Reference no: EM132286675

Question: Category A

A.1. Describe development from age Four to Six considering psychosocial, cognitive and language development. Provide benchmarks and give examples involving: a. play, b. socialization, c. problem solving, and d. nonverbal communication.

A.2. Give Three (3) examples of learning behavior in which operant and classical conditioning could co-occur. Explain the mechanics and distinguish the two clearly.

A3. What is the Jennifer Anniston neuron and what is its significance?

A4. What is the difference between causation and correlation? Why all the fuss? Provide at least three novel examples of how correlation can mislead.

A5. Identify and describe at least three interactive intrapersonal factors contributing to the Bystander Effect.

A6. What is the story of Oxytocin? How does it work in relation to stress response? (hint: consider biological and on biological dynamics)

A7. Discuss how either (1) cognitive development, (2) psychosocial development, (3) moral development or (4) language development on the part of the student can affect the teacher's behavior? (Hint remember to consider the processes and stage factors, remember you only need pick one aspect of development)

A8. Pick two of the modern perspectives (Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Biophysical, Humanistic, Cognitive, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary) and explain interplay, complementarity and how advancement in one may cause advancement in the other.

A9. Frank is a freshman at FCC. Explain how each the following could affect his success: issues of attachment, issues of identity and language delay.

A10. Explain the biological mechanisms that set the stage for heroin addiction. Given a strong biological basis for this form of addiction, how should this effect treatment (hint imagine biological and educational interventions.).

A11. How do hormones and neurotransmitters differ and work together?

A12. Your best friend sees a psychiatrist. She is prescribed Benzodiazepine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with panic. She is supposed to take her extended release Xanax regularly in the mornings seven days a week. However, you discover that on the weekends, she takes them before going out ‘partying'. She drinks more than a moderate amount of alcohol. You are concerned but do not want to come across as a disapproving parent. Consider three things you might do to intervene. At least part of your response should refer to biological considerations.

A13 & A14 (Counts as two responses for ten points) Explain alcohol addiction and/or aspects of alcohol addiction eight different ways using each of the following independently: (1) nervous and endocrine system (neurotransmitters and hormones), (2) fMRI and cognitivism (3) behaviorism (4) psychoanalytic perspective (4) humanistic perspective (5) Social Psychology (6) Co-occurring mental illness (7) Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) or other brain injuries and (8) a dysfunctional family system.

Part Two (must do both parts) depending on the perspective what treatment plan would you recommend? Be specific, be comprehensive. Can use five paragraphs.

Note: with the exception of the biological and technological aspects (fMRI, nervous and endocrine systems) your hypotheses do not have to be scientifically accurate or ‘proven'. They should be used to demonstrate how you might explain some aspect of addiction and treatment from different vantage points/orientation.

A15.Imagine the interplay of language and cognitive development. As a team how might this pair be affected by (1) psychological trauma, (2) severe interruption of/insult in attachment bonding and (3) social phobia?

A16. Explain Signal Detection Theory and possible perceptual distortions/ramifications of altered states.

A17. What is MEG? How does it work? How has it and how will it advance the science?

A18. Describe one major advance in brain research including how it was ‘discovered'. What is the relevance?

A 19. Prove the existence of unconscious thought three distinct ways.

A.20. You are a strict behaviorist. You reject the theory that schizophrenia has a proven biological basis or even predisposition. Of course you reject psychodynamic and Humanistic approaches. You believe strongly that you can help schizophrenics through behavioral change. Explain in detail how schizophrenia is caused. How could you attempt to prove it? How would you treat it?

A.21. Personality can be described as an enduring patterns of behaviors, feelings and thoughts. Can personality change? If so, how? Referencing behaviorism, social cognition and psychodynamic theories describe a process by which personality might change. Discuss how much you believe personality can change in adulthood.

A22. What is the Mirror Neuron and what is its significance?

A23. Amanda had too much empathy (remember the video about the mirror neurons?). Could Henry have too much openness as defined by the Big Five Theory? Henry is extremely creative, artistic, thinks outside the box and enjoys nonconventional intellectual challenges. What is the harm? Could this lead to distress and dysfunction? Take a position and defend.

A24. How has the creation of psychological constructs benefitted the world of learning disabilities?

A25. How can biology affect personality? Be specific. Connect the dots. Give three examples.

A26. Using Sternberg's theory of love, describe how behaviorism, social cognitivism and psychodynamic approaches can be used to improve relationships.

A27. How are personality disorders different from other psychological disorders?

A28. Greg is a freshman at FCC. Explain how two the following could affect his success: social phobia, PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, ADHD and/or TBI with symptomatic disinhibition, impulsiveness and disturbed sleep.

A29. What is the difference between Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences and any theory of personality?

