..And how does that make You feel?

Well, Today is Friday, which means I had my psychology class with Mrs. Belcher (today I had to know what her last name really was, so I wouldn't have to just call her "Jann" .. it just sounds so strange! I don't know which is worse though.. calling her by her first name, or calling her Mrs. Belcher!) Today I arrived to Psychology extremely early because Mr. Nodal let us out of English early. Oh! And in English, Mr. Nodal has us introduce one of our classmates...(we've been doing students randomly since the beginning of the year) My partner was absent, and so he had me introduce myself. So, he started out asking me questions... "where are you from?" I sometimes hate that question. I really don't like going through the trouble of explaining that I lived in Minnesota, and then Montana, but yes, I went to PHS my senior year. I wish I could just claim Montana, but I just can't get myself to do it! Anyways, so he further asked why I'd moved from Minnesota to Montana....
and I explained. The next question was "What will you major in?" and I responded "Well, right now I'm thinking Psychology... I'm not sure what exactly in Psychology." So then he asked, "Are you nervous?" ... "Well, I wasn't really, but now I am." "Teri, now how does that make you feel"... It was the stereotypical mockery of a pyschologist/therapist... but it was a pretty fun conversation. This leads me to the entire topic of my blog really. So here I go.

For some reason Mr. Nodal was in a particularly happy mood, and was trying to help us out however he could with grades. Anyways, I didn't mind one bit, nor did anyone else. Back to Psychology though, since I got there early I decided that I'd ask my professor these questions that had come up from the last lecture. So, The first thing I asked was a question or problem that Matt presented to me yesterday after I explained the object lesson that Mrs. Belcher presented to us.

The Object Lesson: You have two lists....
"I'm strong!" "I'm weak."
"I'm smart!" "I'm sad."
"I'm happy!" "I'm dumb."
"I'm great!" "I'm a loser."

Then: She had a student (who looked pretty buff) stand up in front of the class. Then the professor had him convincingly read and repeat the list of negative words aloud, and doing so in belief that they were true. So, he repeated the list about 4 times, and then on the 5th time Mrs. Belcher had him put his arms out (kind of like the scene in Titanic where Jack and whatever her name is.. are at the front of the ship with their arms spread out to seem as if they are the "king of the world" "whoo hooo!"... I'm sorry I brought that up really, but if it helps bring the right picture to mind.. .then I'm glad.) So as he had his arms out, the professor had him say these phrases one more time, and she tried to push his arms down.

The Result: As you may guess, she was easily able to push down the somewhat seemingly dejected student.

Then: So, then she started the process all over again, only this time the student repeated the positive phrases. Once again on the 5th time repeating the phrase, she pushed on the student's arms.

The Result: Our professor was unable to budge the student's arms.

It was quite interesting to think about... and I was lost in all kinds of thoughts on my way home that day. But, back to what I was talking about before, when I told Matt this, he said something to the effect that he didn't think that it worked, and that he himself would do the same thing... because he'd know that she was going to try and push down on his arms again... then of course she wouldn't be able to move them. Anywho, So I asked my professor and she said that some lady.. I can't remember her name... Suzanne something did this study in greater depth. She did the study both ways... doing the happy words first, and then the negative... doing it on males... females... differen't races... she did them in different settings, and apparently the results were all amazingly similar.

So, that just brought up many thoughts... such as... wow, I can convince myself I'm basically anything... (I even tried it at work yesteryday. For reasons.. I don't know why.. but I think most of the girls can understand... I was having a typical "fat" day. I just felt gross for some reason, and not appealing in the slightest. So because I was feeling basically appauling, I remembered the example in psychology. I tried so horribly to convince myself "No Teri, You look great! You're beautiful okay!" It worked for about 5 seconds... but there were no miraculous results unfortunately. But, eventually, after I had been playing with some kids and taking care of them I felt much better about myself. I'm convinced that's the best way to solve that problem... When you're caring for others needs, your own diminish, and you're ultimately much happier!... )
Anyways

Then I asked Mrs. Belcher about my season/colors/depression question... which would just take way too long to explain on top of all of this... but it was great! The answer to my question didn't turn out to be as interesting as I had thought, but that's okay. It was really exciting to learn so much more about all these things and talk to someone who was so passionate about all of it!

Also, today in Psychology we talked about Classical and Operant Conditioning.. and it was soooo interesting... Let's see, we talked about Thorndike and how he used operant conditioning to train these cats to push on levers and nudge these things to open a door like thing where on the other side there food was. Then we talked about B.F. Skinner and how he trained these pigeons to "read" a card and then they'd do what it said... okay the people would hold up this card that read "turn" and then the pigeon would turn. It was then rewarded with food... So as opposed to classical conditioning where by nature you've adapted to do something because of the results... now in operant conditioning the reward was controlling you... If that makes any sense. It was crazy to think about, cause then you start thinking... "does everything control you then?" I've learned to do things because of the different consequences that have resulted...so am I choosing to do them? Well, I didn't think about that too long.. because it was just too confusing, but so then on my way home I was thinking about everything that I was doing, and then I'd think.. Why did I do that? What in the past lead me to do this , this certain way.... I don't know if anyone is following me, but that is quite alright. It was fascinating, and so I thought that I would share.

I'm really just so glad that I found Something that interests me so much! I hope that doesn't change in the future... cause I don't know what else I would cling to if it didn't. Music? I guess that would be the next thing, but for some reason that doesn't sound like much fun to study. Elementary Education, that's right, I had momentarily forgotten that I was so interested in that. Maybe I'll go into Child Development... its like the combination of Elementary Education and Psychology.

Anyways, I think I shall be done now! I've written yet another extremely lengthy blog, and I know how boring those can be. I'll just stop now, before it can get any worse! Adios!