...and there are probably 300-400 AP Psych students in the area who might beat you to it.

As always, if you feel like you are lost at sea, please come talk to me! I can help you sort out what is working for you and what is not, and hopefully I can suggest avenues that you haven't tried yet. There is no single magic formula for success in this class because everyone is different, so together we can find out what works for you.

That being said, if you are not willing or able to put time into your studies, there is nothing I can tell you and no resource I can recommend that will get you A's without effort. So please come ready to roll up your sleeves!

New File-Sharing Web Tool

2010-09-09T20:42:00.009-05:00

I've recently discovered a handy tool for easily working with files that I have to transfer between home and work. Since a number of my students today encountered frustration when attempting to send their files back and forth between home and school, I thought I might share this in the hopes that some of you will find it useful.

Dropbox is a free, web-based service for storing files and syncing them between different computers. You can install Dropbox on your home computer, and when you save files there (just like saving them in a folder in your regular documents files) they are automatically accessible anywhere you have web access. This is GREAT for those who use multiple computers, because you can install it on all your computers, and every time you save the file it updates the version online. No more worrying about making sure the latest version is the one you are dealing with! Yay!

Although students wouldn't be able to install this on the school's computer desktop, they can access a dropbox account via the web (with their user name and password), so it seems an elegant alternative to the sometimes cumbersome process of emailing files back and forth.

As a bonus, if you are working on a group project, Dropbox allows you to create public folders that you can share with friends. So members of your group/team could all access and work on the same file from different computers, at different times.

Look Who Made the APA Monitor!

2010-09-09T13:28:00.005-05:00

No, not yours truly. But that was a good guess.

This month's Monitor on Psychology features an article by Elizabeth Scarborough about the contributions of Margaret Floy Washburn, entitled Understanding the Animal Mind. The article suggests that Washburn, who is most often remembered for her role as the first female to earn a PhD in psychology and for serving as the APA's second female president, also should be remembered for her outstanding contributions to comparative psychology and her position on the prospect of studying animal consciousness. Her argument that animal consciousness was a legitimate topic of study was particularly courageous in an era where behaviorism was becoming increasingly the status quo.

The article serves a great reminder of the important role of Washburn in shaping the early history of psychology.

Psych Club Meeting Sept. 3

2010-08-27T16:17:00.003-05:00

Today the Lunch & Learn advisors met to hash out schedules for this year's activities. Psych Club's scheduled monthly meeting time will be the first Friday of each month.

This means our first meeting is one week from today! Friday, Sept. 3, during Lunch B, in room 136. Wheeeeee!

On the agenda:

Selecting a T-shirt design for this year and placing orders
Determining interest in a trip to the Twin Cities to see Next to Normal on May 17
Fundraising ideas for Next to Normal, if the club is interested

Textbook Pick-up This Week - Get a Jump on AP Psychology Reading

2010-08-22T12:59:00.011-05:00

An exciting year is ahead of us in AP Psychology! I am looking forward to meeting each one of my new students and beginning this exciting (if challenging) journey together.

In order to let you get a jump start on the reading for our first unit, I will be letting students pick up textbooks this week. I would strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity, as there is a substantial amount of reading for this first unit (and the ones that follow, but I find students need some time to "ease in" to the reading load). Plus, I get to say hello to you before the school year starts!

Hours for Early Textbook Pick-Up

Monday 8/23 - 9AM - 3PM

Tuesday 8/24 - 9AM - 3 PM

Wednesday 8/25 - 1PM-4PM

Thursday 8/26 - 8AM-12PM

Friday 8/27 - 8AM-11 AM & 2PM-4PM

I should be in my room during most of the hours listed above. Keep in mind, official staff inservice/workdays begin on Wednesday, so there are fewer open hours thereafter. Also, there will likely be impromptu meetings and obligations that pop up during those days as well, so if I'm not in my room, I'm likely in the building somewhere (maybe the copy room?).

Once you pick up your textbook, you may want to begin reading the Prologue and Chapter 1 and taking notes in whatever format is comfortable and familiar to you. This is in preparation for a quiz on the reading that will take place the second week of classes (exact date TBD), on which you can use your notes.

One more thing you'll want to take care of before school starts is getting a 3-ring binder for this class (color doesn't matter, so make it as pretty as you like). Since this is a year-long class with a major cumulative test in May (the AP Exam!) you will need to keep all of your notes and handouts organized for the entire year. You will need them for studying in the spring. Ask any former AP Psych student, they will tell you how important this is!

Because it is so important, having that 3-ring binder will count for an assignment grade on Friday, September 3rd. So don't delay! Take advantage of the cheap prices on 3-ring binders because of all the back-to-school sales going on.

Okay, I hope this hasn't scared any of you away already. Don't be too nervous, we'll take this one step at a time. And AP Psych will be a fun and AMAZING experience for you. But it will take some hard work, so do yourself a favor and hit the ground running by getting a little ahead while you have the chance. Hope to see you soon!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation...

