laziness and helplessness

Laziness can often appear as indifference of emotional, physical, and social life in apathy. Laziness is sometimes a derivative of learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is the feeling of, well, helplessness. S/he who has it, feels as though they cannot do anything about life, so they just sit back, and let it pass by. They feel that every decision has a possibility for negative consequences, so they don't make that decision. There are physical, social, and mental implications to learned helplessness and laziness. Neglect of diet, exercise, and medical treatment lead to physical health problems. Mental health issues can be caused by failed academic subjects and dedication to work. Children who have learned helplessness tend to use it as an excuse to get out of doing something. People don't tend to have high expectations in the individual, so s/he doesn't try to impress other people. There is also social implications. People who are usually extremely shy, passive, anxious, and depressed can easily learn helplessness to provide answers to such discontent. Therapy can "cure" this "disease". Laziness and learned helplessness are truly just mind sets that can be changed.

Gifts: More or Better?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212124829.htm

The paradox of gift giving. If you want to buy someone a cashmere sweater as one gift and the other option is to buy the sweater and a $10 gift card, if your money would allow it you would get both. The reciever of the gift doesn't see it that way. They view the gift as a whole where as the gift-giver goes by 'more is better'. "The luxury sweater represents a generous 'big' gift. Adding on a 'little' gift makes the total package seems less big." There is a simple remedy, take the view as the reciever and ask yourself what you would think if that gift is given to you. How would you like it and what would be your opinion.

I feel that this article is very interesting because it is in some ways true. If someone gives you a great gift then another not so good one the value over all is lessened, but they paid more for it. It is something good to learn and I'm glad that I found this article, especially around Christmas time and the holidays.

Now when I give a present I will think about what the reciever will think about it and whether or not they would like it. I wouldn't want to give some one a present that they hated or didn't want. Or worse one that they sell or give away.

Nostalgia

Research from earlier years has shown that nostalgia can increase one's self esteem, boost perceptions of meaning in life, and bring up a sense of social connectedness. Nostalgia is a yearning or want for the past, be it a good event or a bad one. In studies, nostalgia has shown to increase the amount of charity donations, such as for an earthquake that may relate to the donor's past. Nostalgia, in this case, increases empathy for others. Strangely, however, nostalgia has been regarded as a negative emotion for several hundred years.

Music

All over the world poepele spend, time, money, and effort into music. It has been proven in studies that children who took keyboard or singing lessons often did better and got a higher grade on tests. Another study that was done, it said that boys between the ages of 6 and 15 who took music lessons got a higher score on verbal memory tests. Rather than the control group who did not have any music lessons. It has also been found that patients who are getting ready to have surgery, who had listened to piano, harp, synthesizer, orchestra or slow jazz, hadless post-surgical pain than those who did not. Music help autistic children to stay calm when they are under stress also. So from that they are able to socialize better. So all in all music helps you in school, or with disabilites. Music is a very powerful thing that many people appreicate, some more than others.

Meditation

Meditation has been used to help center your body, mind, and soul. Monks are usually the ones to be referred to when meditation is brought up. Mantra meditation is when words such as "om" "ah" and "hum" are used to connect yourself with the correlating part. "om" connects your body, "ah" connects your speech, and "hum" connects your mind. "om" of course is the stereotypical word for used when meditating, but other words are valid. Meditation can help by: increasing intelligence, decreasing insomnia, increased personal development, decreased stress and anxiety, reduced cardiovascular related death, lowered blood pressure, easier concentration, and reduced risk of disease and illness. Meditation is essentially relaxation. Taking a break if you will. When we take a break, give ourselves some "me time", we refuel our "batteries". This allows for more focus usually. When practiced enough, meditation could be a form of this. You may look stupid, but meditation can really help. Would you rather be cool, or healthy?

Anti-stress peptide helps block alcohol dependence in animal model

Anti-stress peptide helps block alcohol dependence in animal model

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/11120915052.htm

The Scripps Research Institute has published a new study entitled "Nociceptin/ Orphanin FQ Blockade of CRF-induced GABA Release in Central Amygdala is Enhanced after Chronic Ethanol Exposure" in the journal Biological Psychiatry. The researchers identified a stress peptide that promotes excessive alcohol drinking, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and an anti-stress peptide, nociceptin. Both peptides have opposite effects on the inhibitory neuro-transmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the amygdala. CRF stimulates GABA while nociceptin inhibits it to help control alcohol intake. They also found it didn't matter if the CRF or nociceptin were introduced first, because the nociceptin drove down levels of GABA regardless. The researchers were also able to determine both peptides effected the amygdala neurons of alcohol-dependent rats vs. non-dependent controls more. And both peptides rely on the same enzyme, protein kinase A (PKA), to regulate GABA release. The researchers hope these discoveries will help lead to a new treatment of alcoholism.
"Alcoholism is a complex disorder with many contributing factors, one of which is stress. By targeting a particular system that's associated with stress, we can better understand the interaction of alcohol and stress in the brain." stated first author of the study, Maureen Cruz. Alcoholism is a chronic, complex disease that won't be treatable by just one new pill, but this is a new approach that tackles the stress factor.