A30. Words can be critical. Patients are frequently told that there is no cure for serious mental illness such as schizoaffective disorder. Do you agree? What does the literature/research tell us? Can you make a case for symptom abatement and/or alleviation? How about a case that resolves or is in remission? Under what circumstances should a person be told they are cured or are healthy?

A31. Identify the etiology, prevalence and five symptoms of one specific anxiety disorder. How can the diagnosis be confirmed?

A32. You have finished Psych 101. Your friend tells you s/he has depression and has heard about meditation and that mindfulness meditation can help with treatment and quality of life. They are skeptical. It seems flakey, out in left field, and unreal. Identify three different sources of information in defense of mindfulness meditation. Describe how you could prove it (hint: the sky is the limit in terms of resources. You have all of NIH at your disposal)

A33. Our soldiers and first responders are exposed to serious trauma over and over again. At the same time, women and children have high prevalence rates of PTSD. What is going on? Are woman and children just not as tough as soldiers and first responders? Speculate. What might be different aspects/considerations of PTSD for these two populations? Would/should treatment be different? Discuss.

A34. Describe at least three etiological differences in the development of anxiety using the ‘ABC's (feelings, behaviors and thoughts, remember that behaviors includes actions, decisions, and physiological responses)

A35. Diathesis, our predisposition or vulnerability to mental illness is on one side of the equation. On the other is life experience and stress. Describe and give three examples of specific stressors and the consequences including the kindling effect which can erode our psychological resistance to mental illness. Reference three distinct mental illnesses.

A36. Describe and discuss three examples of bizarre behavior including hallucinations and disturbed thinking that would not necessarily indicate the presence of a mental disorder. Include the why, when, how and where.

A37. Julie, 33 years old, diagnosed Bipolar I at age 25; is struggling. She is often so scared of her manic episodes and the consequences she has frequent thoughts of running away from it all. Passive suicidality is always in the background. When somewhat stable, she fantasizes about having the life: a future, kids, marriage and being in a solid relationship. You meet her at FCC, become friends and she shares that her plan is to complete college, transfer to a four year University and get a degree in event planning. She begins to date Kevin who has serious unipolar depression with extreme episodes occurring four to six times a year. During these episodes he is frequently treated on an inpatient basis. Julie knows you study psychology and trusts you. She really wants to know what do. Can she have her dreams? How do you imagine a couple with serious mental illnesses might accommodate their own illnesses and that of their partner?

A38. Male aggression is cause for concern. You have been elected to a cabinet level psychology position with the new administration. What is your blueprint for change? Include actions that connect to root causes.

A39.If stress is my friend what should I do differently in an effort to take advantage of it?

A40. Stress makes you social? Defend this. (Hint; you must use science and research)

A41. Identify three significant changesfrom previous versions that were included in the DSM5. Why were these changes made?

A42. Why are women three times more likely than men to develop Borderline Personality Disorder?

Category B

B1. Explain learning that does not involve conditioning. What do you expect happens with learning that is not conditionally reinforced?

B2. Imagine neuroplasticity and synaptic cropping as cousins serving the same master.

B3. Why is early attachment important?

B4. What could be the down side(s) to all the new machines (e.g. PET, MEG, fMRI)?

B5. Who are you? What shapes your self-concept? Explain using what you have learned so far in class.

B6. You run the new fMRI clinic at Fort Dietrich. The director asks you: "What lies ahead"? Given the state of the art and referencing at least three recent advances in the use of FMRI and/or relevant research studies. What will be your mission for the next five years?

B7 & B8 Consider the following scenario: (10 points must do all three parts)

You have an eight-year-old nephew that you are taking care of for at least six months. The mom, your sister has been admitted for long term psychiatric care for serious schizoaffective disorder. Unfortunately, ‘Mark' has witnessed his mother's severely erratic behavior and often scary outbursts including frequent suicide attempts. Additionally, Mark was physically abused by his father and witnessed his mother's serious physical and emotional abuse by his father.

Mark has middle insomnia, enuresis and startle sleep.

Mark shies away from you and seems afraid of you. He appears confused, sad and conflicted, although at times he clings to you. He wants to know where you are all the time. He cries on Monday mornings when it is time to take the bus to school and begs you to take him with you to FCC. He holds on tightly and looks panicky. Being a substitute parent is not easy.

Mark shares "crazy, confusing and at times scary dreams with you. He is being chased by the bad guys and flying monkeys and they are gaining on him, then he wakes up. On other nights, he wakes up sad with a wet bed and is painfully embarrassed.

Your friend who has two middle schoolers tells you it is a faze and you need to make Mark sleep in the wet sheets, go to school and ignore the fussing, tell him he needs to be a big boy. She gives you a behavior modification book.

Your other ‘parent friend' empathizes and suggests that you get him tested at the school for special education services. He or she further advises: do not attend to the dreams it only reinforces the anxiety.

