Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Psychology and Sociology

SMART Objectives in Education

What is a SMART Objective?

A SMART objective is a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal set for student learning. Each element is crucial for creating effective learning experiences:

Specific

The objective has to be precise enough to show the learning outcome you want to get with your students.

Measurable

How will you know that your students have achieved the goal? What kind of indicators will I see, hear, or feel by the end of the lesson?

Achievable

The objective can be reached by students taking into consideration time, previous knowledge, and other constraints of the group.

Relevant

The objective has to be meaningful for students and it has to meet, if possible, students’ interests.

Time-Bound

Will... Continue reading "SMART Objectives in Education: A Comprehensive Guide" »

What is Psychology?

Etymology of Psychology

Greek: psyche (soul, spirit)

Greek: logos (study)

Definition of Psychology

Science that studies the behavior of individuals and their mental processes, including internal influences that occur within individuals and in their physical and social environment.

Importance of Psychology

It is important to understand the psychological aspects of oneself and others to adapt more appropriately to the environment, especially during college life and adulthood.

What are Psychological Processes?

Aspects of the psyche that enable people to perform various psychological actions and cognitive functions in daily life.

Perception

The mode in which the body and mind work so that we are aware and realize what is happening in our... Continue reading "Understanding Psychology: Core Concepts" »

Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986)

Social Cognitive Theory is an interpersonal theory that covers determinants of behavior and processes of behavior change. It posits that behavior, cognitive, personal, and environmental factors interact.

Key Concepts:

• Reciprocal Determinism: Behavior is influenced by and influences personal factors and the environment.
• Personal Factors:
  • Outcome Expectancies: Anticipated effects of a behavior (physical, social, self-evaluative).
  • Self-Efficacy: Belief in one's ability in specific situations (magnitude, strength, generality).
• Environmental Factors: Social and physical conditions.

Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991)

This theory suggests that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence... Continue reading "Psychological Theories of Health Behavior Change" »

Freud's Economic Theory of Psychoanalysis

Freud's economic theory of psychoanalysis posits that psychic energy increases, decreases, moves, or is released and distributed throughout the human psyche, activating its different processes.

Freud's Drive Theory of Psychoanalysis

Freud used the term "drive" to refer to instinctual impulses. These drives are characterized by:

• Source: A bodily organ that produces a drive through an active process. Different sources give rise to different impulses. (Unintegrated impulses manifest in adult subjects as perversions).
• Drive Peremptory: An energetic and motor factor of variable intensity that pushes the body toward satisfaction, which the subject cannot avoid. Its character is psychological rather than biological.

Understanding Affectivity in Child Development

Affectivity in a child's development exhibits several key characteristics:

1. Children are Easily Affected by Events

   Children transition rapidly between emotions, such as laughter and tears. This is due to biological factors, as their nervous system is still developing, and psychological factors, such as selfishness and subjectivism, which hinder their ability to understand different perspectives. Additionally, their intelligence is less developed than an adult's, making it harder to judge situations, and they are constantly encountering new experiences.

2. Moods are Expressed More Intensely

   Children struggle to control their emotions due to a lack of cortical control, reason, and willpower.

3. Pleasure and Pain

Unveiling the Unconscious Mind: Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory

Is there any part of our mind that we are not aware of? Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the renowned physician and psychiatrist, through his theory of psychoanalysis, first proposed the existence of unconscious mental states and highlighted their profound importance in determining our behavior. While we may perceive ourselves as aware of our mental processes, our actions are often driven by unconscious primal impulses (instincts or drives) that significantly impact our behavior.

What is Psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis serves as both a therapy for treating mental disorders and a comprehensive theory about humanity and the mind. Through his study of nervous diseases, Freud observed phenomena... Continue reading "Freud's Psychoanalysis: Unveiling the Unconscious Mind and Personality" »

Cognitive Learning: Piaget's Theory

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive learning, or 'cognitivism,' stands as a pivotal framework in understanding mental development, bridging empiricism and rationalism.

Piaget emphasized the role of experience, particularly sensori-motor interactions, in acquiring knowledge. Experience triggers and shapes knowledge, yet cognitive development stages are species-specific and genetically preprogrammed.

Piaget's theory outlines human development through functions and cognitive structures.

Functions are innate biological processes, consistent throughout life, aimed at building internal cognitive structures.

Cognitive structures, however, evolve as a child grows.

Piaget identified four developmental stages:

Crucial Transition

Biopsychosocial Model Insights

The biopsychosocial model posits that the human being is composed of three interconnected dimensions:

• Biological Dimension
• Psychic Dimension
• Social Dimension

Human Needs and Satisfaction

Human needs and their satisfaction are oriented in two primary directions:

• Psychosocial Care: This involves professional actions taken to help individuals meet their psychological and social needs.
• Educational Care: This aims to facilitate learning, enabling individuals to understand and meet their own needs.

Psychology Fundamentals

Psychology deals with the behavior and mental processes of people; in other words, what a person does, feels, or thinks.

Core Psychological Concepts

• Behavior: Actions that people perform.
• Mental Processes: Cognitive

Communication Challenges in Cerebral Palsy

Vision for Communication in Adults with Cerebral Palsy

The vision focuses on empowering adults with cerebral palsy to effectively communicate and participate in all aspects of their lives.

Challenges in Communication for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Individuals with cerebral palsy often experience difficulties being understood in all aspects of their behavior, especially their communication.

Goals of Day Services for Communication Support

Day Services aim to develop the participation of adults in the system, encouraging them to facilitate their communication with other people.

Assessing Individual Needs in Adults with Cerebral Palsy

Assessment of individual needs for adults with cerebral palsy follows five... Continue reading "Comprehensive Insights into Communication, Behavior, and Hearing Disabilities" »

1. Family Relationships and Adaptation to Children with Developmental Disabilities

A. Start of the Family

A strong foundation within the family is crucial for addressing crisis situations. If the couple has a solid relationship, the birth of a child with a developmental disability can strengthen their bond. However, if the relationship is already fragile, it may lead to separation.

B. Expectations of the Child

Parents often have preconceived expectations about their child's development. They need professional support to make informed decisions about pregnancy or potential termination if a disability is detected prenatally.

C. The Birth of the Child

The birth of a child with a disability can trigger a crisis involving several phases:

• Shock: Expectations