Yawning

Have you ever seen someone yawn, and a few seconds later yawn yourself? It is often said that yawning is contagious, and in a sense, this is true. Recent studies have shown that yawning can be a sign of empathy towards people, such as family and friends. The research shows people yawn more often when the person they see yawning is a family member, and much less often if a person is a complete stranger. They say that seeing a person yawn triggers multiple brain functions, such as imitation, movement, and social behaviors. This trigger is overstimulated if the person is someone you care about, thus causing a yawn.

Ophidiophobia

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=152565

Ever wonder why snakes made the hair on the back of your neck stand up? Or why you start shaking when you see a snake? Studies suggest that you have a good reason to be afraid of these reptiles. There is a documentation stating that a small tribe in the Philippines was the first to notice how dangerous these creatures can be. For the Agta Negritos of Luzon Island this is still true. Anthropologist Thomas N. Headland went to this island to interview those who had been attacked by pythons. The ones who lived to tell the story bared scars from the encounter. "This amounted to one 'traumatic python incident' -- either fatal or nonfatal -- every two or three years, the authors stated." According to reasearch an adult man was little over half the mass of a large female python, which wasn't a big meal according to snake standards. But the natives of the island too feed on the snakes. It was recorded that a 23ft long python was killed and provided 55 lbs. of meat. "And modern-day psychiatrist Dr. Bryan Bruno, acting chairman of the department of psychiatry at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, agreed that the lingering fear people have today may indeed date back to human ancestors who were even more vulnerable to serpent attacks." It is said that "The fear, is 'human universal'."

This is quite shocking to me because personally I love snakes and the thought of one eating me isn't all that pleasent. I won't just be terrified of snakes after I read that but some people could be. For example ones that don't like snakes to begin with might classify this as one of the reasons. It's kind of like a food chain. The natives eat the snakes and the snakes eat the natives. I could understand this to be something tramatic especially if I saw it happen or a snake actually attacked me. Then perhaps I would be afraid of snakes, but only that specific type of snake. Others might hate snakes all together and would be those to shake or whose hairs raise.

Branding and Social Media

Studies show that advertising products on Facebook, where all your personal information is seen as well, increases the amount of people who purchase them. This is believed to be caused by high self esteem, for when people see themselves next to a product that is somewhat tailored to their own lives, their own importance seems to rub off onto the product. They tested whether people would would go for an object branded as "self" or "other," and the "self" category won, reinforcing the theory.

Sleep Disorder

There are a lot of sleeping disorders. Here is a list of things that causes sleeping disorder: Bruxism, delayed sleep phase syndrome, insomnia, jet lag or desynchronosis, narcolepsy, night terror, parasomnias, periodic limb movement disorder, rapid eye movement behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome , shift work sleep disorder, sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, sleepwalking or somnambulism, and something simple such as snoring. Theres a cure for sleep disorders thankfully. These include medication, psychological therapy, and other somatic treatments. I love my sleep, and would hate if I couldnt sleep until 10 on the weekends.

Suicidal Kids

Suicide can happen to anyone. Give the person a emotional awakening and it will make them think they should end their life. If you hurt someone bad enough, suicide might be their last resort. Most people have ways of controlling the thought of suicide like hanging out with a friend or eating their favorite food. Kids commit suicide too, from bullying or a bad family. Statistics have found out that forty percent of teenage suicide attempts happens before high school. I think this is an interesting fact, considering high school is pretty much the biggest thing in teenage life. I would think that most teenage suicides attempts happened during high school.

Happy Quiters

People picture people who smoke cranky and always mad because they are taking them away from their pride and joy. No doubt quitting cancer sticks will ensure better health but no one looked how it effected their pschycological well-being. Addiction and fright are not good do quitting. My grandpa smoked damn near his whole life, starting when he was in his 20's. Quitting has been off and on for him, off, on, off, on, etc. He finally quit this year and I've noticed a difference. He doesnt get as mad and overall is just happy. So if your a smoker, quit now and be happy the rest of your life! :)

Sexual Orientation

Most people are heterosexual. They tend to like the opposite sex. Some people are homosexual, attracted to the same sex. Some are bisexual, attracted to both sexes. There are actually more than 3 sexual orientations. Some people just aren't interested, some people tend to dress as the opposite sex. This is only naming a small portion. Psychologists have come with theories as to why homosexual orientation exsists, but are truly baffeled, as no true answer is apparent. As you read through this blog, keep an open mind, and see how many of these apply to you. It doesn't mean you are homosexual or bisexual.
Personality
Each person desires something different from others. One may want prosperity, one may want success, one may want failure (it has happened). Everyone wants something different. One child may suffice playing with him/herself, where another may have a handful of friends, and still need more. One child may get little affection from his/her parents and be greatful, where another may get more, but still want even more. Many men with homosexual preferences tend to be more sensitive. They can be "in love" easier, but also get hurt easier.
Biology
It is very doubtful that biology plays a part, but there may be some hints that there is a gene or chromosome that differs from a heterosexual's own. Most homosexuals know that they are attracted to the same sex at a very early age, which can almost immediately identify this. Some wont know until late in life, possibly by a tramatic event with a loved spouse. There is no true evidence that says homosexuality is biological though.
Paternal Relationships (for men with a heterosexual father)
The relationship with a father can mean the difference between homosexuality and heterosexuality. If the relationship was not well, homosexuality is likely to occur. If the relationship was very well, heterosexuality is likely to occur.
Maternal Relationships (for men)
The relationship with a mother can also be important. The mother can either allow a strong relationship with a father, or dominate and diminish the relationship with the father. If the wife-husband relationship was not well, and a divorce took place, you may not have been able to see what the relationship was suppose to look like. If this happened, you may not have had the "correct" image of a boy. I quoted correct because it is not neccessarily correct or incorrect.
Self-worth
Low self-worth and self-esteem are common in homosexual males and females. Usually the same sex can understand each other better, as they have more likelihood of being in the same situation. Those who understand each other are usually better in companionship.