Elementary teachers report social isolation, frequent daydreaming and preoccupation with clocks and time. Academically, Mark struggles with reading and written communication. Math is boring for Mark as it is all repetition, too slow.

The pediatrician suggests a low dose of an antidepressant.

Mark wants you to adopt him, stay home with him forever and be his parent. What do you do?

You do not yet have enough information to make some important decisions.

Part 1. Generate four independent hypotheses regarding the course of the problem and possible interventions that might be helpful based on what has been covered in class so far (you can add to this as well).

Part 2. Compare and contrast diagnosis and treatment considerations through the lens of three of the major perspectives (Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Biophysical, Humanistic, Cognitive, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary)

Part Three. Conjecture. What might be happening in the unconscious? For Mark, for you, Between the two of you? (Hint: dreams, transference, countertransference, projection).

B9. What was the point of "Ghosts in the Nursery"?

B10 and B11. (Counts as two items). Dating websites more and more are using personality testing to help ‘match' interested users. Do you want to be matched? Do you want to date and possibly enter a long-term relationship with someone who is well-matched to/for you? Does this mean prospective suitors/partners will have interests, inclinations, positions, and the like, similar, very similar to yours? Following this line and a probable refinement in personality assessment, perhaps you could be matched with 90-95% identical personality traits. Would this then mean that you would be dating a mirror of yourself? Imagine you and your date thoroughly enjoying each other's company. You agree on everything. You see the world the same: politics, religion, society, sports, and the like. You two are really on the same page. A recipe for marriage?? Will the honeymoon last 30-40 years? Is there a down side to marrying yourself? Is there a flawed assumption in personality assessment .com dating (e.g. we all want to date ourselves)? If so do you reject the assumption that personality assessment can be used to findpotential partners? Could personality assessment be useful in a dating service? How? (Part Two) Describe and discuss adjustments you would make to the current model and assumption (theory). Provide details concerning at least five personality traits important to you (you can make them up), and how modified assessment could be useful.

B12. Can we overwrite memory and banish unwanted content/memories (either delete the memories or assign them to the unconscious)? Can we overwrite neural pathways and other memory engrams? Consider Cognitive Biophysical and Psychodynamic perspective. Speculate.

B13. Create a mastery dream in response to a troubling dream progression. Be sure to include latent and manifest content. Explain how this provides support that problems can be solved in the unconscious.

B14.Gwen read about Sternberg's theory of love. She has been around and can see and hope past attraction. She wants companionate love. She wants to feel secure in a relationship and enjoy a partnership that feels supportive and positive. Passion frequently comes on strong and fades in her experience. How might personality assessment -as a means of self-discovery, help her?

B15. You are Freud's great grandchild and a believer of psychodynamic theory. However, four generations later, psychosexual development has fallen by the waste side. Develop a theory that organizes personality around early development and the interplay between reality and fantasy, the conscious and unconscious. Defend your theory. Do not use the word ‘conflict' or any synonym thereof.

B16. What is/are the relationship(s) between emotions and thoughts, feeling and thinking? (Hint: think multi-dimensionally, some things work in many different ways and in more than one direction. Sometimes one feeling or thought can lead to other sets of thoughts or patterns of thinking. Consider various relationships)

B17. A personality assessment instrument measures ten factors (personality traits). For each trait, the instrument assess one's feelings, behaviors and thoughts relative to that specific trait (e.g., I enjoy being in large crowds, I actively and assertively network to achieve a predetermined goal, I am a people person; all three, in different ways, support extroversion). Would you expect consistency and agreement between and among the ABCs (thoughts, feelings and behaviors)? How would you interpret disagreement/inconsistency (e.g., thoughts and feelings are incongruent with behavior)? Offer three distinct analyses and hypotheses.

B18. What can women or a female perspective bring to psychology? Identify at least five potential outcomes.

B19 I do not know who I am. What should I do?

B20. The text has provided many important tools and building blocks for healthy psychological development. Pick three and describe the family's role in using these tools to support healthy psychological development of children.

B21. What do we not know about anxiety?

B22. Psychologically, what are the assets of a healthy personality? List at least ten and defend their relevance.

B23. How could someone with ADHD consider suicide? Go into depth. Connect the dots.

B24. I want a diagnosis. What is the harm? Provide at least three arguments.

B25. Juan, 27, married three times, is the only immigrant that you have met at FCC. He shares with you that he has always felt inferior, made himself invisible and avoided acclimating to any culture. The soccer coach befriends Juan and tells him that many of the students and teachers at FCC think he is a slow learner. This was pivotal for Juan. People were looking down their noses at him. The coach has validated this. Conversely the coach also validated for Juan his integrity and competence as the coach in Juan's estimation, trusted and respected him and saw value in him as a person. Still Juan struggles with his sense of self. Using some of what was covered in social psychology and some of what was covered in personality - as a friend- (1) what do you think are the issues and (2) what do you recommend to Juan?

