discussion and essay

Discussions are fundamental to shared learning, so please be sure to participate early and often! Studying psychological theory from a historical perspective is a very important part of your educational and career path.

As you move through each unit in this course, you will be reading about different theories and who developed them. Each week, you will be asked to apply one of the major theories to a case example which you will create.

The application of the theory to the case will highlight how a theory that may have been developed over a century ago ties to real life examples in the field of psychology today. As you move further into your career, you will often see these ties in your daily work. The Discussion topics are an excellent preparation for your learning to take theory and put it into practice.

After you have completed the Reading, and without reviewing your classmates’ responses, post your initial response to the following Discussion. Your post should be at least 150 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources.

After you have submitted your initial post, take time to review your classmates’ responses and to respond specifically and substantially to at least two of them.

Discussion Topic

Explain a cognitive psychologist’s view through a case example you create. Include age, sex, and three symptoms for your case. Explain how that case would be viewed though a cognitive psychology lens.

POST TO RESPOND

1.

Jennifer Davis posted Aug 11, 2020 12:27 AM

Jessica is a 16-year-old girl in high school who is constantly feeling very anxious throughout her day. Jessica is also feeling extremely uneasy and has been having recurring pain attacks. Jessica used to take care of her grandmother when she was sick- before she passed away. Jessica held her grandmother’s hand until she passed away. Jessica’s grandmother passing away cause Jessica to experience something so traumatic at a young age. Since the passing of her grandmother- she feels like she has not been the same or feeling like herself.

If this case was viewed in a cognitive psychologist aspect- I think the first thing to consider is Jessica’s mind. For example, how she is processing the death of her grandmother and how the mind is organizing the traumatic experience she is dealing with. there are several questions that could be asked, for example, what are her thoughts and what is she thinking about when she is feeling anxious or uneasy. I believe a cognitive psychologist would be more concerned with how Jessica is feeling since she is currently having recurring panic attacks and her location when she is having panic attacks. I think the cognitive psychologist would suggest doing an introspection.

Schultz, D.P.S.S. E. (2015). A History of Modern Psychology. [Purdue University Global Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781285228402/

2.

Terri Mason posted Aug 10, 2020 6:44 PM

Henry is a 21 year old college student involved in a car accident.  He fell asleep at the wheel one night driving home for the weekend and hit a guard rail on the interstate.  He wasn't wearing a seatbelt so his head hit the windshield.  He has been suffering from memory loss, occular migraines and difficulty concentrating.  Fortunately, he is still able to function and continue with his courses in school.

Henry was ordered an fMRI for brain function.  Images showed damage to the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision-making, short-term memory and speech.  Images also showed some activity in the occipital lobe which functions sight.  Apparently, Henry hit the back of his head from the impact.  

Cognitive neuroscientists would work with other practitioners to locate damage and study brain regions.  Some cognitive psychologists might work with Henry on unconscious cognition suggesting that the unconscious mind may control thoughts and actions more than the conscious mind.  They would work with him on recognizing thought patterns and recognizing emotions.