Abstract MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or "Ecstasy" as it is more commonly called, has earned its place as the recreational drug of choice for many people. Its users cite its supposed safety as well as its perceived psychological benefits. This paper presents an unbiased look at the drug. It shows the history and development of the drug, its physical and psychological effects (initial, short-term and long-term) and details the probability of birth defects on babies whose mothers used MSMA. The paper also looks at the effects on cognitive functioning, misuse of the drug and illnesses connected to its use. A conclusion asks the question, "Is it worth it?".
From the Paper ?Many studies have been done on non-human primates and rats. In these studies, the administration of MDMA produced extensive and possibly permanent damage to axons and synapses containing 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). The areas of the brain most affected by this damage are the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. The hippocampus is of particular interest because it is associated with the storing of new memories, a task which studies have shown MDMA users have extreme difficult with. A reduced glucose metabolism rate of the left hippocampus is also seen."
Abstract Extraordinary musical talent is very rare; however a more uncommon talent, even among musicians, is absolute pitch. The paper explains that absolute pitch, also known as perfect pitch, is the ability to accurately identify pitches by name or produce a particular pitch without musical context or reference to another tone. The origins of absolute pitch have not been fully explored, but it is certain that genetic, environmental and biological factors all play a part in the development of this ability. The paper argues that more research should be done to separate the components affecting absolute pitch, as it can give valuable insight to the nature versus nurture debate.
From the Paper "Another study used PET scanning to compare the cerebral blood flow of absolute pitch possessors to control musicians without absolute pitch. During pitch labeling tests, absolute pitch possessors demonstrated activation of the left posterior dorsolateral frontal cortex, an area related to learning associations. During interval-judgment tests, control subjects showed activation in the left posterior dorsolateral cortex and right inferior frontal cortex, an area of the brain thought to be used as working memory."
Abstract This paper reviews two articles: "How Americans Are Living Dangerously", relating to how Americans perceive risks and the second article "The Science of Anxiety" dealing with the phenomenon of anxiety and its effects. The author explains that both articles were written for a readership of lay people unfamiliar with the field of health psychology, and points out that although the articles are informative, they lack credibility of an article from more specialized publications.
From the Paper "The article is comprehensive in that it compiles the opinions of many experts in risk assessment. It is a multispecialty field, comprised of neuroscientists, psychologists, risk consultants and other academicians in various fields related to risk. Direct quotations from these experts are used often to emphasize points made by the author. The article is written in a type of "inverted triangle" format used such that it attracts attention before discussion of facts in a logical manner such that the reader is engaged by both anecdotes and facts, interwoven to provide a flow that all readers are accustomed to. Technical jargon is explained by examples and are easily comprehendible, perhaps more so than through the use of the strictly scientific (but otherwise precise) definition. This is in stark contrast to the structured format adhered to by the academe, particularly journal articles. This is understandable, since laymen reading this article can absorb the essence of the article rather than details which may be of trivial significance to them.
"While the article is informative and presents much insight into the concept of risk, the article's target audience is left with "just enough" information to be able to process and assimilate it. While the information it provides is indeed useful in promoting well-being, there is a superficial essence to it. This is understandable, since anyone with a more formal educational background would have the tendency to scrutinize this - and any - article relevant to his field of study. In this case, while facts are presented on after the other, there is an unsettling paucity of alternative, negating or even contradictory explanations."
Abstract The paper is a study of grieving behaviour between men and women. The paper states that there has been relatively little research on the ways in which biological differences between men and women interact with the psychological/sociocultural influences relevant to bereavement. This paper correlates these two areas of research into a biopsychological model by examining disruption in biological regulatory processes following traumatic events and the significance of these events for physical and psychological functioning as they differ between males and females.
Outline:
Introduction
Background
Cultural Differences in Grieving
Gender Differences in Grieving
Conclusion
From the Paper "The psychological correlates specific to twin and sibling loss have been less well studied by bereavement researchers than those associated with parental, child, and spousal loss. Some analyses have, however, underlined the impact of twin and sibling loss as significant and enduring (Bank & Kahn, 1982; Segal, Wilson, Bouchard, & Gitlin, 1995). Increased focus on opposite-sex twins and siblings promises to yield informative findings of both theoretical and practical significance with respect to gender differences in grief, as well as differences in age at loss and cause of death. Greater attention to personality characteristics, the previous sibling relationship, and life crises that may have preceeded the death is also needed."
Abstract This paper discusses physiological and psychological aspects of stress, and reviews its socio-economic effects. This paper also examines women and stress susceptibility, alcohol usage, depression and cognitive coping strategies. This paper includes extracts from select published reports, which seek to further explore and correlate physiological and psychological aspects of stress.
Table of Contents:
Stress
- Stress - Studies and Physiological Attributes
- Stress- Psychological Attributes and Studies
- Emotional Processing and Psychological Stress
- Women and Stress Susceptibility
Select Stress - Related Studies
- Eating Disorders
- Stress and Alcohol Usage
- Depression and Psychosomatic Illness
Stress Management and Coping
- Optimism
- Hardiness
- Coping Strategies
- Social Support
- Positive and Negative Emotions
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Frederickson (2000) the form and function of positive and negative emotions are distinct and complementary. 'Negative emotions (e.g., fear, anger, and sadness) narrow an individual's momentary thought-action repertoire toward specific actions' that served the ancestral function of promoting survival. By contrast, positive emotions (e.g., joy, interest, and contentment) broaden an individual's momentary thought-action repertoire, which in turn can build that individual's enduring personal resources, resources that also served the ancestral function of promoting survival. One implication of the broaden-and-build model (Frederickson, 2000) is that positive emotions have an undoing effect on negative emotions. By broadening the momentary thought-action repertoire, positive emotions loosen the hold that negative emotions gain on an individual's mind and body by undoing the narrowed psychological and physiological preparation for specific action. Indeed, empirical studies have shown that contentment and joy speed recovery from the cardiovascular aftereffects of negative emotions (Fredrickson & Levenson, 1998 as cited by Frederickson, 2000)."
