LeslieH2019's Psychology Blog

                                       You will definitely not regret taking this class. There are so many interesting topics that you will get to learn about. However, since it's so much material in one semester, you will definitely need to keep up and not procrastinate. Doing the vocab each week is very helpful, and it is better to do bit by bit of it each day. This will not only help you remember the vocab but it will also save you a lot of time. If you are following the plan that is given by Ms. Halfen, you will probably be able to understand the PowerPoint slides better on note days. To prepare for tests, it is very helpful to do the practice tests on schoology. If you do it a few days before the test, you will be able to know what topics you will need to go over more. It was very beneficial for me to get an AP psychology book, so I could use that to study for the tests and do the...

  https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hormones-and-the-brain/201608/gender-identity-is-in-the-brain-what-does-tell-us https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/chapter/15-2-stress-and-coping/ https://www.simplypsychology.org/memory.html https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/social-influence/

An Introvert's Brain    Have you ever wondered why you are an introvert? It all started when Carl Jung described introverts and extroverts. He explained that extroverts got their energy from social interactions while introverts need time to relax in calm environments. However, we are sometimes more on each side of the spectrum than the other depending on external and internal factors. In our brains, we have dopamine, which is a chemical that motivates us to achieve goals. When it is released, we become more active in our surroundings. In extroverts, the dopamine reward system is more active so they feel more energized than introverts in social events. Instead, introverts may feel overstimulated. As for the nervous system, introverts prefer using the parasympathetic system which allows them to rest and be calm. Extroverts prefer using the sympathetic side which increases dopamine and releases more adrenaline when it is stimulated. Introverts tend to overthink because th...

Tests: Jung Typology Test : This personality test, which is based on Carl Jung's and Isabel Myers Briggs Theory allows you to see your 4-letter type formula. I had to answer questions using a scale from "yes" to "no". These questions asked about situational circumstances that I had to be aware about. After I took the test, I got ISTJ for my personality type. It means that I am an inspector who has a keen sense of right and wrong. I was not surprised that I got this because I consider myself as an introvert and usually like knowing my plans ahead of time. I also like to be on time for appointments and events that I attend. Overall, this test seems to be accurate for my personality since the characteristics that I was given matches myself. The Big Five Personality Test:   For this test, I had to answer questions relating to the "Big Five": Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Negative Emotionality, and Open-Mindedness. Each of the f...

Taste: From a study of identical twins, Reed had studied that identical twins prefer similar levels of sweetness majority of the time. In another study by Dana Small, she concluded that we pick up flavor preferences based on what food is available where they live. In Indonesia, children would learn to eat dee-fried bugs but American children would probably find that to be repulsive. In another one of Small's studies, volunteers showed responses to food cues even though they had just eaten. These were also the people who most likely gained weight the next year.                Thoughts:  There are many interesting facts about the sense of taste that I got to learn about. We can continue to learn about our taste preferences and the roles of foods' smells. Even though I have food preferences, I still enjoy eating new kinds of foods I never tried before. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/taste-good-senses-inform-brain-dont-...

My life story began as I was born on June 20th, 2001 in Houston. I was born only a couple minutes after my brothers, Allen and Brian. From then on, we grew up together as little kids playing around together all the time. We probably annoyed our older sister Michelle all the time. Well, that's what siblings are for! I remember that our grandparents took care of us most of the time while my parents were working. We all went to Barrington Place Elementary School. I still remember some of the fun memories I had there. In middle school, I was still shorter than my brothers but there wasn't much of a difference. Now, it would only be a dream for me to be as tall as they are. Here at Dulles High School, I've created wonderful memories with my friends and family. I always looked forward to orchestra, homecoming, special prom, and this year's prom. Orchestra, which I have been a part of for all four years has become my family that I will soon have to say goodbye to.  I a...

Hey guys! Since my birthday is June 20th, my hero has abilities related to the occipital lobe and dopamine. One day, there was a little boy who had trouble keeping up with his emotions and actions. He found himself to be quite unhappy because he was less motivated to engage in enjoyable activities. The boy also had trouble processing visual information so he could not always respond to information surrounding him. Luckily, his friend Mark wanted to help him so he can enjoy normal everyday activities such as learning and eating. In order to help the little boy, he tried to present information to him in a rewarding way so that he would be more motivated to learn and retain information. That way, he was able to focus and pay attention in class. Furthermore, Mark invited to join him in activities such as trying out new foods. Since the little boy was able to learn better, he was able to map the visual world easier. With his improved visual memory, he could recall visual information ...

Short term memory test - For the short term memory test, I looked over a set of words for about 30 seconds. After time was up, I had to record the words that I could remember in the blank spaces given. Out of a maximum score of 12, I scored a 6, which is considered average. I guess that would be a reasonable representation of my short term memory, since I know for sure I can't always remember everything that I need to in the moment. Everyday Object - For this test, it tests whether you remember how a penny looks like. Even though I have used pennies for many years now, I was questioning if I could really remember. Sometimes, we don't pay attention to things we use daily. Luckily, I was able to choose the correct image of the penny. It tells you that most people don't need to remember the details of a penny to recognize it. Well, I'm glad I do anyways. Faces - For the last memory test, it tested my memory for faces. I was able to get 5 correct parts of the face for ...

I like traveling to different places during the break. This was during last summer in California at the Huntington Botanical Gardens. I was able to explore multiple gardens such as the Japanese and Chinese garden. There are a total of 16 gardens and I was able to learn about their own unique features. I also love exploring nature by hiking in national parks.  Here are my 4 truths and 1 lie!! 1. I have been in orchestra since 6th grade. 2. I have two parakeets. 3. My favorite sport is Tennis. 4. I have traveled to two other countries. 5. I saw KevJumba here at Dulles before.