AU Blogspot

              Thanks to Paul Goyette for permission to use this Photo.

I just finished reading Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection, which is coming out towards the end of August. The book summarizes, in very accessible terms, thirty years of work by John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago and his colleagues.

It’s initially hard to get past the title. William Patrick, John’s coauthor, relates how a friend reading an early manuscript found the word “loneliness” to be disturbing, even more so than “rape,” “murder,” or “death.” This reaction fits perfectly with the major theme of the book–we humans are a very social bunch, and being cut off from other people, as in solitary confinement, might be the very worst punishment of all.

What I especially liked about the book is the constant, seamless integration of what we call “perspectives” in psychology, harkening back to William James. In other words, the neuroscience, social psychology, and cognitive science is all woven together so that you get the big picture. In other writing, John has compared psychology to a symphony, with the different perspectives contributing to the whole of our understanding just as the score, musicians, instruments, and conductor join together to produce fantastic music. He and William have definitely succeeded in bringing this integration to the study of loneliness. Given the all-too-frequent Balkanization of psychology into little subdomains, this approach is refreshing and informative.

Like William’s friend, I found myself feeling sad at times while reading the book. I don’t consider myself a lonely person, as I am blessed by having a close family and good friends. But I know a lot of lonely people, and reading the various case studies brought these people to mind in a vivid way. The sad mood lifted, however, when John would throw in some of his modest and self-deprecating humor, as in his description of his trip to “Grenada.” Enough said. You need to read the book to find out the rest. (more…)

               Thanks to photocopy for permission to use this Photo. 

My name is Donna and I live in Virginia. I am 46 years old, have been married for 23 years, have a 20 year old son and a 16 year old daughter—AND I work full-time! 

I’m getting ready to begin my second semester in Ashworth’s Associate Degree in Psychology program. I have been very happy with Ashworth. They have been very helpful and have worked with me to help me continue my studies. My son enrolled today in the Electrician Training program, so now we have 2 family members who are students. I would highly recommend Ashworth to anyone who is considering higher education.  

I’m very excited about completing this program and possibly furthering my education in this field if a Bachelor’s program is offered (which I understand is being considered).

Best of luck to everyone with their studies! 

Donna
Associate Degree In Psychology Student

In response to Stanford Prison Experiment Video Post:

WOW! Some experiment. Now, as to what the experiment teaches or doesn’t teach is the ultimate question.

It has been 35+ years since that experiment was done. There have been loads of changes in the prison system since the Stanford experiment. So, what happens today when you put good people in a bad situation? Well, there are a lot of factors that affect how that good person will react. For example, I know a person who was an exemplary citizen and that individual ended up serving 2 years in a state facility. That person was considered a model inmate, worked in the law library, and when released became heavily involved in criminal law and the justice system.

So, I think that how a person reacts to that environment depends a great deal on how their inner psyche has developed. I do not believe that most “good” people will deliberately injure someone simply because a person in authority has told them to do so.

I have many examples from a life of military and exposure to criminal inmates that debunk that ideology.  But, those are simply my thoughts.  GREAT video.

Betty
Student
Ashworth University School Of Health Care

Nick Worthey won the grand prize in Atom Film’s Intel Indies Film Contest for this animated story of the universal nature of power and greed. The film poses some interesting questions about the use of power, and also about the karma we create with our actions. (more…)