Helms - Ohlone Psychology Blog

Therapeutic Touch "Therapy"...

Click the video below to watch John Stossel's report on Therapeutic Touch Therapy, a technique used by millions of practitioners (including nurses!) to "detect bad energy fields, and to promote healing though focusing the Universe's good energy onto and into the body."

This technique has been shown repeatedly to have no scientific basis, and no therapeutic or medical value, yet people continue to teach and use it.  This strong belief despite evidence to the contrary follows certain well known psychological principles, such as Belief Perseverance.

Lobotomy...

Dear Psychology 101 Students:

One of the most disturbing chapters in the history of modern treatment of the mentally ill is the introduction and practice of the Prefrontal Lobotomy.  This procedure involved various surgical techniques, each designed to cut off communication between the front lobes and the emotion center of the brain. Now considered "quack" medicine, more than 35,000 of these operations were performed by the late 1950s, on people of all ages, and for a host of mental, emotional, and social adjustment issues.

CLICK HERE to watch a PBS special (separated into several parts) entitled "The Lobotomist," about the most famous proponent of the operation, Walter Freeman.

 

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CLICK HERE if you would like to learn more about Freeman and his infamous "Icepick Lobotomy" procedure.  The web site contains information, images, and most importantly an audio recording (see link at the top of the page) originally aired on National Public Radio (NPR).  It is narrated by Howard Dully, a man who underwent the procedure at the age of 12 at the behest of his step-mother.  Dully's narration and subsequent writings on the matter are as touching as they are horrifying.

Freeman is a controversial figure, and I must warn you that the PBS report above can be a bit disturbing for the more sensitive among us, so do not feel you have to visit the site or listen to the report.  For the rest of you, please know that the American Medical Association and the APA no longer endorse this procedure (or any lobotomy procedure).

Milgram Obedience Revisited...

One of the most earth shaking studies in the history of social psychology was the 1960 study carried out by Stanley Milgram at Yale University, known as the Milgram Obedience Study.

The Bipolar Handbook...

Dear Students:

If you're looking for a resource with the very latest information on Bipolar Disorder, I highly recommend The Bipolar Handbook by Wes Burgess, MD, PhD. Dr Burgess is a practicing psychiatrist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Bipolar Disorder. He received his training at Stanford University Medical Center, and has taught at both Stanford and UCLA.

Dorthea Dix...

Dear Psychology Students:

As discussed, a woman named Dorthea Dix is almost single-handedly responsible for sparking a movement that resulted in revolutionizing the treatment of those with mental illness in this country.  The fact that she was a woman living in the 19th-century Southern U.S. makes her story all the more astonishing and impressive.

CLICK HERE to read more about this remarkable woman.

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If this sort of history piques your interest, please contact Heather McCarty ([email protected]) and ask about taking her new course entitled "History 119B: Bad Girls: Women in America from 1890."

CLICK HERE to read about another incredible woman, Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Jane Cochran), and her incredible ordeal spending 10 days in an asylum with the express purpose of studying it from the inside and reporting on her experiences.

Nelly Bly vs. Blackwell's Island Asylum...

CLICK HERE to read the amazing story of journalist Nelly Bly (whose read name was Elizabeth Cochran), the woman who got herself committed to an "insane asylum," as they were called then, to expose them as the horribly abusive places they actually were.

Because of her newspaper articles, as well as work by others such as Dorothea Dix, sweeping changes were made in the housing and treatment of people with mental illness.

Phobias!...

Dear Students:

Below, please find the list of Phobias we discussed in class.  This list of approximately 500 Phobias is by no means comprehensive, but it should illustrate to you that, since they are all learned, the types of Phobias are endless. 

Download ch_13_phobia_list.doc

Alfred Adler - Birth Order...

Dear Students,

As you may know, one of the first theorists to propose that birth order may affect personality development was the famous neo- Freudian, Dr. Alfred Adler.

