Twitter stalking...

I was just looking at some twitter accounts and on Mo Constandi's, I found a rather interesting link to an article on Bionic Glasses: http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/110705.html 

Jeremy Dean has to have the most interesting twitter account for me and will without a doubt be visiting this a lot in the future! I found this really appealing as music is a central part of my life. Likewise, at a conference, I attended a lecture from a Music Psychologist who explained how cortical level of arousal levels and music taste have a correlation. This link explores WHY we like music: http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/05/the-all-time-top-six-reasons-we-love-music.php I really agree with the 6 reasons and support Lonsdale and North (2010)'s research as whether I am happy or sad, music can concrete and secure a mood or alter it completely. And I am guilty as charged that I will judge someone to an extent by their music taste.

Another thought-provoking article from Jeremy Dean: http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/06/consumer-psychology.php this time on consumer behaviour, a very strong interest of mine.

SPOLIT FOR CHOICE?

I am very glad to see 'too much choice' on the list! I often find when I am in the sales or a very large department store/bluewater, I turn my nose up at a dress which when I see the following week in a smaller shop, I absolutely love! I definately feel that ASOS should take this on board on their website. Their large selection of thousands of clothing in small pictures often puts me off. In this way, I really like ZARA's website and their set up which has a very nice balance between selection, quality and effectiveness.

This is a prime example of why I love Psychology - when you can truly relate to a study and identify truth in them from your own life. It is because of this that I believe Psychology is a innovative scientific discipline applicable to everyday life. I truly cannot see how anybody cannot find interest in aspects of the subject.

My reflection on "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat" - Oliver Sacks.

I've just finished reading Sacks wonderful collection of case studies and feel I should discuss my reflections on it in my blog as I've managed to bring it up in every conversation (including my French oral mock exam)!
It's needless to say I found this book incredible & in particular very humbling. It has left me feeling motivated to dedicate my summer to hunting down the incredible minds of our time. So from here, the pursuit to have a week with the young retarded, the elderly, the epileptic & the ticcers of torretes.

There's no denying how well read Sacks is, I found it very refreshing & inspiring how immersed he is in his profession. If you show me someone who does not now what else to read after reading this, I'll show you a liar. This book guides you with it's rich sourcing a plethora of books to read. 

I particularly like how Sacks seeks to (whether consciously or sub-consciously) reduce the stigmatism for mental ilness/defects & highlights how in many ways these can be advantageous. This is particularly poignant in 'the World of the Simple' section which makes reference to fabulous musicians, artists...

The structure of the book made me never want to put the book down - reverse psychology in practice maybe? It starts with introducing the character vividly so that I had a grasp on the individual, in such a way that it was almost as if they were in front of me. The book personal elements & really exposes the limitations of treatment & diagnosis & the difficulties faced as a neuropsychologist. There are also textbook qualities found in the postscript which have really enhanced my knowledge on the recesses of the mind & appreciation of the diversity in 'mindsets'.

Each case study is articulated in a manner that we are introduced individually to the character in question which spotlights that these people are real, which really made me feel empathetic. Likewise, the prologue after highlights how although we are individuals who cannot be put into categories, although there are similar cases.

It is difficult to put my finger on my favourite case study as the book zoomed in on so many extraordinary individuals... I found 'On The Level' particularly appealing as the subject who had lost their balance was able to find an innovative yet simple cure in the use of glasses with a spirit level on them. I particularly liked the reflections of: 'The World of the Simple' as these spotlighted how low IQ can be compensated by having extreme talents (in Maths, in the twins case who find pleasure in saying 6 figure prime numbers to each other & Rebecca who is incredibly poetic when she finds herself in nature.) Attention is drawn to how individuals intelligence should be overlooked in employers & appreciated more than on face value as their talents are exposed. I found it particularly endearing how Sacks took the time to expose what these numbers that the twins were recalling were & joined in in their algorithms. At this point in the novel, I smiled, I really felt the warmth & pleasure these twins found in someone joining in on something that nobody else could. It also looks beyond the foundations, these twins cannot do simple Maths yet they can count that the number of matchsticks falling is 111 in an instant. This to me, makes me question if a child who was has missed their education at a young age can still progress & learn very complex versions without having knowledge of the simpler. Or is it just an innate thing & cannot be learnt?

