Why truth has become so tenuous.....

In Psy 101 we have been talking about the view of cognitive psychologists in terms of different errors we make in terms of information processing, The following article offers a fascinating look at how the internet has contributed to our tendency to process information inaccurately....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/nothing-on-this-page-is-real-how-lies-become-truth-in-online-america/2018/11/17/edd44cc8-e85a-11e8-bbdb-72fdbf9d4fed_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bc4352fe2bf7

SOME HOPE IN THE BATTLE WITH ADDICTION

As we have (and will be) discussing in class, a major issue in our society is that of addiction. Of particular concern, is what has been termed "The Opioid Epidemic". The following article talks about some positive progress being made as our country more directly confronts this growing concern.......

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/25/health/opioid-overdose-deaths-dayton.html


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PSY 201 AND 215 UPDATES

The following are updates of the syllabus for the end of the year in terms of topics we will be covering.

Psychology 215, 215H (Abnormal Psychology):

• ·         Quiz #3-Personality Disorders- will be last Quiz- Quiz Average will be 3 Quiz Grades averaged together.
• ·         We will definitely cover Substance Related and Addictive disorders
• ·         If time permits, we will cover the Sexual Disorder part of Sexual Disorders (Paraphilias) and Gender Dysphoria

·         Final will include everything we have covered since the mid-term- These three topics

Psychology 201(brain and Behavior)

• ·         Quiz #3-Neuroanatomy- will be last Quiz- Quiz Average will be 3 Quiz Grades averaged together.
• ·         We will definitely cover Neuroplasticity
• ·         If time permits, we will cover Human memory

·         Final will include everything we have covered since the mid-term- These three topics

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

PSYCHOLOGY CLUB EVENTS

The psychology club will be holding several events over the next few weeks that some of your students may want to attend. I will be passing around a sign-in sheet at each event:

•             11/28 – Psychology career panel 11am room 228:

o             Speakers will discuss career opportunities in psychology.  Specifically forensics, clinical, and educational/ABA work will be discussed.  Light refreshments will be served.

•             11/29 – Psychology movie night #1 – The Machinist – 6pm – Islip Arts 115

o             Movie will start by approximately 6:15 and the event will conclude by 9pm.  Pizza and soda will be severed. 

•             12/13 - – Psychology movie night #2 – Good Will Hunting – 6pm – Islip Arts 115

o             Movie will start by approximately 6:15 and the event will conclude by 9pm.  Pizza and soda will be severed. 

Note that neither movie would not be appropriate for young children.  I mention this because last year we showed Pixar's Inside Out and several of my students brought their children or siblings. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and Holiday season.

The following are some suggestions from the American Psychological Association (APA) to make the most of the holiday season.....

https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/holiday-season.aspx

IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON RELATIONSHIPS

In class we have been discussing the impact of technology on relationships. The following article talks about a graduate student's ideas on this topic developed while they were completing their dissertation.......

https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/technology-can-have-positive-and-negative-impact-on-social-interactions

APA FORMAT VIDEO

It was brought to my attention that the APA format video on the website is not working (thank you!!). The following video will be its' replacement....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODakMMqvIs

Sports and Concussions

There has been a lot of focus on the long-term impact of concussions on athletes. A great deal of it has been on the issue of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (C.T.E), the accumulated impact of multiple concussions. A recent study was published looking at the impact of sub-concussive events on high school athletes, which is frightening in many ways while beginning to assist in the understanding some of the possible long-term mechanisms of C.T.E. The following article summarizes the main finding of some of these studies....

https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/lacrosse/nyit-lacrosse-concussion-study-1.23134220

NOVEMBER 20TH CLASS CANCELLATION-MAKEUP WORK AND NEW DUE DATES FOR PAPER

As I mentioned in a previous post, all of my classes will be cancelled on Tuesday, November 20th.

For any classes that have their due date on this date, the following adjusted schedule applies:

• The new due date for the paper will be the following Tuesday, November 27th. 
• If you are able to hand in thee paper before November 20th, (i.e. class before, November 15th), I will give 5 points extra credit on the paper. 

In terms of the classes themselves, in order to try and keep us on track time-wise, the following topics will not be covered in class and you will be responsible for reviewing slides, readings, and videos: 

• Psy 215: Clusters A & C of the Personality Disorders-we will cover Cluster B and the rest of the powerpoints
• Psy 201: Hemispheric Specialization on the Neuroanatomy slides, Prenatal development on Neuroplasticity slides
• Psy 101- TBD 

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!

HOLIDAY FUN!

As the holiday season kicks off, it is hopefully a great time for fun, family, and food!!! The following article, which was written by a family therapist, offers some suggestions on how to survive the family part!!!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/loving-bravely/201711/the-seven-cs-thanksgiving

STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND HOME PURCHASING

In Psychology 101 we are in the process of covering Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. As part of that we talked about a "home" and the possible impact of student loan debt on this aspect of one's life. The following article further explores the impact of exploding student loan debt on other aspects of life, specifically, the ability to purchase a home.....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/saddled-with-huge-student-loan-debt-homebuyers-sacrifice-more-to-purchase-a-house/ar-BBPoQWX?li=BBnbfcN

VETERAN'S CELEBRATION

Criminal Justice Event

On Wednesday, 11/7, 11 A.M., in the Babylon Building Montauk Room, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder will give a presentation regarding major police issues affecting Long Island. All are welcome.

ALL PROFESSOR VOLLARO'S CLASSES ARE CANCELLED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH

All of my classes are cancelled for Tuesday, November 20th (which is  the week of Thanksgiving)!!!!

PRIORITY REGISTRATION-If you are interested in either Psy 215 or Psy 201 next semester

As you may know, the next two weeks are priority registration for current students. Just an FYI..two of my psychology courses (Psy 215 and Psy 201) are honors courses. If you are a non-honors student and are interested in taking them, you can do so if you have a B+ or above in your current course. If you are interested, please see me as we will have to arrange you being registered in the course through the honors department (which I can arrange).

Please see me if you have any questions.

PSY 215, 201 MIDTERM DATES

Just wanted gto confirm the final dates for Midterms:

Psy 201, Tues/Thurs, 9:30am, Thursday November 8th
Psy 215, Tues/Thurs, 11:00am, Thursday, November 8th

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Good luck to everyone on your Midterms.