Poem - published

The demon surveyed below him the mass of people and suddenly he smiled as he
swept down and entered her body.
She gasped feeling a slight pain and then began to vomit, as she never had
before.  The sounds of the church bell struck three and she looked up at the
house near her and noticed the numbers 666.
" My God " she cried before the evil tore her within.  She looked up at the
sky one final time before collapsing.

        Two spirits left her body, one good and one bad.  The evil one sneered
and then began to sing blasphemies.  The good spirit rose above to look at her
body.  She then became engulfed with the most beautiful soft color of white
PPand peace returned to her.

The biology of memory (psychology notes)

Which structures in the brain mediate memory?  Is it possible to study the brain as in input-output system, with central controlling processes that influence how memory works?  With MRI and PET scans it has been possible to identify anatomically distinct brain structures that mediate memory such as the hippocampus and the frontal lobes.

l.  Hippocampus:  located in the limbic system which is responsible for emotional behavior, the hippocampus appears to be important for declarative memory and conscious learning.  It is a vital structure for the encoding functions of working on short term memory (STM).  Damage to this structure leads to a preservation of old facts but difficulty in learning and retaining new facts.  Difficulty in forming memories among some older people may be due to too many stress hormones which interfere with the hippocampus and resulting attention and memory.  This limits the development of new declarative memories.

2.  Amygdala:  located in the limbic system, this structure is involved in emotional conditioning.  It has been shown that with amnesiacs, after they have been conditioned to dislike someone they continue the emotional reaction even though they cannot remember the person to whom they have this reaction.  Damage to this structure leads to difficulty in consciously learning and storing new facts (Declarative Memory) but not all facts.  New skills can be learned indicating that this structure is involved in procedural and not declarative memory.  The fact that we retain skills from early childhood indicates that procedural memory is mediated by other brain structures.  The fact that we cannot remember events before age two indicates we cannot establish very firm declarative memories.  This is in keeping with what is known about the hippocampus.  It is one of the last brain structures to mature fully.  Without a mature hippocampus, as is the case in early childhood -  no firm declarative memories.  This helps explain infantile amnesia -- the inability to remember our very early years between birth and four years of age.

3.  Frontal lobes:  located in the front portions of the cerebral cortex the frontal lobes develop thinking strategies for encoding and retrieval of items.  This structure is also involved in conscious memory and controls the hippocampus which is involved in declarative memory.  The frontal lobes gives the hippocampus direction and controls how it organizes information in incoding.  The frontal lobes also influence the retrieval of relevant information since the hippocampus lacks intelligent discrimination as to which information is relevant doing the retrieval process.  The frontal lobes focus attention and inhibit irrelevant responses.  Further, the frontal lobes influence the ability to remember where and when.  That is episodic memory and learning that requires organization and elaboration.

4.  Neostriatum:  located in the subcortex it controls motor activity and learning of new skills.

5.  Cerebellum  -  located below the cortex toward the back of the brain, it controls muscular conditioning as may occur in fear conditioning.  The hippocampus on the other hand is involved in more complex conditioning. 

Who do you trust to tell your story and help you get to where you want to go?

I have helped people in one way or another in all my choices of work after my first part time job at the age of 13.  One fellow student in my Master's program  once commented that I have prepared all my life for the work I am now doing which is counselling.  I have a sincere liking for people and still adhere to my life guard saving motto, "whomever you see in distress, recognize in him a fellow man."  When I was studying in my undergrad, I was shocked when our professor told us that in Canada, anyone can post up a sign or shingle and offer therapy without qualifications.  The only rule he said is that you cannot call the client a patient.  We had a few psychology courses under our belt and we were astonished.  I learned fast enough how people could charge so much money with so little qualifications if any.  How often to we ask about qualifications?  It is just assumed.  In the fall, things should change.  People who are offering counselling without qualifications will have to cease and I am glad.  I have always considered that an exploitation of people who are vulnerable.  There is just too much of that in every sphere.  I work under supervision and adhere to ethical regulations from two different organizations.  I need to tread carefully as anyone should working with people.  When I first started providing counselling, I would always say a little prayer and hope I would cause no harm.  That was my nightmare.  With more experience and supervision, I have found that there is nothing more rewarding.  It can be as simple as to have a person being able to open up to another.  In psychology I found the ground work for all I do.  In my Masters I learned about the  various religions, concepts, spirituality and love for others in a more formal way.  I also learned more psychology as it pertains to faith or otherwise.  In my pastoral counselling education I learned how to work with others of different denominations, experience background and various education.  I learned about couple and family therapy, grief counselling etc.. I also received my practicum experience.  In all I felt I was becoming more rounded to not only grow but in growth to help others.  Going for therapy can be very challenging for someone.  I remember one psychologist telling us that someone may just want to speak to someone since the "Aunt Martha" of long ago is gone.  People have no one to confide in.  Others are struggling and don't know why?  There are so many types of therapies that I enjoy tapping into all depending what the needs of the clients are.  If you are looking for someone to help you, check around.  Ask what their qualifications are?  If you want proof, go for it.  Are they being supervised if they are not as yet registered?   Are they working towards registration? Who are they accountable to?  Which organization are they affiliated with?  Are they a fit for you?  Are they qualified to help you with your specific problems?  And most of all, are you comfortable with this person you are pouring out your soul to?  Right now it is my understanding that the arguement is whether a Masters is required or not.  I think that  a Masters is required as a minimum.  What do you think? 

