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So what is eating Gilbert Grape?

Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp in What's Eating Gilbert Grape

After viewing Lasse Hallstrom's What's Eating Gilbert Grape(1994), discuss whether these characters have personality traits, personality disorders, or troubled personalities.

Questions to consider:

-What troubled personalities might these characters embody? (Chapter 8 of Psychology text)
-What personality traits/disorders (this distinction is worthy as well) do the characters exhibit? (Psychology Today article)
-What are the roots of these traits/disorders?
-Are any of these characters struggling with the "Developmental Tasks of Adolescence" that relate to self or others? (Psychology text pgs. 150-157)
-What defense mechanisms, as defined by Freud, do the characters in the film exhibit? (Psychology text pgs. 187-191)
-How might Freud approach psychotherapy with one of these characters? (Psychology text pgs. 194-196) How might a behaviorist approach the same character differently? (Psychology text pgs. 204-207)

Minimum 2 posts (more encouraged!).
Agree, disagree, expand, explore, question, digress-YOU control the direction of the discussion.
Avoid repetition. If you agree, say so and move on.
Soft cap-150 words.
Mandatory use of acquired knowledge-no armchair psychology-use what you've learned.

Research Paper Tips: Intros and Conclusions

Introductions

What can you do to “frame” your thesis?
• Timeliness of topic (e.g., relate to current event in world, your own lives)
• Define an abstract term in your thesis (e.g., tragedy, honor)
• Expand/explore a term from your thesis (e.g., why, who, how)
• Relevant anecdote

You want to logically transition into a comprehensive but clearly stated thesis.

What should follow your thesis statement to conclude introduction paragraph?
• Statement which foreshadows your conclusions in conclusion paragraph

Conclusions

Summary statement
• 1-2 sentences—what have you just proven?

Original, powerful conclusions that transcend text, paper, class
• How does your argument apply to us as a culture, society, nation, humanity?
• What lessons are to be learned?
• What are the benefits of heeding such advice?
• What are the consequences of ignorance?

The Breakfast Club-An Exercise in Psychoanalysis

The Breakfast Club is director John Hughes' 1985 fable of five high school stereotypes brought together for a Saturday of detention. Trapped in the Shermer High School library for nine hours, Claire, Brian, Andy, Bender and Allison eventually stop arguing long enough to discover some compelling truths about themselves and their world.

After viewing John Hughes's 1985 classic The Breakfast Club, create a string of responses in which you psychoanalyze the characters.

Questions to consider:

-What personality traits/disorders (this distinction is worthy as well) do the characters exhibit? (Psychology Today article)
-What are the roots of these traits/disorders?
-Are any of these characters struggling with the "Developmental Tasks of Adolescence" that relate to self or others? (Psychology text pgs. 150-157)
-What defense mechanisms, as defined by Freud, do the characters in the film exhibit? (Psychology text pgs. 187-191)
-How might Freud approach psychotherapy with one of these characters? (Psychology text pgs. 194-196) How might a behaviorist approach the same character differently? (Psychology text pgs. 204-207)

Minimum 3 posts (more encouraged!).
Agree, disagree, expand, explore, question, digress-YOU control the direction of the discussion.
Avoid repetition. If you agree, say so and move on.
Soft cap-150 words.
Mandatory use of acquired knowledge-no armchair psychology-use what you've learned.

Oedipus Rex and Freud's Theory of Personality

King Oedipus makes retribution.

In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles explores the dual nature we all share--the known and the unknown, or in Freudian terms, the conscious and the unconscious. Consequently, the true tragedy of Oedipus is the discovery of his guilt--not the act of murder itself.

As Oedipus begins to realize the truth, he replies, "Ah, what net has God been weaving for me?" (1334), then, in a seemingly contradictory statement, "I think I may be accurst by my own ignorant edict" (1334).

Is the play premised on the notion that Oedipus is bound or free--the puppet of fate or the creator of his own fate? Or some of each? And what about us? According to Freud, is our personality as adults predetermined (fated, if you will) by our childhood experiences, or do we have the free will to change?

Develop a string of responses-each student should contribute twice-never consecutively. Your first response should be 100 words max. Your second response can be between 50-100 words. Whenever possible, expand or refute a classmate's response.

You are strongly encouraged to consult the texts or outside sources to provide depth and breadth to the discussion.

All responses should be posted by Monday after the break.

Personality Traits vs. Personality Disorders

After reading the "Am I Normal?" from the April 2005 issue of Psychology Today, select a passage that reinforces, changes, or contradicts your understanding of the film Girl, Interrupted.

100 proofed, carefully crafted words for Monday.

Reminder-1-2 page papers due Wednesday.

