Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sensation and Perception


Physical Senses:        

The human life is evaluated and even understood through the use of the sense, and even the perception that the humans have also. The way we live and what we do as humans can be shaped in a variety of ways all the way from what we eat and even to what we watch. All of these things affect how we interpret the life that we live. Many times these things which we sense and perceive are things that are physical. What is used to sense and perceive are the five human senses. One of the best examples of our senses allowing us to perceive things is the through the use of Anamorphic illusions. These are pictures that are printed in such a way that when view from one angle it is perceived it to be a three dimensional object, however they are indeed two dimensional pieces of paper. The way in which these pieces of paper are aligned and viewed are what truly affect the human perception. Anamorphic Illusions








 See the source image


The Five Human Senses:

1.      Sight

2.      Taste

3.      Touch

4.      Hearing

5.      Smell

These five sense determine how we can perceive and interpret life through all of these things. Each one of these senses plays a bigger role in the way in which we interoperate the things around us.



Beyond Physical:

            There are the five physical senses however are not the only way in which we as human can sense. There have been many cases and studies done by scientist that have stated that there are certain cases where people have out of body experiences, and experience things on an unconscious level. This is what they would call psychic experiences. The reason this have become such a popular thing in the last thirty years is because the military wanted to be able to use the heightened sensations and the heightened perceptions to be able to gather military intelligence. This was such a big deal because it would allow for the United States of America to have a step ahead in the Cold War. These heightened senses can be seen in out of body experiences, dreams, and even in the relationships between twins and even married couples. The experiences lead to certain things being sensed and understood because of the relationship be help by the people. This can also be seen in just everyday people for instance being able to sense if someone is staring at them. The reason many humans have this is because scientist believe that this once aided in the in survival of our ancestors. Extra-sensory perceptions 1





What I think:

            I truly believe that there is a reason for these things that some people even refer to as a sixth sense, and I believe that the reason is to point to God. The Bible talks of when a man and a women become married they become one person, and for this reason is why I truly believe that some of the experiences of a husband and a wife can be sensed and felt by their partner. Truly the reason for all of these things in life is to point and outside experiences and heightened sensations is to point to the God who created everything.



Sources:










Sunday, February 4, 2018

Brain an Behavior

The Brain.

What is the Brain?

Why do humans have a Brain?
See the source image
(https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=KMzGndtk&id=34A43CE44160C3FCBAF5C730AA4E408A82D12E06&thid=OIP.KMzGndtk8WgJTz92jYI1MAHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2flehacker.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2016%2f04%2fbrain-barrier.jpg&exph=3157&expw=3157&q=pictures+of+brains&simid=608016639356436904&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0)
Well according to the Webster-Dictionary the human Brain is a portion of the central nervous system that is composed of neurons, and supporting nutritive structures that are used in integrating information from outside and inside the body to control autonomic function (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain). The Brain is a very specialized organ that controls the entire human body.
. The Human brain is one of the most fascinating organs as well. It is in charge of all of the functions of the human body. Telling the lungs to take in oxygen and telling the heart to beat through electrical stimuli. See the source image
(https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=pAixzxTw&id=2BF6FEF26130AD9834C1C31D49B32BFDC811BD7D&thid=OIP.pAixzxTwrFcusfoG-wOjZwHaFj&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fimages.iop.org%2fobjects%2fphw%2fnews%2f18%2f5%2f17%2fPW-2014-05-19-Cartlidge-laser.jpg&exph=525&expw=700&q=picture+of+firing+neurons&simid=608009209026776173&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0)
The human Brain is one of, if not the most important organ that the human body contains. It can even be compared to a computer through all of the process of information transfer through the neurons in the Brain. The Brain is also in charge of memory and cognitive ability. However, in some cases this cognitive/understanding process can be limited by outside forces such as disease and other disorders. So the thing that I found the most interesting was what neuro-scientist Mehdi Oridkhani-Seyedlar had to say on the topic. He did an experiment through the studying of paying attention. He was able to determine that when one is focusing on something through covert attention it stimulates the front part of the brain which is in charge of cognitive ability. It works as a filter allowing for one thing to be focused on at a time. However in people with ADHD this filtering system was not functioning properly. It would not filter the two objects allowing both pieces of information to come in at one causing the lack of focus. However it is interesting that with the use of computes and certain games on the computer one could hone the filtering device and basically train the frontal aspect of the Brain to use the filtering system (https://www.ted.com/talks/mehdi_ordikhani_seyedlar_what_happens_in_your_brain_when_you_pay_attention/transcript#t-373264).
The Brain many people believe is for making memories and for formulating thought. Well according to Daniel Wolpert the only reason for having a Brain is to cause movement and which everything is based off of (https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_wolpert_the_real_reason_for_brains). To a certain extent I can see to this being true because all thought is sparked by movement of electrical currents to neurons, and all movement of the body originates in the Brain. So there for one of the main functions of the Brain is to be the catalyst for all movement and actions that the body under goes.
The Brain is so complicated in all the ways that it functions, and yet its purpose so clear the Brain is many things, and the most important in my opinion is a way to understand life, love, community, and, God.


