Biological Psychology

Biological psychology is unlike any other branch of psychological study. While other areas of psychology, such as cognitive and clinical psychology, focus on statistics and observation, biological psychology focuses on the biological reasoning for behavior. Biological psychology is used in neuropsychology as well as the practice of psychiatry. Biological psychology “is a hybrid of neuroscience and psychology used to examine the knowledge of the brain to treat patients” (Helium, 2002-2010).

Biological psychology is the study of the biological reasoning behind the foundation of human behavior. Physiological psychologies, clinical neuropsychology, behavioral neuroscience, and biopsychology are all names used to describe or define the area of biological psychology (Wickens, 2005, p. 3). Biological psychology attempts to find a chemical or biological reasoning for mental illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disease, and depression. Biological psychology studies human emotions and behaviors and attempts to find a system to deal with psychological problems, much like other forms of psychology. The thing that makes biological psychology different is the way that information is viewed and processed. While other avenues of psychology look at issues from a clinical view, biological psychology looks at issues with a scientific or biological view.

The ancient Greeks were the first documentation of the realization that the brain has psychological and physiological importance. As a result of this realization, the Greeks began to study the human brain. Plato was the first theorist to resolve that human reasoning and emotions come from the brain. He also believed that the mind and the body serve a separate purpose. After Plato, Aristotle theorized that there is a close relationship between physiological and psychological processes. “In the 20^th Century biopsychology entered into the area of scientific research” (Wickens, 2005). Galen theorized about the human heart, but stated that the four ventricles of the brain were the source of human behaviors. Nemesius, a Roman theorist and follower of Galen, said that the lateral ventricles as the source from which mental impressions were derived. He also theorized that the third ventricle was the home of reasoning and that the fourth ventricle was where memory was contained (Wickens, 2005). Donald O. Hebb’s research in the fifteenth century concluded that psychological functioning could be studied in conjunction with chemistry and physiology of the brain.

Rene Descartes was another notable psychological theorist. Descartes agreed with Plato, but believed that the mind and the body, although separate entities, worked together to serve a purpose. He believed that behaviors were caused by animal spirits. “He held a mechanistic view arrived at because of the statues of St. Germaine.  Descartes thought humans followed the same pattern as the statues with water flowing through tubes, representing nerves and the fluid that result in muscle stimulation” (Millis, n.d.). Descartes planted the seed that human behavior may not be based solely on emotions, but also on anatomy and biological reasoning.

Thomas Willis took Descartes’ views one step further. He believed that the structures of the human brain influenced behaviors. “Willis is responsible for discovering the gray and white matter within the brain (Hub Pages, 2010). Willis, like Descartes, believed that spirits influenced human behaviors, but he believed that the spirits were created in the grey matter and distributed by the white matter in the brain (Hub Pages, 2010).

Many branches of psychology focus on phenomena. Unlike these areas of psychology, biological psychology is classified by method (Hub Pages, 2010). While many areas of psychology study group behavior or case studies, biological psychology studies the chemical or biological reason for the behavior. Biological psychology focuses not on what behavior occurs, rather it studies the reason the behavior occurred in the first place. “Research accomplished within the field contributes to developmental psychology in the assistance of understanding memory, motivation, perceptions, cognition, learning and emotions” (Ertel, 2004). Biological psychologists work in neuroscience, neuropsychology, behavioral genetics, psychopharmacology, and psychiatry. These fields are all very different, but all depend greatly on biological psychology. These fields are able to take biological psychology and use it for very different things to accomplish the resolution of each individual task.

Biological psychology assumes that there is a biological basis to mental processes. Biological psychologists do research and present the evidence to prove their theories. Both medication and discussion are used in the treatment of mental issues when using biological psychology. “The biological approach in psychology focuses more on the individual and the genetic makeup than the environmental influence on the individual” (Hub Pages, 2010). Heredity and chemical imbalances are more important to biological psychology than in other forms of psychology. Conversely, societal impact is less important in biological psychology than in other forms of psychology, where social impact is extremely important.

There are several forms of psychology, but not that are as scientific as biological psychology. Biological psychology allows psychology to look into neuroscience and physiology. Biological psychology focuses on the biological reasoning for human behavior. Environment and genetics both have an impact on human behavior. In order to examine both of these causes of human behavior, both biological psychology and sociological psychology must be put to use. Because of biological psychology medication is available to people suffering from mental illness.

References

Helium. (2002-2010). What is biological psychology?. Retrieved from

                http://www.helium.com/items/1415090-psychology-what-is-biological-

                psychology

Hub Pages. (2010). Biological Psychology. Retrieved from

                http://hubpages.com/hub/Biological-Psychology

Ertel, S. (2004). Interdisciplinary psychology with Suitbert Ertel. Retrieved December

                21, 2008, from http://www.psych.uni-goettingen.de/home/ertel/ertel-

                dir/myinterests/1psychology/01a62c92a20d0ec0d.html

Millis, K. (n.d.). A short history of neuropsychology. Retrieved December 19, 2008, from

                http://www3.niu.edu/acad/psych/Millis/History/2002/neuro.htm

Wickens, A. (2005). Foundations of Biopsychology (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:

                Prentice-Hall.

Creative Process

Creativity is both the product of and the tool to enhance human progress. Creativity has spawned everything from paintings to music, from buildings to inventions. Without creativity, humans could not progress as they have. Humans would be content with the status quo and would not have motivation to enhance their lives or the lives of future generations. Rather than being in charge of the land and the creatures who live in it, humans would have to adapt to the environment that surrounds them. Without the tools to mold the environment to serve their needs, humans would need to either move in search for the environment that suits them or simply adapt to the land they are in.

