What I've learned

I've not only learned new things, but I think different about some things. I view the study of psychology different now. I always thought it was just how people explain why some people are crazy. I've learned it is much more deeper than that.
   Chapter 1, I learned about structuralism and functionalism. Things I've both heard of but never knew about and I now know what they have to do with the human mind. I know how psychology is a science and how it relates to science. The operations of an experiment and all the different steps taken. There is a lot more to an experiment than i thought. Definitely a more complicated and detailed process than I imagined.
   Chapter 2 showed me a more detailed outline of the brain and some of its functions. The nervous system and all its functions surprises me. I didn't realize how many jobs it had throughout the human body. I learned about Electroencephalogram (EEG) and what it's used for. Along with the importance of (PET scan), (MRI), and (FMRI).
   Chapter 3 made me realize what the conscious and unconscious mind are. Something that is called dual processing with perception, memory, thinking, language, and attitude. I've heard a lot about REM sleep, but this chapter gave me a pretty good outline on it. It made me understand how sleep disorders affect us.
   I found structuralism and functionalism very interesting. It explained two approaches on the mind. A sensory and elemental way of processing things. Than on the other hand the functional way of the mind. They way it functions like a vehicle, and works like a machine.
   I was also fascinated by the REM sleep section in chapter three. I've always been interested in sleep disorders. They interest me because of all the things that are possible when your sleeping. I find it weird that sleep has its own biological rhythm. I can't believe we have 5 different sleep stages. The thing we usually experience that we sometimes remember is our dreams. Things occur when we sleep and we have no clue what's happening. I also never realized how your sleep pattern can be influenced. I think the most surprising thing for me is sleep patterns being genetically influenced. I can see how it would be influenced in a way, but I guess I see sleep being more individual or being influenced by the environment your in. Yet just another thing I learned to add to the list.
   As we'v gone through the chapters so far the question that has lingered for me is- Does psychology have more to do with feelings and emotions or your mental process. so which does it lean more towards?
   In the section about experimentation in chapter one it talks about double-blind process. Does the researcher collecting the data not knowing who's receiving the real treatment effect the outcome? an if so how?
   I am a little unclear on the conscious and unconscious mind. How they coincide with each other. Such as, can memories carry over from one to the other?



Poem about Psychology!!

You may not be smart, you may not be clever
 but in psychology neither are required.
Yes your feelings are involved
 but no worries, your mind will not dissolve.
Maybe it will teach you to make new friends
 possibly tie up some loose ends.
You definitely need an open mind
 or your thoughts will interwind.

By: Kelsey Detlaff:)