Wednesday, September 27, 2017

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY FOR PSY Psy 101H, 215, 201

SCCC SPONSORS AN ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY. BELOW IS THE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY. STUDENTS WHOM WANT TO SUBSTITUTE THE FOLLOWING FOR ONE OF THE EXTRA CREDITS CAN:

1) Attend one of the workshops
  •       Psy 201 students- Must attend the either addiction workshop
2) Complete a 1-2 page summary of it, including what you specifically learned from your experience at Mental Health Awareness Day


Psy 101H students: You can complete the assignment and receive up to 5 points extra credit on your Midterm Exam.
 
Due dates for the assignment will be whatever the Due Date for the first Extra Credit is on the Syllabus and October 11th for Psy 101H students.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
 
 
 
 
12th Annual Mental Health Awareness Day will be held on:

           

Wednesday, October 4th

9:30 AM -1:30 PM 

Babylon Student Center

Workshops will run at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM

  

We will again be focusing not only on raising awareness about mental health issues, but also the importance of maintaining mental and emotional wellness.

 

The topics for this year’s workshops will include:

  • Staying Safe-Enough is Enough, Maria Heaney, The Suffolk County Crime Victims Center
  • It’s Real: College Students & Mental Health, Ann Morrison-Pacella, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • The Biology of Addiction, Professor Michael Mangino, SCCC Nursing Program
  • What’s Eating You?: The Relationship Between Nutrition and Wellness, Joanne Lauro, Community Growth Center
  • Dying To Get High: The Heroin Epidemic in Suffolk County, William Weick, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department

(Co-sponsored by CSJHU, In Our Backyard Series Workshop)

  • Is Being Plugged in Bringing You Down: The Effect of the Digital Age on Mental Health, Representative from LICADD
  • Mindfulness for Stress and Anxiety, Lori McAndrew and Jovanna Maloney, SCCC Counseling Center

 

The following mental health agencies will also be present to provide information and resources:

  • Response Hotline (Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention)
  • Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD)
  • Community Growth Center (Providing Free of Charge Mental Health, Nutrition and Spirituality Services)
  • Mather Hospital Eating Disorder Program
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS)
  • The Crime Victims Center (CVC)
  • SCCC CARES
  • Joseph P Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

PSY 201-BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, THURSDAYS AT 3:00PM

This Thursday, September 28th, I will need to leave class a bit early so class will run from 3:00pm-4:15pm with no break.

If you have any questions, please let me know.


Man is brought out of a Vegetative State

Each day, scientists get closer to understanding different conditions and to developing more effective treatments for them. One of the most tragic conditions is a coma or vegetative state. The following article talks about a case study of a person whom after treatment, was brought to a higher level of consciousness:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/09/vegetative-state-vagus-nerve-stimulation-health-science/

HONORS EVENTS

The honors program at SCCC is sponsoring a number of events to support SCCC honors students. Here is the calendar outlining these vents and all honors students are encouraged to take full advantage of the support!

Monday, October 30th, 11:00 – 12:15, Montauk Room, Student Center, Semester Honors Advisement and Information Luncheon.  This is an Honors tradition going back 35 years.  The luncheon will prepare you for registration, update you on new classes, and introduce you to Honors faculty.  All Honors students are required to attend this event.

 

Friday, November 17th,  Annual Honors Program Dress for Success Bus trip to Brooks Brothers Manhattan Flagship Store.  A fun day trip, where you’ll learn the art of smart business fashion from Brooks Brother staff, as well as have time for a tour of midtown Manhattan.  Space is limited.  Signup sheets will be available in early November. Host; Honors Program Professor of Business Andrew Monahan et al.

 

Thursday, November 29th, 11:00 – 12:15, Southampton 22, come meet Honors Program Professor of History David Hannigan as he reads from and discusses his latest book, Boy Wonder: Notes From the Sidelines of an Irish Childhood.  Take time to enjoy a pleasant hour as Professor Hannigan reflects upon and discusses an Irish world that is no more.

 

Monday, December 4th, 11:00 – 12:15, Southampton (TBA), Understanding the Common Application.  In this session, Honors Program Professor of Counseling Matthew Zisel will help you understand the intricacies of filling out a successful common application.

 

Wednesday, December 6th, 11:00 – 12:15, Southampton (TBA), How to Gain Admission to the College of Your Dreams and Writing a Winning Transfer Essay.  Honors Program Professors Albin Cofone and Denise Haggerty will provide you with the knowledge you need to help secure admission to the best schools in the country.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

VIDEOGAME/TECHNOLOGY SURVEY

In Psy 101, we have been talking about different methods utilized by Psychologists for collecting data. In addition, as part of the first writing assignment, students had to write an essay on their opinion about whether or not videogames/technology has a positive/negative impact on society. As part of this process, I summarized the data from these assignments and came out with the following results:

TOTAL for POSITIVE IMPACT: 13

TOTAL for NEGATIVE IMPACT: 19

TOTAL for CAN BE BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE: 7

It serves as a good example of how survey methods can be utilized to collect data on complex questions as part of the research process.

