Sunday, May 11, 2014
Advice for the Bride & Groom
As we have read and discussed, it has become more and more evident that twins, growing up together or apart, have a deep connection with one another that stems from conception to their death. In one instance, Unknowing Twins Married because they had been separated at birth. When they "met later in life and felt an inevitable attraction, the judge had to deal with the consequences of the marriage that they entered into and all the issues of their separation." Since their adoption 30-40 years ago, laws have been passed that allow separately adopted twins to stay in contact with one another during their youth to allow for a less traumatic upbringing.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Twins and Empathy
The article, titled "The Development of Empathy in Twins,"explores the way empathy manifests itself in the behaviors of twins. One observation speaks to the signals of empathy at a young age and how they evolve with age:
"...reflexive or contagious crying of infants is viewed as a precursor of affective arousal that reflects concern for the other. Self-distress diminishes over time and is gradually replaced by more modulated expressions of concern. Young children’s emotional states become less tightly fused with those of others as they come to recognize their existence as separate, autonomous beings."
I found it curious, the correlation between age and mental compartmentalization with regard to empathy development. Perhaps, this idea explains the jaded feeling that often settles in with old age.
Court Juries
http://search.proquest.com/docview/614356515/fulltextPDF?accountid=27668
This article discusses the racial truths about America's court juries. It states that as far back as the 1880s the Supreme Court "ruled against statutes that formally limited jury service to Whites." Of course, these rulings were worked around at state level. "State legislatures often manipulated the qualifications necessary for jury service and voting registration in the attempt to exclude Blacks from juries…" It was not surprising to learn that, from a psychology standpoint, “conscious and unconscious racism can affect the way White jurors perceive minority defendants ... perhaps determining the verdict of guilt or innocence." This is not to to say that it was not extremely disappointing to read the facts and figures, because truthfully, justice is an imaginary thing in the American court system most of the time.
This article discusses the racial truths about America's court juries. It states that as far back as the 1880s the Supreme Court "ruled against statutes that formally limited jury service to Whites." Of course, these rulings were worked around at state level. "State legislatures often manipulated the qualifications necessary for jury service and voting registration in the attempt to exclude Blacks from juries…" It was not surprising to learn that, from a psychology standpoint, “conscious and unconscious racism can affect the way White jurors perceive minority defendants ... perhaps determining the verdict of guilt or innocence." This is not to to say that it was not extremely disappointing to read the facts and figures, because truthfully, justice is an imaginary thing in the American court system most of the time.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
78 Years of Separation
In this unbelievable case, two twins are separated from
birth and reunited after 78 years. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, the
mother had to put her children up for adoption. One sibling was adopted right
away, while the other ended up under the care of her birthmother. The two twins
lived completely separate lives, eventually both married men named Jim, and
developed similar mannerisms. After reuniting, the two twins feel like they
have known each other their whole lives.
This case is extremely interesting in that can help
psychologists understand better the nature vs. nurture debate. The two twins
have grown up in completely different environments, yet have so much in common.
Further studies of the twins’ lifestyles and behaviors will unveil more
information about how each factor has impacted each of their lives. In my
opinion, there is a mix of factors in both nature and nurture that affect the
individual. An individual is not made up of either one independently, but
pieced together by different elements to make a whole. The similarities between the two twins may be
biological, while the differences are most likely to be due to environmental and
relationship influences in the past.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Public Speaking for Introverts
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/quiet-the-power-introverts/201107/10-public-speaking-tips-introverts
This article offers tips for introverts who find public speaking to be a psychological feat. As someone who leans more towards the introverted side of the social spectrum, this article helped me to put certain aspects of public speaking into perspective. Susan Cain, the author of the article, notes that one of the reasons for fear of public speaking is the intense internal uncertainty of how you are coming across to your audience. Cain suggests preparation in the form of videotaping your speech to bring your strengths and weaknesses into your own vision. One of the most helpful tips she offers is this: "Think about what your particular audience wants to hear. Are they craving new information? Insights? What problem do they hope to solve? Give them what they want and need." This tip is especially important for critiques, as you ONLY want to deliver information that your professor and peers want to hear.
This article offers tips for introverts who find public speaking to be a psychological feat. As someone who leans more towards the introverted side of the social spectrum, this article helped me to put certain aspects of public speaking into perspective. Susan Cain, the author of the article, notes that one of the reasons for fear of public speaking is the intense internal uncertainty of how you are coming across to your audience. Cain suggests preparation in the form of videotaping your speech to bring your strengths and weaknesses into your own vision. One of the most helpful tips she offers is this: "Think about what your particular audience wants to hear. Are they craving new information? Insights? What problem do they hope to solve? Give them what they want and need." This tip is especially important for critiques, as you ONLY want to deliver information that your professor and peers want to hear.
Aggression in Sports
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.pratt.edu:2048/docview/916160404/fulltextPDF/BB7AFEA49F974F97PQ/12?accountid=27668
This article discusses the dynamics of aggressive athletes and the environments that can promote or reduce athletic aggression. Murray Griffin, an psychology educator at Goldsmiths College and the University of London, asserts that aggression is not actually a needed emotion for improved athletic performance. I found this perspective interesting given the cultural praise and expectation of aggression in almost all professional athletes. Griffin notes that, while sports fields aren't the breeding grounds for aggression, the nature of any athletic endeavor doesn't exactly reduce the chance of athletes tapping into the sometimes destructive emotion.
This article discusses the dynamics of aggressive athletes and the environments that can promote or reduce athletic aggression. Murray Griffin, an psychology educator at Goldsmiths College and the University of London, asserts that aggression is not actually a needed emotion for improved athletic performance. I found this perspective interesting given the cultural praise and expectation of aggression in almost all professional athletes. Griffin notes that, while sports fields aren't the breeding grounds for aggression, the nature of any athletic endeavor doesn't exactly reduce the chance of athletes tapping into the sometimes destructive emotion.
Unnatural Selection
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200703/unnatural-selection
Not knowing much about the jury system I was immediately surprised by this article. It brings up a certain juror for a case that had dyed hair and tattoos and big disagreement to keep her on the trial or not. I've understood that when picking a jury you must pay attention to their race, work, family and overall lifestyle, but this lady was simply being judged because she had dyed hair and tattoos. Whether she looked the part of a criminal or not, the jury system should not be decided on whether a juror looks like an upstanding citizen or not.
But what really surprised me about this article was the ability for representative a case to cause such bias juror. It seems like a whole other way for people to hire expensive representation and get their trail won. Having either side of a trial have part in the juror picking decision is bound for an unfair trial.
Not knowing much about the jury system I was immediately surprised by this article. It brings up a certain juror for a case that had dyed hair and tattoos and big disagreement to keep her on the trial or not. I've understood that when picking a jury you must pay attention to their race, work, family and overall lifestyle, but this lady was simply being judged because she had dyed hair and tattoos. Whether she looked the part of a criminal or not, the jury system should not be decided on whether a juror looks like an upstanding citizen or not.
But what really surprised me about this article was the ability for representative a case to cause such bias juror. It seems like a whole other way for people to hire expensive representation and get their trail won. Having either side of a trial have part in the juror picking decision is bound for an unfair trial.
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