Disagreeing With Research

Recently, our class has discussed results from an article titled, "Personality and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Young People's Technology Use." The article claimed that certain personality types determined what type of technology they used, and how they used it. For example, neurotic individuals were found to use text messaging more rather than calling.

While this may be true, I think the researchers fail to take into account other factors that may explain such behaviors. I know from my own personal experience, as well as from others, sometimes text messaging is just convenient, which is why I text more than call, and I do not consider myself as a neurotic personality type. Also, as ridiculous as this may sound, some people, such as myself, are just plain lazy to talk on the phone. Sometimes I find myself laying in bed, and instead of wanting to talk on the phone, I would rather watch TV and text at the same time. This certainly does not mean I have a particular personality type.

I just thought I'd post this because I did not get the chance to express my beliefs in class. I believe that more research needs to be done within this topic, and the researchers should take into account of other significant factors that may affect the results of the study.

In case you are interested in the article, it may be accessed through here:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23458724_Personality_and_Self-Esteem_as_Predictors_of_Young_People's_Technology_Use

Effects of Technology on Self-Esteem

On my last blog, I wrote about an article that studied the effects of technology on race, gender, and self-esteem. To continue on with that discussion, I will explain how self-esteem specifically is affected by technology and how it in turn affects psychology.

Being that my topic is psychology, it can be fairly obvious how self-esteem affects psychology. Psychology deals mostly with the study of mental capabilities. When a person's self-esteem is high, it has significant effects that are different than from a person with low self-esteem. A person with high self-esteem generally live a happier life with a desire to accomplish their goals and to keep an active social life. On the contrary, a person with low self-esteem has a more difficult time making friends and do not have a high respect for themselves.

An example of how technology affects self-esteem can be found in the article, "Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, Gender, Race, and Information Technology Use." They did a study using video games and found that they caused lower behavioral self-concept and lower self-esteem. This may be due to the fact that most video games have some degree of violence, which could leave psychological effects on the person.

On the brighter side, technology could have positive effects on a person's self-esteem. According to "Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students" (http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html#increased) some teachers reposted an increase in self-esteem in students who were engaged in technology. Some students felt a "sense of empowerment" and "increased competence" after mastering some technological tasks. This could be true considering that technological devices today can be complicated, yet incredible in how they make things easier for our society.

In addition, the first article mentioned earlier stated that females were found to have a higher social-concept after using the internet. Because of this increase in social abilities, the internet could help women with their self-esteem by allowing them to socialize with others. More social networks=higher self-esteem.

As you can see, technology can certainly affect a person's self-esteem, thus affecting a person's psychological being. It is important to note that although technology can be fun and rewarding to use, a person must realize that technology can have both positive and negative effects.

Response to Article: Gender, Race, and Technology

As pointed out in the beginning of this article, there were many other studies that either contradicted or were found to be consistent with this article’s study. However, according to this study, there were some effects of technology on gender in regards to self-concept and self-esteem. For example, although there was no gender difference found in overall self-esteem, girls were shown to have higher academic and behavioral self-concept, while boys were found to have higher physical appearance and athletic self-concept. Also, contrary to what some studies have suggested, girls were not found to have a higher social concept than boys (439).

In regards to videogames, it was found that boys, regardless of race, played more videogames than girls (this of course, did not come as a surprise). According to most studies, videogames caused lower behavioral self-concept, low self-esteem, and improved visual spatial skills (440).

Looking at these results, one could say that technology can certainly have different effects on both males and females. Because girls were found to have higher academic and behavioral concept, this could be due to the different reasons why males and females use the Internet. As stated in the introduction of the article, males were found to use the internet more often than women, but also for different reasons. Males would use the internet more for “commercial transactions” (438) while females would use the internet more for social networking. Perhaps making these social connections have helped females achieve higher academic self-concept, and certainly behavioral self-concept.

Personally, I do not think that this evidence should affect the use of technology in classrooms. As I have said in the beginning, there were many other studies that contradicted the results of this study. Therefore, much more research needs to be done in order to determine whether or not these effects should affect classrooms. In addition, I feel like no matter what, these results will not do much to change how classrooms are run. For example, the internet is one of the most widely used technologies of our time. Teachers AND students need to use the internet for several purposes, therefore, it seems almost inevitable to use such technology, whether we like to or not. In regards to videogames and evidence showing that they would cause lower self-esteem and self-concept, it is very uncommon for classrooms to even use videogames to convey the lesson plans.

