Psychology Self-Help | Self Help

I've been able to purchase and read several books this past spring and summer.  I will be posting about several of them.  The first summer review is The Human Brain Book by Rita Carter (the subtitle is "An illustrated guide to its structure, function, and disorders).  The book makes for not just a great coffee table book (it's over sized), but also includes a DVD that has some additional features one can use in class. The publisher is D/K, the wonderful publishers whose books are among my favorites.



Oh, how I wish I had a book like this when I began teaching psychology.  From a visual learner's point of view, this book hits the jackpot. It begins with a history of studying the brain, landmarks in neuroscience and photos of a series of brain scans.  You know all those pesky little questions that your students ask, but you're not sure of the answer because your neuroscience course was 20+ years ago and the images (I mean drawings) were in black and white?  This book has those answers.  There are 70+ pages of pictures and explanations of brain anatomy (all the parts, not just the ones in our texts), brain zones, neurons, and research to satisfy the best of us. 

This book has a chapter on the senses, one on movement and control, emotions and feelings, the social brain, language and communication, memory, thinking, consciousness, the individual brain, development and aging, and concludes with diseases and disorders.

Although I have not read every word on every page, just for the illustrations, I am giving this book my highest recommendation.  It is a must for every psychology class.  Order by clicking below.  You will not be disappointed.





Posted by Chuck Schallhorn

Time magazine (July 19, 2010 issue) came out today with a cover story about the "Myth of Only Children."  The article goes over the claims by G. Stanley Hall in the early work of developmental psychology.  The fight of research conclusions attempting to go against popular thought is explored along with the research citations.  Current stats along with various quotes from only children and an examination of families and their decision making process are included.

There is some good background/history of psychology research discussed as well as the social/economic context for having larger families and the current changes many couples are dealing with.

A second article on hoarding and the emotional attachment to things follows the cover story article.  Check it out here at "Cleaning House."  In addition to the disorder, the article examines the television imitations to "Hoarders" on A and E television.


Posted by Chuck Schallhorn

For me, this blog falls under the category of "Why didn't I find this before?" David Mcraney (who describes himself as a a journalist who loves psychology, technology and the internet") writes a provocative blog called You Are Not So Smart where he posts thoughtful musings about common "misconceptions", such as:

• Most opinions are the result of years of rational, objective analysis.
• In romance, opposites attract.
• After you learn something new, you remember how you were once ignorant or wrong.

These ideas probably seem familiar to most of us psychology teacher-types - we talk about them (often in the research methods or social psych. chapters) and often they start lively, important discussions in the classroom.

I've always wanted to have a psychological version of the great "Bad Astronomy" webpage, and this blog comes darn close, in a way.

(personal note: I found out about this blog through a great friend, Jim Hanna. Thanks Jim!)


posted by Rob McEntarffer

I had a lovely young woman come in to tell a story of violence. She was claiming compensation for a specific event of violence. The premise of compensation is that society pays for an injury that results from the violence. Life or "functioning" in psychological speak has got to have got worse as a result of the violence to claim compensation.

She had a miserable life. She lived in our very anglo-celtic town and was from a mixed heritage background. She suffered what we all dread for our children - merciless bullying. She was called ugly to her face because she had obvious racial characteristics thought unattractive by simple, basic, culturally poor children. I felt ashamed to be anglo.

Her mother and father separated and her mother brought her up in way thought abusive in our culture, possibly just "traditional" in her own. Regardless the girl felt unloved and completely alone. She began self-harming with enthusiasm and began acting-out at home. The bullying continued well into high school and she had sex at thirteen to try to fit in. She had sex and just kept going, doing anything to find acceptance.

At a party some eight months ago she was assaulted. bashed by three girls no less. She suffered bruising and swelling around the face and a bleeding nose. Most importantly perhaps she was deserted by every one else at the party. She walked around town for half an hour looking for someone to help. she was taken to hospital by ambulance.

So the outcome was she changed schools and is now popular. She fits in. she has found God and has found her sexual integrity. She was just congratulated for excellent academic success at her new school. what a wonderful outcome!

I'm catching up on podcasts that I missed during the pre-grad and graduation time.  I caught this Point of Inquiry interview with Scott Lilienfeld, author of 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions About Human Behavior.  The interview is a solid one which can describe for teachers (and advanced students) that makes the distinction between scientific and pop psychology.  He and the interviewer also go through a number of the myths covered in the book.  Great reading and great listening.




Posted by Chuck Schallhorn