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

Cognitive Perceptual Learning: This concept gives us insight into how behavior is influenced by various stimuli. It is not as simple as it seems; the answers and the schemes explained previously reveal much about our behavior, but not all of it. (If we are rewarded, these actions are repeated, while if we are punished, these actions are reduced, as Edward Tolman suggests.) He states that there is more to stimulus and response because each person reacts to a pattern of stimuli. We have very predictable behavior in response to certain stimuli, but we can also respond unpredictably. Between stimuli and responses, there are some variables called O, which we process through organismic variables. This variable depends on the knowledge and motivation... Continue reading "Understanding Cognitive Perceptual Learning and Its Models" »

Workplace Motivation Techniques

The motivation at work is the main focus of the humanistic approach to business management and organization, since it is a force that decisively influences behavior, both when conceived alone and within working groups.

Key Incentives to Boost Work Motivation

These are some of the incentives that are used to raise work motivation:

Financial Compensation (Money)

Money serves to meet purchasing needs and status requirements. In sociology, status refers to the position of a person within a social group, providing a reference point.

Job Enrichment and Redesign

Job enrichment involves redesigning the workplace to make roles more profound. This considers characteristics like responsibility, challenge, and achievement, meeting... Continue reading "Essential Techniques for Boosting Employee Motivation and Engagement" »

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" »

Understanding Crisis and Vulnerability

It is frequently observed that individuals (or customers) present themselves in situations of great tension, disruption, and vulnerability.

Defining Crisis (Caplan's Model)

Caplan defines crisis as a disturbance in a stable condition, caused by a stressful situation, affecting a person or group that previously maintained an adequate level of functioning, thereby causing an imbalance.

The Family as a Dynamic System

The family is a system that develops and evolves over time alongside its members. At each historical moment, members have temporary needs and specific tasks. Any change—positive or negative, intended or unintended—that occurs in individuals or the ecosystem affects the entire family unit.

The most... Continue reading "Managing Personal Crisis: Dynamics, Phases, and Resolution Strategies" »

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" »

The Debate as a Form of Discourse

• A debate is a type of speech featuring arguments and counterarguments, led by a moderator, involving two or more parties. Based on different and often competing opinions, they try to defend their position to others, persuading them of its validity.
• In academia, debates often take the form of round tables, which occur within scientific meetings such as congresses, conferences, and seminars.
• In recent years, another type of intervention has become common: presenting a poster or participating in a panel.
• Outside academia, another widespread form of debate is the political debate, where the role of spectators is very important.

Dialogic Discourse: The Job Interview

A job interview is a formal interaction between two... Continue reading "Mastering Debates and Acing the Job Interview" »

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