I've decided that people named Dan are automatically geniuses. So far, my list:
Dan Reisberg
Dan Kahneman
Dan Gilbert
Update: I've found even more!!!
Dan Wegner
Dan Schachter
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Girls' Night In
Should be fun. If I get my paper done ever. I can't seem to get myself to concentrate. I probably need to study more for my behavioral neuroscience exam tomorrow anyway. First things first, as they say.
Also, I would REALLY REALLY like some Swiss chocolate right now. Hormooooones.
Also, I would REALLY REALLY like some Swiss chocolate right now. Hormooooones.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Perception
Recently, due to my enrollment in an Interpersonal Perception course, I've been thinking a lot about our perceptions of others (and, of course, their perceptions of us) and how these perceptions are formed and mediated by our interactions. Of course, perception is a subject I would never venture to cover in one blog post, but I want to briefly address it.
One thing that particularly stands out to me is our tendency to seek hypothesis-confirming evidence. We do this with everything, really, but it's particularly salient in interpersonal contexts where we hold a certain expectancy of a person and, lo and behold, find that expectancy to be true. Others' actions turn out to appear consistent with our expectancies for a few reasons- instances that fit our hypotheses stand out and are better remembered than those that don't, and we also subconsciously elicit the reactions that we expect. For example, if we expect a person to be act in a certain way (even if this expectation is subconscious), we will treat them in a way that elicits the expected behavior. If the behavior is ambiguous, we'll interpret it in the way we choose. This is really disturbing if you think about how often this happens every day, and I'm seeing it increasingly in my interactions with friends. I'm trying to be more aware so that I don't do this so much, but I know it will happen inevitably. Hopefully, not so much.
One thing that particularly stands out to me is our tendency to seek hypothesis-confirming evidence. We do this with everything, really, but it's particularly salient in interpersonal contexts where we hold a certain expectancy of a person and, lo and behold, find that expectancy to be true. Others' actions turn out to appear consistent with our expectancies for a few reasons- instances that fit our hypotheses stand out and are better remembered than those that don't, and we also subconsciously elicit the reactions that we expect. For example, if we expect a person to be act in a certain way (even if this expectation is subconscious), we will treat them in a way that elicits the expected behavior. If the behavior is ambiguous, we'll interpret it in the way we choose. This is really disturbing if you think about how often this happens every day, and I'm seeing it increasingly in my interactions with friends. I'm trying to be more aware so that I don't do this so much, but I know it will happen inevitably. Hopefully, not so much.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Working, waiting, bjorking
That pretty much explains it.
Hey, if you're bored, you can always stop by and say hi to me while I'm working in the psych building. On Wednesdays, I work alone, so you can even sit and chat in my clean, spacious, air-conditioned office. You know you want to.
My hours:
M/W 3-5
T/Th 10:30-12:30
Hey, if you're bored, you can always stop by and say hi to me while I'm working in the psych building. On Wednesdays, I work alone, so you can even sit and chat in my clean, spacious, air-conditioned office. You know you want to.
My hours:
M/W 3-5
T/Th 10:30-12:30
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Visits
I've been bugging my G-ma to visit me at Reed ever since she left the first time, freshman year. We had the greatest time and all my friends fell in love with her. There will always be only one g-ma. And no one could work the name quite like she can. So, she's finally booked another trip to see me, November 14-17th. I'm ridiculously excited because she has so many awesome new people to meet (you know who you are) and, of course, she needs to spend more time with the rest. I can't wait to go on adventures with her. I hope to be (with a few exceptions) just like her when I'm old and have grandkids.
My sister Ava is also coming back to visit, only much sooner. She'll be here for part of my Fall Break, October 13-16th. Her birthday is the 15th, so we've got to do something really special. I don't have many ideas yet, but I should work on that soon. She'll be here in just less than three weeks!
Another exciting development is the organization of best friends driving up to Portland with me in the middle of Winter Break. We'll leave a little after X-mas and drive up here together (Birte and Molly and I) to hang out in Portland. I only hope that a lot of my favorite Reedies will be here to meet them and party together.
