Helms - Ohlone Psychology Blog

Kim Peek, aka "Kimpedia"...

Dear Students:

In 2007, Las Positas College hosted a discussion with Kim Peek, the man who was the inspiration for Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie "Rain Man."  Kim has a rare form of autism known as Autistic Savant Syndrome, and is one of only 50 known MegaSavants in the entire world.  He reads at lightening speed, is able to retain about 98% of what he reads, sees, or hears, and has amassed a vast encyclopedia-like database of knowledge that would fill several hard drives - thus his nickname "Kimpedia."

Along with several members of the Psychology Club and my colleagues (see image of Sarah Cooper, myself, and Kim Peek) in the Ohlone Psychology Department, I had the opportunity to see Kim in action, and his abilities are mindboggling.  We also met and posed for pictures afterward, and I for one felt honored to be in the presence of someone with such an extraordinary brain.  When I introduced myself, I joked, "Now, don't forget me."  He smiled, and I was treated to one of Kim's trademark hugs.  As we chatted, Kim began to recite local roads and their cross-streets (Kim has memorized all of the streets and highways in the United States), and ended with one of his pat phrases, "You have made yourself like a man of greatness and promise."  But he then added, "And your name is Sheldon."  Everyone around laughed and applauded, including Kim.

Click the image below to watch a documentary on Kim:

Research on Sexual Orientation...

Sadly,  Ohlone College does not currently offer even a SINGLE course in "Queer Theory," nor do we thoroughly review the contributions of gay men and women in our History curriculum (the way such is, thankfully, done for Chicano and African American History).

Until this is done (and as I encourage the college to correct this omission), I offer the following information for my students.

1.  Research on the biological evidence for Sexual Orientation, and a specific reference to the work of Simon LeVay, and to his website where you'll find a  comprehensive summary of the biological research to-date.

2.  An explanation of the Stonewall Riots, an incident in 1969 that many view as the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement.  (Keep in mind that such violent  outbursts share much in common with other riots based in civil rights, namely severe oppression over long periods, a history of violence perpetrated upon the group, as well as a general feeling of institutionalized hatred toward the group.)

3.  The history of the Gay Pride Parade, the major symbol of the end of oppression of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) individuals.  (Many ask why such "flamboyance" is shown at these events, and I have two answers as a Social Scientist.  First, media coverage is usually focused on the "best story or  picture," and results in a skewed image of the folks who usually attend.  Second, like Mardi Gras and Carnival [in Rio de Janeiro], participants like to be as outrageous as possible to enhance the fun; however, such portrayals hardly represent the entire population they come from.)

6. Please CLICK HERE to be taken to some recent research on the correlation between familiarity with gay people and greater tolerance for differing sexual orientations.

Sexual Orientation Info, Continued...

One of my students recently brought up the question of so-called "conversion therapies," which purport to change people's sexual orientations. 

The dismal failure of such programs shows that they only succeed in occasionally creating short-term changes in people's behavior, not in their sexual orientation (eroticism).  The APA recently issued a rare statement, warning therapists that they would be sanctioned and could face losing their APA affiliation if they participate in such programs, showing how seriously damaging they can be.

For more information on this pseudo-science, CLICK HERE to visit Wayne R. Besens' excellent "TruthWinsOut" web site.

Psych 101 - Please Don't Feed the Humans...

Students,

Although it's very popular these days to point out the obesity problem in the U.S., this phenomenon is actually a worldwide epidemic.  Click the link below to download a startling editorial on the Obesity Epidemic and its impact worldwide.  I think the facts will be very surprising to you.

-- Sheldon

P.S.  Please note that many of the words and terms are hyperlinks that will lead you to web sites supporting the author's statements and/or providing you with more detail.

Download please_dont_feed_the_humans.doc (55.0K)

Anorexia Nervosa...

Click the image below to watch a performance by Karen Carpenter, of the 70s brother-sister pop group "The Carpenters," singing one of the songs that made her famous.  The Carpenters shot to stardom in the mid 1970s with such hits as "Rainy Days and Mondays," "We've Only Just Begun," and "Close to You."  She has been cited as a musical influence by Madonna, Pat Benatar, Shania Twain, K.D. Lang, Jewel, and many others.

Karen became famous later in her life for something far less desireable than her beautiful singing voice - an eating disorder called Anorexia Nervosa.