Creativity is an extremely important part of modern society. There is some speculation that intense creativity exhibited in a single person is the result of a deficiency in other aspects of mental activity. Psychological and mental disorders and illnesses are sometimes blamed for extreme creativity exhibited by an individual. Often, artists exhibit symptoms similar to depression or bipolar disorder. Some even exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia, which can be a result of untreated bipolar disorder. Symptoms of these illnesses are exhibited in Peter Tschaikowski, Leonard Bernstein, van Gogh, and Beethoven. Although very creative with their craft, these artists all had trouble with their personal lives (Nettle, 2000). These issues prevented the artists from being understood by much of society, and as a result often created isolation. The isolation, although beneficial to the creative process, ultimately compounded the original issues.

In a time when homosexuality was unacceptable, Peter Tschaikowski found himself in quite a predicament. Tschaikowski was not attracted to women and had no desire to facilitate a façade to obtain social acceptance. Because he could not have a male lover, he was unsatisfied both sexually and emotionally. As a result, many of Tschaikowski greatest works were written as an outlet for the pain he was feeling. Some scholars believe that his death was caused by a suicide attempt. Tschaikowski dove into an icy river and later died of pneumonia; many have held up the assumption that this dive was an attempt to end his own life because of his deep depression (McManamy, 2009). Tschaikowski creative instincts were actually not instinctual at all. Instead, they were the derivative of emotional turmoil and instability.

American composer Leonard Bernstein had similar internal conflicts to Tschaikowski. Bernstein lived in constant secrecy. Bernstein felt a great deal of shame because of his homosexual and bisexual feelings. He kept these feelings a secret. The shame developed into a deep depression that Bernstein battled with over the course of most of his life. Bernstein was considered a child prodigy. He continued to advance his career throughout his life, although some would say he gravely overextended himself. Bernstein composed, conducted, lectured, and taught. He used his creative gift as a way to escape the reality of his life and depression. Overworked and under rested, Bernstein suffered from a nervous breakdown and was forced to slow down. Bernstein decided to resign from his position of Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and devote himself instead to a much quieter life of composing music. From time to time, he made appearances as a guest conductor with several organizations. Bernstein’s youth greatly influenced his creativity. Bernstein used information that had been made public about himself, such as his Jewish heritage, to compose many great pieces of music. Bernstein wrote of his deep depression only in his private writings. A contrast to Tschiakowski, Bernstein did not use his music as a creative outlet for his afflictions. Instead, he wrote his feelings down, almost as a form of self-therapy. Bernstein was married and had children. While Bernstein felt a deep love for his family, he could not overcome his deep sexual desire for men. As Bernstein lived with an inner battle between his desires and his obligations, he sank deeper and deeper into depression.

Vincent van Gogh was an artist who was tortured by his own actions. Van Gogh, although married with a family, lived with several different women over the course of his life. Van Gogh seemed to be in a love affair with himself, and to him, no woman could ever live up to the greatness of him. While some may say that he loved women, others say that he in fact only loved himself, and hated women for not being able to live up to the expectations he had created for them. Much of van Gogh’s work is very dark and appears angry. Van Gogh somehow was able to bridge the gap between abstract and realism. For instance, none of his art appears realistic, yet it evokes so much emotion. It enables the viewer to see their own version of reality, while still being completely unrealistic. Van Gogh is famous for cutting off his ear. After a night of drinking absinthe, van Gogh heard voices telling him to kill another artist who he had recently parted ways with. To silence the voices, van Gogh cut the bottom of his ear lobe off and delivered it to a brothel where a prostitute he had been with lived. This was van Gogh’s obscure attempt at a loving gift for the woman. Van Gogh caught gonorrhea at one point and is speculated to have also suffered from syphilis. Widely unaccepted during his own time, van Gogh slipped into a deep depression despite his issues with pride. Some physicians now think that van Gogh may have also suffered from bipolar disorder.

Ludwig van Beethoven was a creative genius. His symphonies and sonatas are used today in movies and television shows. Beethoven’s music has truly stood the test of time. Beethoven often felt frustrated when he could not translate what he “heard” in his mind into notes on sheet music. This frustration controlled his life and overtook his thoughts. Because he was constantly focused on his imperfections, Beethoven became very bitter. Beethoven isolated himself and was misunderstood by the socialites that surrounded him. As a child, Beethoven was abused by his father and babied by his mother. The combination of his childhood mistreatment and not being understood as an adult made Beethoven miserable. Beethoven became more and more distant from reality. His greatest work was written while he was completely detached from society. Beethoven was, in fact, deaf when he composed his last symphony, but it proved to be his most successful work.

Each of these artists has a passion for their art, and not for much else. Each artist fought with a deep internal conflict. Isolating themselves from any deep emotional attachments to other people, each artist lived in their work. Shunned by society, each artist struggled to silence their inner demons. Art was the outlet that most likely kept these artists from going completely insane. Although these artists were all genius, not all creativity will produce genius results. Whether or not creativity can be categorized as genius depends on how the piece affects society. If the piece is sustainable or widely impressionable, it could be considered to be artistic genius.

For me, creativity is spontaneous. I am not influenced by any mental illnesses as we have seen in these artists. I am not influenced by trouble in my life. I do not have a deep feeling of being misunderstood and I don’t have a need for acceptance. Most of my life is spent in the world of reality. I spend time accepting the reality of my life and of the world around me. I rarely picture things in new ways, the way many artists do.