According to the results of the study and what we have discussed in class, I think that race, gender, and self-concept would all contribute to the “digital divide” occurring in our society. The study found one significant difference between African Americans and Caucasian Americans, and it was that African Americans had lower behavioral self-concept than Caucasian Americans. Why this was the case is still unknown. In addition, differences between gender and self-concept were also found. Males were found to use the internet more than females, and the use of technology has shown to affect a person’s self-concept. Therefore, it would make sense that all three factors would contribute to the “digital divide.”

The article is titled, "Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, Gender, Race, and information Technology Use"

Online Therapy

I don't know about you, but when I think of therapy (psychologically speaking), the first thing that pops into my head is a couch in front of a therapist asking question after question to get you to open up about your problems.

But according to an article in the online journal Psychology Today, there is a new program that can provide therapy from inside your own home. Therapeutic Learning Program (TLP) is program that is computer-based. Dr. Roger Gould, the man behind TLP, describes it as a "10-session program that explores in very fine detail each person's specific problem. It's what therapists do over a long period of time, but the computer does it systematically."

According to Dr. Gould, TLP may provide more accurate results and better coping results for the patient because since the patient can use the program on his or her own without having anyone else in the room, it may be easier for the patient to be more open about his or her problems. In addition, TLP is more personal and pertains more to the patient's individual needs, rather than the individual having to go out and purchase self-help books that they would have to apply to themselves. Sometimes self-help books do not have all the answers pertaining to each individual case.

One of the main problems, however, is that the internet is a widely used type of technology. It continues to be unregulated, therefore, quality control will be difficult, considering that there is no face-to-face communication. Will TLP replace these face-to-face therapy sessions? Only time will tell...

The article can be seen here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200107/technology-psychology

Technology + Education = Educational Psychology?

Continuing on from my previous blog regarding education and technology, I thought it would be important to point out that I am currently taking a course known as Educational Psychology. Dr. Patricia Alexander is not only my professor for this class, but she also wrote the textbook we are using for the course. The textbook is titled, "Psychology in Learning and Instruction."

http://vig-fp.prenhall.com/bigcovers/0139748741.jpg

Luckily for me, Dr. Alexander devotes a whole chapter to technology and how it has been effective in the educational process. She states that, "educational technologies are commonplace in schools and classrooms--so much so that their presence and their power are simply accepted without question or reflection," (270).

In addition to how much technology has evolved the educational process, she also talks about the effects of technology, more specifically the assisted effects and residual effects of computer-based technology (274).

Assisted effects are the effects shown WITH technology. For example, if I am unsure on how to do a math problem, I could look up how to do it online. This shows me using technology to learn something.

Residual effects are the effects shown AFTER the use of technology. After being exposed to how to do the math problem online, I should be able to do the problem on my own without technology.

These type of effects can help show how much technology can (or cannot) be beneficial in a classroom setting. With the computer fighting for the lead as the most commonly used technological device (perhaps it has already taken the lead), there is a never-ending list of things it can do to help educate students.

1. PowerPoint lectures (as some of us students are already familiar with)

2. YouTube videos

3. Microsoft Excel/Word etc

4. Pictures/Videos/Movies other media

5. Virtual Classrooms

6. Internet

And the list goes on.

Now you might ask: What does this have to do with psychology? As stated earlier, this class is known as Educational Psychology. The reason why technology comes into play, is because the class is about educating the student in the best way possible, and using technology is without a doubt, one of the best ways. Not only does it capture the student's attention, but using technology also helps to relate to the student. In my personal opinion, having a professor use new technology would certainly grab my interest, thus allowing me to become more focused on the lesson, that is, if I am not distracted by other technologies...

Technology: Classroom Future vs. Classroom Failure

For the past couple of days, the main question for our class has been whether or not technology is beneficial for educational purposes. And if so, how has it been used to educate?