homosexuality is becoming more common, but less accepted today. My belief is that homosexuals may not be able to breed and repopulate, but people love who they love. Allow them to live a long, happy, prosporous life without hurting their self-esteem more than it is. They wont become straight, unless they are bi-curious, which may not even happen then. Please, allow them a fruitful and happy life. They probably deserve it.

Social Rejection

We've all suffered the pain and/or fear of social rejection. We want to be accepted as people by people. If not, we are made fun of, and cast away from the "cool people". These people are often referred to as "loners", basically saying that they are alone. This can be because of their style of dressing, their religious view, what ever reason people can and will find. People try to find the flaws in others to subdue the flaws in themselves. Social Rejection is something to be taken seriously, as people have commited suicide when they were not accepted.

Fear

Fear is a distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat. It can be brought up by specific stimuli such as pain, or danger. This leads to the "fight or flight" responce, which allows you to choose (very quickly) whether or not to fight, or run away. In extreme fear, a sort of shock in which the body goes num, the thoughts are racing, and a type of rigor mortis, or disuse of the muscles takes place. In essence, you can't move. Today, we use fear as a fun activity. Haunted houses, scary movies, all types of things we use to engage fear and laugh. Scientists say it is possible that we may even be curing phobias by provoking the fear hormone. Common fears that exsist include, but are far from limited to: ghosts, evil powers, bugs, animals, heights, water, closed space, tunnels, bridges, needles, failure, social rejection, public speaking, fire, etc. There are many fears, just about of everything that exsists in the world. Fear is a commonly known thing, that may be pleasant, or painful. Don't be fearful of how you use it, as it can only help.

Music

Music is widely loved, and widely cherished. Most people adore music, and don't know what life would be like without it. It has been used since before the medieval times. Some people are effected by the mood of music. For instance, sad music strikes a sad feeling, whereas happy music strikes feelings of happy and joy. My personal favorite song to make me happy is I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. I can sing along with it, which allows happiness. Singing and dancing can engage a certain hormone which provokes happiness. Sing, dance, and listen to joyful music and the world will be at your feet.

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies was a novel, and a movie about a group of people on a plane. The plane crashed down, and none of the adults survived the crash, leaving the boys to fend for themselves on a nearby island. Psychology has its name writen all over the cover of this story. It takes hold of the whole story. Government was one boy's idea, Ralph. He ran the other boys for a short while, but most finally rebelled. This is because it is within the human mind to push away from those who want to help, and those who want to lead, and try to do things for ourselves. Piggy, Ralph's friend, is killed by the rebels. Could this be because they didn't want Ralph around? Because they were annoyed of Piggy? Because they wanted to push Ralph to his limits? All possiblities, all psychology.

2012

Why does 2012 have people packing food in their basements, collecting water to drink, and afraid for their lives? Because everyone else is. What will you do? Will you pack food in the basement, or will you sit back and relax? That's what determines your need to follow. 12, 21, 2012 is the end of the mayan calender. That's all. Do you believe that the mayans could foresee the future? Or do you think that the mayans just ran out of room on there stone calender? It's your choice.

Dissociative Disorders

Resource: http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Dissociative_Disorders.htm

Dissociative disorders are described as losing or having interruption from a person's fundamental aspects of their waking conscious or the information about their past history or one's identity. These disorders can become problem especially when a person tries to push away reality. For example, the conscious is trying to prevent a situation or traumatic event to getting to one's actual mind. The first disorder is the amnesia. This is known by blocking out important information about one's self. Usually it is of a traumatic or stressful nature. Unlike other types of amnesia, this type can't be effected by a blow to the head or medical trauma. Another type is fugue. It is considered rare. This is described when someone will unexpectedly and suddenly will take a physical leave from one's body and their surroundings, and then they will go on someone adventure. This can happen for hours, days, and even months. They can even travel over thousands of miles before coming back to reality. The person may also experience of a lost identity and will least likely take another personality. Thirdly, the next disorder is DID or Dissociative disorder. It can be taken as the person with many personalities. They have been seen in many movies since it seems to be popularly known. It will also have the different personalities alter one's memory or perspective like multiple people in one person. Lastly, the depersonalization disorder. This can be described as having a distance from one's physical body, experiences, or self being. They can easily be spotted, and a good example of this like feeling in a dream where life can feel sort of distorted or unusual

Disorders are one of the recent things humans have found. Many thousands of years ago, people would be killed for having such unusual minds. We will continue to find more and more treatments to these mind boggling mysteries that occur with our own little heads.