I like to think of what is and what will be rather than what could be. My choices are based on the most likely result. I consider the facts before making decisions and do not question myself once I have made a decision. Because my mind works in a more analytical way than in an artistic way, I find it difficult to be creative. Many times creativity seems like more of a forced action to me than a flowing one, contrary to the way many artists feel.  My creative process, when dissected, is not really creative at all. When I know that I need to be creative I write out all of the possible solutions and then map out where each of those solutions lead. I then choose the most favorable path. My creative process is, in fact, an analytical process.

The word has had many famous artists in its history. Many of these artists suffered great injustices. It seems as though some sort of turmoil assists in the artistic process. All of these artists are widely regarded to be artistic geniuses. Whatever the affliction they suffered, society benefited from art being the outlet from that affliction.

References

Nettle, D. (2000). Strong Imagination: Madness, Creativity and Human Nature. Oxford

                University Press.

McManamy, John. “Music of the Heart – Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.” McMan’s Depression andBipolar Web. Retrieved from http://www.mcmanweb.com/tchaikovsky.html

Physics Forums. (2010). Physics forums. Retrieved from http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=10432

 Beethoven's web page. (n.d.). Ludwig van Beethoven. Retrieved from  http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html

 bach-cantatas.com. (n.d.). Leonar Bernstein. Retrieved from http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Bernstein-Leonard.htm

Leonardo da Vinci: Notable Creator

Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian painter, architect, scientist, engineer, and sculptor, was a true renaissance man. Da Vinci was the illegitimate son of Ser Piero, a notary, and Caterina, a peasant girl. Da Vinci was born April 15, 1452. Ser Piero took immediate custody of da Vinci, while da Vinci’s mother moved to a neighboring town and began a family with another man. Between both his mother and his father’s families, da Vinci had a total of 17 half brothers and sisters.

As a child, da Vinci often read books that he had borrowed from friends and family members. Because he lived in the city of Vinci, he was also exposed to a rich visual art community. Vinci was known for its painting traditions. When da Vinci was 15, he moved for Florence and began to apprentice under Andrea del Verrochio. Del Verrochio immediately recognized da Vinci’s immense artistic talents and began to include da Vinci’s work in his own masterpieces. One of Da Vinci’s first known works is a painting of an angel in Verrochio’s “Baptism of Christ” (Museum of Science, n.d.). Da Vinci’s work was so much greater than his instructor’s that Verrochio decided never to paint again. Da Vinci continued to work with Verrochio until 1477.

In the pursuit of financial gain, Da Vinci began working for the Duke of Milan in 1482. To accept this position, he had to leave his first paid project before finishing it ("The Adoration of the Magi"). Da Vinci continued to work for the Duke until 1499. During his time in Milan, da Vinci advanced his abilities in both art and science.

During his commission with the Duke, da Vinci was asked to perform both artistic and scientific duties. In addition to his paintings, the Duke asked Da Vinci to design weapons and buildings. Da Vinci began to study mathematics, architecture, nature, mechanics, and machinery. Many of his designs were not fully realized until years after his death, including a military tank and a submarine. Like his mentor Verrochio, da Vinci began leading his own workshops, with many students and apprentices applying to learn from him.

Da Vinci often began projects that he did not finish. Many geniuses have this trait. Albert Einstein, for instance, wrote down formulas and instructions, but did not want to actually conduct the experiments he suggested: he lost interest in them before he ever arrived at that point. Da Vinci completed very few works of art during his service to the Duke of Milan. One of these paintings was the famous “The Last Supper.” Because da Vinci was becoming increasingly interested in biology, he began to lose interest in painting. It was then that da Vinci began dissecting human remains.

In 1490, da Vinci began to record his studies in illustrated notebooks. These notebooks, now very valuable and widely sought after by collectors, contain sketches of ideas that da Vinci had about each of his fields of interest. These fields included mechanics, architecture, biology, and painting.

In 1499, the Duke of Milan was stripped of his power. This left da Vinci unemployed. Da Vinci worked as an independent contractor of sorts for the next 16 years. Traveling throughout Italy, he worked for several employers, all for very short periods. Da Vinci was commissioned to build bridges, engineer machinery for the military, and also to paint masterpieces.

In 1503, da Vinci began painting the “Mona Lisa,” his most famous work of art. This painting is still displayed in the Louvre and is studied by art students around the world. This painting has been the subject of many artistic debates for centuries. Some people say that this is da Vinci’s self portrait, with him depicting himself as a woman (Huffington Post, 2010). Others say that this was his mistress who was married to the man who commissioned the painting. Many people simply wonder what Mona Lisa is smiling about; is she possibly hiding a secret?

Da Vinci was notified of his father’s death on July 9, 1504. Unfortunately, da Vinci was not given his rightful inheritance from his father’s death. Instead, his half brothers and sisters were awarded the full amount of the inheritance. After the death of his uncle, da Vinci was finally given the inheritance that he deserved and was given control of his uncle’s assets.

Da Vinci began working for the Pope in Rome in 1513. Da Vinci was able to take on several projects for the Pope, including painting and architecture, but was forbidden from dissecting human cadavers. Da Vinci wanted to continue his study of human biology, so he left the commission of the Pope in 1516.

In 1516, da Vinci was offered the position of Premier Painter, Engineer, and Architect of the King Frances I in France (Museum of Science, n.d.). This would be da Vinci’s last employer. Da Vinci was allowed to live in a manor house near the royal palace in Amboise. In addition to this, da Vinci was given a commission for his work. Da Vinci died on May 2, 1519 in Cloux, France.

Leonardo da Vinci is the greatest artistic and scientific mind of his era and is a true renaissance man. Although da Vinci’s scientific abilities were influenced by nature, his artistic abilities were influenced by nurture, rather than by nature. Da Vinci was sent to school to learn to be an artist. As a boy, his father encouraged him to learn to paint. Even as an adult, da Vinci was not naturally influenced to create his paintings. He was influenced by the people who paid him to paint. He painted whatever they told him to paint, and therefore he was not naturally influenced at all.

