Yesterday is but today's memory,

and tomorrow is today's dream.

--- Khalil Gibran

7.0 - Overview

Learning And Memory

Psychological Words to Live By and Those Who Said them

On the topic of learning, Oscar Wilde (1854--1900), the Gay Anglo-Irish playwright and author, wrote in "The Relation of Dress to Art: A Note in Black and White on Mr. Whistler's Lecture," in Pall Mall Gazette (London, February 28, 1885) the following: "Art is not to be taught in Academies. It is what one looks at, not what one listens to, that makes the artist. The real schools should be the streets." And so too, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807--1882), the famed U.S. poet, wrote in Morituri Salutamus, "The love of learning, the sequestered nooks/And all the sweet serenity of books.

Assignment Overview

The purpose of Homework Assignment #7 is to provide you with an appreciation of the importance of "learning and memory" and also provide you "hands on experience" in learning all about some of the important dynamics of found in the important scientific fields of learning and memory.

Caution - Please keep in mind, that while minimum length is suggested for each task assignment, a length of several times the minimum is generally necessary to obtain good to exceptional grades. Always be sure to weave in solid scholarship, as evidenced from the text and website readings, and be certain to "compare and contrast" what you have learned. This will help to assure me that you in fact are learning each week. Thank you.

7.1 - The Crash Course in Psychology Lecture Series

The CrashCourse educational video series was launched in January, 2012 by Hank and John Green. It was an original series that was part of the YouTube-funded channels. In the beginning Google provided funding. Later "crowdfunding" was used. And more recently CrashCourse announced a partnership with PBS Digital Studios. There are over 40 video segments that address an array of topics and chapters found in most high-end and popular Introduction to Psychology textbooks. You will find a relevant CrashCourse sgement (10 to 15 minutes each) throughout this 15 module Introduction to Psychology course. Enjoy!

Topic #11: How to Train a Brain

I'm sure you've heard of Pavlov's Bell! But what was Ivan Pavlov up to, exactly? And how are our brains trained? And what is a "Skinner Box"? All those questions about "Learning" --- and more --- are answered in today's video lecture.

Topic #12: The Bobo Beatdown

This video lecture examines how we learn by observation. And how that can mean beating the heck out of an inanimate clown named Bobo.

Topic #13: How We Make Memories

Remember that guy from high school --- 20 years ago --- who bullied you. What was his name? ARG!!! It turns out our brains make and recall memories in different ways. In this video lecture episode we explore the ways we do it, what damaging that process can do to us, and that guy with the face and six pack who bullied us all those years ago.

Topic #14: Remembering and Forgetting

In this video lecture, we explore how we remember and how we forget things, why our memories are fallible, and the dangers that can pose in pursuit of fairness and justice.

7.2 - Using The Internet To Conduct Psych Research

False Memory Syndrome

Task: In this exercise you are to show how learning and memory are "used and abused" in such ways as to account for a syndrome known as "False Memory Syndrome." I'll give you a hint. The foremost expert on this subject is Elizabeth Loftus.
Requirements: In a concisely written report, discuss "False Memory Syndrome." In your report consider how "expert testimony" might be effected the same way. While you may use links other than the one provided below, you must cite information primarily from the following link.

False Memory Syndrome Foundation

7.3 - Psychology Based Websites

Using Internet Tools To Learn About Sexuality

Task: For the following psychology oriented Website, report back what you learned from exploring any one of the many categories listed. Explain in tightly worded writing, what you learned and what your reactions were. Each homework assignment you get to choose a different sexuality site to discuss.

Professor's Favorite Section: At the Kinsey Institute's website is a section called FAQs & Sex" Information. Here you will find listed an assortment of topics. Chose one and click on the topic. Basic information is provided as well as an expandable link to further information. During this course, choose a different topics for your module discussions. Enjoy!

Kinsey Institute - Sexuality Link. [Home Page]

7.3a - The Discovering Psychology Film Series

Modules #8 & #9: "Learning" and "Remembering and Forgetting"

Task: After reviewing these film modules, report back what you learned. Explain in a clear, conciise, and tightly worded reaction report.