Theories of Motivation

Resource: http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologytopics/tp/theories-of-motivation.htm

Motivation is the thing that pushes us to make the things we want to happen. Where does this feeling originate? Here are a few theories. The first theory is the Instinct Theory of Motivation. According to the theory, people are motivated to behave in certain ways because it was an evolutionary action taking place. We are supposedly programmed to do so like seasonal migration is not learned, but is an inborn pattern of behavior. Another theory is the Incentive Theory of Motivation. This explains that people are motivated by external rewards. a day of work may give one a pay of money he or she had earned. That is one example. Reinforcement and association play an important role. Here is another theory which is called the Arousal Theory of Motivation. This theory suggests that people will act towards leveling out their arousal levels. For an example, when arousal levels are too low, one will go to watch an exciting movie. When arousal levels are too high, one will read a book or meditate. It pretty much takes the thought on moderation and uses it to describe how we act. The final theory I will present is Humanisitc Theory of Motivation. It is based on that people have strong cognitive reasons to perform various actions. People are motivated to eat and drink so we will survive, and we also make sure we are safe as another way to keep ourselves alive. The motivator can then desire to fulfill one's potential after the base needs are done.

Motivation is such a confusing subject. These theories may lead to something that may become fact in the not-so-near future hopefully. I believe that this could lead to great things and I believe that Humanistic Theory of Motivation is the most realistic out of all of them.

Believers found to distrust Atheists

Believers found to distrust Atheists

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100220.htm

A recent study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology was one of the first to explore the social psychological processes involved with anti-atheist sentiments. The study is titled Do You Believe in Atheists? Distrust is Central to Anti-Atheist Prejudice. The researchers did a series of six studies with 350 American adults and 420 Canadian university students posing a number of hypothetical questions and scenarios. Study participants found a description of an untrustworthy person to be more representative of atheists than of Christians, Muslims, gay men, feminists or Jewish people. The researchers found that religious believer’s distrust was the central motivator of prejudice against atheists.

The researchers became interested in the topic because a recent Gallop poll found that only 45% of American respondents would vote for a qualified atheist president, the lowest among several hypothetical minority candidates. The poll respondents rated atheists as the group least representative of their vision of America and that they would most disapprove of their children marrying. The researchers stated, “Outward displays of belief in God may be viewed as a proxy for trustworthiness, particularly by religious believers who think that people behave better if they feel that God is watching them. While atheists may see their disbelief as a private matter on a metaphysical issue, believers may consider atheists’ absence of belief as a public threat to cooperation and honesty.”

It shouldn’t matter what someone’s religion is or if you don’t have one. All people should be treated the same, the way you would like to be treated.

Humor

Humor is a very vague term. Many people have different opinions of humor. Some prefer the smarter humor, some perfer the political humor, and some prefer the sexual humor, and then of course some like it all. Due to the diversity of humor, no one has found a set theory of hilarity, so I will share some tid-bit facts about it. Humor is contagious. Have you noticed when someone is laughing that you can't help laughing yourself? Laughter is a bonding technique. It allows for a closer relationship and better intimacy. Humor has been said to keep you living longer, as it strengthens the immune system, boosts your energy, diminishes pain, and protects your body from stress. We've all seen Patch Adams, the clown that cured children. Laughter is a priceless medicine that is fun, relaxing, and bonding.

Fish once a week keeps the Alzheimer's away

Fish once a week keeps the Alzheimer’s away
Research has found that if people eat more fish once a week it helps put more gray matter into your head, which reduces the chances of getting Alzheimer’s. If only you bake or broil the fish you receive more grey matter, if you fry fish it doesn’t grow in their brains. What fish also contains is Omega 3 fatty acids that protect your brain, help your blood flow, and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain. I think this article will benefit to the world because it will help others boost up there omega 3 and make their brains much healthier and stronger. I find this interesting and helpful to know about and would like to know more.
Reference: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45491605/ns/health-aging/

Altzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease causes brain changes that gradually get worse. It's the most common cause of dementia — a group of brain disorders that cause progressive loss of intellectual and social skills, severe enough to interfere with day-to-day life. In Alzheimer's disease, brain cells degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function.

Current Alzheimer's disease medications and management strategies can temporarily improve symptoms, maximize function and maintain independence. It's also important to seek social services and tap into your support network to make life better. Research efforts aim to discover treatments that prevent Alzheimer's or slow its progression.

Symptoms include forgetting... Everything: writing, reading, reasoning, judgement, important events, family members, everything. It is very scary indeed.

~This is just a number of ways that can make one forget.

Abusive boss may harm workers' home life too.

FRIDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Having an abusive boss can do more than ruin your workday, it can also harm your family life, new research suggests.

The study, published online and in the winter issue of the journal Personnel Psychology, included 280 full-time employees and their partners who completed online surveys.

The Baylor University researchers found that the stress and tension an abusive boss causes an employee also affects the worker's partner, their relationship and the rest of the family.

However, the longer the employee-partner relationship, the less effect the abusive boss had on the family. The researchers also found that having more children at home meant greater family satisfaction for the employee.

"These findings have important implications for organizations and their managers. The evidence highlights the need for organizations to send an unequivocal message to those in supervisory positions that these hostile and harmful behaviors will not be tolerated," study author Dawn Carlson, a professor of management and chair of organizational development at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor, said in a university news release.