In this recent article in Time Magazine, author Lynne Berger takes a closer look at this theory and wonders whether it still applies in the modern world.

"Freud: The Making of an Illusion" by Fred Crews...

Berkeley professor Dr. Fred Crews has written what some consider to be the ultimate biography on the most famous (and infamous) figure in the history of psychology, Sigmund Freud.

Crews' book, "Freud: The Making of an Illusion," sheds light on little-known backstories and historical truths about Freud as a man, the etiology of his ideas about psychology and the human mind, and his surprisingly non-scientific methods in both.

CLICK HERE to read an NY Times review of Crews' book which I think you'll find interesting.

The Only Known Recording of Sigmund Freud...

Dear Students,

During the Nazi takeover of Europe, Freud and his family were in trouble like all Jews in the affected regions. They were able to escape due to connections (including Princess Marie Bonaparte of France, who put up the necessary funds to buy his freedom and allow him an exit visa). CLICK HERE to read the details.

Below is a very interesting artifact from the history of psychology -- a recording of Sigmund Freud, the Father of Psychology.

"A Dangerous Method" - A film about Freud and Jung...

Keep an eye out for a film entitled "A Dangerous Method," starring Michael Fassbender as Sigmund Freud, and Viggo Moretenson as Carl Jung.  The film takes place just before WWI, a time that would test the complex and increasingly strained relationship between Freud and his young protégé.  I'm sure it's available on DVD by now.

Reviewers are hailing it as a masterpiece of historical drama, and it seems destined to win many more awards than it already has, as well as to re-introduce the world to the achievements of these two men.  Although the work of Freud and Jung has been largely discredited, they should be credited for getting the conversation started about the field of psychology, psychotherapy, etc.

Click below to watch the trailer.

Measuring Your Stress Levels...

Dear Students:

Please click the links below to download either the Stress Scale for Youth, or the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (for adults).  Both are designed to provide you with insight into your level of stress, and help you decide whether it's time to take steps to cope better.  Keep in mind that we can be under great stress and not even notice it, so don't assume that you'll know when you're at risk.

Type A / Type B Personality Test...

Dear Students:

CLICK HERE to take an introspective measure that will allow you to test whether you fit into the category of Type A or Type B personality.  This test consists of 10 pairs of sentences, and should take approximately 2 to 3 minutes to complete. 

More information on Type A and Type B personalities can be found HERE.

Enjoy!

-- Sheldon

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Test...

Dear Students:

CLICK HERE to be whisked away to Discovery Health's web site to take an Emotional Intelligence test.  As discussed in class, such tests purport to measure your ability to:

1. know your emotions

2. manage your emotions

3. motivate yourself

4. recognize emotions in others, and

5. handle relationships.

For more information Emotional Intelligence (including the criticisms), CLICK HERE.

Nonhuman Primate Communication...

Dear Students:

Click the link below to read an interesting article from Skeptic about research on nonhuman primate communication.  For decades we've heard conflicting reports about efforts to teach chimps and gorillas (and sometimes orangutans) to "talk" using sign language, message boards, and other means.  In the early 1970s, the answer seemed to be that it was possible that they might actually have the capacity to express themselves on something approaching a human level of communication.  Since that time, the research has been criticized in terms of its methods, research design, conclusions and, in some cases, even its very authenticity!.

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 malleable. It is not a perfect reproduction of the experience, as many people assume.

Dr. Loftus has been a consultant, or testified, in hundreds of criminal cases that involve memory-based testimony, leading to a great interest in her work, but also a good deal of backlash and hate because she stands up for the truth, even with unpopular defendants (e.g., Harvey Weinstein).

CLICK HERE to listen to my ShelShocked Podcast episode on memory, which includes an interview with Elizabeth Loftus!

 

Supernanny - Negative Punishment aka "The Naughty Spot"...

