Psychology ESP Course

End-of-ESP course self-assessment

2008-11-28T04:20:00.000-08:00

WRITING (summaries) - This term we did not write many summaries but I think that my performance in writing was quite good. I have really enjoyed and succeeded in writing them.
WRITING ESP VOCABULARY TESTS - This term we have written less tests than last term. However I think that my performance in the Esp vocabulary tests was really good at this term. I had always read the topics carefully because it was interesting and necessary for my future studies. Moreover, writing ESP vocabulary tests helped me to remember some really important information.
WRITING CLASS DICTATIONS (comprehension questions before the listening practice) - As I mentioned in my last self-assessment I have some difficulties with dictations in the classroom. This task is not my favorite one. I would like to mention that I was not good at writing class dictations, because I could not concentrate and follow what is saying. I would like to improve these skills. Also I should concentrate more on spelling.
LISTENING COMPREHENSION IN CLASS - I am not keen on listening tasks at all. Mostly of the listening tasks were quite hard and difficult for me. I think that my performance in listening tasks was not good. The biggest problem is that I can not hear the relevant information. Despite this fact, I think that I had improved my listening skills a little bit during this term.
LISTENING TO PEER'S POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS - In my opinion, this activity is the most interesting, because I can hear opinions and attitudes of my colleagues. This term all topics were really interesting and useful. However, sometimes it was difficult to follow the text because of the speaker's pronouncing.
MAKING POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS - In my opinion it is quite hard to evaluate myself in this task. This term I made the presentation called -"Major psychological disorders". It was quite hard to talk about such difficult topic, because there were many medical terminologies. Also I had paid attention on pictures and my brief talking.
SPEAKING ON ESP THEMES IN CLASS - Speaking on ESP themes is quite easy for me. In this term I tried to share my opinion and thoughts. I think that I improved my skills at this area.

Kleptomania

2008-11-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

Kleptomania is an obsessive compulsive disorder that has been unnoticed for many years. Kleptomania - psychology compulsive stealing, usually of objects which may have symbolic significance. Moreover it is one of five categories of Impulse Control Disorders. People who are suffering from this disorder experience an increasing sense of anxiety and tension just before committing theft. Kleptomania may appear during childhood or even adolescence. According to the doctors, kleptomania can be connected with depression or mood disorder. Also they claim that the cause of the impulse is linked to an imbalance in brain chemicals, specifically serotonin. Stressors such as major losses may also precipitate kleptomaniac behaviour. I would like to mention some symptoms of kleptomania: relief of anxiety after theft, inability to control the impulse to steal, theft of items that are not needed or wanted.
However, even rich and famous people are suffering from this disorder. It is quite hard to understand why these persons would do such a thing, especially with so much at risk in terms of the consequences of their reputation. Maybe they steal for attention or for the thrill of doing something what is forbidden? As I said before, kleptomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist stealing. Treating kleptomania is really difficult because it is a complex disorder. Treatment can include: psychotherapy, behaviour modification, family therapy and also antidepressants.

References:

Self- assesment of Esp Learning

2008-05-08T23:24:00.000-07:00

WRITING SKILLS (Summaries, esp vocabulary tests, self-designed tests, dictations, contributions to weblogs)

I think that my performance in writing is really good. My summaries have always been evaluated very good . But I have difficulties with dictations in the classroom . I have really enjoyed contributions to weblogs and I have succeeded in writing them. Also I have no difficulties in writing esp vocabulary or self- designed tests. I think that is important and necessary activity.

SPEAKING SKILLS (Participation in class discussions, presentations, speaking in pairs)

I think that my speaking skills are not as good as it can be. However, we have had many speaking activities. Because of this reason , I have really improved my speaking
skills. I have participated in class discussions. Also I am very satisfied with my presentation . Speaking in pairs is my favorite activity. I have improved my vocabulary and grammar.

LISTENING SKILLS( Listening activities in the class, listening to podcasts, listening outside class if any)
Listening activity is the most difficult for me. I think that my listening skills are not good and I should improve it. I think that my performance in listening activities in the class is quite bad, because I can not hear the main facts. However, I have really enjoyed listening podcast.

READING SKILLS (Home reading , reading comprehension exercise, computer tasks)
Reading activity is quite interesting and difficult too. I am quite good at that but sometimes I do not pay attention to the main details or facts. My performance in reading comprehension exercise could be better. Making computers tasks help me to see and evaluate my knowledge.

Artificial intelligence

2008-04-26T00:13:00.000-07:00

Artificial intelligence (AI) is both the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science which aims to create it. According to scientists, it is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but AI does not have to confine itself to methods that are biologically observable. Moreover, the ability to create intelligent machines has intrigued humans since ancient times, and today the dream of smart machines is becoming a reality.

