Helms - Ohlone Psychology Blog

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.

-- Sheldon

Download ch_06_sleep_debt_measure.doc

Download ch_06_sleep_debt_key.doc

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.

In addition to being an icon within the field of psychology, Dr Dement is a pioneer in Sleep Research, having co-discovered the REM stage of sleep, and worked with none other than Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky!

Each of us got a copy of Dement's latest book,  and both he and I got a little tired as the night wore on.    : )   

According to Dement, sleep research is the most important field of medicine ever, and lack of sleep affects our lives in countless ways (some of them deadly).  I strongly urge you all to look into his and others' work in this field.  It's not only fascinating, but also enlightening and educational! 

Be sure and check out his book, The Promise of Sleep, which compiles over 50 years of his scientific research into one easy-to-read work.

 

Use the link below to download a Sleep Debt test to see if you're getting enough sleep. Then get a copy of Dr. Dement's book and find out what to do about it.

Download Ch 06 Sleep Debt Measure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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). 

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

---------------------------------------------------------

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.

Psych 112 - APA Test...

DO NOT EMAIL THIS ASSIGNMENT TO ME.

BRING IT TO CLASS AS INSTRUCTED BELOW ON THE DATE LISTED IN THE SYLLABUS.

Dear Social Psychology Students:

Click the link below to download the APA take-home test.  Be sure and read the instructions thoroughly before filling it out  This a TEST, and must be turned on ON TIME, on the day it is due. I do not accept late tests, so you must be on time to turn it in to receive credit.  Do not email it to me.

DO NOT EMAIL THIS ASSIGNMENT TO ME.

BRING IT TO CLASS AS INSTRUCTED BELOW ON THE DATE LISTED IN THE SYLLABUS.

Dear Social Psychology Students:

Click the link below to download the APA take-home test.  Be sure and read the instructions thoroughly before filling it out  This a TEST, and must be turned on ON TIME, on the day it is due. I do not accept late tests, so you must be on time to turn it in to receive credit.  Do not email it to me.

Psych 112 - APA / Course Paper Documents...

Dear Social Psychology Students:

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

Download Social Psychology Course Paper Assignment

Download Apa-cover-page

Download 101-sample-reference-page

Dear Social Psychology Students:

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

Download Social Psychology Course Paper Assignment

Download Apa-cover-page

Download 101-sample-reference-page

Valentine's Week - ASOC is sharing the love...

Dear Students,

Your student government, the ASOC, is hosting an event from Monday, Feb 10th, to Thursday, Feb 13th that will allow you to show your love and appreciation for the people in your lives.

Please stop by their booth between 11 AM and 2 PM, located between the new Building 1 and Building 3, pick up a FREE rose, chocolates, and card to give to your Valentine.

This is one of many on-campus events that the ASOC has planned for this semester, so stay tuned!

Psych 101 - APA Take-Home Test...

DO NOT EMAIL THIS ASSIGNMENT TO ME.

BRING IT TO CLASS AS INSTRUCTED BELOW ON THE DATE LISTED IN THE SYLLABUS.

Dear General Psychology Students:

Click the link below to download the APA take-home test.  Be sure and read the instructions thoroughly before filling it out  This a TEST, and must be turned on ON TIME, on the day it is due. I do not accept late tests, so you must be on time to turn it in to receive credit.  Do not email it to me.

Ohlone Psychology Club...

Dear Students:

As many of you may know, we have a thriving Psychology Club here at Ohlone College.  One of the most visible and active clubs on campus, the Psychology Club regularly hosts guest speakers, organizes off-campus field trips, has regular fund raisers, and engages in regular discussions related to the field of psychology.

 

Our meetings are held every Thursdays, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm.

ROOM 3316

 

Correlation vs. Causation...

One of the most important factors in becoming a good critical thinker (and, often, a good consumer of science education) is the ability to understand that correlates are not always causally linked. In other words, just because two things happen together in a predictable manner, that doesn't necessarily mean that one is causing the other.

THIS WEBSITE contains numerous examples of very strong correlations between variables that are highly unlikely to have any causal link (e.g., how could the number of people who drown in pools over a decade be caused by the number of films that star Nicolas Cage?).

The news media is often to blame for reporting stories that are only correlationally linked as if they have a causal connection. Being aware of this, as well as having a good understanding of the fallacy, can make us better able to understand the science we read or hear about, and better informed overall.

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 Psych-101-apa-course-paper-instructions

Download Apa-cover-page

Download 101-sample-reference-page

Psych 101 Course Paper Films...

Dear General Psychology Students:

Below, you will find trailers for the 6 films that you can choose from for the basis of your Course Paper. Please note that you should select one that interests you, and also do a bit of research on the disorder it claims to portray BEFORE the deadline in the syllabus indicated as "Paper Topic Due."  On that date, you will turn in a full sheet of paper with your name, the specific class you are enrolled in, and the paper topic you have chosen from the list. Once you have turned that in, you may NOT change your topic.

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:

Correlation and Causation...

One of the most common logical mistakes people make when interpreting research findings they read online is to assume a causal relationship based on correlational information. In other words, they read that two things happened at the same time, and they assume that one must be CAUSING the other. That's not always true.

New Academic Core Buildings!...

Dear Students,

Our new, $500 million project is complete! The new Academic Core Buildings (ACB) are open and (mostly) functional! You won't believe how beautiful they are!

Just so you know, your classes will mostly be held in Buildings 1, 2, and 3 of the new ACB.  The first number of your classroom tells you the building you're in. The second tells you the floor you're on. And the rest refer to the room number.  For example, room 3316 is Building 3, Floor 3, and the 16th room in that hallway.

If you get lost, there are maps, and you can always ask an employee or fellow student.

See you soon!

- Sheldon

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.

 

Student Data Sheet...

Dear Students:

Please download and complete the Student Data Sheet below, then bring it to class next time we meet.

IT REQUIRES A CLEAR FACE PICTURE OF YOU.  You can insert a picture of yourself and then print it out on the sheet, or just staple a picture to the sheet if that's easier.  Please make sure it's one that allows me to recognize you (no big sun glasses, artistic turns of the head, etc.).  I'm using these to get to know my students by name and face, in the hope that the information will help me adjust my teaching to students' needs and backgrounds.

Thanks!

-- Sheldon

Download Student-data-sheet 2019

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.

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. 

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!