Personal Growth and Behavior, 2001-2002

by Duffy, Karen G.

• ISBN13: 9780072433739
• ISBN10: 0072433736
• Edition: 21st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: McGraw Hill College Div

Summary

This annually updated reader is a compilation of articles from current magazines, newspapers, and journals. The issues discuss topics such as the science of psychology; emotion and motivation and development. This title is supported by our student Web site Dushkin Online (www.dushkin.com/online/).

Table of Contents

To the Reader	iv
Topic Guide	2	(2)
Selected World Wide Web Sites	4	(2)
UNIT 1 Becoming a Person: Foundations
Overview	6	(2)
A Dance to the Music of the Century: Changing Fashions in 20th-Century Psychiatry	8	(4)
David Healy
David Healy Discusses the History and Theories that have shaped psychological and psychiatric thinking over the last century. At the turn of the millennium, he questions where we are headed and which theorists will continue to have an impact on our philosophy and psychological treatments
The Last Interview of Abraham Maslow	12	(5)
Edward Hoffman
Although initially ``sold on behaviorism,'' Abraham Maslow became one of the founders of a comprehensive human psychology or Humanistic psychology. In an important last interview, Maslow shares his philosophy on the nature of human beings and of the potential for world peace and understanding
Psychoanalyst: Sigmund Freud	17	(3)
Peter Gay
Sigmund Freud ``invented'' Psychoanalysis, and the world has not been the same since. Author Peter Gay reviews the development of Freud's now famous theory and other contributions as well as criticisms of Freud's work. Gay also shows us how we speak ``Freudian'' in our every day language and how Freud had an impact on a myriad of other psychologists
Private Lives: Discipline and Knowing Where to Draw the Line	20	(2)
Jan Parker
Jan Stimpson
Managing a child's misbehavior can be trying for parents and caregivers. Based on behavioral theory, the authors provide guidelines for when and how to use punishment. Recognizing who is the Victim and who is the perpetrator as well as saying ``no'' and meaning it are just two of the useful guidelines
The Stability of Personality: Observations and Evaluations	22	(3)
Robert R. McCrae
Paul T. Costa, Jr.
There is substantial evidence for the Stability of personality as well as for individual differences in personality traits. The authors review research on personality that supports their view, and they critique research that does not
How Culture Molds Habits of Thought	25	(5)
Erica Goode
Studies are beginning to demonstrate that not everyone around the world thinks in the same way. Culture is a powerful force in determining how we process and interpret various pieces of information-social or otherwise. Erica Goode reports that through a series of controlled studies, psychologists are able to demonstrate that culture greatly influences mental life
UNIT 2 Determinants of Behavior: Motivation, Environment, and Physiology
Overview	28	(2)
Human Nature: Born or Made?	30	(6)
Erica Goode
Evolutionary psychologists argue that most of our social behaviors are preprogrammed by evolution. Some behaviors, however, may not be adaptive today, for example, coercive sex. Similarly, some critics say that explanations of male-female relationships as depicted by evolutionary theory are too simplistic
The Gender Blur	36	(4)
Deborah Blum
With the blurring of gender boundaries, author Deborah Blum asks just how much biology rather than our training in society contributes to maleness and femaleness. She provides everyday examples of the blurred boundaries and examines research on the topic of gender roles and their origins
The Personality Genes	40	(2)
J. Madeleine Nash
Does DNA Shape behavior and personality? For example, is there a gene that causes some individuals to seek novelty? Molecular biologists who believe the answer is yes are busy pursuing the study of genetic influences on our personalities
Decoding the Human Body	42	(5)
Sharon Begley
Sharon Begley indicates that the human genome, or Gene mapping/decoding, project is exciting and at the same time daunting. Scientists may soon be able to predict who is at risk for all types of disorders. Likewise, this project is of concern because of the moral dilemmas it raises
Autism Is Likely to be Linked to Several Genes	47	(3)
Hugh Mclntosh
Austism, a brain disorder that usually manifests itself early in life, may be linked to genses on several different chromosomes. Viruses, drugs, and other factors may cause damage to these chromosomes in the embryo, thus increasing the chances for autism
The Future of the Brain	50	(5)
Norbert R. Myslinski
New Brain imaging techniques are reviewed by Norbert Myslinski. New possibilities such as more precise, less invastive brain surgery are discussed as outcomes for utilizing this technology
The Biology of Joy	55	(5)
Jeremiah Creedon
Biologically speaking, scientists are close to knowing what pleasure is. In the 1970s endorphins were heralded as the key to human pleasure and joy. Today scientists are closing in on refined information about the causes of and controls for pleasure
The Tick-Tock of the Biological Clock	60	(5)
Michael W. Young