Although most of you likely know quite a bit about the disorder, most people at the time could not imagine why a person would simply starve herself.  CLICK HERE to read more about this and other such devastating eating disorders, as well as how to recognize the signs.

Karen managed to start down the path of battling her disorder, but unfortunately, did not survive the disease.  Her seriously damaged heart was simply too weakened, and she died of heart failure on February 4th, 1983.  She was 33 years old.

Motivators - Money vs. Praise...

Psych 101 Course Paper Instructions...

Dear Psychology 101 Students:

Please follow the instructions below in electronically submitting your Course Papers.

1.  Please only use Microsoft Word (NOT Microsoft Works, or any other program) to write your papers.  If you have used some other program, I may not be able to open it, and it will count as a day late for each day you take to get it to me in the proper format).

2.  Please name the file in the following format: LastName, FirstInitial - ClassDay/Time.  For instance: Chan, P - MTTh1030.

3.  In writing your email to me, please label the Subject heading in the following format: ClassDay/Time - LastName, FirstInitial.  For instance: MTTh1030 - Chan, P

4.  Lastly, send the email to my Ohlone email address Sheldon@ohlone.edu AND DON'T FORGET THE ATTACHMENT LIKE I DO HALF THE TIME!

5. Bring the first page of each of your References to class with you on the class meeting AFTER the Course Paper is due.  Staple them together and write your name at the top of the first one in the stack.  I'll collect them on that day only.

6. IMPORTANT: Please only email your paper to me ONCE.  With so many students, it's very difficult to manage all the emails I receive, so please help me ensure that I give you credit for the final version of your paper.

APA Test Info...

Dear Psych 101 Students:

I have finished grading your APA Tests, and am in the process of returning them to you via the email address you used to submit them.

BASIC INFO:

1.  There should be two documents attached to the email when you receive it, in the same format as when you sent them.  The test is counted as a single test, but two grade calculations will be found on the returned documents.  Simply add them together and divide by 200 to obtain your familiar percentage.  You're all adults, so you don't need me to do 2nd-grade math for you and attach a letter grade; I think you can all figure it out for yourselves.  : )

VIEWING THE COMMENTS:

2.  Most of the corrections were done via the "Comments" function in MS Word.  To view the comments I wrote, you will need to TURN ON comments in your software.  In the latest version of MS Word, that is done by clicking on the "Review" tab at the top.  In earlier versions, you'll need to click TOOLS, then OPTIONS, then on the VIEW tab, check ScreenTips, then OK.  If you still have trouble, do a search in the HELP file to learn how to turn on comments in your version.

IN CASE YOU CAN'T OPEN THE FILE:

3. If you have trouble opening the documents, it's because you have an older version of Microsoft Office than I use (I bought the new version because students complained about that one...now the others are complaining that mine is too new!).  In order to open a .docx document, you'll need to download a bit of add-on software from Microsoft's site.  It can be found HERE.

Most of you did pretty darn well on this APA stuff, but be sure and use the feedback as you finalize your Course Papers.  I'd rather not correct it all over again, and I'm sure you'd rather get it right.

Thanks,

-- Sheldon

Chimps and Memory...

BBC News reports recent findings on chimpanzee memory that came as quite a surprise to Japanese researchers who published their report in this month's edition of Current Biology.  CLICK HERE to visit the BBC News web page, and to watch a video news report on the matter (click button on the right, under the red heading "VIDEO AND AUDIO NEWS."  Quite fascinating stuff.

Memory? - F'gettaboutit...

Dear Students:

Imagine that you are a war veteran who is haunted by memories of death and destruction, or that you were abused by a parent as a child and are suffering from the effects of those memories.  Then consider being offered a drug that would literally erase the memory of the events that are causing you such pain.  Click the link below to download a recent report from ABC News on efforts by scientists to do just that - to chemically alter memory consolidation in humans, making them forget specific events forever.

Trials of drugs such as propranolol are showing promising results in literally erasing memories.  Subjects are given the treatment either immediately after the event, or after triggering memories of a past event during therapy.  Results indicate that these drugs can significantly alter the process of "memory consolidation," causing the person to forget the event and/or its emotional content.

The larger questions, of course, are those of medical ethics.  As the story points out, issues of abuse, who gets to decide what a "traumatic" memory is and who gets the treatment, etc., have yet to be hashed out.