Da Vinci embraced many forms of creativity. His most famous painting is “The Mona Lisa,” although some say that da Vinci was the true creator of the “Shroud of Turin.” If this were true, the shroud would be Da Vinci’s most creative painting. Da Vinci also had many other creative outlets, such as architecture, anatomy, and machinery.

Da Vinci still influences society today. Art students around the world still study da Vinci’s work. Much of da Vinci’s work is still a mystery because so much of it was left unfinished. His work leaves philosophers and historians to contemplate what the intended finished project would have been. Da Vinci was the first inventor of the military tank and also the inventor of the contact lens. Because of da Vinci’s extensive study of anatomy, he was able to create a corrective lens that sits directly on the eye; however this technology did not materialize until centuries later. Da Vinci sketched several drawings of flying machines. These flying machines were not manufactured in his lifetime, and were in fact not manufactured for another four hundred years. Clearly, da Vinci’s work is still influencing society around the world. Da Vinci’s ideas have shaped many of the inventions of today and will likely continue to influence new ideas in the future.

References:

Museum of Science. (n.d.). Rennaissance Man. Retrieved from                                                                   http://www.mos.org/leonardo/bio.html

(2010, January 27). Mona Lisa a self-portrait? Da Vinci's remains to be exhumed to solve mystery. Huffingtong Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/27/mona-lisa-a-self-portrait_n_439108.html

The Genius of Jane Addams

Jane Addams was the first acknowledged women’s rights leader in the United States. Throughout her life, she constantly pushed limits that men in society set for her. While pushing these limits, she also advocated peace. This seemed contradictory and often damaged her reputation, but she fought for her beliefs regardless of what people thought of her.

Jane was born in 1860 in Cedarville, Illinois. Her mother and father were considered wealthy in their town. Her father was a business man and also a political figure, serving on several business boards and in the Illinois Senate. Jane’s mother Died in 1862, when she was only 2 years old.

Jane had 5 brothers and sisters at the time of her mother’s death. Her father re-married only 3 years later, and 2 stepbrothers were added to the family. Jane was raised by her father, despite the presence of her stepmother. Jane was encouraged by her father to pursue an education, but to keep in mind that her place as a woman was to seek marriage and family before a career.

Jane chose to attend Rockford Female Seminary, which has now been renamed Rockford College. Today, Rockford College is a private college for both men and women. Jane was one of the first women to take courses equivalent to those taken by men at other institutions. Jane graduated as the valedictorian of her class in 1881, but did not receive her degree until the school was accredited as Rockford College for Women in 1882.

Within months of Jane’s graduation, her father died. After his death, Jane went into a deep depression and was bedridden for over a year. Jane had a spinal disorder that became inflamed because of her depression, and she was forced to have surgery because of it.

After her recovery, Jane moved to Pennsylvania to attend Medical School. In 1883, she quickly withdrew from the school and decided instead to tour Europe with her friend from Rockford Female Seminary. Jane would go on to tour Europe at least two more times, including 1885 and 1888. Jane also made several trips to Europe later in life to fulfill her duties as the President of the Women’s International Leave for Peace and Freedom.

In 1888, Jane visited England with her friend Ellen Gates Starr. Her observations of the immigrants in England and the housing available to them inspired her to begin the plans for a settlement house in the United States. Jane invested the $50,000 that she inherited from her father’s death into what would become the Hull House.

Jane Addams founded the Hull House on September 18^th, 1889. At this time, she and Ellen Gates Starr were the only residence of the one building establishment. By 1907, the Hull House had expanded to a 13 building complex and served thousands of people each week.

The Hull House now featured a gymnasium, a theater, an art gallery, a music school, a boys club, an auditorium, a cafeteria, cooperative residences for working women, a kindergarten facility, a nursery, libraries, a post office, meeting and club rooms, art studios, a dining room, a kitchen, and staff apartments (Encyclopedia of Chicago, 2009). Hull house fostered an environment for immigrants of many cultures to come together, learn, and grow.

Different Immigrant cultures lived together, for instance, the Italians lived near other Italians and the Russians lived near other Russians. This allowed cultures to keep customs from their native countries, but still learn and grow as a new community together with other cultures. The Hull House also served as an educational tool to new immigrants. Immigrants were taught the social policies of the local, state, and national governments.

The Hull House served as the flagship of nearly five hundred settlements nationally by 1920. From this, many men and women who may have otherwise faded into a low-income part of society instead flourished in politics and the arts. Many women who went through Hull House became influential reformers of local, state, and traditional governments.

Because of Hull House, women became self sufficient. Women began to think on their own, instead of adhering to what society dictated they must believe. The women of Hull House helped to establish the first juvenile court in the United States. Because of these same women, many women’s and children’s rights laws, including child labor laws, were established in both state-wide and nation-wide jurisdictions.

Jane Addams’ passion for the advancement of the arts was a strong presence at the Hull House. The theatre helped not only for the advancement of the arts in the community, but also for the advancement of women in the arts. It was often frowned upon for women to direct or write in the theatre, but at Hull House, women were celebrated for doing these things. For the first time, women were taught set design and performance technique.

Performances were done both for the advancement of the arts and for the preservation of culture. Performances were done in Russian, Yiddish, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Italian, Bohemian, and Latvian folk. This helped immigrants express the customs and culture of their native country. It also served as a way for immigrants to teach the native culture to children who were either too young to remember or were not yet born when their parents immigrated to the United States.