For me, the book tied in perfectly with my  IB subjects which enabled me to relate neurological problems & phenomena to my studies. For instance, The Lost Mariner which is of the reflections of Jimmie G who looses his memories & his mindset in still in 1945, this immediately made me think back to the work of Siegfried & Sassoon, in particular Mental Cases which explores the affects of the aftermath of war. Likewise, there are element that remind me of Philosophy/TOK this isn't just the reference to Kant, but the references to the explanation to alternative perceptions & the spotlight put on the fine line of diagnosis neurological problems.

In conclusion, I'm not surprised that this book was a million copy best seller as it truly is a great book, I would really recommend it to anyone. It has been very inspiring for me & now, I am applying for weeks of work experience with as many individuals as possible (young & adult people with learning difficulties, adults with dementia & MIND) as I really want to come into contact with these individuals & interact with them). My only regret is that I didn't take note of my initial interpretations, opinions & likings on the book as I read the book as now I'm not able to dignify the book with the attention to detail it deserves, although, I will probably be reading this again in the future. So with new work experience motivation & a book to record the psychology books I read... I will post this :)

So Amy, why are you interested in Psychology?

If you ask someone why they want to study Psychology have given me a plethora of reasons...

“Oh because of Derren Brown and his ability to appear to read minds by subliminal messages” – well surely this goes not dignify Psychology as a scientific discipline. And if we want to see Psychology through the eyes of our television screen then surely the right places to look are not near the “popular Psychology” (Psychology in its loosest sense) but the place to look is in fact everywhere else. Even Big Brother had behavioural experts who made reference to evolutionary Psychology to make reference to the motives for arguments. Show me a person who is not interested in the human condition and I will show you a liar!

“Oh I had an experience where my Mum’s friend had depression and ever since I wanted to help” – There has honestly been no emotional or anecdotal trigger to my fascination. (This is not to say that nothing has happened, but there is a stronger rooting for Psychology in my heart than this). I honestly cannot trace back to when and where and why this originated from. It almost seems innate. Our minds make the world go round. Case studies such as those explored in “A Man who mistook his Wife for a Hat” where Sacks really sympathetically gives us a very descriptive insight into individuals lives and how the brain can control someone’s entire understanding on the world. For example he explains a man who has lived his life on a tilt, his centre of gravity is completely skewed. He has no idea of this until he is shown a video of him walking on a slant.

Maybe it was luck? I consider myself lucky to be given the opportunity to take Psychology GCSE but even before then I knew I wanted to take it. Surely because I am human and I behave, I percieve, I live and I interact with others, I should want to know about the human condition.

Trying to be a pro with a prologue

Trying to be pro with a prologue...

If you see this blog as the product of a chemical reaction; the reactants would be motivation and passion and the catalyst would be the Psychology conference that I went to yesterday in Nottingham...

Psychology has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I can remember I have been wondering why people behave the way they do, the mechanisms behind these behaviors and the implications that they have in a social setting. 

This weekend, I was completely engaged by lecturers who were so passionate about their specific fields on Psychology. Psychology is so broad and I am in love with the umbrella name 'Psychology'.... I really want to be able to shape my interests and find a specific area. By typing away my thoughts and ideas, I hope to shape precisely what I want to research, what I want to read, and even what I want to share with students one day.

I'll also like to document work experience and activities that I do over the years like a not-so-secret diary that can be assessed anywhere, that won't run out of sheets of paper and that I won't end up shredding... I find that the people I meet in my life fuel my life with inspiration. People  - whether it's because of they are incredibly successful or completely hopeless - always fuel my inspiration. Psychology is applicable to our everyday lives, regardless of how interesting or boring they are and I look forward to documenting my Psychology enriched thoughts and experiences.