REEDIES...COME BACK EARLY FOR WINTER BREAK! Please. It will be fun, I promise.
My sister Ava is also coming back to visit, only much sooner. She'll be here for part of my Fall Break, October 13-16th. Her birthday is the 15th, so we've got to do something really special. I don't have many ideas yet, but I should work on that soon. She'll be here in just less than three weeks!
Another exciting development is the organization of best friends driving up to Portland with me in the middle of Winter Break. We'll leave a little after X-mas and drive up here together (Birte and Molly and I) to hang out in Portland. I only hope that a lot of my favorite Reedies will be here to meet them and party together.
REEDIES...COME BACK EARLY FOR WINTER BREAK! Please. It will be fun, I promise.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Intelligence/depression Update
So, it seems that the supposed link between higher intelligence and depression, though intuitively correct, doesn't seem to be supported by the evidence. In fact, the only relation seems to be going in the opposite direction. Apparently, intelligence is always good, even if it paints a more realistic (and therefore bleaker) view of the world.
Some quotes from the abstracts:
"Theorists have speculated that intelligence is positively associated with the capacity to benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapies. This notion was evaluated by relating pretreatment measures of fluid and crystallized intelligence (the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-Clarke for vocabulary and the Shipley Institute of Living Scale for Measuring Intellectual Impairment) to self-reported symptom reduction in a naturalistic study of cognitive therapy for 106 outpatients with principal diagnoses of major depression, dysthymia, or generalized anxiety disorder. Intelligence measures did not significantly predict outcome, and nonsignificant relationships were in the opposite direction from the theoretical prediction."
"IQ does not relate significantly to depressive symptoms."
"For children of mothers with no or less chronic depression, higher IQ was associated with a lower likelihood of depression; in contrast, for children of mothers with a history of more chronic depression, higher levels of IQ were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of depression."
Interesting, no?
Some quotes from the abstracts:
"Theorists have speculated that intelligence is positively associated with the capacity to benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapies. This notion was evaluated by relating pretreatment measures of fluid and crystallized intelligence (the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-Clarke for vocabulary and the Shipley Institute of Living Scale for Measuring Intellectual Impairment) to self-reported symptom reduction in a naturalistic study of cognitive therapy for 106 outpatients with principal diagnoses of major depression, dysthymia, or generalized anxiety disorder. Intelligence measures did not significantly predict outcome, and nonsignificant relationships were in the opposite direction from the theoretical prediction."
"IQ does not relate significantly to depressive symptoms."
"For children of mothers with no or less chronic depression, higher IQ was associated with a lower likelihood of depression; in contrast, for children of mothers with a history of more chronic depression, higher levels of IQ were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of depression."
Interesting, no?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Intelligence and Depression
Recently, I've been interested in the relationship (if any) between intelligence and depression. I won't say why, exactly, but let's just say that the emotions of a loved and highly valued (and extremely intelligent) friend have been taken into account and I must do some research to see if a theory persists.
Some things I've taken from wikipedia's article on intellectual giftedness:
Gifted adults are seldom recognized as a special population, but they still have unique psychological, social, and emotional needs related to their high intelligence.
It has been thought in the past that there is a correlation between giftedness and depression or suicide. This has not been proven. As Reis and Renzulli mention, "With the exception of creatively gifted adolescents who are talented in writing or the visual arts, studies do not confirm that gifted individuals manifest significantly higher or lower rates or severity of depression than those for the general population...Gifted children's advanced cognitive abilities, social isolation, sensitivity, and uneven development may cause them to face some challenging social and emotional issues, but their problem-solving abilities, advanced social skills, moral reasoning, out-of-school interests, and satisfaction in achievement may help them to be more resilient."[11] Also, no research points to suicide rates being higher in gifted adolescents than other adolescents.[13] However, a number of people have noted a higher incidence of existential depression, which is depression due to highly abstract concerns such as the finality of death, the ultimate unimportance of individual people, and the meaning (or lack thereof) of life. Gifted individuals are also more likely to feel existential anxiety. [14]
However, numerous studies have shown that depression impairs intelligence because it leads to less neurogenesis in the hippocampus. [15] [16] [17] [18]
Another article online: "There seems to be a widespread belief that depressed persons are weak and ineffective. Actually, it appears that the more intelligent you are, the more you tend to create complex, negative scenarios in your mind. This can ultimately trigger what seems to be a kind of instinctive 'submission response' in the brain. We feel under attack, and are told by our brain to submit to the negative thoughts. It's actually a survival mechanism. But we interpret this as depression."