Hand in hand with the theatre, music lessons were also offered to residents of the Hull House community. Lessons were inexpensive to enable new immigrants to attend music school. When the school began in 1907, voice, ear training, and reading and writing music were the only classes offered. Even these few classes were more than the immigrants would have been afforded if not for the Hull House.

Beginning in the 1920’s, the music department was expanded to violin, piano, organ, music theory, and choral singing. With these new additions, recitals attracted people from all over Chicago of all economic classes. Both recital and theatre tickets sold for fifty cents per person.

In addition to the theatre and the music lessons, Jane Addams began an art gallery at Hull House. Jane felt that the arts would advance people both intellectually and economically. Photos and Paintings were on loan, mostly from Europe, and were financed by a wealthy English family. The art gallery was lit for both daytime and evening viewing.

The Hull House has continued to advance the education and prosperity of immigrants over the years and eventually expanded to aid in homelessness relief efforts. The Hull House continues to operate today under the name “Jane Addams Hull House Association.” Several social service centers across the Chicago area currently operate under the umbrella of this organization, and several museums have been established in honor of the original Hull House.

Jane Addams published 11 books and countless articles about peace efforts. Jane was known for and often criticized for being a pacifist even during World War 1. Many of Jane’s articles and books referenced her efforts at Hull House, but others references some of her many other efforts in peace women’s rights.

While highly criticized for her pacifism, Jane’s reputation began to improve towards the end of her life because of her peace efforts. Jane Addams was the first president for the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Jane was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. “At the time, she was the nation’s most distinguished women influencing people through her writing, her social work, and efforts toward national peace.” (Evisum, Inc., 2000) Jane died in 1935 after a battle with cancer. Her death came just ten days after a banquet in Washington, D.C. in her honor.

Because of Jane’s efforts, many social improvements have been made. Many women who had been under her care advanced in both the political and artistic cultures. Because of the women she helped to mentor, many social policies have been created that we still follow today, including the juvenile court system. Jane’s genius shines through in the truest sense of the word. Because of her enormous efforts in the advancement of women, in the arts, and in social policy, Jane Addams will continue to influence society for generations to come.

References:

Evisum, Inc.. (2000). Jane Addams 1860-1935. Retrieved June 23, 2009, from http://virtualology.com/virtualmuseumofhistory/hallofwomen/JANEADDAMS.COM/

 Encyclopedia of Chicago. (2005). Hull House. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/615.html

 About.com: Women's History. (2009). Jane Addams. Retrieved June 23, 2009, from http://womenshistory.about.com/od/addamsjane/p/jane_addams.htm

University of Illinois. (2009). Bringing Art to Life: Women and the Arts at Hull-House. Retrieved June 21, 2009, from http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/artlifeexhibit/theater.html

University of Illinois at Chicago. (2009). Alma Birmingham Papers. Retrieved June 24, 2009, from http://www.uic.edu/depts/lib/specialcoll/services/rjd/findingaids/ABirminghamb.html

Humanities' Effect on Modern Society

Humanities is just one small part in what is known as “Humanistic Tradition.” Humanistic Tradition is the patterns that society makes throughout history as it learns and changes. This involves everything from medicine to the theatre.

Humanities is the study of philosophy, literature, written history, visual arts (including dance), architecture, and music (Fiero, 2006). This makes humanities different from other forms of Humanistic tradition because it focuses on the culture of humans, not the knowledge alone. Medicine, for instance, does not focus on the culture of humans. It may be influenced by the culture of humans, but it is not a specific documentation of the culture at the time when the medical theory was developed and implemented. Contrary to science and medicine, humanities gives a direct view of what the culture was like at the time it was produced.

The movie W. is a perfect example of a film that documents the current economic, political, and technological situation in the American culture. This film is a highly excaudated chronicle of former President George W. Bush’s life. The politics of Bush and his advisors is portrayed as being very corrupt, which is something that many Americans believe to be true. The economy gradually gets worse throughout the film, as the war in Iraq grows longer and longer.

The film documents Bush’s life from the 1960’s to 2003 and the technological advances throughout that time are very apparent. In 1960, computers were not accessible to put on a desk. Having one to carry around was unthinkable. Phones all had cords. By 2003, lap top computers and cell phones were a staple in everyone’s life.

Music is often used to demonstrate a view of society, or at least of what society hopes that it could be. Because of the war in Iraq, many songs are written that describe political issues. Carrie Underwood’s song “Just a Dream” describes a woman who loses her husband in war. Though this may not seem as though it makes a political statement, it does make a statement about war, which is a part of politics.

Bob Dylan’s “Union Showdown” also describes political issues. The song talks about economic cutbacks in the United States. Many every day products have been produced in other countries in recent years, leaving many Americans without jobs.

Bob Dylan expresses his discontent for this issue in the song, saying that it is cheaper to make products elsewhere and then have them shipped here. This has been an issue for many living in the United States for over ten years. Many Americans have lost jobs due to this. The song tells of how, as technology grows, it is easier to take jobs away from working Americans and give them to people overseas who will work for nearly no pay.

Growing economies inevitably lead to growing structures. Architecture translates the culture it is in nearly seamlessly. In the United states, we have structures such as The Alamo down the street from shopping malls. It is obvious that the American culture values political history, but has a desire to move forward.

Two hundred years ago, if someone said that they were going to stand in a little room that moved them up and down a building instead of walking up the stairs, people would have thought they were crazy. Now, though, this is a reality. Not only do we have “little rooms” known as elevators to move us up and down the floors of a building, but also airplanes to move us across the country in just hours. It was not long ago that it took Christopher Columbus months to sail to America. Now, business people fly between Europe and America every in less than 12 hours. What used to be a trip only for political business or for a permanent move is not accessible to anyone for a short vacation.