2010-08-22T12:20:00.006-05:00

Okay, I'm back. I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything to the blog, but I was busy, okay?

Busy doing what? Well, this summer found me on the road (or, more accurately, on a plane) quite a bit in the pursuit of knowledge and fun. Dorky, I know, but if you know me by now you should expect as much. My AP Psych students will be the primary beneficiaries of my wanderings, as a couple trips were dedicated specifically to psychology excitement.

For one, I was able to attend the APA-sponsored Clark University workshop for psychology teachers in late July. Not only did I get to have my picture taken with their lovely Freud statue, but I met some other great psychology teachers, toured the campus (which has a rich history concerning psychology) and got some great ideas for classroom activities.

In early August I continued by psych-related travel when I attended my first (of three) residential colloquia for my masters program. I am currently working toward a masters degree in counseling psychology, but don't ask when I'll be finished because it seems very far away to me right now. This week-long course was focused on learning clinical interviewing skills. And it was held in Florida...but don't be decieved. I didn't spend much time outdoors.

I also was able to fit in a couple of non-psych related trips. My cousin was married in Jamaica in early June and we were able to go (and spend some time on the beach). I also accompanied the Social Studies Department's history travelers on an 11-day trip to Italy in June.

All in all, it was a very eventful summer and I'm looking forward to getting back into something of a normal "routine" with the school year starting. I'm also glad to not have to go through another airport for many months.

Though, I am currently taking two grad classes and they will not be over until Sept. 17th, so my stress levels will be a little higher than normal as the school year begins. I've got a LOT of writing to do for them yet...THEN things can get back to "normal".

If you're a new psych student, welcome aboard! We have an exciting year ahead. If you are a former student and moving on to bigger and better things this year, adios and good luck!

Links for John Nash & A Beautiful Mind Discussion

2010-05-18T10:09:00.005-05:00

The case of Nobel Prize winner John Nash presents an interesting platform for exploring the nature of mental illness. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994 for his contribution to game theory, Nash had suffered from paranoid schizophrenia much of his life.

Nash's life was depicted in the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind, which took considerable dramatic license with his story (although still a good film, in my opinion).

For a more realistic consideration of his illness, treatment, and remarkable recovery, check out the American Experience documentary, A Brilliant Madness. The companion site features bios, extended interviews, and a timeline of mental health treatment.

TV ALERT: The Wounded Platoon

2010-05-17T21:01:00.003-05:00

If you're looking for some psych-related television tomorrow night, be sure to check out FRONTLINE's latest invesigation: The Wounded Platoon. Sounds like a great source of information on post-traumatic stress disorder and modern warfare's psychological casualties.

Another one...

2010-05-07T16:00:00.003-05:00

Completed by our classmate Sally Mueller... the Sensation (Chapter 5) Quizlet!

See you Sunday at 6:00 PM for our review session! Featured topics include:

Neuroscience
Research Methods
"All that Math Stuff" (standard deviation, descriptive stats)
Learning (UCR, CR, etc.)

Just Added: Research Methods Quizlet

2010-05-05T09:43:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the efforts of classmate Allie Tanzer, we have a new quizlet for our reviewing needs! Allie put together a list of 34 terms from our Research Methods unit (Chapter 1).

Feel free to give it a run-through as you are brushing up on those Chapter 1 notes.

Here's the link: Research Methods Quizlet

Famous Psychologists Quizlet

2010-05-04T13:42:00.002-05:00

As the AP Psychology Exam approaches, you may want to avail yourself of some online resources for review.

I have several sets of online vocabulary flashcards available (linked on the left hand navigation bar). More to come, of course. They include options to create "tests" for yourself, play games, or just shuffle through the deck for familiarity.

I would highly recommend using the Famous Psychologists Quizlet to review all those fabulous people in psychology. My list was recently updated to include all the folks recommended by the College Board for the AP Psych curriculum, plus a few more.

There are 75 people in all, and knowing them will also help you review some of the biggest ideas in psychology. Happy reviewing!

Chart...Nevermind

2010-04-28T09:10:00.003-05:00

Below is a chart I'm using to demonstrate thesis defense to my sophomores. It's an attempt at humor, so don't judge. I made it using Chartle.net. I'll take it down when I'm done, but I needed some place to post it where I wouldn't lose it.

Report problems to embedding@chartle.net

Recent, Sad Example of Bystander Effect

2010-04-27T08:51:00.002-05:00

I was alerted to this story by several psychology teachers via listserves yesterday. I'll admit, even though I'm well aware of the bystander effect and its potential dangers, I still find this story shocking.

An April 24 story in the New York post details the chilling failure of numerous pedestrians to come to the aid of a dying homeless man who had been stabbed when he had recently come to the aid of a female under attack by the stabber. Surveillance video revealed that more than 20 people walked past the dying man as he laid on the sidewalk.