A "study" on the subject supporting the positive relationship: http://www.ucsc.edu/oncampus/currents/98-99/11-16/depression.htm
From what I've gathered from these informal sources, the answer to being depressed (or simply unhappy) is not thinking about it. Don't be realistic. Don't analyze, just do.
Then again, spending the last couple of hours (I exaggerate) scrolling through average people aka ignoramuses talking about depression and intelligence in online forums has made me a bit depressed myself. One of the reasons I love Reed so much is that it protects me from the idiocy of the world. I sometimes forget that Reedies are not typical problem-solvers or your average thinkers. And that, my dears, is a frightening thought.
Alright, all of this has been great, but I need to read some actual empirical studies that will reveal much much more about the subject. I've got 71 waiting for me on PsycINFO and I definitely won't get to all of them right now at 12am but I'll be sure to update the masses when I reach my conclusion.
Some things I've taken from wikipedia's article on intellectual giftedness:
Gifted adults are seldom recognized as a special population, but they still have unique psychological, social, and emotional needs related to their high intelligence.
It has been thought in the past that there is a correlation between giftedness and depression or suicide. This has not been proven. As Reis and Renzulli mention, "With the exception of creatively gifted adolescents who are talented in writing or the visual arts, studies do not confirm that gifted individuals manifest significantly higher or lower rates or severity of depression than those for the general population...Gifted children's advanced cognitive abilities, social isolation, sensitivity, and uneven development may cause them to face some challenging social and emotional issues, but their problem-solving abilities, advanced social skills, moral reasoning, out-of-school interests, and satisfaction in achievement may help them to be more resilient."[11] Also, no research points to suicide rates being higher in gifted adolescents than other adolescents.[13] However, a number of people have noted a higher incidence of existential depression, which is depression due to highly abstract concerns such as the finality of death, the ultimate unimportance of individual people, and the meaning (or lack thereof) of life. Gifted individuals are also more likely to feel existential anxiety. [14]
However, numerous studies have shown that depression impairs intelligence because it leads to less neurogenesis in the hippocampus. [15] [16] [17] [18]
Another article online: "There seems to be a widespread belief that depressed persons are weak and ineffective. Actually, it appears that the more intelligent you are, the more you tend to create complex, negative scenarios in your mind. This can ultimately trigger what seems to be a kind of instinctive 'submission response' in the brain. We feel under attack, and are told by our brain to submit to the negative thoughts. It's actually a survival mechanism. But we interpret this as depression."
A "study" on the subject supporting the positive relationship: http://www.ucsc.edu/oncampus/currents/98-99/11-16/depression.htm
From what I've gathered from these informal sources, the answer to being depressed (or simply unhappy) is not thinking about it. Don't be realistic. Don't analyze, just do.
Then again, spending the last couple of hours (I exaggerate) scrolling through average people aka ignoramuses talking about depression and intelligence in online forums has made me a bit depressed myself. One of the reasons I love Reed so much is that it protects me from the idiocy of the world. I sometimes forget that Reedies are not typical problem-solvers or your average thinkers. And that, my dears, is a frightening thought.
Alright, all of this has been great, but I need to read some actual empirical studies that will reveal much much more about the subject. I've got 71 waiting for me on PsycINFO and I definitely won't get to all of them right now at 12am but I'll be sure to update the masses when I reach my conclusion.
Bleed Like Me
This song has always made me cry. I can't believe it used to be played so much on the radio. Clearly, no one listens to the lyrics of anything these days. Anyway, Shirley Manson is a god.