Sources:
https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_wolpert_the_real_reason_for_brains
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=pAixzxTw&id=2BF6FEF26130AD9834C1C31D49B32BFDC811BD7D&thid=OIP.pAixzxTwrFcusfoG-wOjZwHaFj&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fimages.iop.org%2fobjects%2fphw%2fnews%2f18%2f5%2f17%2fPW-2014-05-19-Cartlidge-laser.jpg&exph=525&expw=700&q=picture+of+firing+neurons&simid=608009209026776173&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0
https://www.ted.com/talks/mehdi_ordikhani_seyedlar_what_happens_in_your_brain_when_you_pay_attention/transcript#t-373264
(https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=KMzGndtk&id=34A43CE44160C3FCBAF5C730AA4E408A82D12E06&thid=OIP.KMzGndtk8WgJTz92jYI1MAHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2flehacker.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2016%2f04%2fbrain-barrier.jpg&exph=3157&expw=3157&q=pictures+of+brains&simid=608016639356436904&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain
https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_wolpert_the_real_reason_for_brains

Sunday, January 28, 2018

About My Interest in Psycology


(From:http://www.art-of-wellness.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/positive-psychology.jpg)

Psychology is a broad and encompassing field. There are many different braches and many different aspects. The one that catches my eye the most however, is positive Psychology.

Positive Psychology: What is it? There are several ways to explain and define what it is, but the easiest and best definition that I have found is, "the scientific study of what makes life most worth living" (Peterson 2008). Positive Psychology is focused on the building of the best life for people, and not only that it is focused on turning the life one is living into one that is rewarding and also healing in its nature.

Topics of Study: There are in fact many topics that are studied by Positive Psychologist many of these have to deal with the idea that a good life can be learned and taught to people. An enjoyable life can be learned. It is also studied and taught that all good day have something perhaps just one thing, but all good days have something in common. Also the idea that religion matters is taught (Peterson 2008). These are a few of the many different topics of study for Positive Psychology.

Education Required: In order to become a Positive Psychologist one must first get a Bachelor's degree in general psychology. After receiving this degree there is Master's and Doctoral degrees in the field itself of positive psychology. After receiving these degrees one must become certified and receive their license, but to do this must first enter into an internship upon completing the required hours they can become a licensed psychologist. However, there is continuing education required in many cases. So there are seminars and things of that nature psychologist can attend as well (Positive Psychology Careers).

Jobs and Prominent Psychologist: a few jobs for positive psychologist would be: in the field of health psychology, social counselor, human resource generalist, and life coach. These are a few, but not all of the jobs (Positive Psychology Careers). In this field there are may Psychologist, however there are always a few prominent ones who make their way to the top. A few of these would be B. F. Skinner, John B. Watson, and Ivan Pavlov. According to my reading they were labeled a few of the founding father's of the field (The 5 Founding Fathers).

Personal Application: I am going to be a pastor. As of right now I am a ministry major, and fro this reason I chose positive psychology as my field of interest. There are many reasons that I did this, but the most important was showing people what the best life could look like for them. This would be accomplished by teaching that the idea of Joy and happiness comes from God, and also the way to end all sadness and depression is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his freedom a life that is healing, joyful, happy, and one that places an importance on religion/relationship with the one true God. This is where positive Psychology comes into pal because I can show them that their best life can be lived if chasing after the Holy Spirit and his will.

Sources:
Peterson, Christopher. “What Is Positive Psychology, and What Is It Not?” Psychology Today,  Sussex Publishers, 16 May 2008, www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-good-life/200805/what-is-positive-psychology-and-what-is-it-not.
Positive Psychology Careers.” CareersinPsychology.org, careersinpsychology.org/positive-psychology-careers/.
“The 5 Founding Fathers and A History of Positive Psychology.” The 5 Founding Fathers and History of Positive Psychology, 13 Mar. 2017, positivepsychologyprogram.com/founding-fathers/.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

About Me

(The Atlanta skyline)
Hi everyone tuning into my blog this is my first time doing this so bare with me. My name is Daniel Beal and I am a freshman here at HSU. I am originally from Abilene Texas, a nd I have lived here all my life. I have an amazing family, a father who is very loving and Godly, a mother who is very loving and Godly too she even works here at HSU. I have two sister who both attended HSU, and who are both married. My family is not limited to these amazing people I have two dogs one a German Short Haired Pointer and the other being a Border Collie. Living in West Texas my whole life I grew up fishing and hunting, both of these activities have been vital to the relationship my father and I have. We have been able to bond over nature and just get to experience creation.  Speaking of creation that is the perfect Segway into my faith. I have a relationship with God and this is possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is one thing that has the most affect on all that I do in my life it is my faith. My faith has given me the opportunity to take many mission trips the most amazing of which has been my trip to Atlanta Georgia it is so satisfying to be able to pour one's heart out for a cause greater than one's self and see the fruits of that labor. Georgia is so beautiful, and the people are super kind. A piece of my heart for sure belongs to tat city and State. If I had to live in any other state besides Texas the answer would 100 percent of the time be Georgia. Not only does Atlanta have my heart because of the mission trip I served on, but because I was blessed to meet my girlfriend on that trip also. The Lord is faithful and when you are chasing after him with all your hear he will put someone in your life who is running equally as hard. As one could tell from this blog the Lord has had the biggest impact on my life and has always filled me with is love and mercy, and I want my life to model the love that I have been given fro the father.
(The Varsity a local restaurant in Atlanta Georgia)