Dear Students:

If you aren't already familiar with Jo Frost (the "Supernanny"), she's a reality show phenomenon who demonstrates effective child rearing techniques on her weekly show on ABC.  Utilizing the best in child psychology, Jo shows parents how to change their children's behavior by consistent use of various Operant Conditioning principles. 

Watch the video below to see how these techniques are exponentially more effective in the long term than using corporal punishment (aka, spanking, slapping, etc.), and create none of the unwanted side effects such as an increase in violence.

If solid empirical evidence is more your style, CLICK HERE to read a report in Scientific American that summarizes recent findings from research on the effects of spanking. The largest and most conclusive studies yet show that spanking, although effective in the moment, can to serious issues such as violence and cognitive deficits.

Little Albert - The Final Chapter...

One of the best known studies in the history of Behaviorism is that of Little Albert, an infant who was used as a subject by psychologist John B. Watson to study Classical Conditioning.  Although it's shocking to us by today's standards and could never be replicated, these studies answered many questions about the principles of this type of Associative Learning.  Perhaps the most enduring question, however, has been "Who was Little Albert, and what ever happened to him?"

After more than 80 years, that question was finally answered by psychologist Hall Beck.  Click the video below to learn what Beck was finally able to determine.

B.F. Skinner and his Kamikaze Pigeons...

Perhaps no better example of the success of B.F. Skinner, the training of kamikaze pigeons in Project Orcon in the 1940s and 1950s showed how Operant Conditioning could be used in some of the most extreme conditions imaginable.  In it, Skinner shaped the behavior of the birds so well that they could actually guide missiles toward their target (ultimately killing the birds, of course, but they didn't know that).

CLICK HERE to be taken to a website that covers the project in detail, including strategic blueprints, as well as a short video clip that explains its history and problems.

Life Without Pain...

Dear Students:

CLICK HERE to be taken to a story about a young boy with the rare disorder "Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhydrosis" (CIPA) a condition that leaves him unable to feel pain, or to regulate his body heat.

Mosquito: The Sound of Silence?...

Dear Psychology Students: 

Click here to read an article on the creation of the "Mosquito Noise," a 17 kilohertz sound file that was created to discourage young "troublemakers" from hanging out in front of stores, in construction zones, or in other places that they are creating trouble or putting themselves in danger.

Its genius lies in the fact that, generally speaking, only those under the age of about 25 can hear the noise (which I understand is quite shrill and annoying).  Presumably, those over 25 years of age are less likely to make trouble, and can go about their business in a mature fashion.  It may seem a bit "age-ist" and discriminatory, but initial reports are that it seems to work better than constantly calling the police.

In an interesting side note, clever youth have begun to download this file as a "silent" ring tone for their cell phones, allowing them to receive calls without the "old folks" knowing it.  In the game between Youth and Age, I'd say the score is a 1:1 tie, then.

To download file, click below.

Download 17KHz.wav

Miracle Fruit!...

CLICK HERE to read a New York Times report about Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum), the tiny fruit that "tricks your tongue." Although its active ingredient, miraculin, is still being studied, the experience has been enjoyed by millions around the world.

Sensation and Perception...

CLICK HERE to be taken to a wonderful web site full of illusions that will test your perceptive abilities and make you better aware of just how the brain's perceptive abilities work (and don't work) to give us a sense of the world around us.  For a preview of such wonders, click the image to the right and stare at it for a moment.  Although your brain may tell you otherwise, I promise it's not actually moving.

Sensation, Perception, and the Backmasking Craze...

They say the devil's in the details, but they never warned us that he may also be lurking in your I-Pod.

At least, that's what the proponents of BackMasking would have you believe.  This phenomenon is not only predicated upon the belief that we can be affected by subliminal input, but even more outlandishly, that we can be affected by BACKWARD subliminal input.

Research on Sexual Orientation...

Sadly, most of our education lacks a thorough review the contributions of gay men and women in our curriculum (the way such is, thankfully, done for Chicano and African American History).