Firefighters found the body of the man more than an hour later when responding to a different call for aid. Apparently, at no point did anyone summoned aid for the man, despite the fact that several passers-by closely examined him (one even took a cell phone photo of the victim).

The story is eerily reminiscent of the 1964 Kitty Genovese case: a murder that took place under the noses of 38 neighbors who heard Ms. Genovese scream and plead for her life, but failed to call the police until after the killer had returned to the scene a third time and fatally stabbed his victim, 25 minutes after the initial attack.

Below is some of the surveillance video. Be aware, you may find it disturbing. I did.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

Mistakes Were Made...But Not By Me: Cognitive Dissonance Resources

2010-04-23T09:04:00.005-05:00

In my psychology classes today, we will be discussing the concept of cognitive dissonance. The idea - that holding two contradictory beliefs is uncomfortable and that we will change an attitude or behavior to remove the "dissonance" - is behind much of the self-justification we do when we make mistakes.

Many of the most famous studies in Social Psychology involve cognitive dissonance: the Standford Prison Experiment, the Asch conformity study, and Milgrim's obedience study, to name a few.

But public life is also riddled with examples of politicians, celebreties, and plain folks like ourselves engaging in this self-justification, sometimes with dire consequences. My favorite book on the subject, by authors Elliot Aronson and Carol Tarvis, is called Mistakes Were Made, But Not By Me (2007). It illuminates the prevalence of this behavior using examples from recent events.

Another great resource for those interested in all aspects of social psychology is the Social Psychology Network. It has TONS (over 17,000!) links to all types of information and organizations related to social psych. Happy surfing!

Vocab Review: Psych Disorders & Treatment

2010-04-20T09:21:00.002-05:00

If you're looking for a quick study aid for this unit's test, try this: Pysch Disorders and Treatment Quizlet.

Quizlet is an online review site that allows you to create vocabulary lists and use them to generate flashcards, play matching games, and generally familiarize yourself with the terms. I've uploaded terms for this particular unit because so many students struggle with all the new vocab.

CATCH-IT and MoodGYM: Online Therapy?

2010-04-18T22:06:00.004-05:00

One approach to providing mental health treatment that has emerged in the past few years is the use of online workbooks or exercises to supplement counseling or therapy. The idea is not to replace face-to-face therapy, but to provide assistance to those who cannot seek regular mental health care (for example, those in remote rural areas).

Two projects worth investigating are CATCH-IT, for adolescents, and MoodGYM, for adults. MoodGYM is designed to replicate Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and been shown to be effective in randomized, controlled trials. Both models provide visitors with assessment tools and exercises aimed at reducing current and future symptoms of depression.

You have to set up user accounts to use the sites, but it is possible to do so quickly and with the intention of exploring the site. Of course, you can use it to attempt to improve your own mental health, but keep in mind the sites are not intended to replace normal mental health care.

AP Exam Review Sessions Scheduled

2010-04-18T15:05:00.003-05:00

Students, it's time to get serious about that AP Exam review stuff. With only a couple weeks remaining in April, it's hard to figure out what happened to our school year! Time flies when you're having fun, right?

Anyhow, I've penciled in on my calendar some evening review sessions in the days leading up to the AP Exam. These will be in addition to review that happens in class. You are encouraged to come for either or both, depending on your schedule and your preferred method of study. On each night, I will stay as long as students wish to, within reason of course. I will be available as a resource for whatever type of reviewing you want to do: structured, teacher-led, student-led, partner, flashcards, whatever.

Here are the dates:

Sunday, May 9th - 6:00 PM

Monday, May 10th - 6:00 PM

Both evening review sessions will be held in my classroom (136).

Shopping Psychology

2010-04-16T21:45:00.005-05:00

I'll credit my colleague, our high school Marketing teacher Mr. Jon Sylte, for alerting me to this

intriguing title. It has wiggled its way to the top of my "To-read" list. (Okay, it's actually right behind some books I have to read for a grad class, but you know what I mean).

In Priceless: the Myth of Fair Value, author William Poundstone explains all the fascinating (and seemingly manipulative) tricks used by companies to get us to accept a particular price for an item. Much of it smacks of the content of a psychology course on problem solving or cognitive obstacles.

In the video below, Poundstone explains how restaurants manipulate their menus to encourage us to buy certain items (at prices the owners want us to pay). One neat trick: use the "anchoring heuristic". Lots of examples of framing as well.

Eliza: The Computer Therapist

2010-04-16T08:58:00.003-05:00

Can't afford a real therapist? Don't have the time? Try Eliza, a computer program designed to simulate the active listening of a client-centered therapist.

While I encourage you to check it out for fun, keep in mind my recommendation is a little tongue-in-cheek. Eliza is not meant to replace real psychotherapy, so if you feel you are in need of such services, please, seek out a human counselor or psychologist.