Well, for the first question, it is certainly difficult to say that technology is not beneficial, considering the fact that society uses technology every day, and in most cases, its necessary. I can't remember the last time I was in a classroom in which the professor did not use the computer to convey his or her lecture. Can you?

Naturally the computer has become the number one source to communicate information, whether it is inside a classroom or not. It has PowerPoint, Word, the internet, etc. In addition, the majority of the younger generation have computers, therefore, it would make sense that teachers would use this as a bridge to connect with their students.

With the world of technology vastly becoming, well, our world as we know it, it can be foreseen that it would certainly change the way our classroom looks and works. We've already seen these changes. Lessons were taught in a variety of ways, ranging from verbal lessons only and chalkboards, to overhead projectors to the computer. While we still see chalkboards in classrooms today, it is very seldom that we ever see the teacher actually writing on the board.

As far as becoming a classroom failure, distraction may be the number one downside to technology (in my opinion). While having a computer allows taking notes easier and faster, no student can deny the fact that computers also offer ways of distraction, especially with the internet just a click away. Other problems that may arise are technical difficulties, which were clearly seen during the Virtual Classroom our Jour289 class had the other day. However, technical difficulties can usually be fixed. Distraction...not so much.

With that said, I will end this blog with a YouTube video shown in one of my classes. It not only talks about technology, but it takes a look at our society, and our world from the past, present, and the future. It really makes you think about how much can change in such a short amount of time, just like the look of our classrooms.

Article: "Psychological Invention Relieves Breast Cancer..."

I came across an article today titled "Psychological Invention Relieves Breast Cancer Patients From Depression and Reduces Inflammation." I thought this article was interesting because I was not aware that depression was a contributing factor to cancer. Unfortunately, the article does not go into much detail about what exactly this psychological invention is, but that according to a study, the invention causes a decrease in depression in the patient, which in turn reduces the inflammation. This is a great technological advancement because with cancer having one of the highest death rates, an invention relieving depression sounds like it is an invention worth looking into. I hope we will be able to learn more about this invention and whether or not it will become global if approved. Here is the link if you're interested to read more:

http://www.medindia.net/News/Psychological-Invention-Relieves-Breast-Cancer-Patients-From-Depression-And-Reduces-Inflammation-57519-1.htm

History: Technology Used for Psychological Purposes

It is only appropriate for me to begin my series of blogs with a first look at the many different psychological technologies used in the past that have made an impact on our world today. While many of these technologies may seem unimportant and mundane, there is without a doubt they have helped society to create better, more advanced devices for psychologists to use.

I will begin with an invention I just learned about last semester in my History of Psychology course. It was a contraption known as a "Skinner Box" invented by the famous B.F. Skinner.

http://toomanyinterests.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/the-history-of-psychology-through-the-lens-of-life-magazine/

The purpose of the so-called "Skinner Box," (which was actually called the "heir conditioner") was to be an improvement from the regular crib made for babies. The Skinner Box controlled air temperature, made cleaning easier, and was soundproof, in that the baby could sleep through the night peacefully without having any outside noises to disturb him/her. The invention received both positive and negative reviews, but due to the media's negative view of the box, it was doomed to fail.

Another device that has been used to catapult psychology into the future is an x-ray machine used to take images of the brain's ventricles. According to the picture below, the machine appeared to "somersault" in order to take these images. In future blogs, I will be covering machines similar to the x-ray that are popularly used today to take more accurate pictures.

http://toomanyinterests.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/the-history-of-psychology-through-the-lens-of-life-magazine/

The brain is a very complicated structure, therefore, I will be looking at many other examples of technology that have focused on the brain. In addition to machines such as x-ray machines and MRIs, I will look at how focus on the brain even started. With that said, it is important to note that a man by the name of Abulcasis is known as the father of of modern surgery. One of his first surgeries involved cutting open a brain and analyzing its parts.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CCSOdz0mMJE/SEtFDQ1LCQI/AAAAAAAAAXk/zQhHJrZ0DdQ/s400/Al-zahrawi_surgical_tools.gif

These are only just a few of the things I will be pointing out. History has definitely made its mark on the psychological world, especially within the medical field. As you will begin to realize after the next few blogs, it is quite difficult to picture our society and the field of psychology as a whole without such technological advancements.