Since the development of the digital computer in the 1940s, it has been demonstrated that computers can be programmed to do very complex tasks. Can a machine think? Or do computer programs have a high IQs? The answer is very easy. No, because IQ correlates well with various measures of success or failure in life. Furthermore, various people have said that since Artificial Intelligence has not reached human level by now and it must be impossible. According to scientists, the ultimate effort is to make computer programs that can solve problems and achieve goals in the world as well as humans. Computers are fundamentally well suited to performing mechanical computations, using fixed programmed rules. This allows artificial machines to perform simple monotonous tasks efficiently and reliably. Artificial Intelligence systems have many practical uses in business, computer chess and other video games.

To sum up, it is quite hard to imagine that machines can be capable of doing tasks originally done by humans. Robots have already begun to replace factory workers. They are acting as surgeons, pilots, astronauts. In the future Artificial Intelligence will occupy all our activities.

Body language

2008-03-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

It is well known that body language is a communication when people use body movements instead of sounds and verbal language. According to many specialists, body language is an important part of communication which can constitute 50% or more of what we are communicating. One problem with body language is that it may not convey what you really feel. Because of this reason, people should pay attention how they act and look .
Moreover, body language is very important for a job interview. I would like to mention some advices. Firstly, there is no doubt that people want to feel special. They want to feel that you are speaking to them directly or that they are the most important person in the room during the conversation. Do not let anything come between you and your listeners, like crossing your arms, standing behind chair. Think openness and remove physical barriers. Also, you can make some rehearsals in front of mirror.
People can use body language to express an interest too. Firstly, people meet each other with their eyes. You can keep silence, but eyes will tell everything for you. They can express the whole range of an interest - from cold curiosity or shy interest to bold sexual appeal. One Harvard psychologist decided to measure love from scientific point of view. When he measured, how much time people in-love look at each other, he found, that those who are deeply in-love look into each other's eyes for 95% of time during conversation, while usual people look at each other for 30% - 60% of time during conversation. Smile is one of the simplest and innocent ways to show your sympathy for someone. It serves as an invitation for communication. Smile shows that you enjoy the situation. Besides, majority of people look nicer when smiling.
To sum up, it is impossible to imagine communication without using body language. People are always more likely to remember what they see, and a few seconds of body movements can be worth than an entire interview of words. Therefore, if you know body language really well, you can do magic with it. People will swear that you are reading their minds when really you are just looking at them.

Chimps beat humans in memory test.Restatement summary

2007-12-11T00:47:00.000-08:00

Young chimps outperformed university students in memory tests according to Japanese scientists. Until now, it was well known, that chimps could not match humans in memory and other metal skills. However, it was proved by scientists who tested 3 pairs of mother and baby chimpanzees against students. During the experiment ,each subject was presented with numbers from 1 to 9 on a touch screen monitor. Surprisingly, chimps performed much better than students, their mothers and even adult humans. Moreover, this research is the evidence that young chimps have a photographic memory and they can remember complex subjects at glance. To sum up,this experiment is as "ground -breaking", because chimps are the closest living relatives and they can inform us about evolutionary heritage.

My role models

2007-11-28T08:12:00.000-08:00

It is impossible to imagine our lives without family. They always teach and help to form our attitude to the world. My role models are my parents. My mother and father are very kind, smart, generous and nice people. Our relationship is very good, because we can talk almost about everything. I am very happy that it is not necessary to hide some information or events from them.

Both of my parents have many good qualities, but I will mention just few of them. My mother always helps me to concentrate on the main things and she always analyses my problems with me. I appreciate it so much, because every time she helps me with smile. My father is the biggest optimist I have ever known. Because of this point, I have started to think more positively.

To sum up, my parents are the most important part of my life. They help , form my attitude to many things. I know that they always will influence my life and I really can not imagine the world without them.

Meditation

2007-11-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

It is impossible to imagine our lives without problems. More and more doctors are suggesting meditation as a way to cope with problems. The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort.

Meditation is an emptying out process. To properly meditate, you need to stop thinking. However, this is not as easy as that may sound. Anyone can meditate by following a few simple procedures. First, select a place where you can be quiet and undisturbed for as long as it takes. It may be indoors or out of doors, the important thing is that you must be comfortable there. Your space should be clean. Begin with a symbolic purification of the body. Wash your face and hands, and drink a glass of ordinary water. Also adopt a comfortable posture and place both feet flat on the floor. After that, you should rest your hands on your thighs. Close your eyes and breath deeply and rhythmically, and repeating a word or sound - such as the word one - over and over. Meditation should be practiced twice a day for twenty minutes; the technique is effective in bringing about relaxation. Moreover, I would like to mention the following behavioral components of meditation:
1.relaxation,
2.concentration,
3.altered state of awareness,
4.suspension of logical thought processes,
5.maintenance of self-observing attitude.