Sutton, and a bit more of me

A few days ago I went to Sutton, Ontario with family, for a day outing.  I know someone there who has a house, that resembles a resort.  A good mystery story should be born there.  I have been to Sutton twice and always to visit the same people.  However this day we were given the grand tour and I must say Sutton is pretty.  We drove along the lake and sprinkled, for sale signs, facing the lake were everywhere.  It was explained to me that people put the houses up for sale in the spring to see how high a sale they can get for it.  For the right price, it is up for grabs.  I must admit prices are so low compared to Toronto and it is tempting, but I do have another two years of paper work to do and it may be difficult for my clients to follow me there.  They have no Go Train.  There is one in New Market but that is too far and New Market is not my cup of tea.  It looks too much like a suburb of Toronto.  I also couldn't find a coffee shop.  I could still see me living there, walking to the non existent Star Bucks.  Perhaps just regular coffee would do, but there was none.  There was a two story Vicery type house on the lake with huge windows.  You could see right through the windows, onto the windows, at the opposite far side.  This was my dream home, lots of windows and open concept, on the water.  Oh, how unaffordable!     However there is another side of Sutton that is only visible  by the empty shops.  I was informed that Sutton has rich people or poor.  I did not have to pause  to remark, that the middle class seems to be disappearing everywhere.  However, I don't believe that the middle class has disappeared in Sutton.  There are to many middle class homes to be seen.
     I stopped at Tack Town, a horse place that sells my lonely book.  It is at Hwy 48, # 24339.  Don't ask me how to get there, as I found it by accident.  I know it is close to Sutton.  The shops in Sutton have a blend of old and new, except the pharmacy, I walked into.  That seemed to be selling everything new.  You have to be careful if you shop there though.  I saw one item I bought at Bombay for sale at 9.99 being sold for 59.99.  I gave them out for Christmas gifts one year because I thought it was such a good deal.  I guess it was.  Anyway, if you get the chance to drive through this area which they call Georgina, it is worth it.
      It has been too beautiful to work hard and therefore,  I have been taking mini vacations when it is sunny.  Yesterday I worked a bit and than lay outside with one of my pets reading a good book.  I never got to finish it, but am planning to next week.  Tomorrow is mothers day.  To all mothers HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.   How are you spending your quality time?  Are you balancing your life?  What have you done that you consider fun or relaxing or re-energizing?  Are you tired of being tired?  What are you doing about your life?  What changes do you want to make?  Where do you see yourself three years down the road?  What do you think?

Long Term Memory - Permanent memory (Psychology)

     Information is encoded and rehearsed and transferred from Short Term Memory (STM) to Long Term Memory (LTM) and placed in one of several types of memory systems:


sensory memory  -   the senses momentarily register amazing details.


short term memory -  a few items are both noticed and encoded.

long term storage - some items are altered or lost.

encoding failure/retrieval failure/repression.
   Retrieval from LTM   - depending on interference, retrieval cues, moods and motives, some things get retrieved and some don't.

     As an example the French language learned beforehand interferes proactivity.  Study French and study Spanish ______>PROACTIVE interference.  Spanish learned afterward interferes RETROACTIVITY.

   Episodes - people, places, times and declarative memory for general knowledge, facts, social customs, meaning of words - called Semantic memory.  Thus, there is episodic memory and semantic memory as part of the declarative memory system.

  There is the non-declarative or Procedural memory for habits and skills.  In procedural memory one learns how to do something rather than recollect something.  Much of the processing for doing takes place through unconscious learning as part of procedural memory.  There is:
a.  Motor memory -  the memory of doing such things as driving a car and talking to someone at the same time.
b.  Perceptual memory -  the ability to reconstruct in mind the features of something or the frequency or order of occurrence or location of something.

c.  Classical conditioning - a type of associative learning and memory of what has been learned largely taking place unconsciously.

                                                      Types of LTM

explicit (declarative) with conscious recall            implicit (non-declarative) without conscious recall

                           /             /                                                       /                                    /

facts, general knowledge   personally experienced                    skills, motor,              dispositions-classical  
(semantic theory)            events (episodic memory)                 cognitive                    and operant
                                                                                                                                conditioning effects

CONFUCIANISM – CHILDREN AND PARENTS

CONFUCIANISM – CHILDREN AND PARENTS

                                          By Silva Redigonda

          The parent and child relationship varies from family to family.  This essay will depict the parent and child relationship according to Confucianism.  This view will be compared to that of the Roman Catholic Church.   Finally, a theological reflection will be provided as it pertains to the parent and child from this writer’s perspective.