Politics are a form of Philosophy, so, any politics that are to be had would automatically fall under the preface of being a political philosophy. Intelligence, as to be expected, is increasing. The current cultural trend in the United States is to be an intellectual, or to be somehow above those around you in the field of knowledge and philosophy. Some boycott new technology, claiming that it is only a way to let a piece of equipment do the thinking for them, while others embrace technology, claiming that it is a way to share knowledge in a way that has never before been possible.

In the past, literature has often been reserved for books. Now, however, many people have magazines and newspapers delivered to their homes monthly, if not daily. These magazines and newspapers often contain short stories or opinion columns that can be considered literature. There are many different genres of these periodicals. Subjects range from the newest addition to the IPod family, to the current economic situation, to fashion tips for teenagers. In our growing and changing culture, there are very few boundaries set on what can and cannot be written. Because of the first amendment, the writer of this literature is free from any political persecution because of what they have written.

Holding true to Humanistic Tradition, society is documenting our current culture. Many songwriters, architects, and artists may not realize the statement they are making at the time, but years from now, people will look to their work to get a glimpse into what life was like in the year 2009.

Fiero, Gloria K. (2006). The humanistic tradition (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

Weiser, Stanley (2008). W. Emperor Motion Pictures

Research, Statistics, and Psychology

Statistics are important in all fields, but are even more important in science. Like in all sciences, psychology uses statistics to propose, and eventually prove, theories. Without statistical data, each theory would remain in the preliminary stages of study. Science would not be science without statistics. Science without statistics is like a pool without water: it serves no purpose whatsoever.

A psychologist’s main goal is to find out why people feel, think, and behave the way they do. Psychologists use the scientific method to conduct research to understand the way the human mind works. Scientific research is the act of “performing a methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. Finding a definitive answer is the central goal of any experimental process” (experament-resources.com, 2008-2010). Scientific research, but its very essence, must be very specific. It must follow defined and planned steps and it must follow guidelines set by the American Psychological Association. Scientific research must be extremely well organized. Even the plan for researching must be researched. It is important that scientists read through literature that has already been published on past experiments involving similar study subjects.

The scientific method is used by scientists to conduct research. Psychologists often use the scientific method to conduct research and increase the strength of a theory. The scientific method is a standardized way to gather information, form and test theories, make observations, and interpret data. The scientific method is used to avoid a conflict of interest on the part of the researchers. In other words, the scientific method protects science from being distorted from ill willed researchers.

Generally, the procedure of the scientific method has several steps. First, the scientist asks a question. Second, the scientist or scientists define the relevant terms. This prevents any confusion while conducting the experiment. Third, the researcher must choose a research method. Next, the research will begin. During the research process, statistical data will be recorded and analyzed. Last, the information collected will be published or reported in some public forum (M Plonsky, PhD, 1997-2009).

The scientific method is used by psychological researchers to study many different subjects, such as child development. When researching, the researcher must use a scientific method and model to conduct their research in order to make sure that it is unbiased. Some of these research methods include naturalistic observation, surveys, case studies, test methods, and experimental methods (M Plonsky, PhD, 1997-2009).

There are two types of data when doing research: primary and secondary. Primary data is original data that has not yet been interpreted. Primary data sources display unedited information, such as words, objects, and images that were created or caused by or during the study. This information is directly created by a person or people involved in a study or study group. Primary information has not been commented on; no opinions have been formed yet. This information has not yet been analyzed or interpreted in any way. “Depending upon the context, these may include paintings, interviews, works of fiction, research reports, sales receipts, speeches, treaties, legislation, letters, e-mails, and others” (University of Washington, 2001-2004).

Secondhand data, however, is interpreted. This information has been sifted through. Secondary data is information that has been analyzed or summarized by an outside source. In other words, the researcher is not the person who analyzes the data. Someone who does not have a vested interest in the study reviews the information and then reports their interpretation of the data. A medical review article, for example, is secondary data. “Because they are often written significantly after events by parties not directly involved but who have special expertise, they may provide historical context or critical perspectives” (University of Washington, 2001-2004).

Both primary and secondary data are extremely important to research. Statistics are what make research effective. Florence Nightingale , pioneer nurse, writer and avid statistician, said “Statistic…the most important science in the whole world: for upon it depends the practical application of every other science and of every art; the one science essential to all political and social administration, all education, all organization based upon experience, for it only gives the results of our experience” (WordPress, n.d.). Statistics play a fundamental role in research methods and interpretations. Statistics encompass aspects of research such as research plans, data collection and testing, and interpretation of the collected information.

Without statistics, psychology would still be considered an art rather than a science. Statistics are an essential tool to all scientific research, but are paramount to research in psychology. Because much of psychological research is not tangible as it would be with the research of another science, statistics are needed to prove theories. Without statistics, a behavioral theory becomes impossible to prove. A psychological theory without statistics becomes just an idea, which will quickly fade away with the next great idea.

References:

experament-resources.com. (2008-2010). Definition of research. Retrieved from http://www.experiment-resources.com/definition-of-research.html

 M Plonsky, PhD. (1997-2009). Psychological Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/stat/1/expdes.htm#II

 University of Washington. (2001-2004). Research 101. Retrieved from http://www.lib.washington.edu/uwill/research101/basic03.htm

 Wordpress. (n.d.). PSI Psychology Tutor. Retrieved from http://psychologytutor.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/why-study-statistics-in-psychology/

Foundations of Psychology

Psychology was founded in the mid-1800’s with only two basic ideas: Functionalism and Structuralism. The study of Psychology has since grown, as has the understanding of the human brain and how it works. Psychology has now grown from two theories to countless theories. Psychologists are now able to understand their patients better than ever before.