Abuse by a boss may include tantrums, rudeness, public criticism and inconsiderate action, the study authors pointed out.

"It may be that as supervisor abuse heightens tension in the relationship, the employee is less motivated or able to engage in positive interactions with the partner and other family members," study co-author Merideth Ferguson, an assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, said in the news release.

Businesses and other organizations should encourage workers to use employee assistance programs or other resources, such as counseling and stress management, to find ways to reduce the impact an abusive boss has on the family, the study authors said.

~I understand that there abusive bosses out there and I always knew nothing good came out of it, looks like I was right.

Resource: yahoo.com

Some Atheist Scientists With Children Embrace Religious Traditions, According to New Research

Summary: The study also found that some atheist scientists want their children to know about different religions so their children can make informed decisions about their own religious preferences.

"Our research shows just how tightly linked religion and family are in U.S. society -- so much so that even some of society's least religious people find religion to be important in their private lives," said Rice sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund, the study's principal investigator and co-author of a paper in the December issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.The researchers found that 17 percent of atheists with children attended a religious service more than once in the past year.The research was conducted through interviews with a scientifically selected sample of 275 participants pulled from a survey of 2,198 tenured and tenure-track faculty in the natural and social sciences at 21 elite U.S. research universities. Approximately half of the original survey population expressed some form of religious identity, whereas the other half did not.

Impact: People will start making informed decisions.

Critic: This proves that scientist are not biased.

Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132524.htm

No Fear

Resource: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/12/fear-brain-amygdala/

There has been found that a middle aged woman feels no kind of fear. Fear is a survival instinct and yet she feels nothing of it. They had tried scaring her with a number of terrifying situations such as being held at gunpoint and knife point. She even giggles in haunted houses! She has an unusual genetic disorder called Urbach-Wiethe disease. In one's late childhood, this disease will destroy both sides of the amygdala. The amygdala is composed of two structures the shape and size of almonds on each side of the brain. This damage to the brain had caused the woman to know no fear. They had tested this on animals, but the thing is that if animals can actually feel fear consciously. They also gave her a electronic diary to record for 3 months and fear was an emotion that had never been recorded. Also, she isn't just afraid of life threatening situations, but she also is not afraid of normal everyday fears such as social acceptance and public speaking. The researchers also tried to scare her through many clips or movies such as The Blair Witch Project or The Shining. The damge done to her brain acts at a very unconscious and instinctive level. Not only is there a lack of interest, but you become more curious to what may cause fear.

Fear can be our worst enemy, but it can be our best friend. I believe this is a very interesting article. I think the more we learn about the brain, the better. This could be bad if it were to go wild somehow, but it has little potential to do so since its only genetics.

Emotional Abuse

Resource: http://www.counselingcenter.illinois.edu/?page_id=168

First let's see the definition of abuse. "Abuse is any behavior that is designed to control and subjugate another human being through the use of fear, humiliation, and verbal or physical assaults. To narrow down emotional abuse, it is the kind of abuse that is more emotional than physical in nature. Some examples of emotional abuse is constant criticism and to even more subtle tactics such as intimidation, manipulation, and refusal to ever be pleased. Emotional abuse may be close to brain washing in the way of lower or no self-confidence, self-worth, trust in one's own perceptions, and self-concept. The results will be similar if one is subject to belittling and berating to intimidation. Overall, emotional abuse may dig deeper than physical abuse since it keeps cutting and destroying at one's sense of self and their remaining feeling of personal value.

Abuse is a terrible thing. It exists in this world and it has done no good to the person suffering. The only thing it has taught is the message of true pain or give someone the initiative to help the world. I believe knowing when you are in this situation allows people to escape the pain of it. I believe this article can help someone get out of this situation and it will give a person a better life.

Music can Save Lives

Listen to This => http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzrzB8i-a2c

Now I hope that you had listened to the song first, its really inspirational and life saving. Music is a powerful thing, and we all will listen to it at some point. We all may not be singer, but we may love to sing. I personally love music. If you didn't think that the song was life saving though, then let me tell you this. The beat to Stay'in Alive is almost the exact tempo that can be used to administer CPR. In all technicalities, music can literally save your life. Also, the music that I had presented really connects with a person. Someone going through pain and misery is a terrible thing, this kind of music can really help someone get through all the pain they suffer. Lullaby is an amazing song. It relates to all those people who want to give up and end it all, but music is a powerful thing, give us the right tune and we will listen to it than to ourselves at times.

I believe this song is really a life changing experience. I believe that this song can save lives and it will bring happiness to a person when people really need it.

Pandas have Problems too

Watch this Video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X21mJh6j9i4

Well I recommend you watch the video first. The video is very funny and it has a pretty angry panda every time someone would say no. This panda can be described as having anger issues when relating to things that may upset him. The "no" in each of these situations suggests that the panda has a very short fuse and is willing to do anything to get its point across. I believe the panda may be funny but very antisocial. I hope I never run into this panda... or its product

5 brain myths busted.

Here are 5 brain myths that have been busted by recent study:

#1. We only use 10% of our brain.

The truth is that all the areas of the brain have specific function that is in use at least once a day, though there are still some brain reserves.