Until this is done, I offer the following information for my students.

Self-Monitoring Scale...

Dear Social Psychology Students:

Use the link below to download a Self-Monitoring Scale. This simple introspective measurement tool will help you determine whether you are on the HIGH to LOW rating of this important aspect of our personalities, and will hopefully you relate better to the information about self-monitoring in the chapter.

Please keep in mind that these tools are not meant to be diagnostic tools, and are subject to inquiry and critique. No test created by psychologists should be taken as "gospel," but they can be fun and interesting.

 

Download Ch 04 - Self-Monitoring Scale

Introducing Alfred Kinsey...

Dear Students:

Please CLICK HERE to be taken to the home page of The Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender and Reproduction.  Once there, you can learn about the institute, its founder, and the ongoing research being conducted.

David Reimer - The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl...

The life story of David Reimer is a fact that reads like fiction. It regards one of the most personal and mysterious aspects of human life: gender.  The detailes of the story were recently released in a book by John Colapinto, "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl."

Nancy Segal - Twin Studies...

Dear Students:

One of the oldest debates in the social scientists is something we call "Nature vs. Nurture." In it, scientists present arguments about whether (and/or to what degree) certain behaviors are the result of our biology, or are learned.

For the most part, this is a professional guessing game. To some degree, comparisons of adopted children can answer these questions since it can be assumed that the similarity in their behavior to their adopted family members is likely learned, since they share no genes with them.

Psych 101 (General Psychology) Course Paper Documents...

Use the links below to download the instructions for the Course Paper assignment for your class. In it, you will find a general description of the assignment, as well as guidelines for writing in APA style.

It may benefit you to print these out and bring them to class for the lecture on the Course Paper. That way, you can take notes as we discuss the assignment and APA style.

Download APA Course Paper Guidelines

Download APA Sample Cover Page

Download APA Sample Reference Page

 

To assist you in understanding the "tone" used in scientific writing, I have created this sample course paper. It is only 4 pages long, but yours must be 5 pages. Still, it will allow you to "hear" the way we write in the sciences, which is quite different from the creative or conversational tone used in other writing.

Download Sample APA Course Paper

Daydreaming and Meditation...

Dear Students,

Because our text book is lacking a bit in its coverage of Daydreaming and Meditation, I decided to find a couple of resources to give you more information.

Download Daydreaming - Price-Mitchell (2016) to read research on the creative benefits of daydreaming. Although most of us think of daydreaming as a sign that a person is unfocused and unruly, this research seems to suggest that there can be a purpose for this altered state of consciousness.

CLICK HERE to visit a website that discusses research on meditation, and how scientists are beginning to unlock the emotional and even physical benefits of this altered state of consciousness.

Accessing Ebscohost Database for Course Paper Research...

Dear Students:

As you already know, your Course Paper is to be constructed using peer-reviewed journal articles only as your scientific source material. To that end, please use the Ohlone Library's databases to find these. Click the link below to open this blog post and follow the instructions:

The Woman Who Can't Forget...

Have you ever wished for a better memory? I think it's a very common (perhaps ubiquitous) human desire. Many might even go so far as to envy those who have "perfect recall," the ability to store and retrieve nearly every experience, fact, thought, etc.

As with many such cases, however, the reality of perfect recall, often a result of Hyperthymesia, is far from the rosy picture many of us imagine. The case of Jill Price (The Woman Who Can't Forget) illustrates this quite well. Studied by researchers for years, always under a pseudonym, Price has marveled memory specialists with her ability to recite dates and facts down to the smallest detail, with little or no error. She even corrects entries in encyclopedias and other authoritative sources.

CLICK HERE to read a report about this fascinating woman, and watch the embedded video for additional details about how this "gift" can also carry a "curse."

Click the video below to watch a short documentary about Jill and her life history.

 

Michelle's Study Tips...