In the mid-1800’s, testing and research was not as easy to do, partially because of technology, and partially because Psychology was still a new practice. Psychology was not yet widely known or accepted in the medical community or in the general public. “Psychology is a science of behavior and mental functioning that uses both quantitative and qualitative research studies to develop and test hypotheses and put forward theories and models that explain human behavior” (Spear, n.d. para. 1).

Functionalism assumes the best learning comes from understanding the source that the learning is coming from. In the case of Psychology, the source is the brain. Functionalism is based on the theory that the best way to learn about why people do the things they do is to understand the way that their brain uses and processes information.

Structuralism performs research from verbal accounts of a situation. This method of research identifies and analyzes the most basic elements of the situation that the subject has experienced. Structuralism research includes not only physical and environmental events, but also emotional and mental events.
Psychology has changed quite a bit since the beginning theories of Functionalism and Structuralism. There are now many major schools of thought in Psychology. Over time, with new technology and new research came new theories.

The behavioral theory believes that human behavior is shaped by environment. This theory is often referenced with alcoholism or domestic abuse. Many people think that both alcoholism and domestic abuse can be directly related to the environment that the offender was exposed to as a child.

This theory is sometimes confused with the Physiological theory. The Physiological theory is based on research to learn how the brain affects behavior. This theory conversely also believes that behavior affects the brain. For instance, the brain may tell someone to try using drugs to make them feel better. At the same time, trying those drugs will affect that person’s brain.

This brings on the theory of Humanism. Humanism deals with a person’s free will. The Humanistic approach believes that a person’s behavior relies on their feelings and perceptions. This theory would mean that behavior is very unpredictable, because behavior would change as feelings changed, which could prove to be a minute to minute change.

Another theory that is altered by emotions and feelings is the Cognitive theory. The Cognitive theory studies thoughts and perceptions. It believes that thoughts and perceptions directly affect a person’s problem solving strategies. It then studies the way it affects that person’s life.

The Social/Cultural theory relies on a person’s perception of what society deems “normal.” A person who would fit into this school of thought is very worried about their role in society and societies perception of them. This person will make decisions based on what they believe will be best accepted by their community.

The Psychoanalytical and Clinical theories are both theories that are constantly changing and adapting based on new information and also based on the individual patient. These theories seem to be complimented by other theories in their practice. They both study thoughts of both the conscious and the unconscious mind.

In addition to these theories, there is also another branch of Psychology. Biological Psychology studies the brain itself. Biological Psychology studies the nervous system and the way it effects the brain. There are many factors that affect the brain and nervous system.

The central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord. This is where information is carried from the brain and down the spinal cord and into muscles in the back. Conversely, the nervous system carries messages to the brain through neurons.

The Peripheral nervous system controls motor movements and voluntary processes, while the Endocrine is responsible for glandular function and hormones. The Automatic nervous system is responsible for life processes. This includes sympathetic and parasympathetic processes. Sympathetic process is often referred to as the “fight or flight” response, while Parasympathetic is referred to as “rest and response.”

Both of these responses can have a number of triggers, including psychological and physiological. A rape victim may have a sympathetic reaction to facing her attacker in court, but may have a parasympathetic reaction to seeing the guilty verdict read in that same court room. This would be a psychological trigger, not a physiological trigger.

However, that same rape victim may walk past the original location of her attack and have a sympathetic resaction, even though she knows her attacker is in prison and cannot hurt her at that moment. This would be a physiological trigger.

This brings Biological Psychology back full circle to the major theories of psychology. Over the years, psychology has grown a better understanding of both the physical and emotional reactions of the body. Psychologists will grow an even better understanding as research continues. In about 150 years, Psychology has developed from being nonexistent to what it is today, and it will only continue to develop in the future.

Refrences

Spear, Laura. (n.d.). Foundations of Psychology. Socyberty. Retrieved September 18, 2009, from http://socyberty.com/psychology/foundations-of-psychology/

Disturbing Development of Charles Manson

Born Charles Maddox, the man we now know as Charles Manson was a disadvantaged child. Manson was born November 12, 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a sixteen year old promiscuous alcoholic who had no regard for her son. Manson’s mother, Kathleen Maddox, was not ready for parenthood and did not rise to meet her new responsibility as a single mother.

Kathleen Maddox married William Manson and gave Charles his name at that time. Manson tells a story of his mother trading him for beer: “Mom was in a cafe one afternoon with me on her lap. The waitress, a would-be mother without a child of her own, jokingly told my Mom she’d buy me from her. Mom replied, ‘A pitcher of beer and he’s yours.’ The waitress set up the beer…. Several days later my uncle had to search the town for the waitress and take me home,” Montaldo (n.d).

In 1940, Kathleen was sent to prison. Manson lived with several different relatives while his mother was in prison, including a religious fanatic grandmother, an uncle who committed suicide while caring for Manson to protest authorities taking his land, and another uncle who seemed to be extremely homophobic. This uncle thought Manson was too feminine, so he put him in a dress and sent him to school. Manson said, “Grandmom said I don’t fight – I didn’t fight – my uncle beat me with a douche bag and no fight.  Then he put a red dress on me and said if you gonna be a girl, dress like a girl.  If I remember fighting and fighting and fighting.  Reckon I’ll ever get this red dress off,” (Purple Slinky, 2009).