#2. People are right brained or left brained.

The age old belief that the left hemisphere is the logical side and the right hemisphere controls creative thought just isn't true. Both sides of the brain have functions for both logic and creativity. It is still true, however, that the left side controls the right hemisphere and vice-versa.

#3. Your brain is gray.

We normally perceive brains as being a gray color or being called gray matter, they also contain white matter to link gray matter, red areas due to blood cells, and a black area due to neuromelanin.

#4. "Flashbulb memories" are like photocopies of events.

When you get into a car accident or when the twin towers fell you would easily remember it because it was such a traumatizing experience and would remember it clearly, not really for your mind can play tricks on you. For example there a group of college students who remember the north tower being crashed into first when in reality it was the south tower.

#5. Your brain is lees active in your 40's.

In reality the brain begins to degrade in a person's late 20's.

-I was on yahoo news earlier when I saw this article and I thought, "Why not, it seems like a good subject."

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that makes it difficult to:

Tell the difference between real and unreal experiences

Think logically

Have normal emotional responses,

Behave normally in social situations

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Schizophrenia is a complex illness. Mental health experts are not sure what causes it. However, genetic factors appear to play a role.

Certain environmental events may trigger schizophrenia in people who are genetically at risk for it.

You are more likely to develop schizophrenia if you have a family member with the disease.

Schizophrenia affects both men and women equally. It usually begins in the teen years or young adulthood, but may begin later in life. It tends to begin later in women, and is more mild.

Childhood-onset schizophrenia begins after age 5. Childhood schizophrenia is rare and can be difficult to tell apart from other developmental disorders of childhood, such as autism.

Symptoms:

Schizophrenia symptoms usually develop slowly over months or years. Sometimes you may have many symptoms, and at other times you may only have a few.

People with any type of schizophrenia may have difficulty keeping friends and working. They may also have problems with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

At first, you may have the following symptoms:

Irritable or tense feeling

Difficulty sleeping

Difficulty concentrating

As the illness continues, problems with thinking, emotions and behavior develop, including:

Lack of emotion (flat affect)

Strongly held beliefs that are not based in reality (delusions)

Hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)

Problems paying attention

Thoughts "jump" between unrelated topics ( “loose associations”)

Bizarre behaviors

Social isolation

Symptoms can vary, depending on the type of schizophrenia you have.

Paranoid schizophrenia symptoms may include:

Anxious

Angry or argumentative

False believes that others are trying to harm you or your loved ones.

Disorganized schizophrenia symptoms may include:

Problems with thinking and expressing ideas clearly

Childlike behavior

Showing little emotion

Catatonic schizophrenia symptoms may include:

Lack of activity

Muscles and posture may be rigid

Grimaces or other odd expressions on the face

Does not respond much to other people

Undifferentiated schizophrenia symptoms may include symptoms of more than one other type of schizophrenia.

People with residual schizophrenia have some symptoms, but not as many as those who are in a full-blown episode of schizophrenia.

'Magic Mushrooms' Can Improve Psychological Health Long Term

Summary: The psychedelic drug in magic mushrooms may have lasting medical and spiritual benefits, according to new research from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The mushroom-derived hallucinogen, called psilocybin, is known to trigger transformative spiritual states, but at high doses it can also result in "bad trips" marked by terror and panic. The trick is to get the dose just right, which the Johns Hopkins researchers report having accomplished. In their study, the Hopkins scientists were able to reliably induce transcendental experiences in volunteers, which offered long-lasting psychological growth and helped people find peace in their lives — without the negative effects.

Critic: I found this to be very interesting.

Impact: They may use this to treat depression.

Reference: http://healthland.time.com/2011/06/16/magic-mushrooms-can-improve-psychological-health-long-term/

Sociopaths

Resource: http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html

A sociopath is person who has pretty much lost his care for anything, but if its bad enough, the sociopath won't even know that he or she is one. One of the traits of a sociopath is a grandiose sense of self. They are so important that they need or actually deserve things. Another aspect of a sociopath is an talent for lying. The person will feel no remorse for lying, its like his conscience or guilt doesn't exist. It would be difficult for this person to tell the truth on a regular basis. Also, adding on to the nonexistence of conscience, they don't feel anything and don't see people as people. People are considered opportunities or targets they can use for their own gain. This is because a deep seated rage rests with the person. They also have an incapacity for love, which leads us to shallow emotions. They have the wrong feeling to a certain scene like laughing at a funeral or getting angry because someone slightly bumped into them. These people also appear as unreliable or irresponsible. They put blame on others when it was obviously theirs to blame.

This article could possibly help someone get help since it is for the purpose of profiling a sociopath. It was interesting to see what a sociopath may be. This profile can help someone get help to a friend or someone really hurting other people to get help with their problem.