Dear Students,

Please click the link below to download a one-page of tips from a former student that may provide you with some insight about how to study better.

As I said in class, these are tips from one student who found them helpful for herself. They may, or may not, all apply to your own learning patterns. But, it probably won't hurt to consider some of them. Michelle took all of my courses, and proved herself an exceptional student. Some of that may have been due to things other than her study habits, but who knows?

 

Download Michelle's Study Tips

Psych 101 - Sleep Debt...

Dear General Psychology Students:

Please click the links below to download the Sleep Debt Measure and the KEY which will allow you to determine how much sleep you "owe" yourself.

More information on the importance of sleep can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Download ch_06_sleep_debt_measure.doc

Download ch_06_sleep_debt_key.doc

 

Since insomnia is often discussed as a possible cause of poor sleep hygiene, I offer the fact sheet below to help you understand the various diagnoses, effects, and possible treatments for this serious problem.

Download Insomnia

William C. Dement - World's Leading Sleep Researcher...

Dear Students:

In 2010, I was honored to receive an invitation to become part of a collaborative effort to educate the public about the importance of sleep. This group, now called the Stanford Sleepwell Society, operates under the auspices of one of the biggest names in sleep research, Stanford University professor/researcher William C. Dement, MD, PhD.

In a previous semester, several members of the Ohlone Psychology Club and some of my other students attended a talk by Dr Dement.

 

Introducing Oliver Sacks...

One of my favorite topics in the field of psychology is the true story of an attempt by neurologist Oliver Sacks to help people suffering from a never-before-seen disease called Encephalitis Lethargica (Sleepy Sickness). 

Welcome and Canvas Instructions - Psychology 101-05 ONLINE class...

Dear Psychology 101-05 (General Psychology ONLINE) Class,

Please click below and download the Welcome Letter and the instructions for accessing our Canvas shell. Let me know if you have any difficulties, and I'll do my best to help you resolve them.

Thanks!

-- Sheldon

Download Remote-Instruction - ONLINE class

Instructions for Canvas and Zoom...

Dear Students:

Please click the link below to download the sheet explaining how to access and use Canvas and ConferZoom video conferencing.

Download Welcome Letter and Remote Instruction Information

 

Spring Syllabi...

Dear Students:

Please click the appropriate link below to download your syllabus.  I teach a lot of classes, and multiple sections of some, so make sure that you download and save only the syllabus for the class that you have registered for.  Each syllabus has information (room numbers, test dates, etc.) that is specific to YOUR class.  These syllabi will remain on my blog for the entire semester.

Moreover, if I mention a schedule change in class (they're rare, but they are sometimes unavoidable), or if I happen to miss a class due to illness, it is your responsibility to check back here to see if a revised version of your syllabus has been posted.

 

Spring Text Books...

Spring Semester text books for my classes are shown below. If you use the ISBN displayed here, you can be certain that you're purchasing the exact book I am teaching from. 

This information is also 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.

 

Recording of my lectures is prohibited...

Hi, Everyone!

As I mention in each of my classes, I do not allow video or audio recording of my lectures.  This has apparently been confusing for some, so I wanted to be very clear about it.

The lectures that I give are extemporaneous and, although they may seem to be "off the top of my head" at times, I can assure you that that is an illusion.  Each of my lectures contains a great deal of carefully planned information and is "performed" as much as recited.  Therefore, my lectures and those performances constitute my Intellectual Property.  Without ownership of this property, a faculty member can become somewhat obsolete, as well as having her/his property disseminated without consent.

I hope this clarifies my policy; let me know if you have any questions.

-- Sheldon

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California Education Code 78907 prohibits students taping a class, and violation is a misdemeanor:

78907. The use by any person, including a student, of any
electronic listening or recording device in any classroom without the
prior consent of the instructor is prohibited, except as necessary
to provide reasonable auxiliary aids and academic adjustments to
disabled students. Any person, other than a student, who willfully
violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
  Any student violating this section shall be subject to appropriate
disciplinary action.