Download erasing_the_pain_of_the_past.doc

Remember The Lessons of Elizabeth Loftus...

As we will discuss, one of the world's leading researchers in Memory is a psychologist named  Elizabeth Loftus.  Professor Loftus has published hundreds of articles, reporting the results of work with tens of thousands of subjects' memories.  The big lesson from this research is that memory production is "constructive" and maleable.  It is not a perfect reproduction of the experience, as many people assume. 

This is particularly important when questions of Eyewitness Testimony are considered.  In the 1980s, for instance, a series of modern-day witch trials began to sweep the country, causing parents to believe that their children had been abused and molested by day care workers, and resulting in the destruction of many people's lives and livelihoods.

Click the video below to see more about this topic, and feel free to download the handout below for further research on Memory.

Download handout_memory_eyewitness_testimony.doc

Classical Conditioning Example...

Do you see what I see?...

Researchers at U.C. Berkeley recently announced the results of fMRI scans suggesting that it may someday be possible to literally see what others see.  The team, led by Jack Gallant, published their results in the journal Nature last week, showing that the scans allowed researchers to correctly identify which of 1,750 photographs subjects were viewing with 92% accuracy.

According to the authors of the study, this technology may someday allow us to see what others are seeing, and even to view each other's dreams!

CLICK HERE to read more on this exciting new research.

Psych 101 - Further APA Rules...

A good number of students have written to ask me about two anomalies that might crop up when writing the Course Paper.  Rather than repeat the answer in numerous emails, I've decided to post them on the blog.  The questions are:

1. If the journal article does not list the names of the authors, how do I cite the work in my paper, and what format do I use for my references page?

2. If the journal article I'm using mentions the results of some other journal article, how do I go about citing that work?

Click the link below for the answer to these rather uncommon occurrences.

Download further_apa_rules.doc

Charles Darwin et al.

Dear General Psychology Students:

Please CLICK HERE  to visit the Chico State University web page about Charles Darwin. Once there, you can click on each hyperlink to download excellent videos about his life, voyages, and contributions to our understanding of Evolution.  You will need Real Player to watch them.  A free version is available HERE.

And to learn more about a direct descendent of Darwin, author and director Matthew Chapman, CLICK HERE.  Chapman's book about the recent trial over teaching  Creationism in a public school in Dover, Pennsylvania is as terrifying as it is enlightening.

Social Psychology Presentation Info...

Dear Social Psychology Students:

READ THIS ENTIRE POSTING!!

Please click the link below to download the Presentation Schedule for our class.  You will find within it your names, as well as an indication of which chapter you and your team mates will be presenting (per syllabus schedule).

The primary goal in this assignment is to "provoke" your classmates to learn, process, and utilize the material in the chapter.  You may do this by numerous methods of your own choosing, including lecture, in-class assignments, formal or informal quizzing, memorization exercises, handouts, etc.  Whatever method(s) you choose will be up to you as individuals and as a group.  I choose this "Collaborative Learning" format because 1) you are adult students who do not need to be spoon-fed the material, and 2) my experience is that it is more entertaining and effective than a straight lecture format.

Each member of your group must prepare a single-sheet (both sides) handout that helps the students study for the chapter section you are charged with teaching.  These must have your name and chapter number at the top, and can include such things as important vocabulary, summaries of the chapter, references to (reputable) outside sources, etc.  (Please do not simply type the vocabulary words as your handout, however.)  These double-sided sheets need to be emailed to me WELL BEFORE your scheduled presentation date to allow me time to make copies.  If you fail to do this, I will not run off during class time to make the copies; you will simply be marked down on your presentation grade.

The entire class meeting is expected to be filled by you and your team mates, so be prepared with lots to lecture on, discuss, and do in class so you won't run short and then turn to me to bail you out.

Each presentation team will meet with me for a few minutes the day before they are scheduled to present.  During this short meeting, we will discuss your goals, I will share ideas and/or vid clips I might have, etc.  This meeting's primary purpose is to remind you of your obligations to present, and to allow you to ask questions or brainstorm.

Let me know if you have any questions, AND WATCH THE SYLLABUS TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE PRESENTING.

Download group_presentation_list_psych_112.xls

Aaron Moss - Teaching Assistant...

