I gotta say, the first 10 True/False questions got me; Lillenfeld made us check our egos at the door, very clever. What I think I really like about learning about the things we already know but don't have labels for yet. The lists of biases, for example, were things we subconciously paid attention to but not something we could openly address. "Oh yeah, that's what they call it these days" was a imageless thought scrolled through my head quite frequently. I also really enjoy how this textbook is written, so many things to look at, to catch our attention, to keep us interested... it's as if these psychologists authors had known exactly the best way to translate their knowledge to us based on their own knowledge of information conception. Genius. This is why math sucks. I'm talking about the crazy pictures, you know, the Obama one and then the differences between American and Chinese visual focus one--loads of good stuff, can't miss it and yeah i feel intrigued. Good job, Lillenfield. But here's where it picks up.
Relgion, now that's a touchy topic. I love how respectful they are of it, too. Like, its not scientific, it cannot be proven because its based on faith, but it even has its own cute little definition: metaphysics LOL. If I didn't know better, (and believe me, there is definitely a God) but i'd say that because there is no way to PROVE religion, no evidence and they're basically saying religion is crap. Almost like a branch of pseudoscience. But to show their seperate values, we have a cute little diagram: Nonoverlapping realms, thank god for Gould, created some equality around here. And slyly, the authors divert and transist into Psuedoscience, yeah lets pick on the diet plans and superstitions. "uuuh, ok. I know you didnt like the religion jokes but you're gonna love these! ummm-- what about those horoscopes, eh guys? like, is that science or what? hehehe wow, tough crowd." Lillenfeld, you're killin us, man.
These examples of pseudos are harsh, but they address each variation pretty well. I am really going to start paying more attention to these clear-skinned teens in those Proactive ads, they coulda just used a marker to blotch up those pretty little hollywood faces. It really went on about how oblivious we are to temptations. That Lincoln/Kennedy chart blew my mind, but it was so cool. We are so quick to look at the similarities and quick to dismiss nonrelations. I'm sure we could conjure up a billion differences between the two assassinations and they wouldn't mean anything because i'm already hooked on this divine calling for presidential souls. Next we have the Big 6 (Scientific Thinking Principles), which are also very helpful throughout the book, que bueno. Kinda overdooing it here, lets cut this blog a lil short today. I'm sure Ms. Osmundson doesnt have time for all of my random shinanigans. But i'm almost done!
Taking a crack at Modern Psych was a wise move, highlighting what IS scientificly accepted and what isn't will breed independent thinkers with the aid of the Big 6, not customers of cultural bs. Learning about the Fathers of Psych was a tad confusing but i'll get over it. Something tells me we will be criticizing Freud a lot in this class. Lets top this Chapter 1 banna split with a little cherry of psychology application and how it functions in society via advertisements, educational placement tests, and suspect line-ups. Please, spare us the fire trucks! We've been taken over by a coffee sipping, scarf wearing, fedora bearing, people-watching illuminati. excellent.
And that's a good way to rap Chapter 1 up, tie it into our daily lives via our predecesors in this wonderful field and BAM you sir have yourself the best psych textbook in the state of minnesota. So far, feelin damn good about the content, about the class, and how this is going to further affect the tough decisions i'll have to make in my undetermined life, but better yet, how it will mold my decisions for a more productive second semester in Psychology 101. Hows that for tying THIS BLOG into my daily life? Take it, Lillenfeld!
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