Synesthesia

We recently learned about a rare condition called "synesthesia".  Using internet research, explain each of the terms below:

1. Synesthesia

2. grapheme-color synesthesia

3. ordinal-linguistic personification   

4. number-form synesthesia

5. sound-color synesthesia

6. lexical-gustatory synesthesia

Be sure to explain each in as much detail as necessary - site your sources for each answer and post one picture for each term.  This assignment is due by Sunday, March 6th.

Mental Abilities: Genius, Savant and Autism

Post your answers to the following questions on your psychology blog by Sunday, March 6th. Be sure to site your sources for each answer and include at least three relevant pictures.

1. Explain in detail what "savant syndrome" means.

2. What does genius mean?  Explain the difference between genius and savant.

3. What is a stroke and how could it affect your mental functioning?

4. What is a functional MRI and how does it help us understand brain activity?

5. What is the corpus callosum and what role does it play in your brain's activity?

6. What is epilepsy and how might it affect your brain's abilities?

7. What is autism?

8. What is Asperger's Syndrome?

Nature vs. Nurture - Intelligence

Video responses #6, #7 and #8 -

Genius - From where does it come?  The three videos we watched and discussed in class presented people who have unique abilities which come from a variety of sources.  Is intelligence something with which we are born?  Does it come from a stimulating environment with parents who push us to be our best? Can it come from brain injuries or childhood diseases? What is the difference between genius and savant?  You should be able to speak intelligently to each of these questions. 
Post three seperate entries - one for each video linked at the site below - each consisting of at least 150 words and one picture.  This assignment is due by Sunday, February 27th at midnight.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/my-brilliant-brain-make-me-genius/  (3 seperate videos)

Nature vs. Nurture: Homosexuality

Video Response #5
Probably the most controversial topic in the Nature vs. Nurture Debate concerns how a person develops their sexuality - specifically, whether a person is heterosexual or homosexual.  Watch the video from class (in two parts) and state your response in 200 or more words and include at least one picture which respresents the topic.  * What did you learn? What did you find interesting? What are your opinions or ideas on the topic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3pvAk7Zz5U&feature=related  (part 1 of the 60 Minutes program)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS6J_gg89ms&feature=related (part 2)

Video Responses - Assignments for February 2nd through February 7th

If you missed any of the videos shown in class the links can be found below, in my previous posts.

Video Response #2 - Write a 200 word minimum response to the video about "mind-reading" with MRI's.  Include reference to what you learned, what you found interesting and what you think.  Be sure to include at least one picture which represents the topic.

Video Response #3 - Write a 200 word minimum response to the video: "living with traumatic brain injury".  Include reference to what you learned, what you found interesting and what you think.  Be sure to include at least one picture which represents the topic.

Video Response #4 - Write a 300 word minimum response to the video: "mind of a murderer".  Include reference to what you learned, what you found interesting and what you think.  Be sure to include at least one picture which represents the topic.

Be sure to site any resources used.  Due date is Tuesday, February 8th.  See you all Tuesday!

The Future of Mind-Reading

Advancing technology now allows us to see the brain at work.  Functional MRIs show the brain while it is actually working, processing information and give us the unique ability to see what the brain looks like while a person is thinking.  Scientists have determined what certain thoughts look like and therefore, can "read" your mind.  Where will technology take us in the near future?  What is the future of mind-reading?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jc8URRxPIg

The Brain - Damage

How does brain damage affect a person's life? The videos from class discuss the results of brain damage.  The first video deals with minor to severe damage and the changes it causes for the victims.  Video number two goes inside the mind of dangerous criminals to determine what role brain damage plays in their anti-social behavior.

Video - Living with Traumatic Brain Injury:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgtHvBF4t-E

The Mind of a Murderer - Brain Damage and Criminal Behavior:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5NKsuXmkDM