Monday, September 18, 2017

An example of Industrial/organizational Psychology

In Psychology 101, we discussed the various subdivisions of Psychology. One of these was Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Industrial-organizational psychologists use psychological principles and research methods to solve problems in the workplace and improve the quality of life. They study workplace productivity and management and employee working styles. They get a feel for the morale and personality of a company or organization. And they collaborate with management to help plan policies, carry out screenings and training sessions, and develop a plan for the future.
On the job, industrial-organizational psychologists:
  • Apply psychological research to the workplace
  • Work within human resources offices
  • Help businesses hire more qualified employees
  • Help train and motivate workforce
  • Assess job performance
  • Increase business efficiency
  • Improve organizational structure
  • Improve quality of life for employers and employees
  • Ease transitions such as corporate mergers
  • Study consumer behavior
  • Work as a consultant
An example of such work is to assist businesses in understanding consumer behavior. The following link provides some insight into how understanding of behavioral principles is applied by casinos to maximize profits...


http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/secrets-casinos-don%e2%80%99t-want-you-to-know/ss-BBAjMHJ?li=BBnbfcL

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

NATURAL DISASTERS AND MENTAL HEALTH

As areas of our country begin the process of re-building from the two most recent hurricanes, it is an opportune time to reflect on what we have learned about how these events impact their survivors emotionally and psychologically. A natural reaction to going through a trauma is such feelings as anxiety and depression, so it is important to note that the presence of these emotions does not mean that the person is experiencing a psychological disorder. There are a multitude of factors which can influence whether or not these normal reactions evolve into a condition which may need the focus of clinical attention by a professional. The following link provides an excellent summary of some of the research available on this issue:

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/effects-disasters-mental-health.asp

Monday, September 11, 2017

PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR?

Many SCCC students are still in the process of trying to decide their major. Over the next week, in many of our classes, we will be touching on the individuals whom work in the field of Psychology, for example, a Clinical psychologist or Neuroscientist. Students often have questions about majoring in the area of Psychology. The following link is a an excellent resource for a number of different topics. if you are interested in learning more about being a Psych major, listen to the Psychology Major, Fact Or Fiction one.

http://www.cengage.com/learn/neurotransmission?channel=Eloqua&elq_mid=20456&elq_cid=4173020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eloqua&utm_campaign=FA17_1_PsychNeuroDomjan_HED_361934

Thursday, September 7, 2017

KEYS TO A GOOD SEMESTER

As the semester begins, it is good to review some of the basics of being a good student and getting the most out of your educational experiences. The following article is an excellent guideline for making the best of the current semester:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/advice-for-students-11-ways-to-make-this-your-best-semester-yet.html

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

WRITING CENTER

In each class, there is a paper due. Many people feel they would benefit from support in completing this very important assignment. SCCC has a writing center which can provide this much needed assistance. This semester, the Writing Center has new hours:


NEW Writing Center hours for Fall 2017:

Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Now closed Fridays

For more information regarding the center, feel free to visit the website:

http://libguides.sunysuffolk.edu/ammerman_writing_center

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

WELCOME STUDENTS OF THE FALL 2017 SEMESTER

I am hoping we have a stimulating and enjoyable semester as you experience the world of Psychology. My goal is to offer students who are willing to work hard an opportunity to be immersed in the world of Psychology, explore topics of interest in more detail, and earn a good grade in the course.  On that note, I would like to share a few ideas of things to focus on to both enhance your course experience and give yourself a chance to obtain the best grade possible:


Homework: It will be important to consistently complete your standing homework assignments. If you do, they will provide you valuable context and reinforcement of class lectures. Your standing homework assignments are:


 1. Keep up with the reading: It is a general assumption you will be doing a reading to accompany the class lectures. This will help enhance your understanding of the material and give you a deeper knowledge of the subject matter


 2. Watch the assignment videos: The videos associated with the lectures were designed to provide you more details about different topics as well as reinforce material covered in class. Watching them is an excellent way to enhance your understanding and assist with the process of committing the material to memory for test preparation.


3. Assignment Due Dates: Make sure you are aware of the due dates and requirements for all writing assignments and follow them!!!

 4. Stay in touch: Many issues can be resolved earlier in the semester and can make the rest of the semester go much smoother. Make sure you are familiar enough with course expectations to ask the questions early in the semester. Feel free to ask during class time so everyone can get the benefit of the information

5.Check the blog on a regular basis for updates on the class, additional reading assignments, and extra credit opportunities.  

6. Class Participation: 
Please feel free to share thoughts, ideas, and questions during class. I find class discussion an integral part  of a stimulating learning experience and hope you will be an active participant in the class. 


If you find any websites or resources that are helpful to you in the course please share them with me as my website is a dynamic site and I am always looking for resources that will be useful to students

       YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT is to familiarize yourself with the website which will be an invaluable resource throughout the semester!