The Human brain seems to have a built-in 24-hour biological clock that persist even in the absence of day and night. Heart attacks, body temperature, pain threshold, stress hormones, and other bodily changes are linked to this clock, according to Michael Young
The Gold Medal Mind	65	(4)
James Bauman
Great athletes are not just more motivated or athletically skilled. They are able to ignore distractions, do more self-talk and mental rehearsal, and relax better than nonathletes or average athletes
Faith & Healing	69	(5)
Claudia Wallis
Faith Healers have appeared in various cultures at various points in history. Some medical studies demonstrate that faith leads to better health and faster recovery; however, more evidence exists of a mind-body connection
UNIT 3 Problems Influencing personal Growth
Overview	72	(2)
The Seven Stages of Man	74	(3)
Constanza Villaba
This brief article reviews a variety of genetic, biological, and social changes that men experience at each stage of life. Many informative statistics related to psychology, health, socialization, and so forth are presented
Fetal Psychology	77	(5)
Janet L. Hopson
Birth may be a significant occasion, but it is only one milestone in a series of important developmental events, many of which precede birth. Janet Hopson reviews the latest findings on just how fascinating and significant fetal life is
Four Things You Need to Know About Raising Baby	82	(3)
Joanna Lipari
Modern research with infants is demonstrating that babies are not the passive receptacles we once thought they were. Joanna Lipari reveals four myths about infants and how science has altered our thinking
Why Children Turn Out the Way They Do	85	(3)
Judith Rich Harris
Are criminals made or born? Judith Rich Harris strongly stresses the view that we become what is in our genes and that the environment only pressures us to express our genetic propensities
Invincible Kids, U.S. News & World Report, November 11, 1996	88	(4)
Some children survive trauma and, in fact, thrive. Psychologists are studying these resilient children to determine how this happens, who these children are, and what factors enhance their development despite the children's ordeals
A World of Their Own	92	(3)
Sharon Begley
Modern teens are still very peer-driven, but their lives in other ways are quite different from teens of previous generations due to the Internet and other social changes. What they say they want and who they think they are provide the focus for this article
How Well Do You Know Your Kid?	95	(3)
Barbara Kantrowitz
Pat Wingert
Prompted by the violence in U. S. high schools, the authors contend that when parents relinquish their power, teens will create their own rules, and peers will have more influence. Carting Parents cannot protect their teens from all the problems of life, but involved parents can make a difference. This essay also provides ample demographic statistics on teens today
The Road Ahead: A Boomer's Guide to Happiness	98	(3)
Barbara Kantrowitz
Baby boomers are reaching age 50, the age between adulthood and old age. Boomers again have the chance to redefine cultural norms just as this large generation did in the past-from health to spiritualism to finances as well as other aspects of life
Live to 100? No Thanks	101	(3)
Susan L. Crowley
The American Association of Retired People (AARP) surveyed over 2,000 individuals and found that most people opt for quality of life rather than quantity of life in old age. AARP also discovered that the older people are, the older they want to be when they die. Declining health and lack of money are the main concerns about old age
Start the Conversation, Modern Maturity, September/Octoer 2000	104	(10)
Death is a stigmatized topic in American Society. This article is designed to motivate people to addess their own feelings about death, to plan for the future, and to feel more comfortable with the issue
UNIT 4 Relating to Others
Overview	112	(2)
Friendships and Adaptation Across the Life Span	114	(3)
Willard W. Hartup
Nan Stevens
Friends foster a Sense of well-being across a life span, although adults and children may conceptualize and interact with friends differently. The friends who provide the most ``social capital'' are those who are well-adjusted and socially competent
Emotional Intelligence: Do You Have It?	117	(4)
Phillip M. Perry
Emotional intelligence or EQ is the ability to recognize our own emotions as well as the emotions of those around us. EQ is especially important if we supervise others, especially difficult employees
Shyness: The New Solution	121	(6)
Bernardo Carducci
Bernardo Carducci discloses new research on shyness-where it orginates and how it can be overcome. The author pays special attention to the Internet as a means for overcoming shyness
What's in a Face?	127	(2)
Beth Azar
A controversy in psychology exists about the importance of the face as a mirror of a person's emotions. Some argue that the face influences social interactions; Others argue that the face tells others something about another person's overall moods
How to Spot a Liar	129	(3)
James Geary
Humans and animals regularly deceive others. Nature, However, provides clues to help others decipher deceit. In Humans, the face is a particularly revealing feature, so much so that computers are being programmed to detect liars
