Knowing that I'd meet my PSY 201 classes for the first time, I wanted to do a little "research" on topics in psychology that exist in the "real world." Between 6:00 and 6:25 this morning, I read these blogs about the following:
A woman who declared today to be the first day of her fast. She weighs 267 pounds and is apparently ready to take extreme measures to trim down.
Another woman who wrote several entries about breast implants (why she decided to get them, how her recovery is going, and how thrilled she is with the results).
Yet another woman who is grieving over the death of her 20-something-year-old son. Currently his ashes are in a box on the dining room, and she's open to suggestions about what to do with them.
A 37 year old man who is "re-beginning" college and is anxious and fearful about the experience. He's afraid that he's the oldest freshman in the United States.
A teen (couldn't tell whether it was a male or female) who feels that his or her parents are total losers.
A young woman (teenager) who's disgusted by the old geezers (40 year olds) who have asked her to be friends on facebook.
How, in your opinion, do these examples relate to the science of behavior and mental processes? Choose one, some, or all to discuss; better yet, share one of your own.
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4 comments:
Some of those people seem to have some family issues. I think that it may have something to do withthere childhood, or maybe the way there parents were when they were that age.
When I was like 15 my family and I were at K-mart and this guy around my parents age was flirting with me. My mom was even standing right there. What my cause people to do that sort of thing?
I don't know. Maybe he had been reinforced for flirtatious behavior before...or maybe he thought he was a romantic Don Juan or something. Or then again, perhaps he liked young pretty girls. Im not saying he was a pedophile, just that he appreciated young women. By the way, did you ever let your parents know that you felt bewildered and/or uncomfortable about this?
I read the statement about the woman who decided that she was going to take extreme measures to lose weight. Truely she most know she should not fast to lose the weight, but has given up all hope and will do about anything to lose the weight. I understand because I have had issues with my weight for as long as I can remember. Our society puts some much imphases on woman and their weight. If you are not thin you are not beautiful. I have come to realize though no matter what you weigh, If you do not love yourself for who you are no matter big or small you will never be happy.
Thanks for commenting, Valerie. You're right about a person needing to love herself to be happy. I've read about and personally known people who've had "nose jobs," lipsosuction, Botex, and any number of procedures done, and yet they weren't really happy...at least not for long.
At the same time, eating properly and exercising (at least in moderation) can help people feel better physically, mentally, and psychologically. Something about being fit seems to give a person confidence.
My final comment is that weight issues and hunger motivation are topics that psychologists are studying. With the nation's challenges with obesity, I hope their findings will help those struggling with their weight.
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