Bleed Like Me by Garbage
Avalanche is sullen and too thin
She starves herself to rid herself of sin
And the kick is so divine when she sees bones beneath her skin
And she says:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Chris is all dressed up and acting coy
Painted like a brand new Christmas toy
He's trying to figure out if he's a girl or he's a boy
He says:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Doodle takes Dad's scissors to her skin
And when she does relief comes setting in
While she hides the scars she's making underneath her pretty clothes
She sings:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Therapy is Speedie's brand new drug
Dancing with the devil's past has never been too fun
It's better off than trying to take a bullet from a gun
And she cries:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
JT gets all fucked up in some karaoke bar
After two drinks he's a loser after three drinks he's a star
Getting all nostalgic as he sings "I Will Survive"
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
Oh, c'mon baby can you bleed like me
You should see my scars (x4)
And try to comprehend that which you'll never comprehend (etc)
Bleed Like Me by Garbage
Avalanche is sullen and too thin
She starves herself to rid herself of sin
And the kick is so divine when she sees bones beneath her skin
And she says:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Chris is all dressed up and acting coy
Painted like a brand new Christmas toy
He's trying to figure out if he's a girl or he's a boy
He says:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Doodle takes Dad's scissors to her skin
And when she does relief comes setting in
While she hides the scars she's making underneath her pretty clothes
She sings:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Therapy is Speedie's brand new drug
Dancing with the devil's past has never been too fun
It's better off than trying to take a bullet from a gun
And she cries:
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
JT gets all fucked up in some karaoke bar
After two drinks he's a loser after three drinks he's a star
Getting all nostalgic as he sings "I Will Survive"
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
C'mon baby can you bleed like me
Hey baby can you bleed like me?
Oh, c'mon baby can you bleed like me
You should see my scars (x4)
And try to comprehend that which you'll never comprehend (etc)
Time-Based Art
Portland's TBA Festival has got me intrigued.
If anyone's interested in seeing anything (besides the pretty cool Edifice Complex in Reed's lawn), let me know and we'll find a way to make it work.
Shit, I just realized that it's over. It ended yesterday. Damn. Oh well, I still need to check out whatever's in the Cooley Gallery.
9/23/07 UPDATE:
Someone (RKSK?) vandalized the Edifice Complex. With Sharpie. Fucking lame, Reed, fucking lame. I'd love to see someone's artistic statement, but have some respect. And grow up, you immature bastards.
If anyone's interested in seeing anything (besides the pretty cool Edifice Complex in Reed's lawn), let me know and we'll find a way to make it work.
Shit, I just realized that it's over. It ended yesterday. Damn. Oh well, I still need to check out whatever's in the Cooley Gallery.
9/23/07 UPDATE:
Someone (RKSK?) vandalized the Edifice Complex. With Sharpie. Fucking lame, Reed, fucking lame. I'd love to see someone's artistic statement, but have some respect. And grow up, you immature bastards.
Epiphany!
So, I've decided that the answer to all my problems will be the acquisition of a member of the opposite sex.
It's been awhile, to say the least. Learning how to flirt (translate: throw myself at unsuspecting horny boys) again may prove harder than I remember. But, hey, I can do anything.
Today I took step 1 toward this goal, which means that I'm one whole step closer. Excitement!
It's been awhile, to say the least. Learning how to flirt (translate: throw myself at unsuspecting horny boys) again may prove harder than I remember. But, hey, I can do anything.
Today I took step 1 toward this goal, which means that I'm one whole step closer. Excitement!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Livejournal
Just got one. Don't know how I feel about it yet.
Username: alinerbeaner
Original, I know.
P.S.
Sea monsters.
Cool.
Username: alinerbeaner
Original, I know.
P.S.
Sea monsters.
Cool.
So my mood swings are a little ridick. But I don't completely blame myself. I need to not stay in my apartment all day and work nonstop on Sundays. Plan ahead Aline, plan ahead. This is mega-unhealthy. And depressing. I need human faces. And it would be nice if a certain someone didn't plan on having dinner with me and then not even call to cancel. No, just go ahead and let me make an entire Indian food dinner and eat it alone. Totally fine.
Me?
I've been told that I'm intimidating. I think I'm just shy and antisocial and misanthropic. Not a princess.
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