Piaget Assignment

picture retrieved from http://prattpsychology.blogspot.com/2011/03/piagets-stage-theory.html


Recently in class we have discussed Piaget's theory of cognitive development and some criticisms toward his ideas. The main criticism isn't so much the ideas and concepts but the ages associated with each stage. The first part of your assignment is to select two of the following features of preoperational thought: egocentrism, a focus on perceptual appearances, difficulty reasoning about transformations, and lack of hierarchical classification. Present evidence indicating that preschoolers are more capable thinkers than Piaget assumed.

The second part of your assignment is to discuss how Piaget's theory can help explain how a child develops self-concept. Be sure to define the term and then explain your reasoning. Be sure to support it with terms from the text.

The third part of this assignment is more on the entertaining side.  You are to examine various websites that sell toys for children.  Identify four toys that would fit into each stage of Piaget's theory (one for each stage totaling four toys).  Describe how each toy fits into a specific stage of Piaget's theory.

This assignment is due Sunday by 11:59pm and be sure to put your initials on your blog post so I can give credit where credit is due.

Motivation and Hunger

Tonight you are reading about eating disorders and included in the reading tonight is a section on obesity and weight control.  As we all know, obesity is becoming a major factor in many developed countries and an issue that many governments are currently examining.  First, define obesity and explain some social effects of obesity, as well as the physiology of obesity in regards to fat cells.  Secondly, one of the main issues that faces many developed nations is educating individuals on proper eating habits and changing current habits, which is extremely difficult.  Pretending you have unlimited funds, develop a realistic plan that would educate high school students on proper eating habits, keeping in mind who you are dealing with and how to reach them.  This is due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, 1/25/2012.

Operant Conditioning

As we have discussed conditioning is learning through associations.  Classical conditioning is learning through the association of two stimuli in which the neutral stimulus is associated with the unconditioned stimulus.  Operant conditioning is similar because we are making associations.  The difference is we are making associations with some sort of reinforcer or punishment rather than a stimulus.  These reinforcers can range from a variety of items or consequences.  Operant conditioning is seen on a regular basis for training purposes.  For this post I want you to discuss an example of operant conditioning from your own life experiences and identify the following:
- The behavior
- The reinforcer or punishment
- Whether that outcome acted as a positive reinforcer, a negative reinforcer,
or a punishment
- What happened to the behavior over time. That is, was the learning
maintained or did it become extinct? How did this happen?
- What acted as a discriminative stimulus?
- What schedule of reinforcement was operating? (continuous or partial? If
partial: fixed or variable, ratio or interval?)

This post is due by Wednesday morning and I expect thorough answers. 

Classical Conditioning in Advertising

It has been a while since we have used this, but with a new year it is time to get it rolling again.  In class, we have been examining classical conditioning and its principles as we gain a stronger understanding of behaviorism.  Behaviorist techniques have been used in advertising since the early 1900's.  Even the great behaviorist John Watson branched into this area and was very successful with using his behavioral techniques to get people to buy products.  Your assignment is to analyze the use of classical conditioning in advertisements and explain how it is used and why it is so effective.  Along with this, I want you to use classical conditioning and pick a product and explain how you can use classical conditioning to sell the product.  The due date for this assignment is Friday by 8:45a.m.  Have fun!

Dream Journal

•Due Date: Monday 11/7/2011

•Assignment: You are to analyze your dreams in your dream journal.  With that information you are to decide which dream theory appears to best explain your dreams.  Use quality content and detailed information to explain the theory and why you chose it.

•This will require some level of research beyond your text book.

Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat Assignment

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

This project is divided into 3 parts

            1.  Summary of selected articles 4 points each for                 40 Points

            2.  Group presentation                                                                        30 Points

            3.  Research paper                                                                   80 Points

Reading Assignments – You are required to read the following chapters.

1.      Chapter 1:             The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

2.      Chapter 4:             The Man Who Fell out of Bed

3.      Chapter 7:             On the Level

4.      Chapter 8:             Eyes Right

5.      Chapter 10:           Witty Ticcy Ray

6.      Chapter 11:           Cupid’s Disease

7.      Chapter 18:           The Dog Beneath the Skin

8.      Chapter 19:           Murder.

9.      Selection of your choice from chapters 21-24

10.  Selection of your choice from any other chapter not assigned

For each reading selection you must write a short summary that specifically answers the following four questions.

1.      Describe the patient. (Who are they, what are they like?)

2.      What symptoms did the patient exhibit? (What is the matter with them?  Why do they get sent to the doctor?)

3.      Describe the interaction/examination between the patient and the doctor.  (What does the doctor do?  Say?  Is there anything interesting or funny during this interaction?)

4.      Describe the diagnosis/treatment of the patient where applicable.  What adjustments were made by the doctor or the patient to deal with this condition?

Group Activity – For one of the chapters not assigned in class prepare a skit showing the interaction between the patient and the doctor(s).  The skit should clearly demonstrate

1.      The symptoms

2.      The examination

3.      The diagnosis

4.      Any adjustments or treatments given

Research Activity – You will be assigned a brain research topic to do follow up research on.  The research paper should contain the following information.

v  Fully describe the structure or disorder assigned.

v  Give a brief history of the research on this structure or disorder.

v  Give a minimum of two examples of current research being done on this structure or disorder.

v  Your research paper should be about 3 pages in length 12 point font, double-spaced.  Please include a bibliography in APA format showing your sources for the research.