The Theories of Love

Resource:http://psychology.about.com/od/loveandattraction/a/theoriesoflove.htm

What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt, no more! We have recognized that this is a song we have heard at some point. The topic today is love. Love can be a wonderful thing and make someone's life ten times brighter. I was surprised to see that there were theories on love. The first theory is Compassionate vs. Passionate Love. Passionate love is based around sexual attraction and intense emotions. Compassionate love is revolves around mutual respect, attachment, and trust. Passionate love will only stay connected for six to thirty months. Compassionate love is for marriage material and if Passionate love can progress to Compassionate love, then it can lead on to a life long relationship. Another theory is based on the color wheel. John Lee compared love to a color wheel. The explanation is that there are three primary colors and those colors can create other colors to complement it which can lead to limitless amounts of different ways to love. The third theory is Triangular Theory of Love. It is triangle which can have different combinations that lead to different types of relationships. The three sides or points represent intimacy, passions, and commitment. If a person has all these qualities in a relationship, it will be the most enduring type, but it is rare for this to occur.

Love is an interesting thing, and this article caught my eye. I believe it gave all the information necessary for the reader and it was a very interesting topic as well. Love as a science is one weird combo, but I don't doubt it. This article could help people understand what kind of love they have and may affect one's decision.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001937/

DPD is a long term condition in which people will rely on others on an excessive level for their physical and emotional needs. DPD will usually occur during a childhood, but there are no real official causes. People with this condition will usually be very uncomfortable with making their own decisions. They also will feel very depressed to separation and loss. Also, someone will suffer great pain to stay in a relationship. Some symptoms may include avoidance of being alone, avoiding personal responsibility, being easily hurt by criticism, and focused on fears of being left alone. The best treatment of DPD is talk therapy. It is considered to be the best and allows for people to become more independent gradually.

This article gives the important information about the disorder. More could be put in and could cause more interest. I felt slightly bored reading through it. Although, this could be helpful to anyone who does have the disorder. It may lead them the right way to where they can get help or understand they have a problem.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Resource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001926/

OCD is more common than most people may think. It is an anxiety disorder that causes people to have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, and obsessions that may push them to do something. The person will carry out obsessive behaviors that will dissolve their thoughts only for temporary relief. These activities they perform must be done or great stress would fall upon the person with OCD. Most of the time, OCD causes symptoms around the age of 30. There have been brain abnormalities found with people with OCD, but no real link can be officially said. Some symptoms of OCD are obsessions related around drugs or to mental illness, and it can also be obsessions that causes major distress or interfere with everyday life. An example is like reorganizing your shelf of action figures if any of them are touched. Treatment is through medication and therapy. Some medication are Celexa or Prozac. Although cognitive therapy has been shown with the greatest results with this disorder.

This page of information only gave the most common or notable basics of the disorder. This information may be enough to a curious man, but it need more information to consider it more useful. Also, the page could help someone who has OCD help to what they could possibly do next.

Could You Become a Dictator?

Could You Become a Dictator?

http://www.livescience.com/12843-dictator.html

Could an ordinary person turn into a dictator? Not overnight, but psychological studies indicate that power does have an effect on the psyche. Citing 5 different studies, the article states that if you get a taste of power, stop noticing or listening to others, believe you have control over random events and have confidence in your beliefs, you can become like a dictator.

Luckily, tyranny is not tolerated at Westwind.

The Psychology of Darth Vader

The Psychology of Darth Vader

http://www.livescience.com/10679-psychology-darth-vader-revealed.html

Psychiatrist Eric Bui says that Anakin Skywalker’s behavior in episodes two and three show traits of borderline personality disorder (BPD). There are nine criteria of borderline personality disorder, Skywalker met six and you only need to meet five to qualify as having the disorder. Anakin Skywalker shows that he is impulsive and that he has anger management issues, going back and forth between idolizing and hating the Jedi. Anakin also has abandonment issues, shown b his fear of losing his wife. Anakin has at least two dissociative episodes when he tries to distance himself from stressful events. The first dissociative episode is when Anakin murders a whole tribe of Tuskens when they killed his mother. Anakin’s second dissociative episode is when he goes on a killing spree through the young Jedi trainees. Also Anakin Skywalker has a huge identity crisis and joins the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. Anakin is a character that many teens can sympathize with because they have many of the same characteristics that are looked for when diagnosing BPD, which is why only adults can have BDP if teens could be diagnosed with it then most of them would be.

This can affect Star Wars fans everywhere, personally I now know a possible reason for why Anakin went psycho.

Income Gaps Increases Unhappiness

Income Gaps Increases Unhappiness

http://www.livescience.com/14638-income-inequality-costing-americans-happiness.html

According to research to be published soon in the journal Psychological Science,

Americans are happier in times when the gap between the rich and poor is smaller.

The results apply to those in low- to middle-income brackets, roughly 60 percent

of Americans. The income gap did not affect the happiness scores of wealthier Americans.

The income inequality is measured using an index called the Gini coefficient, the larger the number, the greater the gap between rich and poor.

The researchers used the U.S. General Social Survey, which questioned 48,000 random Americans between 1972 through 2008. The respondents answered questions on how happy they were, how much they trusted others, and how fair they thought other people were. During times with a lower Gini coefficient, low- to middle-class people were happier. The researchers reasoned that when the income gap grew, poorer Americans became more distrustful and thought they weren’t treated as fairly. This would explain why countries with lower income gaps have become happier while their wealth grew, while it has not with Americans. Happiness ratings haven’t risen along with national wealth in the last 50 years.

If all Americans made enough money to afford a middle class life style and no one was rich or poor then Americans would be happier. This could affect all Americans depending on what is done about it.