When his mother was released from prison, she and Manson were briefly reunited. Manson is reported as saying that the only joyful moment in his childhood was the embrace from his mother upon her release (Purple Slinky, 2009). This joyful reunion, however, was short lived, as Kathleen’s boyfriend did not want children. Kathleen chose her boyfriend over Manson and attempted to put Manson into foster care, but was rejected. Feeling unwanted by his mother, Manson began his life of crime.

Manson began to steal on a regular basis and was sent to a reform home in Indiana. “Some believe his instant attraction to theft stemmed from his need to call something his own, allowing for him to create an identity for himself,” Montaldo (n.d). Manson escaped the Indiana reform school and was sent to another, only to escape again. Manson spent his teen years as a loaner, either in or escaping from reform schools. Manson showed signs of manipulation even as a young teen, only performing from those he thought he could gain something from.

When not in reform school, Manson lived on his own, using the profits from armed robberies and driving stolen cars. At seventeen, he was illiterate. Manson continued his life of crime until he was caught and sent to the Indiana home for boys, where he claimed he was raped repeatedly, and escaped soon after the allegations.

In 1951, Manson was convicted of driving a stolen vehicle across state lines and was sent to prison. Manson was released in 1954 after several assault charges. Manson married two times, both times his wives left him. He has at least two children, neither of which he has a relationship with. Manson was rejected and alone again. Manson was arrested several more times.

Manson and his followers plotted and carried out the murders of several Californians, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate. Manson and his followers were caught and prosecuted. Manson has been serving time in the California State Prison system for more than thirty years.

While some of Manson’s actions could be attributed to heredity, many of them were caused by environmental factors. Manson’s uncle committed suicide in an attempt to prevent authorities from taking his land, which suggests a possible mental illness. It is possible that mental illness runs in the family, however, psychological studies have shown no mental illness that is relatable to any member of his family. “People we generally imagine as being crazy have no clear understanding of right and wrong. Manson does not have this deficiency. He clearly understands right and wrong, he simply ceases to care on certain occasions. This mentality is one aspect of the illness he is most commonly believed to have, anti-social personality disorder. APD is the clinical term for what we would have formerly called a ‘sociopath’ or a ‘psychopath’ – though these terms are now outdated and considered derogatory,” Schmidt (n.d.), (para. 11).

Manson’s upbringing suggests environmental influence being cause for his actions. Manson was raised with no example of a socially functioning adult. There was no stability in his childhood. Because Manson had very little structure, he designed his own dysfunctional structure in life.

Manson was left on his own in life. Manson was rejected by everyone he thought he could trust. His mother did not want him, his grandmother and uncles did not understand him and belittled him, and both of his wives left him. Every time Manson thought he was going to have some stability in life, it was ripped away from him. Manson had no social model to teach him how to live his life and was left to his own demise.

Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development states that each stage of life is a turning point and has its own challenges. If the challenge is met, a feeling of self confidence occurs; if it is not met, a feeling of inadequacy occurs (Van Wagner, 2009). This could explain why Manson acted as he did. He had little stability and no role models. He was faced with failure after failure in life and had very little social interaction. According to this theory, Manson would have grown up with a very strong sense of inadequacy, which would guide him to overcompensate in later years.

Abraham Maslow was the humanistic theorist who founded Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. He believed that self-actualization was the key to having optimal mental health. He believed that people who were able to self actualize had the following traits: “awareness and acceptance of themselves, openness and spontaneity, the ability to develop close friendships without being overly dependent on other people, a good sense of humor, the tendency to have peak experiences that are spiritually or emotionally satisfying” (Spark Notes, 2009).

This theory best proves the decline of Manson’s mental health. Manson did not meet any of Maslow’s requirements for optimal mental health. Manson does not fulfill any of the categories for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Manson did not have even his basic needs fulfilled on a regular basis. He had to steal to eat on many occasions, even as a child. He bounced from home to home, and his family showed him no love or respect. He was repeatedly rejected by everyone he thought should love him, including both of his wives. He was not respected by others, and therefore did not respect others. Manson did not learn morals or socially acceptable problem solving skills because no one ever taught him.

Manson proves Maslow’s theory by being the opposite extreme. Manson does not meet any of Maslow’s requirements for optimum mental health, and has proven to be mentally unstable. Manson did not act as society thought he should because he did not fit into society. He was rejected and unwanted. He did not learn to respect human life, because no human life had ever respected him. His mother clearly disrespected any authority figures in her life. Manson took her example to an extreme.

Manson created his own “family” because he had none. Manson manipulated other people into believing anything he told them. This was the closest to self-actualization he would ever achieve. The only way he could achieve this was by manipulating his “family” into thinking he was Christ. This would only fuel his mental instability. The worse he felt, the more power he craved. Having the power to influence others to take a life was the ultimate high for Manson.

The burden of raising a child that was unwanted from the time of conception proved to be too much for Manson’s family. Manson’s mother tried to put him into foster care, which may have actually saved him, but was rejected. Manson grew up not only feeling, but knowing, that he was unwanted and unloved.


References

Montaldo, Charles. (n.d.). Profile of Charles Manson. About.com. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://crime.about.com/od/murder/p/charliemanson.htm

Purple Slinky. (2009). 10 weird facts about Charles Manson’s childhood. Retrieved October 10,
2009, from http://purpleslinky.com/trivia/people/10-weird-facts-about-charles-mansons-
childhood/

Schmidt, Gavin C. (n.d.). Debuking myths surrounding Charles Manson. The Framing
Business. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://www.framingbusiness.net/archives/102

Van Wagner, Kendra. (2009). Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development. About.com:
Psychology. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/psychosocial.htm

Spark Notes. (2009). Humanistic Theories. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from
http://www.sparknotes.com/101/psychology/personality/humanistic_theories.html