Revealing Personal Secrets	132	(4)
Anita E. Kelly
When do people reveal their secrets? Why do some secrets remain undisclosed? Anita Kelly reviews research and reveals the answers to these and other questions
Discover the Power of Forgiveness	136	(4)
Ellen Michaud
What if Someone has done something wrong? What if it involved you? According to author Ellen Michaud, You have three options-forgiveness, denial, and anger. Forgiveness is the best in the long run although it might not be easy. When and how to forgive are revealed in this article. There is also a self-test to measure how forgiving you are
Welcome to the Love Lab	140	(5)
John Gottman
Sybil Carrere
Using three dialogues from couples, the authors demonstrate how to detect troubled relationships. Results of actual research are also shared in order to enable the reader to detect problems as well
Prescription for Passion	145	(4)
David M. Buss
Is Jealousy necessary? David Buss answers the question, saying that not only is jealousy a normal part of personality, but it can help ignite passion and therefore hold couples together
Coping With Crowding	149	(7)
Frans B. M. de Waal
Filippo Aureli
Peter G. Judge
Early research with rodents on crowding strongly suggested that crowding leads to high levels of aggression. New research with primates and humans suggests that primates are capable of flexible adjustment to all kinds of environmental conditions, including crowding
UNIT 5 Dynamics of Personal Adjustment: The Individual and Society
Overview	154	(2)
The Teening of Childhood	156	(8)
Kay S. Hymowitz
Today's children are born into a ``kid kulture,'' where they are introduced early to such concepts as teen in-crowds. Barbie, modern television, and advertisements targeted solely to children are modern inventions that encourage our children to grow up too fast
The Betrayal of the American Man	164	(8)
Susan Faludi
After the feminist revolution, American men were left wondering what is the ideal man. Susan Faludi traces the evolving masculine gender role
Where Bias Begins: The Truth About Stereotypes	172	(3)
Annie Murphy Paul
Social psychologists have long pondered the root causes of prejudice. Today they are joined by cognitive psychologists who study automatic though processing. Together, through innovative research, these psychologists are demonstrating that not only might we be unable to control some biases, but we may not even be aware that we have them
The Lure of the Cult	175	(2)
Richard Lacayo
News of Cults and cult suicides has become almost commonplace in the United States, losing its shock value. As the year 2000 approached, it was predicted that more people would turn to cults and the tragedies that they often entail
Work, Work, Work, Work!	177	(4)
Mark Hunter
The biggest part of adult time is spent at work because the lines between our private lives and our working lives are blurring. Survival tips for coping with the increased pressure to work, work, work are part of this informative article
Don't Face Stress Alone	181	(5)
Benedict Carey
Many Americans are Type A and competitive, and they prefer to face stress alone. Research, however, is demonstrating how beneficial social support or talking to others can be in times of distress
UNIT 6 Enhancing Human Adjustment: Learning to Cope Effectively
Overview	184	(2)
What You Can Change & What you Cannot Change	186	(8)
Martin E. P. Seligman
Americans seem to be on constant self-improvement kicks, many of which fail. Martin Seligman explains which attempts to change are a waste of time and which are worthwhile. He discusses diets and psychological disorders in particular
Think Like a Shrink	194	(3)
Emanuel H. Rosen
Most clients go to psychotherapists because they recognize that they have distorted perceptions. Therapists strip away defensiveness. Emanuel Rosen supplies some heuristics or rules or thumb used by psychologist that we, too, can apply to access our own or another's mental health
Bad Choices: Why we Make Them, How to Stop	197	(3)
Mary Ann Chapman
We tend to take the path of least resistance so often that we continue our own destructive behaviors, such as smoking. We can learn to minimize the immediate rewards or to make the long-term negative consequences seem more immediate
Chronic Anxiety: How to Stop Living on the Edge	200	(3)
Harvard Health
Chronic anxiety differs from healthy feelings of nervousness. Anxiety disorders are the most common disorders affecting American and often coexist with depression. How to recognize and treat these disorders is the focus of this article
The Science of Women & Sex	203	(5)
John Leland
After the development of Viagra to treat male sexual dysfunction, scientists are now interested in treating female sexual dysfunction. A variety of potential treatments offer hope as well as problems, among them side effects
Mind Over Medicine	208	(7)
Howard Brody
Can we really heal ourselves? Does believing something alter our health trajectory? Howard Brody examines research on the placebo effect and answers ``yes'' to these and other questions about the mind's power over the body
Glossary	215	(10)
Index	225	(3)
Test your Knowledge Form	228	(1)
Article Rating Form	229