Synopses of Psychology Articles

1. Synopsis: This magazine picture displays the concept of depression. As the female blankly stares into space, she looks very stressed and depressed. This also displays prescription drug pills in which are falling as if they were raindrops, with a teddy bear, kids’ small wagon with blocks in the background, and the female holding a bottle which references as if she’s overly stressed from the pressures of parenting. This ultimately results with having to take the pills for her psychological disorder of depression. The woman also appears to be suffering from post partum depression, which could have led to her drug abuse. Moreover, common experiences of new motherhood, such as sleep disturbance, postpartum pain, psychological stress, and trauma also increase the chances of having post partum depression. Psychological Concept: Depression—Andrea, Barbalich, Moms on Drugs (2011) Parents Magazine pp. 140-141

2. Synopsis: This is a poem that describes the many things that one does when having the sleep disorder of insomnia. The person tries many methods to go to sleep, but none seem to work, so they stay up and perform different movements and actions in hopes that they’ll eventually go to sleep. Nothing works, so they just accept the fact that sleep won’t come. Psychological Concept- Sleeping disorders- Chidi, S. (2006). Up! Education. Retrieved December 9, 2009, from http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/up-education/

3. Synopsis: This was a very interesting video that speaks of the psychological effects that stem from positive and negative reinforcements a parent gives a child to change their behavior. For example, a parent may pk a child to reinforce their behavior of lying habitually. This is a type of punishment that parents gear towards in hopes to positively change their child’s behavior. Psychological Concept- punishment-Zakaria, F. (Host), & McCullough, C. (Writer). (2011, May 16). Psychology: reinforcement and punishment [Video file]. Retrieved from http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=1uTsQLH3vNQ&feature=related

4. Synopsis: This website describes the many causes of drug and alcohol addiction that one may experience. It then goes on to mention the multiple treatments and therapies that one can seek to get through this life threatening psychological disorder. It not only affects the brain, but also affects the body detrimentally as well. This website is very informative on guiding them on a road to recovery. Psychological concept- drug and alcohol use and addiction-Archer, D. (n.d.). Treatment approaches for drug addiction. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction

5. Synopsis: This is an article that was published in the New York Times newspaper where it speaks of the effects of helicopter parenting, and how it negatively affects the child. Hovering a child hinders them from making their own decisions and developing their own identity in this society. This is a very significant psychological concept because decision making is essential to have and perform in daily life. Lacking decision making skills is a cause from one being neurotic. Psychological concept- decision making- Lewin, T. (2008, Dec 01). Going off to college for less (passport required). New York Times (1923-Current File), pp. A1. Keirsey, D(1998). Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence (Prometious Nemesis Publishing Company) Toronto Canada.

6. Synopsis: This is a best seller book where the author David Keirsey talks about how being temperament is very important to have in college, other schooling, work, relationships and more. As a child, one may have temper tantrums when they don’t receive what they desire. That is a personality and psychological trait where the impulses in one’s brain becomes very strong and cause the tantrums. This behavior shows during adulthood in the daily life of the person. It’s important to be temperament because it causes less arguments and altercations between yourself and others, as David stresses in his book. Psychological concept- temperament

7. Synopsis: Freud talks about the three personality traits: Id, ego and super ego, and how they work together to build personalities and the complexity of human beings. They are the different levels as to how information in the brain is structured. Freud says there’s the unconscious, mid conscious and conscious. Freud practiced many methods and has come to the conclusion that the unconscious is where everything is stored. The three personality traits that he has come up with him consider are important in making decisions. Psychological concept- Id, ego, and super ego Lahey, B, Psychology: An Introduction 11th edition

8. Synopsis: The psychological concept that is revealed in this commercial deals with forgetting. The psychological disorder of dementia is humorously shown in this commercial by an elderly woman who forgets that she’s eating KFC, and that she placed the chicken bucket on her head. Dementia is very common in old age, and saddens families as they watch their elder loved ones go through it, but in the commercial it brings humor to the disorder. The family that’s in the commercial find it funny that the elder woman put the bucket onto her head. Psychological concept- forgetting- Pratt, C. (Executive producer). (2008, October 5). KFC [commercial] MTV.

9. Synopsis: The movie Arachnophobia is about a group of scientists, looking to discover and research many species of insects and spiders, but accidently brings home a deadly creature then increasingly multiplies and kill many people. The people of the town become paranoid of them, and do all they can to get away from them. Psychological concept- phobia- Marshall, F. (Director). (1990). Arachnophobia [Hollywood Pictures]. Available from IDP Films, 1133 Broadway, Suite 926, New York, NY 10010

10. Synopsis- Ivan Pavlov was a Russian Physiologist who researched conditioning. One of his findings was that if you present someone with a repetitive demonstration that they are to perform, they will continue to receive the anticipation of what was told for them to perform. For example, when ringing a bell for a dog to come and get a bone, the dog comes to eat it. When the bone is taken away, but the bell is still rang, the dog’s mouth began to salivate and will anticipate the reward of the bone. The animal has been controlled by being conditioned by a conditioned response. Psychological concept- conditioning- Babkin, B.P. (1949). Pavlov: A Biography. Toronto, Canada: The University of Chicago Press.

11. Synopsis- This picture represents a woman on her death bed relying on oxygen as a means of life support. There are 5 stages of dying, which are denial, anger, bargain, depression and accept. This woman’s first reaction
was probably denial, in which she refuses to acknowledge the inevitable, perhaps believing a mistake has been made. She may have even sought other medical opinions and diagnoses or pretend that this situation would simply go away on its own. As she realized that she was dying, she may have experience anger due to her life ending prematurely.

She may have also attempted to bargain, probably with God or another religious figure, and she may have promised to change or make amends or atone for her wrongdoings. The woman may have also experienced depression and hopelessness. During this stage, she may mourn the loss of health that was already occurring, as well as the impending losses of her family and plans. Lastly, when nearing the end of suffering she will learn to accept the inevitable, paving the way for a smoother transition both for herself and loved ones. Psychological concept- Stages of Dying-http://www.equalitybritain.co.uk/content/news/news_June09.asp

12. Synopsis- This picture represents a young lady with an eating disorder. She displays signs of disappointment, disgust, depression, guilt and a pale/unhealthy appearance. She may be abnormally sensitive about being perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of becoming fat. The measuring tape in her mouth shows that she is very body conscious and is constantly measuring her body. The different writing on her body represents how she feels about herself and her image. She may have psychological and emotional problems that contribute to her disorder.

She may also have a low self-esteem, perfectionism, impulsive behavior and troubled relationships. Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues in society. Peer pressure and what she may have seen in the media may have fueled her desire to be thin. The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. Unfortunately, many people with eating disorders resist treatment and experience serious complications such as bone loss, heart failure, digestive problems and seizures. Psychological concept- Eating Disorders- http://iamw0manhearmer0ar.wordpress.com/category/eating-disorders/