Can Playing Games Help Students Master Concepts from General Psychology Classes?

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne Zielinski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
General Psychology ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Final Project ◽  
Poor Students ◽  
Psychology Course ◽  
The Brain

As part of a final project for a general psychology course, students were required to play a game, either digital/video or on a board. Students selected their own games, and were asked to identify psychological principles in their game play. Topics included the brain, sensation and perception, human development, learning, motivation, intelligence, personality, and mental disorders. Students successfully applied all topics to game play, but to varying degrees. Student discussions on the brain and intelligence were well covered. Discussions on personality and psychological disorders issues were relatively poor. Students were able to make connections between concepts and their game-play experiences.

An Activity for Demonstrating the Concept of a Neural Circuit

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-212
Author(s):  
David S. Kreiner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Physiological Psychology ◽  
Neural Circuit ◽  
The Other ◽  
Complex Behavior ◽  
General Psychology ◽  
Psychology Course ◽  
The Brain

College students in two sections of a general psychology course participated in a demonstration of a simple neural circuit. The activity was based on a neural circuit that Jeffress proposed for localizing sounds. Students in one section responded to a questionnaire prior to participating in the activity, while students in the other section responded to the questionnaire after participating in the activity. Students who had participated in the activity reported greater understanding of the concept of a neural circuit and of how the brain can produce complex behavior. The activity may be a useful addition to previously published class simulations on neural functioning. Instructors may wish to use the activity in classes such as general psychology, sensation and perception, and physiological psychology.

The Impact of Strengths-Based Assessment Education on Undergraduate Students’ Knowledge of Disorders and Mental Illness Stigma

2021 ◽  
pp. 009862832110153
Author(s):  
Rhea L. Owens ◽  
Sean Heaslip ◽  
Meara Thombre
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Abnormal Psychology ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Psychology Courses ◽  
Psychology Course ◽  
The Impact

Background: While abnormal psychology courses have traditionally focused on psychopathology, there are several benefits to adopting a strengths-based approach. Objective: This study examined the teaching of a strengths-based assessment approach (the DICE-PM Model), compared to teaching as usual, in an undergraduate abnormal psychology course. Method: Two sections of an abnormal psychology course were taught a strengths-based assessment approach while two sections were taught as usual. All participants completed measures of knowledge of psychological disorders and mental illness stigma at the beginning and end of the semester. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge of disorders and a significant decrease in mental illness stigma with the exception of one category assessed (recovery), generally with small effect sizes. Those in the strengths group, compared to the control, showed a significantly greater decrease in mental illness stigma involving anxiety related to others with mental illness, though also with a small effect. Conclusion: Findings suggest strengths-based assessment education does not compromise the instruction of psychological disorders and is equivalent to a traditional abnormal psychology course in reducing mental illness stigma. Teaching Implications: Such an approach may be beneficial early in students’ education to reduce mental illness stigma and promote comprehensive assessment practices.

scholarly journals The Evolution of the Psychodynamic Approach and System

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Russell Fulmer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Dynamic Theory ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Psychodynamic Therapy ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Dynamic Approach ◽  
Psychodynamic Approach ◽  
The World

AbstractPsychodynamic theory and practice has evolved from its psychoanalytic roots. The modern psychodynamic approach is among the most inclusive and versatile schools of thought available to therapists. With both cross-cultural application and a growing evidence base, psychodynamic therapy is practiced in many countries and cultures around the world. The dynamic approach is a system that touches on human development, personality, mental disorders, and of course, therapy. This article presents an overview of contemporary dynamic theory, its underlying philosophy, and its main objectives. 

scholarly journals PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CHILDREN WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-95
Author(s):  
A.V. Zubarenko ◽  
V.V. Luzan ◽  
T.Yu. Kravchenko ◽  
G.K. Kopiyka ◽  
V.I. Martyuk
Keyword(s):  
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Depressed Type ◽  
Clinical Variant ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
Psychological Features ◽  
The Brain

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are considered as a clinical variant of the interaction between psychosocial factors and gastrointestinal tract physiology implemented through the "brain - intestine" axis. The purpose of the study was to investigate psychological peculiarities of children with irritable bowel syndrome. The study included 68 children aged from 14 to 18 years with the confirmed diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. To determine the type of character accentuation, the Schmishek -Leonhard test questionnaire (child version) was used. The SCL-90-R test questionnaire (by L. Derogatis method) was applied to determine psycho-emotional disorders. The study has found out the majority of patients have certain psycho-emotional disorders. The group of children with irritable bowel syndrome, who were experiencing constipation, more frequently demonstrated an emotional type of character accentuation and a somatized and depressed type of psychological disorders. The patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea had cycloid and demonstrative types of character accentuation and demonstrated an anxious type according to the questionnaire. The patients with mixed bowel rhythms exhibited features of a cycloid, emotional, and pedantic type of character accentuation. Depression, anxiety, somatised types were reported as manifestations of psychological disorders.

Сellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Proinflammatory Monocytes Participation in the Pathogenesis of Mental Disorders. Part 3

Psychiatry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
E. F. Vasilyeva ◽  
O. S. Brusov
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Microglial Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Mental Diseases ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Background: at present, the important role of the monocyte-macrophage link of immunity in the pathogenesis of mental diseases has been determined. In the first and second parts of our review, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of activation of monocytes/macrophages, which secreting proinflammatory CD16 receptors, cytokines, chemokines and receptors to them, in the development of systemic immune inflammation in the pathogenesis of somatic diseases and mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BAD) and depression were analyzed. The association of high levels of proinflammatory activity of monocytes/macrophages in patients with mental disorders with somatic comorbidity, including immune system diseases, is shown. It is known that proinflammatory monocytes of peripheral blood, as a result of violation of the integrity of the hematoencephalic barrier can migrate to the central nervous system and activate the resident brain cells — microglia, causing its activation. Activation of microglia can lead to the development of neuroinammation and neurodegenerative processes in the brain and, as a result, to cognitive disorders. The aim of review: to analyze the results of the main scientific studies concerning the role of cellular and molecular mechanisms of peripheral blood monocytes interaction with microglial cells and platelets in the development of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Material and methods: keywords “mental disorders, AD, proinflammatory monocytes, microglia, neuroinflammation, cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, platelets, microvesicles” were used to search for articles of domestic and foreign authors published over the past 30 years in the databases PubMed, eLibrary, Science Direct and EMBASE. Conclusion: this review analyzes the results of studies which show that monocytes/macrophages and microglia have similar gene expression profiles in schizophrenia, BAD, depression, and AD and also perform similar functions: phagocytosis and inflammatory responses. Monocytes recruited to the central nervous system stimulate the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), chemokines, for example, MCP-1 (Monocyte chemotactic protein-1) by microglial cells. This promotes the recruitment of microglial cells to the sites of neuronal damage, and also enhances the formation of the brain protein beta-amyloid (Aβ). The results of modern studies are presented, indicating that platelets are involved in systemic inflammatory reactions, where they interact with monocytes to form monocyte-platelet aggregates (MTA), which induce the activation of monocytes with a pro inflammatory phenotype. In the last decade, it has been established that activated platelets and other cells of the immune system, including monocytes, detached microvesicles (MV) from the membrane. It has been shown that MV are involved as messengers in the transport of biologically active lipids, cytokines, complement, and other molecules that can cause exacerbation of systemic inflammatory reactions. The presented review allows us to expand our knowledge about the cellular and molecular aspects of the interaction of monocytes/macrophages with microglial cells and platelets in the development of neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in the pathogenesis of mental diseases and in AD, and also helps in the search for specific biomarkers of the clinical severity of mental disorder in patients and the prospects for their response to treatment.

Mental and behavioural disorders

2020 ◽  
pp. 333-365
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Benedetti
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Placebo Effect ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Outcome ◽  
The Brain

In this chapter some mental disorders are described. For example, in depression, fluoxetine treatment and a placebo treatment affect similar brain regions. In anxiety, patients’ expectations play a crucial role, as covert (unexpected) administration of anti-anxiety drugs is less effective than overt (expected) administration. The disruption of prefrontal executive control in Alzheimer’s disease decreases the magnitude of placebo responses. In addition, expectations appear to be particularly important when associated with the effects of drugs of abuse. Placebo effects appear to be powerful in psychotherapy as well, and the brain areas involved in the psychotherapeutic outcome are different from those involved in the placebo effect. As clinical trials for psychotherapeutic interventions represent a major problem, new recommendations are presented.

Love, the Brain, and Becoming Human

2019 ◽  
pp. 44-71
Author(s):  
Riane Eisler
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Human Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Brain ◽  
The Continuum

This chapter introduces a new perspective on the role of love in human evolution and human development. The bonds of love, whether between parent and child, lovers, or close friends, may all have a common biological root, activating neurochemicals that make us feel good. Like other human capacities, such as consciousness, learning, and creativity, love has a long and fascinating evolutionary history. Indeed, the evolution of love appears to be integral to the development of our human brain and hence to much that distinguishes us from other species. Moreover, love plays a vital, though still largely unrecognized, role in human development, with evidence accumulating about the negative effects of love deprivation as well as the benefits of love. But whether or not our needs for meaning and love are met, and whether or not our capacities for creativity and love are expressed, are largely determined by the interaction of biology and culture—specifically, the degree to which a culture or subculture orients to the partnership or domination end of the continuum.

Thoughts for the Future

2020 ◽  
pp. 497-508
Author(s):  
Richard McCarty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Common Theme ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
The Future ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
The Brain

Several exciting lines of research have emerged from the study of animal models of mental disorders. This chapter presents seven opportunities for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They include improvements to the system for diagnosis of mental disorders, use of induced pluripotent stem cells from patients to generate neuronal cultures for in vitro determination of effective drug therapies for those individuals, use of data-mining techniques for understanding patient variability, a commitment to a greater focus on the prevention of mental disorders, innovative uses of smartphones to track patients and individuals at high risk of developing a mental disorder, and developing next-generation therapies and delivery systems that target a specific area of the brain rather than the entire brain. A common theme in these seven thoughts for the future is a commitment to bringing precision medicine tools to the treatment of patients with mental disorders.

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