Chapter 15

Therapy

"Cognitive-behavioral therapy, a widely practiced integrative therapy, aims not only to alter the way people think (cognitive therapy), but also to alter the way the act (behavior therapy). It seeks to make people aware of their irrational negative thinking, to replace it with new ways of thinking, and to practice the more positive approach in everyday settings. Behavioral change is typically addressed first, followed by sessions on cognitive change; the therapy concludes with a focus on maintaining both and preventing relapses... 'The trouble with most therapy is that it helps you to feel better. But you don't get better. You have to back it up with action, action, action.' (Therapist Albert Ellis (1913-2007)." -- Page 687

http://autismteachingstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Slide5.jpg

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be useful for any age group. This worksheet was pulled from a children's workbook for cognitive-behavioral therapy, and aims to get the child to rethink alternative ways to react instead of the initial negative, angry thoughts they have been comfortable initially reacting with. While it seems childish, the therapy can work... I, personally, have not ever gone through this type of therapy. However, I've somehow gained the ability to alter the way I both think and act in the last week, alone. Something internally shifted, and suddenly I find myself extremely self-aware of the way I'm thinking, purposefully working to think more positive thoughts and see the bright side of things. With this new mentality, although difficult at times, I find myself more ambitious, more productive, and more enjoyable to be around by others. This change in me has sparked a chain reaction in my interactions with my immediate family, and most especially, my boyfriend. It creates a more positive outlook on life, and prevents a lot of fights that result from literally the most minute of aspects.

Chapter 14

Psychological Disorders

"Coughing, vomiting, swelling, and pain protect the body from dangerous toxins. Similarly, depression is sort of a psychic hibernation: It slows us down, defuses aggression, helps us let go of unattainable goals, and restrains risk taking (Andrews & Thomson, 2009a,b; Wrosch & Miller, 2009). To grind temporarily to a halt and ruminate, as depressed people do, is to reassess one's life when feeling threatened, and to redirect energy in more promising ways (Watkins, 2008). Even mild sadness can improve people's recall, making them more discerning, and help them make complex decisions (Forgas, 2009). There is sense to suffering." -- Page 645

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDSsxzxoskM

At face value, this song is a great piece by Kelly Clarkson, former American Idol winner. However, underneath the notes, the pretty face, and the filmography to pair with the music, there are words that express deep, extremely complicated feelings that are difficult to express in any other way than by song. Kelly sings about being stuck in a physically and emotionally draining relationship that pushes one into a dark state of depression. To me, I was the girl in this song... No, I'm not saying I am a girl; I'm saying I was once stuck in the mud, bore into a bottomless hole of darkness where fear took control and was my source of motivation to stay out of the way of my boyfriend. However, while down so far, the depression allowed me to regroup, gain some sort of inner composure and strength, and begin the painstakingly challenging climb back into the light. It gave me the ability to formulate ideas, grab hold of them, and follow through in order to regain control of me, my life, and my environment. No longer affected by depression, I can look back and see the old me, restricted and caged, and be appreciative that my body allowed me the chance to reassess the horrid situation I was so hatefully stuck in.

Chapter 13

Social Psychology

"Deindividuation thrives, for better of for worse, in many different settings. Tribal warriors who depersonalize themselves with face paints or masks are more likely than those with exposed faces to kill, torture, or mutilate captured enemies (Watson, 1973). Online, Internet trollers and bullies, who would never say 'You're a fraud' to someone's face, will hide behind anonymity. Whether in a mob, at a rock concert, at a ballgame, or at worship, when we shed self-awareness and self-restraint, we become more responsive to the group experience -- good or bad." -- Page 588

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4swJbzdEoM3zghWyLfkcXw9K746IOAZDfmTv6Kz413uay66vMHe8C3dk4zFpGR9CcGgzIpuojTGbXAnqEEk62KGfm2VvscQ5u2WsHWDmaD41_9-enbwLJO-hrRymkBqhexSxW6LgLJlLL/s0/V_for_Vendetta_by_DragaoNegro.jpg 

V, the main character in the film V for Vendetta, completely removes himself, including all emotions and identity, from his environment. In place of identity, he portrays himself as an idea. In a dystopian government-dictated Britain, he acts as a freedom fighter and hides behind the mask and cloak. He avenges bad guys that attempt to restrict freedom, and since he is hidden, his true identity remains anonymous, therefore creating a disassociation with the actions he is committing.

