Psychological ways of controlling stress

We have looked at two main theories and techniques - Stress inoculation training and Hardiness training. You might be interested in the links below.

The first one is how athletes can use SIT to help them to get into the zone and stay focused when under stress. It helps then to earn how to 'inoculate' their stress, and take mental charge of their performances. I think it might help explain some of the differences between SIT and Hardiness training. The link is:
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0846.htm

The second one is a coaching website offering hardiness training - should give some insight into what this is. The link is
http://www.mhkcoaching.com/index.php/stressmgt


Finally there is a link here to a very useful revision guide to unit 2 - it comes from Psychade (the link can be found in the list of links on the right hand side of the blog) and I think you'll find other modules summaries there too.

http://www.psychade.net/AS2revision.doc

How does exercise help to reduce stress?

Hi all

Jody asked the question above in today's lesson. For something of an answer, try

http://www.allina.com/ac/transcript.nsf/alltopics/Exercise_to_reduce_stress

You might also like to google 'ways to reduce stress' and check out one of the many links that you are given. Look for things on exercise, drugs, biofeedback, stress innoculation therapy and hardiness training.

Perhaps you could post the links to your favourite sites on the blog.

Ms Moore

PS don't forget we have a lesson this Friday.

Help with the synoptic unit for year 13

These links will take you to some important stuff on paper 5. They come from another online resource which you can register on for free. I like their stuff so you might like to get online with them. Also year 12 might find it useful

Synoptic paper links:
http://www.psyonline.org.uk/TopTips.php?module=14&modtopics=145
http://www.kgv.net/psychology/Year%2013%20Psychology.doc

The Psychology Online Classroom:
http://www.onlineclassroom.tv/psychology

I think you will all find these useful. And by the way the online classroom link also has Sociology, RE, Health and Social Care and Sports Studies/PE. You might like to tell your teachers about it too!
If I don't see you tomorrow, have a great half term, get up to date with your work and see you in a week's time
Ms Moore

Gender differences and Psychology

Both year 12 and year 13 are looking at gender difference this week. What do you think are the significant differences between men and woman? Are they genetic or caused by conditioning? Can we ignore gender or must we take it into account?

The link below is about how men and women cope differently with stress. It has a beta bias as it recognises clear differences in men and women.

http://www.psychadvisor.com/inthenews/viewart.cfm?ItemID=4

The articles below are all about gender differences and psychology (more for year 13 although very interesting reading for all of you)

http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-2832.html
http://www.psychologymatters.org/nodifference.html
http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/05/gender-differences-in-reading-nonverbal.php
http://www.virtualpsychology.co.uk/GenderBiasinPsychologicalResearch.pdf
http://psychcentral.com/news/2006/12/29/male-gender-bias-in-psychology-research-continues/

These all make interesting reading and should widen your understanding of gender bias in Psychology

Cultural Bias in Psychology

Hi year 13
I found this very useful essay by a student on the internet. It is much longer than you would be expected to write in your exam (1500 words) but you might find it a useful read

http://www.rmjs.co.uk/bham/11ps01.pdf

This should give you an idea of the wort of standard that would be expected of you at university - I think this is the work of an undergraduate in Psychology.

Happy reading!

DEFINING ABNORMALITY

The definition of abnormality has changed over time and it is difficult to agree on one definition for it. There are 4 definitions we learnt about in the lesson today and these definitions are not mutually exclusive. The fact that there are so many ways to define abnormality shows the complexity of identifying and diagnosing abnormal behaviour.

I found the role plays today very useful in helping me remember each definition. First there was the 'fatty' who stuffed her face while everyone else ate sensibly, this was a deviation from social norms. What is the danger of using this to define abnormality?
Secondly, there was deviation from ideal mental health. So we had the boy who blamed his imaginary friend Clarence the dragon for being unable to solve the Rubik's cube.
Then there was the person who could not make tea or toast or even answer a simple question for that matter - failure to function adequately. Finally statistical infrequency such as midgets...and I am not referring to Jasmine!
Which do you think is the best definition?

How was it for you?

So how did your Psychology exam go today. Post a comment so we can discuss the good bits and the bad bits. What questions were you pleased to see? Which bits were you surprised about? What would you do differently if you were preparing for the exam again?

Looking forward to reading your thoughts