My Life Quote

When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.

  

George Washington Carver

TJ

Paradoxical Ideas?

I am not a hardcore nativist, but I do tend to fall in line with genetic causes having primacy in determining behavior. I do have an issue with those who hold fast to the tabula rasa belief system. A person being born with a mind that is totally blank and ready for information seems to be fantasy at best. 

The journal article I chose to enhance my argument had to do with epigenetics. The article was titled, Behavioral Epigenetics: How Nurture Shapes Nature, by Tabitha Powledge from the Journal of BioScience.

Epigenetics has to do with the way nurture shapes nature. It is concerned with the molecular events that govern the way the environment regulates the genomes of organisms (Powledge, 2011). The article suggested that being able to manipulate DNA and histone interaction, within the context of the hippocampus; it might be possible to change things from someone’s appearance, physiology, cognition, and behavior. Basically, how to trans-mutate experiences into changes in body function and behavior. In particular this study and the study of epigenetics in general, are concerned with the early development stages of life. This study, in particular, is concerned with behavioral epigenetics; the study of how signals from the environment trigger molecular biological changes that modify what goes on in brain cells (Powledge, 2011). 

The basic premise is that the basis of behavior is learning and memory and how studies have shown that modifications made to specific genes can have measurable affects on learning and remembering. They show how DNA methylation and histone modifications are essential for learning and remembering, and how inhibiting their effects can eliminate conditioned responses to learned behavior. Conversely, blocking deacetylation can actually intensify or strengthen a memory in reference to a conditioned response. 

The secondary premise of the article is that research has shown a connection between social experiences and how they can actually cause genetic changes. What is more interesting is that those changes can persist across generations. 

Through the study they determined that by studying male mice, they could eliminate many confounds, and reach a somewhat more reliable consistency. When they introduced alcohol into the mice prior to mating, the offspring had more difficulty with spatial tasks, they were more aggressive, and they took more risks, and displayed more anxiety type behavior. When they introduced cocaine prior to mating, the outcome was smaller brains, attention deficits, and poor working memory. This was backed up by a study of people from northern Sweden. In this study they found that the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and early death is linked generationally in men (but not women) with grandfathers who had plenty of food available prior to puberty. The downside of epigenetics is that human research will be limited because human tissue is tough to come by, especially living brain tissue. 

What does all of this mean?

For me, it would suggest that genetics continues to play a primary role in determining behavior. However, through genetic manipulation, whether achieved through medicine, diets, drug abuse, or during gestation behavior can be modified. I continue to remain resolute in genetic based behavior with some room for environmental manipulation.

With the “facts” surrounding both camps, the discussion of nature vs. nurture has somewhat shifted from an either/or to a discussion of how much of each.

Still,

Francis Galton offered a great question when discussing nature vs. nurture. I will restate it here:

Given that heredity and environment both influence the person we become, which is more important? Why?

 

Powledge, T. (2011). Behavioral Epigenetics: How Nurture Shapes Nature. BioScience , LXI (8), 588-592.

TJ

Lazarus: Multimodal Basic I.D.

IF YOU ARE A COLLEGE STUDENT BE SURE YOU DO NOT COPY THIS. IT BELONGS TO ME, AND IT WILL SHOW UP IN A PLAGIARISM CHECK! BE SURE TO CITE IT CORRECTLY. JUST TRYING TO HELP.

Multimodal Approach

Multimodal therapy, as described by Lazarus himself, is not a systematic approach. Lazarus claims it is anything but a standardized treatment. However, it can be described as, “an open system that encourages technical eclecticism” (Corey, 2009). Jogging and group therapy, within the multimodal approach, seems to be a “normal” eclectic combination. The multimodal approach is interdisciplinary in nature and focuses on using multiple approaches to achieve overall wellness. The combination of jogging and group therapy, although very different activities, based on the idea that physical exercise is an important element that contributes to the ability of people to perform better in all areas of life. This combination falls right in line with multimodal principles,

“The underlying assumption of this approach is that because individuals are troubled by a variety of specific problems it is appropriate that a multitude of treatment strategies be used in bringing about change” (Corey, 2009).