Goodbye to my friend, Magda...

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you tonight of the passing of my dear friend, and friend of the college, Magda Brown, who passed away late last night. She had been hospitalized for some time due to a recent injury, and at the age of 93, it was more than her body could take.

Magda visited Ohlone College on several occasions, and was one of the most popular guests in our Ohlone Psychology Club Speaker Series. A survivor of the Holocaust, she devoted the past several decades of her life to fighting against the rise in Holocaust denial around the world, and to spreading her message of love and acceptance to everyone she met. She was a tireless educator, and her calendar was always incredibly packed, sending her traveling to schools, colleges and universities, church groups, mosques, temples, and public auditoriums of all sorts, making clear in each of her talks, “I do not tell you to hate, or not to hate. All I ask is this: think before you do so. Always think.”

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. 

APA Tips for Avoiding Cabin Fever...

Since everyone and his brother is playing amateur scientist or psychologist these days, I've hesitated to chime in. But I've also received a good number of messages from people who've asked me to advise them about how to cope with the Shelter-In-Place order, and all the other craziness that we're currently faced with. To that end, here's my advice for dealing with Cabin Fever.
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Magic In The Classroom - An e-Book from the JREF...

A few years ago, I was asked by the James Randi Educational Foundation to contribute to part of their educational efforts. The result of this collaboration was three chapters in their e-book, "Magic in the Classroom."  In it, I wrote chapters on the following topics:

1. Your Nervous System Can Fool You (Chapter 25)
2. Your Common Sense Can Fail You (Chapter 26)
3. Your Beliefs are Malleable (Chapter 28)

Click here to visit the download page where you can get a FREE copy in multiple formats.

And you thought I was kidding....

Dear Students:

Many of you laughed when I mentioned the Flat Earth Society in class (and it is, indeed, laughable). But believe me, I'm not kidding.  There are litereally thousands of otherwise normal, everyday folks around the world who believe that our planet is flat.

This view of the world is ancient, and derives from staggering ignorance. Even Christopher Columbus knew that the world was a sphere (regardless of the children's tale that says otherwise).  To find people who believed this, you'd have to go back much further than the 1400s. In fact, it was the Greek philosopher Pythagoras who first proposed a spherical Earth in the 6th century (the 500s)!

CLICK HERE to read a report about the Flat Earthers and their ridiculous beliefs. Then, consider what other beliefs people hold (homophobia, Creationism, sexism, anti-GMO, racial superiority, vaccine denial), as well as any that you yourself may hold that aren't supported by the facts.

ANNOUNCEMENT: ShelShocked Podcast Airs!...

I'm pleased to announce that my long-awaited podcast has finally aired. Each week, my co-host Amanda DeVaus (from the Australian Skeptics) will cover a different topic from science or skepticism, and feature interviews from famous scientists, authors, critical thinkers, etc.

NOW AVAILABLE in the iTunes store! Just search for "ShelShocked," then subscribe so that episodes will download automatically each week FREE.

CLICK HERE to join our Facebook fan page where each new episode will post, and related information can be found.

In addition, you can listen to (or download) episodes directly from my website HERE.

 

Coffey Talk - The Success of Operation Bumblebee...

Dear Students:

I'm happy to report that Operation Bumblebee (San Jose) was a rousing success. Several of us to took part have written up articles about the experience, and some are already taking part in podcast interviews to spread the word. In addition to tricking self-described psychic Chip Coffey into connecting with our fake dead relatives, we also hoped to spark skeptical activism in our community. When you have a moment, click the link below to read (or listen to) my take on the evening. It was an emotionally exhausting experience, but very gratifying, nonetheless.

CLICK HERE to read a report of the evening's events (also available in audio format on that page).  We have some interest from several major publications and a TV show, and I'll keep you posted about those as they develop.

Stay skeptical!