B26. Your friend Marta has had bad luck dating. Relationships are like whirlwinds, they start strong then fade. Marta goes ‘all in' shares deeply and then feels hurt and betrayed as she experiences and assesses unequal trust. Guys withhold. Guys say one thing and mean another. Guys say the right thing to get what they want. She cannot find a guy that can share feelings at a level compatible with her. She asks you if personality testing could help. What do you think? Include comments regarding testing in general and comments regarding applicability of personality testing.

B26. Alice Miller said; "Genuine feelings cannot be produced, nor can they be eradicated. We can only repress them, delude ourselves and deceive our bodies. The body sticks to the facts". How can this be useful in understanding stress? Relate to what was covered in the chapter on stress and expand upon.

B27. Forget the camps; forget the ingredients (traits and factors). How does personality develop? Describe the process.

B28. Problems are good?? Stress can be good? I cannot get my head around these notions. Help. What good can come from problems and stress? (Offer some depth and examples).

B29. Freud and others posited unconscious psychological defenses. Are there other unconscious psychological process that serve us but not necessarily on defense? Play around a little. Come up with at least three and offer examples. You can call them anything you want.

B30. A group of your friends want to take online personality tests. They organize a group chat/text of which you are now suddenly included. You review some of the threads you have missed. Jackie wants to find out why others may not always treat her respectfully. Daniel wonders; "Am I extroverted or introverted?" Anthony shares: "My mother was a real narcissist. I want to see if I am becoming like her". Joan states: "For once I want some tough honest feedback about myself" Lastly Angela, meekly perhaps, adds:" Maybe I will find out why I do not like myself".

Your friends value your opinion. In fact, it may be telling that they are-at this point- inviting you into the dialog, the day before they will all take online personality tests as a group.

In two to three concise paragraphs, paint a compelling picture of what may be reasonable expectations for them, what to expect and what not to expect. Following, identify at least five bullets identifying facts and opinions in support of your argument. You have a ‘window', in which you might influence how your friends will approach this ‘field trip'.

B31. Therapy over the Internet? Really? Web Therapy was just a sitcom. What about Virtual Reality Therapy? What can be gained? What might be lost?

B32. You are interviewing for a job at a national pharmaceutical company and have advanced to Phase Two. You are to complete the MMPI. Mow might this company use the results? Identify at least three pros and three cons for using the MMPI for hiring, selection and possible job matching.

B33. You are very much a humanist. Besides research, forensics and diagnostics how can personality assessment be useful in achieving harmony, fulfillment, and self-actualization?

B34. You are the new editor of Psychology Today. Prepare a two paragraph response to the Psychiatry Kills movement.

B35 Why would Ainsworth spend so much time and go in so much depth to develop an instrument which can be used to gauge attachment?

B36. Define and describe the development of evil, psychologically, from a biological perspective using concepts covered in class.

B37. What is critical thinking? Identify three potential benefits of critical thinking to social psychology.

Category C

C1. Defend extending one of the following renowned social psychology experiments in the interest of updating applicability (The world has changed since the original experiment) and potentially mitigating ethical concerns: Milgram, Brown Eyes-Blue Eyes, Stanford, Little Albert or Kitty Genovese. Remember to only pick one experiment. Remember there are two parts to the prompt.

C2. You are a social psychologist and won a three month contract with the Potomac Edison Power Company. The company suffers from low productivity. You can meet with staff, meet with groups of staff, observe, administer tests and have access to personnel records, Potomac Edison expects detailed recommendations from you to include implementation steps and evaluation methods. Using two concepts from social psychology and two concepts from personality, what do you do?

C3. You are a psychologist and work for a new toothpaste company. How would you design an experiment to favor your company's toothpaste? How might a competitor critique your experiment?

C4. The neighborhood moms and dads are planning a play date for their six to eight year olds. They worry about sugar overload and ask you, since you take psychology, to prove that sugar causes a sugar high, makes the kids hyper. How could you (1) explain how sugar (glucose) affects metabolism and (2) design an experiment using donuts, a clock and a planned activity to help make your point. Define your hypothesis, controls and confirmation bias.

C5. Milgram's study opened our eyes in exposing the risks of obedience. Most argue that further experimentation of this kind is unethical and dangerous. So how do we measure obedience in the context of humans willfully hurting one another? Identify at least three pros and three cons of further study in this area. Take a position and defend your position.

C6. In our discussion about Pine's research at NIH, among other things interfering with the development of a mental illness seems more constructive than treating symptoms after a disease has formed and established itself. Pick a mental illness or psychological condition (e.g. memory and/or learning problems, amnesia, or significant distress) and propose a methodology that might interfere with the establishment of the illness or condition. How could this be measured using newer biotechnology?