ABOUT: Jamie Hale
Contributions
Psychology Literacy
May 30, 2023Psychology literacy involves general knowledge of psychological science and an understanding of the processes used in acquiring knowledge. When attempting to improve psychology literacy, it is important to learn the key findings from the field, but it is just as important to learn the processes that are essential to forming theories, principles, and hypotheses (Morling …
Strategies for Better Learning: Tips for Everyone
May 9, 2023The effort required to learn new information is often intense and involves study practices that are minimally effective. Students may spend hours using suboptimal learning strategies. Learning is important for everyone, not just students. If a behavior or thought isn’t innate, then it is dependent on learning and memory. Most of our behaviors are learned. …
Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
April 24, 2023In the past, I defined psychology as the scientific study of behavior and cognition. Psychology is vast and involves humans and non-humans. At least a basic understanding of the brain is essential for understanding most branches of modern scientific psychology. Some students in the introduction to psychology courses I have taught were surprised to learn …
Examining The Mozart Effect and Intelligence
April 17, 2023Intelligence is an important quality; it is associated with positive outcomes in a variety of areas. We are always looking for tools that can help improve our intelligence or make us smarter. What if listening to a specific type of music could make us smarter? Proponents of The Mozart Effect assert that listening to Mozart …
Does PowerPoint Improve Student Learning?
March 13, 2023PowerPoint is used in countless classrooms. For many teachers and instructors, PowerPoint is a staple in their programs. Electronic presentation software—most notably PowerPoint—has had a big impact on education. I use PowerPoint and other strategies when teaching. There are advocates and critics of PowerPoint. With the use of PowerPoint being so prevalent, it is important …
Your Brain and Eating
March 7, 2023Humans consume a variety of foods derived from plants, animals and artificial products. The human brain plays a central role in the interactions between different stimuli that are involved with the regulation of eating. Brain Imaging Brain imaging and examining brain circuitry can play an important role in understanding eating. Brain imaging allows a view …
Controlling Unwanted Thoughts: A Scientific Perspective
February 22, 2023“Just don’t think about it” or “don’t worry about it.” Those are phrases you have probably heard. Those phrases are often offered as advice when we get something in our head; we get stuck with a thought we would rather not have. Unwanted thoughts often occur as annoyances and in some cases reach a point …
What Do You Need to Know about Science?
January 17, 2023General scientific knowledge is important, and being able to use scientific thinking in everyday life is beneficial to well-being. What you need to know about science depends on who you are. Someone interested in working in science or teaching science requires a different level of knowledge than someone who may be less involved with science. …
The Relationship Between Exercise and Mental Health
January 10, 2023Exercise is on many people’s mind at the beginning of the new year. Gyms we be full, and better health and fitness is the goal for many people in 2023. Exercise contributes to health and may lead to a range of benefits. The benefits of exercise include increased cardiovascular health and stronger bones, muscles, and …
Will Neuroscience Replace Psychology?
December 27, 2022Psychology is a young science and the focus of the field has evolved since its earliest beginnings. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and cognition. These studies are conducted in human and non-human animals. Psychology was created in the early eighteenth century from a blend of philosophy, neurology, and physiology. Psychology has never been …