Chapter 12

Personality

"Authentic pride that's rooted in actual achievement supports self-confidence and leadership (Tracy et al., 2009; Williams & DeSteno, 2009). Self-serving perceptions underlie conflicts ranging from blaming one's spouse for marital discord to arrogantly promoting one's own ethnic superiority. Finding their self-esteem threatened, people with large egos may do more than put others down; they may react violently. 'Aryan pride' fueled Nazi atrocities. 'These biases have the effect of making wars more likely to begin and more difficult to end,' note Daniel Kahneman and Jonathan Renshon (2007)." -- Page 566

 http://impactmagazine.us/wp-content/uploads/gay-pride-dude.jpg

Gay culture has grown to be more acceptable in today's society. However, it is no where near acceptable enough to be able to be openly accepted by everyone. Many gay people lack the confidence to embrace their pride in who they are, which is fed by the strong arrogance portrayed in the heterosexual culture. Confidence is something that, in general, the gay culture seems to lack a lot of. The man in this image, barely clothed, symbolizes a slow change in the shift from a lack of confidence to being full of confidence, unafraid to embrace his pride in who he is, and also be seen with the infamous rainbow flag that symbolizes the ongoing struggle. I, a gay man, am no longer afraid. I've built up the strength to stand against the heterosexual culture, embracing my "authentic pride" in who I am -- a confident, proud, gay man.

Chapter 11

Emotions, Stress, and Health

"Does exercise also boost the spirit? Many studies reveal that aerobic exercise can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. Americans, Canadians, and Britons who do aerobic exercise at least three times a week manage stress better, exhibit more self-confidence, feel more vigor, and feel less depressed and fatigued than their inactive peers (McMurray, 2004; Mead et al., 2010, Puetz et al., 2006). And in a 21-country survey of university students, physical exercise was a 'strong' and consistent predictor of life satisfaction (Grant et al., 2009). -- Page 522

https://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png

In this video, Tracy Anderson demonstrates an intensive aerobic exercise. This sort of exercise releases large amounts of endorphins, which help bring an upbeat, positive attitude to the table in people. I can relate to this concept. As a runner, I find myself to be in a more positive and less stressed mentality. Due to this, when faced with high stress situations, I am better able to move forward through the stress, and not be so bogged down an anxious in the end. It definitely contributes to my ability to maintain inner strength during hard times.

Chapter 10

Motivation and Work

"So, human motivation aims not to eliminate arousal but to seek optimum levels of arousal. Having all our biological needs satisfied, we feel driven to experience stimulation and we hunger for information. We are 'infovores,' says neuroscientists Irving Biederman and Edward Vessel (2006), after identifying brain mechanisms that reward us for acquiring information. Lacking stimulation, we feel bored and look for a way to increase arousal to some optimum level. However, with too much stimulation comes stress, and we then look for a way to decrease arousal." -- Page 420

 http://cmster.com/media/TQhPYKtNp4ChivYoYmcrEAMuRdrWEKYAvOLCT6tSO99t8uir3WKhrMUSEv85bXIf.jpg

This image below fully exemplifies the human thirst for stimulation. When needs are completely satisfied that enable us to fully function and meet needs for survival, we want to experience fun excitement. I have always wanted to try new things. While I'm not sure skydiving is exactly that, I seek stimulation in the form of roller coasters. This stimulation keeps me on the edge of my seat in life, and prevents me from falling into a statement of prolonged boredom. I'm always looking for new and exciting things to do to keep my stimulation and knowledge pepped and energized, providing a nice balance to the amount of work I seem to always have to do.

Chapter 9

Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

"Bilingual individuals may even reveal different personality profiles when taking the same test in their two languages (Dinges & Hull, 1992). This happened when China born, bilingual University of Waterloo students were asked to describe themselves in English or Chinese (Ross et al., 2002). The English-language self-descriptions fit typical Canadian profiles: Students expressed mostly positive self-statements and moods. Responding in Chinese, the same students gave typically Chinese self-descriptions: They reported more agreement with Chinese values and roughly equal positive and negative self-statements and moods. 'Learn a new language and get a new soul,' says a Czech proverb." -- Page 376

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5BFju_QM-E

This film exemplifies how this Mexican student felt exiled not understanding the English language. He demonstrated possible reason as to why, when speaking in a native language, it could be perceived as though the self-statements are more neutral, equally weighted in positive and negative sides. Once the new language was understood and conceptualized, he became exceptionally self-confident and excited. Due to this, it could be understood that why, when the English language was grasped, it would appear that one could be very high in self-statements of overall positiveness. I can see it in my boyfriend, bilingual in both English, his native language, and German, a learned second language through academics. When he speaks of himself in English, he is not overly positive or negative in self-statementing. When he speaks in German, he seems to be more confident, proud that he conquered a foreign concept.