Consciousness Unit Essay Options
1.
Discuss how social and biological factors have an impact on each of the
following in the individual.
Social
cultural body image,
modeling or observational
learning, ex. advertizing,
pressure (peers, parents,
culture), wealth
biological
set point, genetics
B. Perception
media influences, top-down
processing, expectations,
peer pressure
personality predisposition,
circadian rhythm alertness, genetics –
temperament, differences
in sensory sensitivity,
gender, i.e. color blindness
C. Alcoholism
observational learning,
peer pressure,
cultural (environment)
genetic predisposition
(males), tolerance,
physical dependence
D. Extroversion
observational learning,
# of friends, comfort w/
environment, reinforcement,
cultural
genetic temperament,
personality, appearance
E. Schizophrenia
environment – stress,
addictions, social norms
concerning behavior
genetic predisposition,
drug abuse
A. Body weight
2.
The human organism displays various reactions that are characterized by
opposing tendencies. Use a specific physiological or psychological
mechanism to explain how both aspects of opposing processes apply to
EACH of the following.
Appetite
psychological eat when bored, but not
hungry (physiological); hypothalamus,
lateral = hunger, ventromedial = satiety
(negative feedback loop, glucose level
signaling hunger or satiety)
Autonomic nervous system
sympathetic, parasympathetic
3.
Color vision
Opponent Process theory; rods and
cones
Drug use
psychological addiction and
physiological addiction, tolerance vs.
withdrawal, use vs. dependence;
addiction (craving) and withdrawal
Nerve firing
reflex vs. voluntary, excitatory and
inhibitory neurotransmitters, action
potential (all-or-nothing), action
potential vs. refractory period
Psychologists conduct research to investigate controversial issues.
Consider the following:
* The value of diagnostic labeling
* Children’s acquisition of language
* Explanations of hypnosis
A. Describe the opposing points of view on each of the psychological
issues listed above. Your description must provide one argument
on each side of the controversy.
* The value of diagnostic labeling
common understanding of diagnosis, research, help with
effective treatment vs. stigma
* Children’s acquisition of language
Chomsky, inherited biological language acquisition device
vs. Skinner, language is learning through reinforcement
* Explanations of hypnosis
hypnosis is unique state of conscious (Hildegard, hidden
observer, dissociated consciousness)
Spanos, hypnosis is roleplaying
B. For each issue, choose one point of view to support. Using evidence
from psychological research, justify why you think this point of view
is correct.