Dear Students,

As I may have mentioned, I'm lucky to have a former student offering his services as a Teaching Assistant this summer.  His name is Aaron Moss, and he can be contacted via the following email address:  Korn_Trash13@yahoo.com.

In addition to helping me with grading and administrative work, Aaron is also available to meet with you (or to communicate via email) about syllabus questions, tutoring, "navigating" the campus, tips on how to survive college life, etc.  With such large classes, it's sometimes difficult for me to devote as much face time to my students as I would like to.  We're lucky to have Aaron to make up for that, so please feel free to take advantage of his offer to help out.

-- Sheldon

P.S.  Please do not request information about grades from Aaron or send him emails asking when we will be ready to return graded assignments.  His services to my students are limited to tutoring and study tips.

Introducing James Randi...

James Randi's reputation as a magician and escape artist is a matter of world renown.  Although he occasionally still performs small feats, most of his current efforts involve his work as a tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.  Utilizing a keen scientific mind, Randi - as he prefers to be called - examines claims of paranormal powers and activities all over the world. 

In 1996, Randi founded the James Randi Education Foundation (JREF) which offers a prize of $1 million for anyone who can, UNDER SCIENTIFIC CONDITIONS, demonstrate supernatural or paranormal abilities or phenomena.  Although none of the professionals we see on television have taken him up on the challenge, hundreds of others have applied over the years.  Needless to say, the prize remains unclaimed...and I think we all have a good idea why.

Click the image below to watch a video introduction to Randi and his work.

After you watch the video, CLICK HERE to see the sad truth about Peter Popoff.  (He's baaaack...)

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I've received several requests for more information on the recent controversy involving Sylvia Browne and the parents of Shawn Hornbeck, the young man who was recent recovered from his abductor.  CLICK HERE to see more.  This woman needs to be STOPPED.

Psych 101 - APA / Course Paper Documents...

Dear General Psychology Students:

These are the documents you will need to write your Course Paper. They will remain on the blog for the entire semester, so if you lose them, you'll always have a back-up.

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Download apa_course_paper__psy101.doc

Download sample_cover_page.doc

Download sample_reference_page.doc

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Below is a Sample APA Paper that I wrote, based entirely on NONSENSE. Although it has no basis in fact or reality, it will hopefully assist students in understanding the tone a scientific paper should use, as well as provide some ideas about the structure of such a paper. Please do not think that its structure is a "template," however. Trying to copy its format will only serve to limit you in many ways.

Download sample_apa_paper.doc

Summer Psychology 112 Syllabus...

Dear Psychology 112 (Social Psychology) Students:

Please click the link below to download the syllabus for our class.  Although I do my best to make a perfect syllabus, students sometimes find small errors.  Therefore, we will go over this syllabus on the first day of class and "finalize" it.  Please do take a look at it in the meantime, however.  (To save it to your computer, RIGHT CLICK and choose "Save Target As.")

-- Sheldon

Download summer_2008_psychology_112_syllabus.doc

Summer Psychology 101 Syllabus...

Dear Psychology 101 (General Psychology) Students:

Please click the link below to download the syllabus for our class.  Although I do my best to make a perfect syllabus, students sometimes find small errors.  Therefore, we will go over this syllabus on the first day of class and "finalize" it.  Please do take a look at it in the meantime, however.  (To save it to your computer, RIGHT CLICK and choose "Save Target As.")

-- Sheldon

Download summer_2008_psychology_101_syllabus.doc

Summer Textbooks...

Information about textbooks is available in the Ohlone College Bookstore on campus, with classes organized in the store by department, instructor, and course.  Just ask any of the floor staff to help you find the section marked "Psychology," and find the book(s) with my name on the tag.

General Psychology (PSY 101):

- Exploring Psychology, 6th edition (David G. Myers)

-  ISBN: 0-7167-1544-9

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Social Psychology (PSY 112): 

-  Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction, 4th edition (Kenrick, Neuberg, & Cialdini)

-  ISBN: 9780205493951

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Keep in mind that there are numerous editions of these textbooks out there, and it's important than you acquire the exact title and edition that I am using.  I understand the desire to "get a good deal," but I don't want you to handicap yourself in the process.

Note bene:  It doesn't much matter to me how you get these books (in the campus bookstore, online, through a friend, etc.), but I cannot hold lectures or tests because you're still awaiting your book's arrival.