Corey explains that activity tends to be a common denominator with those who engage in the multimodal approach. The multimodal therapist functions, “as trainers, educators, consultants, and role models” (Corey, 2009).

Jogging and Group Counseling

There is a positive behavioral conditioning aspect that comes into effect when people can see the benefits of the physical activity and in turn relate those results with the expectations of the group therapy outcome. The correlation should be if one is improving the way they feel physically, they should expect the same results psychologically as well. This is what Lazarus refers to when he uses the term reciprocal determinism. The use of jogging and group therapy together achieves the connection that Lazarus refers to as a reciprocal transaction. Why is it important to understand the concept of multimodal therapy? Because the multimodal approach sees all modes of therapy as important, and that those modes can be carefully joined together in combinations to reach more desirable and effective results.

The Physical activity of jogging should, in this case, lower the defenses when the group meets together to discuss the issue at hand due to a transfer of their physical and psychological energy into the group.

Basic I.D.

Lazarus posited that personality could be divided into seven main categories of human functioning. These areas are behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal relationship, and drugs/biology. He called it the Basic I.D. What does the combination of jogging and group therapy look like using Basic I.D.?

B – Behaviors

Behavior is a product of learning, and the multimodal approach emphasizes that there is, “a major link between some behavioral principles and the cognitive behavioral approach” (Corey, 2009). The link between jogging and group therapy could be summed up succinctly by saying that a change in psychological wellbeing can come from improvement of their health through learning the value of exercise.

A – Affect

Affect describes the emotions, moods, and strong feelings associated with behavior. Within the context of this writing, better physical wellbeing can improve the emotional state. When someone feels better they generally have a more positive outlook as well.

S – Sensation

Sensation describes the basic senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Physical activity often heightens the senses by increased respiration, perspiration, and cardiovascular activity. The increased activity through the bodily response can have the effect of increased mental activity as well.

I – Imagery

Imagery is how we see ourselves. In this scenario improved body image through the use of exercise should correlate to an overall improved mental self-image.

C – Cognition

Cognitions are, “the insights, philosophies, ideas, opinions, self-talk, and judgments that form attitudes, values, and beliefs” (Corey, 2009). Positive imagery in this scenario should have a positive effect on someone’s attitude. When gathered for group therapy following the period of jogging, a person can be more inclined to be open and transparent due to the improved attitude.

I - Interpersonal Relationship

Interpersonal Relationship is how someone interacts with others. Jogging together prior to meeting together in group therapy could improve social intimacy between the group members due to improved cohesiveness through engaging in group activities prior to discussing issues.

D – Drugs/Biology

This includes, “drugs, and nutritional habits, and exercise patterns” (Corey, 2009). In this scenario it is possible to connect physical wellbeing with mental/cognitive wellbeing.

Conclusion

When looking at how to approach group therapy, the multimodal approach seems to be a very valuable idea in spite of the premise (about the approach), “that breadth is often more important than depth” (Corey, 2009) It is valuable because “the more coping responses a client learns in therapy, the less are the chances for relapse” (Corey, 2009).

Works Cited:

Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Belmont, CA: Thompson/Brooks/Cole.

Lazarus, A. (n.d.). Lazarus-Multimodal-Therapy. Retrieved February 6, 2012, from Psychotherapy.net: http://www.psychotherapy.net/video/lazarus-multimodal-therapy

How to Make Your Life Better

1. Let go of anger. When we explode in anger we often feel much worse. Consequently, it’s better to cool off and make an effort to stay calm.

2. When people treat you badly it’s rarely “about you”. More often it tells you how that person is feeling, or some other issue that is troubling them.

3. You’re not the only one who has struggled with your issue of the moment – so don’t feel so bad, or put yourself down.

4. Enjoy the good times and take pleasure in every moment as life is a valuable gift to be enjoyed.

5. Work and be persistent as it’s worth the grind and pain. It is the only way to make lasting success possible.

6. You need to find your passion and set goals if you want to live life to the fullest.

7. All relationships can teach us a great deal about ourselves. Both the good and the bad while revealing who we really are. Our relationships reveal what we think, and how we feel, about ourselves, as well as what our values and our expectations are.