     Confucius was born around 551 B.C. in what is now Shantung province.  At the age of three Confucius’ father died and he was raised by his mother.  That Confucius was raised by a single parent and found himself in “a not too successful marriage” in his twenties is significant because Confucius placed great importance on the family.[1]  Confucius’ approach to love was that it extended outwards, although less intensely, from the family center.[2]   

     Confucius believed that there are five basic constant relationships and that specific relationships are each different and reciprocal.  These are referred to “The Five Constant Relationships,” one being those between parent and child.  “Parents should be loving, children reverential” (Smith, pp 175-176).  Confucius expected one to serve his parents as he would expect his children to serve him[3].   A list of expectations of the child’s duty towards his parents is from warming the bed for the parent to how a son should specifically stand (Novak, p.121).

     Confucianism ideal of a relationship between child and parent appears specific and rigid.  Yet this can be compared to the Roman Catholic translation of the fourth Commandment.

     The fourth Commandment is explicit to honoring one’s parents.  Here too there is a reciprocality of a child’s expectation toward a parent and a parent toward a child.  Grown children are responsible towards their parents. “As much as they can, they must give them material and moral support in old age.”  There is a list of duties for children as there are for parents, “Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons.”[4]  Unlike Confucianism it is not taken to the extreme to the point of how a child stands but the time of Confucianism and the interpretation of the commandment is of separate eras.  There is a clear similarity though not all Catholics may understand this.  For many the commandment is not taken reciprocal.  The belief is that children should honor the parents and not vice versa.  Confucianism, however, is very clear, certainly because Confucius was an educator.

     Catholicism and Confucianism both have strong positive values when it concerns the family unit.  Both are reciprocal.  Both seem clearly guided.  Both are of another time.  How does this apply in our modern era?  What does this raise for me?

     If all people carried the basic principal of honoring each other as parent and child our world would be reasonably better off.  Both religions clearly understand the importance of such close relations and the associated responsibility.  However, children are too often exploited by one or both parents.  It is far too common for a child to be physically or sexually abused by a parent who is entrusted to care for the child.  Children also physically abuse their parents, rob them and in today’s society abandon them by ignoring them, in a world they find too busy.  There is also the parent child relationship that is wonderful, aspiring, spiritual and warm.  This is life.  I think that there is a need of guidance for parents and children to promote a healthy relationship.  Total obedience may not be practical or justified when a child is abused.  The child needs to break away from that silence.  This has significance to me as a counsellor.  Too often, counsellors do not want to deal with a child because of the complications such as having to report cases of abuse.  After recently attending a seminar and learning that a counsellor may see a child without the parent’s knowledge as long as the child is competent in the counselor’s opinion makes it a lot easier for me to report the parent.  In the past, when I revealed that I would have to report any type of abuse, the parent would not permit me to see the child again.  I have learned.  A child is not property.  A child is a human being that should be afforded protection.  The limitation of the readings is that a child is expected to behave for the parent without exception.  There is a denial that a parent is unsuitable. 

     There are so many different types of relationships with children and parents.  Some are healthy and others are not.  Parents do not require a degree to raise children and perhaps they do not have enough resources to learn.  Others inspire a child to grow into a healthy human being.   I marvel in church when I hear a priest guiding a parent to be loving toward a child and vice versa.  I cringe when I hear that the parent is to be honored and it is left with parent and child to take it literally.             

     I think of how my own parents who formed me and provided me with a template to become who I am today.  Confucius realized the importance of guidance for a parent towards his child and a child towards his parents.  Our Catholic tradition does as well. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

     Catechism Of The Catholic Church.  Publication Service, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: Ottawa, 1994.    

     Novak, Philip.  The World’s Wisdom. Sacred Texts of the World’s Religons. Harper Collins: New York, 1994.     

     Rodrigues Hillary and Robinson Thomas, World Religions. A guide to the Essentials. Peabody, Massachusetts.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006.

     Smith, Huston. The World Religions. 50^th Anniversary Edition. Harper Collins: New York, 1991.

    

---

[1] Smith, Huston. The World Religions. 50^th Anniversary Edition. Harper Collins: New York, 1991. Pp 154-155.  Further references to the text will be indicated by the author’s name and page number. 

[2] Rodrigues Hillary, and  Robinson, Thomas. World Religions. A guide to the Essentials. Peabody, Massachusetts.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006. P 267.

[3] Novak, Philip.  The World’s Wisdom. Sacred Texts of the World’s Religons. Harper Collins: New York, 1994. P 127.  Further reference to the text will be indicated by the author’s name and page number.

[4] Catechism Of The Catholic Church.  Publication Service, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: Ottawa, 1994. P pp 456-457.

Short Term Memory cont.

Short term memory (working, conscience memory) - a short term storehouse for information that has been transferred and encoded from sensory memory.  What one is conscience of is the short term memory (STM).  Miller's work (in the 1950's and 1960's) demonstrated that STM is limited in storage and lasts only as long as one rehearses the information.  Through strategies of organizing or chuncking information, one can retain seven plus or minus two chunks.  Rehearsal or conscious repetition keeps memory from being forgotten.