Girl, Interrupted

Angelie Jolie and Winona Ryder

Play armchair psychologist for a moment. Does Susanne have "Borderline Personality Disorder," or is she just an average 17-year old girl?

Do some quick research on BPD before you respond. Strong responses will take a position and show knowledge of BPD.

100 words for Monday.

The Perils of Higher Education

"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son."

Read the article provided in class from Psychology Today entitled "The Perils of Higher Education." Comment on how the article will influence your lifestyle choices in college. Wit and sarcasm are strongly encouraged.

100 carefully crafted words for Monday.

Nature vs. Nurture

Ron Herman (1995)

After reading the transcript from CBS's Sunday Morning, mine the internet for an article discussing the "Nature vs. Nurture" conflict and post an informed comment on the issue. Remember, the debate is certainly not limited to gender roles and intelligence, but to race, sexuality, potential for violence, etc.

100 proofed words.

Remember, this can be an incendiary issue-show sensitivity where appropriate.

Due Friday.

Intellectual Gender Gap?

Can a Video Game Lead to Murder?

Grand Theft Auto

Use the hyperlink below to access the transcript from Sunday's 60 Minutes segment on Grand Theft Auto and its supposed influence on a teenage murder suspect.

Provide a 100 word proofed reaction. Make specific reference to a passage from the article, or to something one of your classmates said.

Can a Video Game Lead to Murder?

Due Wednesday

Family Size and Intelligence

Low SAT's for the Bradys?

Check out the article in your text (page 114) and/or the updated studies at the links below:

Science Today article" Family Size Tied to SAT, IQ Scores

Stanford University article" American SAT, English A-level exam trends reflect changes in sibling environment, psychologist says

Rand Corporation article" Student Performance and the Changing American Family

Find another article (as current as possible) on the issue that reinforces or contradicts a point made in one of these articles. Explain in 100-200 words by Monday.

Hemingway's Iceberg Theory

Hemingway's Iceberg Theory

"If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water."

- Death In the Afternoon, Scribner's, 1932, Chap. 16, 192.

Provide an example of the Iceberg Theory at work in Hemingway's short story "Soldier's Home." Try to work within the context of our discussion-that of a character deeply disturbed psychologically by his experiences on the battlefield.

One quote min. Be original. 100 words. Due Wed. 3/2.

Are Teen's Wired to Take More Risks?

Click the link below to read about research suggesting that teens are more likely to take risks while driving due to "Brain Immaturity":

Washington Post article" Brain Immaturity Could Explain Teen Crash Rate


Brain Maturation Images

The Snake Pit

Virginia receiving treatment in The Snake Pit

After viewing Anatole Litvak's 1948 film The Snake Pit, provide an insightful reaction to one particular aspect of the film. Skim pages 181-196 in your text on Freud's Theory of Personality to provide context for your discussion.

Be concise and original. 100-200 proofed words. For example, if someone used Freud's "Displacement Theory," choose another angle.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs-The Quest for Self Actualization

To think about: How does Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs help us understand the forces at work in the passage from Richard Wright's autobiography Black Boy?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Happy Hour: The Search for Happiness

Psychology Today Magazine

After reading "Happy Hour" from the Jan./Feb. 2005 issue of Psychology Today, choose one particular idea/passage/conclusion that resonated with you and react/reflect.

Provide the quote at the top of your blog. Click link below:

Psychology Today article" Happy Hour

Questions to consider:
-Do I agree/disagree?
-Supporting points-based on my own experiences, those of someone close to me, literary or cinematic allusion
-How can I/we (your peer group) apply this to my own life/our own lives?

100-200 proofed words. Edit your post so as you are concise and to the point (don't be redundant like the previous statement). Avoid summary and generalities.

For Monday.

Chapter Presentation Criteria

Chapters presented:

1-The Study of Human Behavior
2-Consciousness
4-The Child Grows Up
5-Teh Adolescent Searches for Identity

Your task, if you choose to accept it:

Create a PowerPoint presentation on the chapter sections your group has been assigned. Your presentation should:

Content
-Summarize the main points
-Reveal some insight and understanding
-Draw some original conclusions or provide some applications to your audience

Craft
-Creative approach-this stuff is dry but necessary-try to make it interesting/intriguing to the audience
-Use PowerPoint effectively-include graphics, animation, hyperlinks, animation, sound etc...
-Research-include information from at least one outside source

Other important points
-save on share drive
-proofread
-shoot for about 5 minutes
-everyone speaks

Internet Resources

Van Gogh Self Portrait (1889)

Chapter I-Introduction
Mine the internet for sites we might be able to use in Psychology class this semester. Describe the attributes and drawbacks of the site, and how it might be a valuable resource. Don't forget to copy and paste the URL at the bottom of your post.

No repeats. 100-200 proofed words. Check out each other's sites.