Overview: The following link is a a video instructional series for teaching Introduction to Psychology for college students. This 26 half-hour video program series covers the major aspects of the typical Introduction to Psychology undergraduate college course.

Highlighting major new developments in the Psychology, this updated edition of Discovering Psychology film series offers college students an overview of historic and current theories of human behavior. Stanford University professor and author Philip Zimbardo narrates as leading researchers, practitioners, and theorists probe the mysteries of the mind and body. Based on extensive investigation and authoritative scholarship, this introductory course in psychology features demonstrations, classic experiments and simulations, current research, documentary footage, and computer animation.

Directions for using the "Discovering Psychology" link.

When you arrive at the website, you will first need to "sign up." Do so, following the directions carefully. Once "enrolled," click on the appropriate program icon [as directed by your professor]. When the "movie cue" pops up, double click on it or click on the start cue arrow. Enjoy the video, take notes, and "learn!"

Click on the links follow (or below). They are Module #8 entitled Learning and Module #9 entitled Remembering and Forgetting. Please note that it may take several seconds to load these"steaming videos," so be patient. You'll get the "hang" of it.

Discovering Psychology Series - Table of Contents

7.4 - Reading Assignment - Chapters 5 & 6

"Learning and Memory"

Textbook: Textbook: Psychology5: Introductory Psychology by Spencer A. Rathus (Cengage Publishers, 2018). ISBN-978-1-305-66267-4. This is the hard copy, which I'd prefer that ALL students secure.

This book may all be purchased at the SRJC campus bookstore AND online. The online link is: http://www.santarosa.edu/bookstore/

Task: Module #7 Textbook Reading Assignment - Chapter 5: "Learning" and Chapter 6 Memory: Remembrance of Things Past --- and Future

7.5 - Head Candy - Online Mental Gymnastics

Psychological Tests, Quizzes, and Self-Help Inventories

Overview: Over the years, I've found that students love taking psychological mental tests, quizzes, and self-help personality inventories, especially those online that provide nearly instant feedback after completing. While few are truly scientifically based "psychological instruments," complete with "reliability and validity" standards, they nonetheless provide us with helpful and often substantial insights into who we are. So with that caveat made, this section is devoted to mental tests, or head games, if you will. Sometimes it will just be a reading

Task: "Are you a real woman or man? Take down your pants and look!" Well that's how the developer of this Website begins. In this gender purity test, we find out--at least we gather some insights. The truth is the question about being a real man or woman is not really the question most of us want answered. The real questions many of us have in mind are (a) "What's normal?" (b) "What's average?" (c) "What behaviors are caused by our crazy society?" (d) "What is inherent vs. what is learned?" (e) Are my behaviors, tendencies, and inclinations normal, ok, and right for my typical gender? The quiz questions and supporting answer and discussion are based on the book Be Your Own Therapist - Whoever You Hire Is Just Your Assistant by Thayer White. In fact the entire book is online at this Website, should you be interested. This is good, since the book is now out of print.

According to White, the most important feature learned from this quiz, and others like it, is a decision to move towards more healthy ideas and choices. "Most of us cling to invalid socially correct ideas just because our friends, neighbors, and relatives have these same ideas. These ideas are causing distress for ourselves, for our culture, and for much of the world too," further says White.

There is a quick substitution here. You can ignore the above. The quiz links have been removed, are down, or broken. In place I have added two links for reading and written reaction to. They will do until I can prepare a new section here.

19 Things A Real Man Does When He Is In A Real Relationship

What Do Women Mean When They Say They Want A Real Man?

For purposes of disability and accessibility the following link is optional.

7.6 - "PsychAide" Readings & Activities

Learning Through "Hands-On" Doing

The "PsychAide" is organized by weekly modules, beginning with "Week 1."

The PsychAide workbook is loaded with readings, exercises, and acitivities that will enhance your learning of psychology.

It is important to remember that certain assignments will be required from the PsychAide, therefore, always review each week's PsychAide module(s) carefully.

Task: Review PsychAide Module #7 - Learning & Module #8 - Memory

7.7 - Course Discussion Board

Module #7 - Thought Provoking Question (TPQ) or Article

Overview: The purpose of a course discussion board is to allow students and professor an opportunity to interact about topics of common interest. A discussion board is also a fine tool to share commonly asked questions, answers, and concerns.