To sum up, meditation is a means of altering consciousness that is practiced in many different cultures, though it can take different forms and serve different purposes across cultures. Many years ago meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people.

Phobias

2007-11-25T11:46:00.000-08:00

Psychology encompasses many areas of people's lives. It is well known that psychology can cope with phobias. To begin with, a phobia is the fancy name for a fear. But it is not just any kind of fear. It is normal to be afraid of things or some situations. A phobia is different because it is an extremely strong fear. It is also a kind of fear that doesn't go away. There are many kinds of phobias (about 533) and 3 main groups which include:

Specific phobias, which are the most common and focus on specific objects.

Social phobias, which causes extreme anxiety in social or public situations.

Agoraphobia - is a fear of being alone in public places from which there is no easy escape.

Also fears have haunted Hollywood for years. But today stars are not afraid to admit to being a little neurotic. For example: David Becham, Christina Ricci, and Roger Moore. Firstly, I would like to talk about David Becham. He is suffering from ataxophobia. For example, in his closet each shirt is filled according to its colour and everything has to match. For this reason, David is described as a person who fears disorder or untidiness. Secondly, I would like to talk about Cristina Ricci. She is suffering from botanophobia, defined as " a persistent , abnormal and unnecessary fear of plants ". The people suffering from botanophobia feel anxiety and stomach butterflies then they come in contact with any type of plants. Moreover, I want to mention and hoblophobia. Ironically Roger Moore also known as 007, is afraid of guns. He is suffering from this phobia and as soon as he picks up a gun he starts blinking.

Finally, I would like to talk about how people can cope with phobias. They should try:behaviour therapy, psychological therapies and medications (antidepressants) . Also it depends on everybody's attitude .

Psychology of Colours

2007-09-22T05:28:00.000-07:00

The colour impact and perceptions is not a new fashion. But it is impossible to imagine lives without colours. Many people agree that it has influence on their behavior. For this reason I would like to analyse psychology of colours.
To begin with, colours strategy has become part of today's marketing and fashion lives. Some colours associations can be very useful, sometimes - even dangerous. Firstly people reject on the colour. Addition to this, people should know more about colours. There are few examples of significance and impact attributed to colours :
Pink: symbol of love, of softness and sweetness and would be a remedy against fear. However, the risk is that too much pink will take you to the bad sides of its effects: inertia and childishness.
White: associated with purity, nature and light but also with coldness. In Asia, this colour is also associated to mourning.
Yellow: very stimulating colour (Remember the sun) but not advised for very nervous people. It is associated with warmth and plenitude but also with betrayal. Pleases to young ones, when not overdone.
Also there are even more coulours and their impacts. However, I do not agree with every fact, because every person thinks different. For this reason , associations can be totally different.
To sum up, colours have impact on our mind, or even mood. Marketing and fashion areas really know how to attract people's attention. They really know the psychology of colours.

The subfields of psychology.Advantages and advantages

2007-09-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

Next task is to write an essay on advantages and disadvantages of some subfields of psychology. It is said, that every branch of psychology is necessary, because it explores and studies different process. I agree with this statement (I can not find any disadvantages) , because every subfield studies something new and interesting.
To begin with, Health psychology explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical disease. If you are depressed and stressful, you should talk with health psychologist. In nowadays lifestyle of many people difficult and causes stress. They can not cope with all problems which arise every day. For this reason, more and more people are going to the psychologist office. Secondly, Social psychology is very important too. This branch of psychology studies how people's thoughts, feelings and actions are affected by others. The most important thing in our society is communication. Every day we speak and work with some people. It is normal, that some of them have influence on our lives. Also, I would like to mention Industrial psychology, because I want to work in this area. This subfield is concerned with the psychology of workplace. It is very important to have good colleagues and atmosphere in the job. For this reason Industrial psychologist should create a nice place, where people respect and help each other.
To sum up everything, I can say that all of subfields are related to one other, because they want to understand behavior. Every branch of psychology has something new and interesting. Everybody is different and our choice depends on ourselves.

Why I have decided to study psychology?

2007-09-07T00:49:00.000-07:00

I have always been asked why I have decided to study psychology. For this reason, I determine to analyse myself better.
Firstly, it is well known that psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental process. It encompasses many areas of our lives. Nowadays people think just about work, money and cars, their lifestyle is fast and full of problems. An increasing number of people are suffering from many psychology diseases. I want to study psychology, because I adore talking with people, helping them, I like analyse and share my information. As I said, psychology encompasses many areas of life. For this reason, we can use this knowledge everywhere. For example: information about human psychology would be helpful in job interview, in debate or discussion. Moreover, it is said, that students who are studying psychology want to cope with their problems too. I agree with this statement, because we must know everything about ourselves (character, feelings, fears and etc) before we help someone.
To sum up, I have many reasons for studying psychology. I believe that my studies will be very interesting, full of activities and I will become a great psychologist.