Psych: Then and Now

The world of psychology has come a long way since it first began to be recognized as an actual field. During the early years of psychology, many differences can be found when compared to psychology today. First and foremost, psychology was not even taken as a serious field of study. many people looked down upon it because they believed it was just nonsense and unnecessary. Today, psychology is one of the fastest growing fields and continues to be one of the most popular majors amongst college students.

Secondly, patients who were considered to have psychological problems were not considered as "mentally ill" or sick, but rather a victim of the devil. For most of our history, religion practically prevailed in almost every aspect of society, making any "abnormal" action related to the devil himself. Today, medical breakthroughs have shown that such disorders can be either biological, or environmental, or perhaps both.

Next, the medical field did not have the tools to examine a patient's brain such as MRI scans and PET scans. Instead, doctors had to cut open a patient's head and examine the brain itself, most of the time when the patient has already passed away. For an extensive period of time, doctors used to compare the brains of men and women, mostly for the purpose of explaining why the male species dominated the women (which of course, we know is not true today). Hospitals now have an extensive collection of equipment used to examine not only the brain, but the body as well (which I will discuss in future blogs).

Also in the world of psychology, its hard to answer the question:

What was the first invention dedicated towards the psychological field?

This question is so difficult to answer because psychology encompasses such a broad range of topics that it is almost impossible to know the first invention, or perhaps, even when they started.

Psychology includes categories such as:

--Clinical Psychology

--Developmental Psychology

--Forensic Psychology

--Cognitive Psychology

--Educational Psychology

--Abnormal Psychology

--Industrial Organizational Psychology

--and the list goes on!

The focus of topics can include anything from children, to health, to genetics, to crimes, to school, to anything you can possibly imagine. So how does technology play a part in all of these?

A lot of the research done in psychology are through experiments and correlational studies. Therefore, naturally, there will be a need for certain equipment and methods to complete such studies. How else will we be able to obtain data and evidence?

In addition, when there is a problem, there needs to be a solution! So what better way to solve problems such as treatment for disorders than to use technology?

History has definitely helped pave the way for the advancement of technology in the psychological field. In future blogs you will not only learn about the different types of technological devices and methods used, but also recognize the immense changes made over the years. Stay tuned for more!

Intro to Technology Through Psychology

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog: Technology Through Psychology!

Have you ever wondered why you act, say, or think certain things?

Do you or anyone you know have a mental illness or disorder such as ADD, anxiety, or depression? And if you do, you wondered how you could tell whether or not you have it?

Or perhaps, you’re just curious in the careers related to psychology and the jobs required to do them.

As a Psychology major, I felt that this would be the perfect opportunity to research my field of study and find out how technology has helped get the world of psychology to where it is today.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have told people I am majoring in Psychology and the only response they can think of is, “So, you can read my mind? What am I thinking about right now?” Well, last time I checked, psychology is not about reading minds. However, thanks to technology, I can (or will) be able to tell you how your mind works, how your body reacts to certain biological or environmental situations, and why people act the way they do, among other things.

Most of the focus on my blog will be directed towards the many different psychological/mental health disorders known today. Disorders can range anywhere between ADHD and narcolepsy, to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. There is a long history of technological devices, methods, and solutions that have helped to not only diagnose such disorders, but also treat them.

Such methods have either failed or succeeded. In addition, they may also have downsides to them. Therefore, I will look at the technology that despite its failures, has helped lead the way to successful trials. I will also look at both the positive and negative effects of the use of technology.

As stated earlier, while most of my focus will be on mental illnesses and disorders, other topics will include jobs that require the use of technology to help advance their career. For example, in forensic psychology, the use of technology is imminent and practically mandatory in every aspect. Therefore, such fields of psychology will be researched to not only inform you about the advancement of technology, but also perhaps to spark an interest for future careers.

The best thing about psychology is that it can be applied to practically everything in life. To make matters better, technology can also be applied to almost everything in life. To put these ideas together creates the world we live in today. So with my blog, I hope to help you envision our world discussing the important advancements of psychology through technology, with only one exception—please do not ask me if I can read your mind. Enjoy!