You are urged to use the discussion board, when you have questions that you think others may wish to know; when you have technical questions or answers that others may wish to know, and to share other useful tidbits with each other. I want each of you to become familiar with the message board system.

Once you have composed your thoughts and written them down in a word application program [i.e., Microsoft word] --- with grammar and spell check---you follow through with posting (copy and pasting) them. Remember, to be sure you also post your comments in the appropriate place in the task boxes that links later in this assignment. You only do this if you are also submitting this ENTIRE assignment as one of your required four online assignments for this course.

Task: In each class module, there will be one thought-provoking course related question or article for which discussion is expected from students. While not always directly related to assigned readings, they have important course-wide implications. You are expected to respond to each TPQ by the end of each class module's deadline Be sure to place the question/article module number (#) in the "subject line" so your classmates will know which module topic you are addressing.

Since there is only one "thought-provoking question or article " (TPQ) due per module during the regular semester, a minimum response of 250 to 500 words is required for each message board TPQ posting. Also, students need to post a TPQ for EACH of the 15 online assignments.

This Assignment's Thought Provoking Question (TPQ) or Article

The following link is a graded assignment for the TPQ. (1) Click on the link below, (2) read the TPQ or article, and then (3) respond in the student posting area provided at the end of the article.

Thought Provoking Question #7 - Memory Enhancement

7.8 - Assignment #7 Responses

Composing Your Responses To Module #7 (Helpful Directions)

Overview - For each course module there is a major homework assignment that must be completed; usually weekly. Each of these module homework assignments has several tasks. Some entail reading, some include exploring and reviewing websites, reviewing lecture videos, and still others involve written tasks --- work that must be submitted for review and/or grading.

Responses to weekly modules (and the "tasks" within) must be submitted on time or you will either fail the assignment or be severely penalized. Late homework assignments are perceived as both a student who is "absent from class" and "late with work." Please always maintain a backup copy of all your written work. Glitches occur in online technology-based education, but ultimately it is your responsibility to maintain adequate backup of all work submitted. You are also encouraged to compose your work within a word-processing application and then "copy and paste" into the "Blue Book" section at the end of each module. This is so you may avail yourself of spell and grammar check options provided in most modern word processing software.

Please be aware that all submissions are automatically received in the course "grades" section where they will be evaluated by your professor for acceptance, grading, rejection, or acceptance with penalty. So make sure your work is received promptly. Much the same way that attendance is determined by you presence in the traditional classroom at the regularly scheduled class time, so too is attendance determined by your prompt submission of assignments while enrolled in an online course. Furthermore, arriving to class without homework or with incomplete homework is also perceived in the same manner with an online course. Accordingly, you are encouraged to submit you weekly work prior to deadlines, to avoid computer glitches, "downtime," and other "technological spills and inconveniences."

Directions - Each numbered module task should be addressed in the "Blue Book" (response) section of each module.

Be sure to follow directions carefully and precisely when completing each task. "A word to the wise!" Minimal work receives a minimal grade. For example, if a task asks that you provide a written paragraph or two, and you provide just that, then you have provided only minimal work. Simply said, minimal work is "C" work. Well thought out writing that exceeds both excellence and minimal length (word count) and quality requirements is, generally speaking, graded higher and indicative of a "good and solidly motivated student." However length in of itself does not assure quality either, so learn to strike a balance. Good luck!

Particulars - Remember this assignment is due by a certain date or will be penalized. Overly late assignments may NOT be accepted at all. The discretion of the professor rules in all such matters. Was your assignment "Online and Ontime?" Before beginning each weekly module assignment be sure you understand the word count and quality requirements --- 500 to 750 words --- depending on grade desired. See Grading Policy in Course Basics at the Course Syllabus for further information on modules.

ALL students are responsible for completing ALL 15 modules and having a moderate understanding of each. Don't cheat yourself out of a good education.

Module Assignment #7 - Graded Responses Go Here!

Assignment Feedback Form - Hybrid Psych 1A (Module #7)

Dr. J. Davis Mannino - Revised Fall, 2018 (8/24/18)