TJ

Perception

Perception is a very tricky topic. 

If we are talking about the material world (physical realm) I believe that the reality of a situation is based upon the correspondence view of what is true (real). 

Metaphysically speaking, as I suppose we should be engaged in doing within this forum, perceptions could be described as, “what is there?” and “what is it like?”
 

This topic could encompass volumes of writing, but within this forum there is a need to be brief. 

 

I have used the following many times to illustrate how perceptions can differ, but reality is static. If I say, “The grass is green,” I have offered my perception of what I believe the grass to look like. That perception is based on light emanating from the sun (or some artificial source), reflecting of off the grass, enters through the cornea, passes through the lens which bends the light, which then passes through the vitreous gel, and then is focused on the surface of the retina which contains the rods and cones. From there it travels via electrical impulses to the brain through the optical nerve. Is my perception accurate? 

 

That depends on several factors. Is the pathway the light travels through my eye healthy and “normal?” Does my brain process the electrical impulse correctly? Do I have the cognitive ability to decode the information? Finally, is the grass, in fact, green? If the grass is green, and I am healthy and/or at least functioning correctly, I am accurate in my assessment. At that point, the grass being green makes the content of my perception true. 

 

However, is it a true statement to say, “The grass is green,” if I am blind? Not only is it an accurate statement, it would an accurate perception even if I did not believe it to be true. It is reality that makes our perceptions true or false. I posit that it is through evidence that we determine if our perceptions are in tune with reality. 

 

 

 

TJ

 

Unpacking Boxes

You tell the world who you are
in a million different ways.
Some are subtle, some are not.

But it doesn't seem to matter:
this world has already got you pegged.

When you were born they put you in a little box,
and slapped a label on it.
So they could keep things organized,
and not have to think about what’s inside.

Over time you learn to make yourself comfortable
packaging your identity in different combinations
until you feel like you belong,
and can wear your labels proudly.

But there’s a part of you that never really found a home
rattling around in categories that couldn’t do you justice.

You look around at other people,
trying to judge how loosely they fit in their own lives
sensing a knot of confusion hidden beneath a name tag.

And you realize we’re still only strangers,
who assume we already know what the other is going to say,
as if the only thing left to talk about is
who belongs in what category
and which labels are offensive.

You have to wonder if these boxes are falling apart.
If we should be writing our identities by hand,
speaking only for ourselves, in our own words,
taking our chances out in the open
and meet each other as we are,
asking: “What is it like being you?”

—and be brave enough to admit
that we don’t already know the answer.

Maybe it’ll mean that we’ve finally arrived,
just “unpacking the boxes”
making ourselves at home.

And maybe we’ll look back and wonder
how we managed to live in the same house for so long,
and never stop to introduce ourselves.

TJ

Having a little late night fun

Having a little fun with a great song from Cody Johnson!

KJ

Favorite- Jung- Quote

"You meet your destiny

on the road you take

to avoid it."

T

How to be Miserable

1. Complain all the time
(It will make you miserable and drive your friends away)

2. Bury your head in the sand and deny that you have problems
(Avoidance won’t make your problems disappear)

3. Constantly compare yourself with others
(You’ll always feel inferior if you compare your weaknesses to others’ strengths)

4. Allow yourself to continually worry about the future
(Most “what ifs” never actually happen)

5. Keep hanging out with people who put you down
(That will totally destroy your self-esteem)

6. Keep on doing things you dislike or hate
(You only live in this world once – and we each have different gifts – so it’s crucial that you try to invest in what you love)

7. Get involved, and stay, in BAD relationships
(You’ll end up hating and devaluing yourself, and convincing yourself that you can’t have more than that)

8. Try to change others instead of yourself
(We can’t change others – we can only influence them; but we do have the power to change ourselves) 

9. Be a people pleaser
(We can’t make others happy all the time. Also, when you give up your power you will feel worthless inside)

10. Look for your worth in “things” 
(Stuff can't satisfy us, or bring us true happiness)

 


TJ