Peer Pressure: How to overcome

Peer pressure is one of the leading troubles in a teen's life, as well as some adults. It is the way your peers get you to do something you don't want to do. For instance, "Dude! No one does these blogs! Just don't do 'em, it's not like anything's gonna happen, nobody does 'em! Dr. Boyd can't pick on EVERYONE!" Yes, I've thought it. Peer pressure happens to all of us. Peer pressure is how I got involved in marijuana (see the addiction post) which I can't say was my best decision. My friends were all telling me how great it was, so I tried it. One of the worst mistakes I've ever made. These little tips have helped me, so I'll pass them on to you so you too can overcome the hell that is peer pressure.

• Yes, it can be hard to be the only one to say no, but you can. Think about your own true feelings. I know, it can be hard in the moment with your brain racing, trying to think about what not to do, but all your friends saying do it, but give it a try next time you're faced by peer pressure.


• Pick your friends wisely. When your faced by peer pressure, a lot of power can be taken out of that pressure when even only 1 other person says no. Especially when that person is willing to back you up when you say no as well.


• Stay away from the people you even expect to try to pressure you. Usually they are going to. If you stay away, it's harder for them to notice you, because they're probably pre-occupied by something else, such as cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol.


• If you're facing it alone, try to say no. If not, it happens. If you do give in, just try to talk to a trust worthy friend, a parent, school counselor, etc. Talking helps.

Plate Color May Improve Food's Flavor

Plate Color May Improve Food's Flavor http://livescience.com/17046-plate-color-flavor-psychology.html

A new study has shown plate color affects how people perceive the

flavor of their food. The study was led by Betina Piqueras-Fiszman

of the Universitat Politecnica de Valecia and the University of Oxford.

It was published online in the journal Food Quality and Preference Sept. 5th.

The researchers gave 53 volunteers small domes of strawberry mousse on white or black plates and asked them to rate perceived sweetness, flavor intensity and quality, as well as how much they liked it. The tasters liked the mousse on the white plates more and found it to be more flavorful and sweeter. They also rated it as higher quality but the results weren't statistically significant. They also tested plate shapes, however, there was no difference in perceived flavor with circular, square, or triangular plates. The researchers felt the mousse appeared more intense against the lighter background and this visual illusion influenced perceived flavor. In the future, the researchers would like to further investigate the effects of other hues and plate characteristics to enhance the perception and experience of food.

Never paid attention to the color of the plates. Paper plates are fine as long as the food is good. We have blue plates at home and I can try this experiment with some blue and white plates.

Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS)

Yes it's real, yes it's bad, and no it's not an alien. Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS) is a disease where the afflicted persons hand seems to take on a mind of it's own. It is most commonly seen in a person who has had the two hemispheres of the brain disconnected, or after other brain surgery, strokes, or infections. Some symptoms can include distinct movements of the hand different from the mind of the carrier. It can be controled, but not cured.

Emotion and it's effects

Emotion consists of love, pleasure, happiness, thanks, and hate, sorrow, guilt, saddnes, and many more. Emotion shows that we are in fact human. But emotion doesn't act on only life, it acts and inanimate objects as well. Water, for instance. Masaru Emoto did an experiment. Watch the video for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWAuc9GIvFo This amazing. It really shows the need for positive thought.

Love

Remember that last blog about addiction? Well guess what...uh huh, you guessed it! Love is actually an addiction in a sense. We are hard-wired to love because we need to love our own child, and typically it's easiest to care for a child if their are two, so those two must have a reason to stay together. Love is a powerful and consuming emotion. Don't take that negatively, because love is amazing. Love is a way to connect with someone, enjoy them. Love motivates us. It exhilirates us, and it is the only thing keeping our species alive, if you know what I mean. Most love is mental, but there are the physical aspects of it. Love doesn't have to be with a spouce though. It can be with a best friend, with a starving child. You feel love with almost everyone. Granted, there are those people who you absolutely cannot love, because you just don't fit. Whether you see love as beautiful thing, or a way to keep us living, you're right.
Love is actually an emotion we feel, which comes from our brain. Our brain precieves it as pleasureful, and wants more. This is why we strive for love. There are certain things, most pertaining the senses, that contribute to love, and partially libido. These include:

1. Appearance-when someone is attractive to another, it can stimulate, and possibly remind the on looker of a pleasureable experience. It is said that one might enjoy the appearance of someone that might look somewhat similar. Sounds odd, but experiements have proven that it is possible.


2. Personality-a nice person never hurts. Once again, it is said that one might enjoy the personality of themselves, or more often, their mother.


3. Pheromones-this is a smell that attracts the opposite sex. Want to know what it smells like? Men smell like cologne, women smell like perfume. Only, not nearly as strong. Colognes and perfumes were created to stimulate the pheromone senses.

There are 3 stages to love. Lust, Attraction, Attachement. Lust is the sexual need, or libido. Attraction is the want to be with the person. Attachement is the want to never split away from the person. Most often, in a romantic relationship, lust is the first stimulating stage. In friendships, it is attraction.

Love has its effects. It is a feeling that is hard to understand, hard to explain, but amazing to feel. Not all people have the pleasure of feeling it, some people spend their life looking for it. It can cause trouble, but once it's found, it cannot easily be lost.