Unit 1 discussion
Introduce yourself to your fellow students and instructor.
Share your college degree plans, briefly explaining what degree you are
pursuing, why, and how you think taking this course will assist you in
achieving your personal or professional goals.
You can choose to introduce yourself via a video clip on
YouTube. Simply provide the hyperlink to your video in the Discussion Board
where you would normally insert your answer to the discussion question. All
comments regarding the videos must be made in Blackboard DB, not on YouTube.
Please note that the video is optional.
After introducing yourself, answer the following question:
Many studies have documented a positive correlation between
temperature and temper. The hotter the weather, the higher the crime rate. What
do you think about this statement? Can you generate two or three possible
explanations for this finding?
Please include the name of the person or question to which
you are replying in the subject line. For example, “Tom’s response to
Susan’s comment.”
Unit 2 discussion
Does age really matter?
According to Buss, historically, men have reported a
preference for younger women when seeking a mate; whereas women have quite
noticeably chosen to find older partners. In fact, evolutionary psychologists
purport that males have been primarily concerned about their partner’s ability
to reproduce, and this has driven their behaviors in the selection process. On
the other hand, they theorize that women have been fundamentally influenced by
material and financial stability. Do you think this is true today? Does age
really matter when one seeks a mate? Please share your thoughts on what drives
mate selection in our society today.
Please include the name of the person or question to which
you are replying in the subject line. For example, “Tom’s response to
Susan’s comment.”
Unit 3 discussion
The Drug Debate
According to Wade and Tavris, drug abuse can have
devastating consequences in our society; however, disagreements exist for
classifications of certain drugs. In fact, as of 2015, 23 states in the United
States, along with the District of Columbia, have approved medicinal marijuana.
Further, residents in Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington have legalized
the usage of marijuana for recreational purposes in populations 21 and over. On
the flip side of this controversial coin, the remaining states in America have
various laws that punish pot usage; these consequences can be as slight as a
few years in prison or as severe as a felony conviction. Consequently, in some
states, individuals convicted of possession can no longer receive governmental
assistance such as welfare or food stamps; even convicted murderers and rapists
still have access to these resources. What are your thoughts? How should we
view marijuana usage? Does chronic use of this substance really create
behavioral issues? Does creating harsh punishments solve the issue?
Unit 4 discussion
According to Wade and Tavris, classical conditioning can
have both positive and negative associations. Think of a negative connection
that you have formulated in the past due to classical conditioning. For
example, as a teenager, you might have enjoyed studying while reclining on your
bed; however, one’s bed is usually linked to sleepiness. Quite possibly, you
ended up feeling tired and sleepy, and you might have dozed off instead of
cramming for that exam. Describe a personal example in which classical
conditioning has produced a negative association in your life. What could you
have done differently to avoid the negative behavior?
Unit 5 discussion
Think about the last time that you mindlessly performed a
task. Quite possibly your mind wandered as you drove to work this morning. Did
you miss a turn? Perhaps you made your family’s favorite casserole, but you
omitted an ingredient because you thought you recalled the recipe by heart. How
did your family react to the altered dish? Describe your mindless task, and
explain what types of information you should have paid attention to instead.
What do you think are the most important cognitive processes involved? Why do
you think that?
Unit 6 discussion
Various cultures embrace differing opinions in relation to
controlling factors in one’s life. For instance, Wade and Tavris explain that
Western cultures tend to exert primary control over personal situations. If
something bad happens in your life, you try to fix it. On the other hand, many
Eastern cultures assert that secondary control is of utmost importance. If
something bad happens to you, you learn to adapt to the situation and live with
it. Which do you think is the most important? Why? Is it reasonable to think
that you can change something that cannot be changed, or is it healthier to accept
a situation for what it is? Explain your opinion, and give a personal example
from your life.
Unit 7 discussion
Most people would readily argue for the ability to live in a
free society in which they can do as they desire; however, what happens when
one’s choices impact another? Suppose a man wants to smoke and drink around his
children, regardless of the research that indicates this is not a good idea.
Should the man be fined or arrested? How could such a law be enforced? Take a
stand on this issue and present your arguments.
Unit 8 discussion
Identify an assignment in this course that had a positive
impact on you. How will you be able to apply the skills you learned from it to
gain life or career success?
