Behavior Modification to Save Endangered Species

In a interesting article in The Gaston Gazette April 19,2010 "Scientists teach Australian marsupial to aid in its own survival" scientists are using behavior modification to prevent a catlike marsupial the quoll form going extinct. Since its arrival in Queensland State in 1935 the cane toad a toxic toad that poisons larger predators such as the quolls, crocodiles, snakes and lizards that eat it. Originally introduced to control beetles in the sugar cane fields. Scientist fed young quolls tiny toads not poisonous enough to kill them laced with nausea inducing drugs as a behavior modification. Hoping the memory of the nausea being enough to prevent older quolls from dining on the toads thus saving their lives. The theory worked quolls have begun avoiding the toads altogether. "Scientists released 31 toad smart quolls and 31 toad naive quolls into the wild, fitted with radio collars designed to fall off within a month. Overall, the scientists found that the conditioned female quolls survived nearly twice as long as their unconditioned counterparts, and the conditioned male quolls lived five times longer than the clueless ones". Although it is unclear if the aversion to cane toad will be passed on to the next generation. This article relates to our study in chapter 5 on behavior modification through negative reinforcement. The quolls remembered the nausea from the their previous experience with the toads creating a negative reinforcement.

Going Great Lengths to Teach Students

In an article I found in the Gaston Gazette "Grier students study human brain through video conference with Australian professor" dated 15Dec07. The middle school student arrived at school at 5 p.m. to study with the professor via video conference in Australia where the local time was 9 a.m.. The student covered many topics; including a few lessons about Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman who survived a railroad spike going through his head in the 1800s. "Teacher Beth Suber contacted Professor Macmillan about talking with the students after learning he was an expert on Gage. "He told us a lot that wasn't listed in our textbooks.-It was amazing."" Phineas Gage was the foreman of a railroad construction gang near Cavendish, Vt. On Sept. 13, 1848 an explosion blew his tamping iron through his head and it did not kill him. The iron went in point first under his left cheek bone and completely out the top of his head landing 25-30 yards behind him. Phineas was knocked over but thought to have never lost consciousness even though the front part and left side of his brain were destroyed. Some say only his personality was affected; although he began to have epileptic seizures and died on May 26, 1860. This article ties into our study in chapter 1 and 2. In chapter 1 we read about a case study examining Mr. Gage and his curious injury. Chapter 2 details the structures of the brain and goes more into detail about which sections of his brain were actually damaged and how it may have affected his personality.

Intense Interrogations -vs- Brain Damage

An article in the Charlotte Observer on Tuesday 22Sept09 "Report: CIA methods meant interrogations often useless". Details how intense interrogation methods might have been more harmful than useful in gaining valued information. "The CIA's harsh interrogations are likely to have damaged the brains of terror suspects diminishing their ability to recall and provide detailed information the agency sought". The article describes how chronic stress and trauma could have damaged the suspects hippocampus. Techniques used included prolonged sleep deprivation-up to six days in one instance, being chained in painful positions, exploration of prisoners phobias, and the highly publicised waterboarding-a form of simulated drowning. While interrogation is a necessity in gaining valued information is it really necessary to torture someone to get it. This post ties into our study on the physical aspects of the brain. It also relates on how sugestions during intense physical stress can alter memories.

Our Next Generation

An article called "Ongoing Experiment in Artificial Stupidity" in The Gaston Gazette(March 15,2010) brings to light a disturbing trend in our education system. The article tells of a woman going around the crowds at a state fair collecting names on a petition to ban "dihydroxymonoxide - a fancy chemical name for water". A conditioned response for see a petition, sign a petition without ever really finding out what the issue is at hand. It shows how our children are being taught to see only one side of an argument-any argument. I can remember in school being given the assignment of researching a topic and then writing to our representatives to air our thoughts or complaints. What does it say when children less than ten years old are told(not researching these topics) of earths global warming, nuclear weapons, or medical care and then given an assignment to write letters to members of congress or even the president. At thirty-seven I haven't formed opinions on some of these issues, how can we think our children are ready to form a opinion. In chapter 12 we looked at social psychology and the area of conformity. Were one changes there opinions or behaviors to closely match the thoughts or feelings of others to fit in to the social norm.

People Watching

Today was one of my favorite days of the year...Drag Race Day!! Nothing beats people watching at a drag race. My first sighting was the typical no shirt drunk guy, multiple beers in each hand, pockets stuffed with beers, and a cooler over his shoulder. This guy could barely walk and it was only 10:30 in the morning. Now some would ask how does this tie in to a Psychology class? I think people watching ties in intricately... social interaction, you can in some instances use behavior modification to mold those around you acting inappropriately, and studying the thought processes of your fellow spectators. I think this applies because of the diverse group of subjects you have to choose from.

A personal tie

For my first piece I'm going to use the TV show "Mercy" which airs Wednesdays @ 8pm on NBC. The show chronicles the days of three nurses Veronica, Sonia, and Chloe and assorted other characters. Veronica suffers from alcoholism and as a Veteran who was a nurse in a combat field hospital also struggles with PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). My wife also believes I show some signs of PTSD. I have sought counseling with the VA, but anyone who is familiar with them knows help from the VA is useless. When I inquired about counseling services I was told appointments were scheduled three months apart and decided to go on dealing with my feeling by myself the only way I ever have. My wife is very supportive but also worries and does her best to help but its basically just something she has grown used to dealing with. Now my issues are minor to me but she is very loving and as she should be very concerned. I have horrific, violent nightmares that often keep me awake most night but as I get older most nights aren't so bad, but there are those few that stand out. I don't know what counseling might do but i feel that the best medicine there is, is that voice out of the night and that gentle loving touch that just says "its okay I'm here". In chapter 11 we studied stress and health and how catastrophe's and disaster can often have far reaching psychological effects.

My very first blog post!

Hello! Welcome to my blog, I have no idea what I am doing so hopefully this will be a great learning experience. I am writing this blog for a Psychology class I am taking at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina. My purpose here is to explore happenings or events that tie in to our class studies.