Helms - Ohlone Psychology Blog

IMPORTANT: Information About Using Canvas for "Remote Instruction"...

Dear Students:

Please click the links below to download the instructions for YOUR CLASS. (They're all basically the same, but I want to avoid confusion where possible, so download the one for your class only.)

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING ConferZoom

Download ConferZoom Directions for Students

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Psychology 101 - M/W 9:45 AM

Download Remote Instruction - Psych 101 MW 945

Psychology 112 - M/W 1:00 PM

Download Remote Instruction - Psych 112 MW 100

Psychology 101 - T/TH 11:00 AM

Download Remote Instruction - Psych 101 TTH 1100

Psychology 101 - T/TH 1:00 PM

Download Remote Instruction - Psych 101 TTH 100

Psychology 101 - TH 6:30 PM

Download Remote Instruction - Psych 101 TH 630

Psych 101 Course Paper Submission Instructions...

Dear Psychology 101 Students:

Please follow the instructions below in EMAILING your Course Papers to me. Failure to follow them perfectly could result in your paper being counted as late or not graded at all.

 

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.

 

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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Mate Traits Questionnaire...

Dear Social Psychology Students:

Below are links from which you can download a Mate Traits survey created by the evolutionary psychologist, David M. Buss. His research on various aspects of human psychology show that behavior genes are alive and well in our minds, and many of them are universal and long-lived.

To take the survey accurately, download and fill out Part 01. After you have rated each of the items from 1 to 13, download Part 02 and see how your answers match up to the people Buss has surveyed in over three dozen countries around the world. Your results may surprise you.

Download Ch 08 - Mate Traits part 01

Download Ch 08 - Mate Traits part 02

Secondary Source Citation (citing a study within a study)...

Dear Students:

Some of you have written to inquire about how to cite a study that is mentioned within a study that you are reading.  This is referred to as a Secondary Source Citation, and it is generally frowned upon.

The general rule is that you wouldn't want to cite something that you haven't actually read. Relying upon someone else's interpretation and reporting of a study is fraught with complications (e.g., misquoting, misinterpretation, deception, etc.). At the University level, your professors will simply require you to go find the research and read it for yourself.  My rules are slightly different.

What I ask you to do is to make a good-faith effort to find that information in another source (a journal article that provides the same information, but which you are actually able to read yourself). If that is not possible, you may use the attached format to cite a Secondary Source.

Do not abuse the privilege, though, or your paper will be weakened by the fact that you haven't done much primary research, and your grade could suffer.

Download Rules for Secondary Source Citation

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.

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!

 

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.

 

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.

The Johari Window...

Dear Social Psychology Students,

Click the link below to download and take a simple version of the Johari Window.  It's probably best to take the test before reading about what it's meant to measure.

Download CH 07 - Johari Window Handouts

 

After you receive your results, CLICK HERE to read more about the Johari Window and what it means.

As with any such tool, you should use critical thinking when evaluating its validity, both in general, as well as specifically as it applies to you.  I also invite you to learn more about the creators of this measure (Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham), as well as its history and development.

Have fun,

-- Sheldon

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.

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

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. 

CLICK HERE to be taken to a web site where you can hear excerpts from songs of the accused, played forward and backward.  Numerous music artists throughout the years have been accused of "corrupting America's youth" with messages of death, destruction, suicide, and evil supposedly hidden within their music. 

The best defense against the nonsense of BackMasking lies in how difficult it is to determine what the message is before reading the "reverse lyrics."  An area of the brain responsible for language comprehension (the Wernicke's Area) creates this auditory phenomenon.  Ever on the lookout for input, the Wernicke's Area only needs the slightest suggestion to give us the perception of language.  With an almost endless supply of recordings to search, it is almost certain that a combination of sounds will present themselves that are close enough to actual words to be perceived as language, especially once we are prompted to listen for them.

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.

Psych 112 - Coded Gradebook...

Dear Social Psychology Students:

Using the "color code" provided in class, you may review your grades in the Excel spreadsheet below.

 

Download Grades Psych 112 - MW 3420

Social Psychology: The Rumspringa Project...

Dear Social Psychology Students:

Please join in The Rumspringa Project, a BOYCOTT FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT, by ceasing the use of all forms of electronic communication and entertainment for ONE WEEK. Can you do it? Do you think it will have any effect on you? What problems might arise, and how could you learn to deal with them WITHOUT the use of modern communication devices?

Check out my Facebook page for the details, and then get ready to join the Rumspringa Project for ONE WEEK, between Friday, March 13th and Friday, March 20th. The following will be off limits:

1. Instagram
2. Facebook
3. Twitter
4. Linkedin
5. Internet
6. Streaming Services (e.g., Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.)
7. Video games
8. Cell phones (only landlines are okay)
9. Email

Click the link below to read details about the written assignment.

Karen Korematsu Speaker Event...

Dear Students,

I strongly encourage you to attend this event. This is a rare opportunity to hear from the daughter of a brave Japanese-American who defied an unethical law during WWII which required all Americans of Japanese descent to surrender themselves for incarceration by the U.S. Goverment.

Ms. Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred T. Korematsu, will be on the Ohlone Campus on Thursday, March 5th, giving a one-hour talk that begins at 11:00 AM. If your schedule permits, please consider attending this FREE event. Universities and wealthy businesses often have speakers of this caliber, but it's a rarity for a community college. So please avail yourself!

SPEAKER BIO:

This year, the Lytton Center is pleased to present Karen Korematsu with the award. At an awards ceremony and speaking engagement, Karen Korematsu will offer Ohlone students and community members the opportunity to hear the storied history of her father, Fred T. Korematsu, who resisted Japanese American incarceration during World War II. Karen Korematsu has used this story and legacy to carry on the work of her activist father to pursue advances in racial equity, social justice, and human rights. The event will be held on March 5, 2020 at 11:00 am at Ohlone College’s Smith Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public. 

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

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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.

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 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!