prof_chuck’s psychology blog

Scholars,

Questions came up while discussing the auditory system the other day about parts of the ear (specifically, the otoliths, of which we have two on each side). I felt confident that these are a part of the vestibular system (along with the more familiar semicircular canals of which we have three on each side) and that they must not have anything to do with hearing because I had never heard of them. Since that time I’ve done a little reading on what makes up the vestibular system and I’m sharing info with you now. Just follow the links to any of the hot words in this ramble to learn more. This is the kind of thing that happens when you have a cognitive psychologist that knows a lot about memory talking about sensation. The main problem is that the term “inner ear” is very generic and refers to an area that contains parts of both the auditory and vestibular systems.

Figure 1 Human Labyrinth, from the left ear. It contains i) the cochlea (yellow), which is the peripheral organ of our auditory system; ii) the semicircular canals (brown), which transduce rotational movements; and iii) the otoliths (in the blue/purple pouches), which transducer linear accelerations. The light blue pouch is the endolymphatic sac, and contains only fluid.
___________________________________________

If you want to learn more read the Vestibular System Primer!

Technorati Tags: cognition, explanations, pedagogy

Scholars,

We will not have class tomorrow due to our lab space being used for the leadership conference.

Please spread the word and work on your homework problems for the oneway ANOVAs.

We will pick up were we left off on Tuesday.

prof_chuck

Jon Udell: language evolution in del.icio.us:
This is a really informative screencast of someone using del.icio.us. Great examples of the possibilities. If you want to learn more about tagging and how to use, it watch this screen cast.

Technorati Tags: cognition, explanations, web 2.0

Scholars,

The biology department is short on faculty and have placed a hold on all the BIOL 1007 classes that you guys need to take. They will open back up when they are sure that all their majors have a seat.

YOU NEED TO GO OVER THERE and get your name on a waiting list ASAP so you can get in the classes. Remember, This class and 1108 satisfy pre-req requirements for Dr. Noble’s Neuroscience class and for S&P (sensation and perception).

You might also try a chemistry sequence. Anyone interested in a clinical career should take both BIOL 1107/8 and a CHEM sequence with labs. I’d use one sequence in area D and the other as my electives.

Good Luck and make noise about this problem. Let us and lot’s of others know if you tried to take this class and could not. Perhaps it would put them in a position to hire some additional faculty members. Getting on the waiting list will help.

Technorati Tags: cognition, explanations, pedagogy

Let me know if you are interested. We can talk about this. prof_chuck

Hi Folks,

Colorado State, where I’ll be working next year, has recently received funding from NSF for a summer research experience for undergraduates program in “Mind and Brain”. Faculty have research interests in diverse areas of cognition. If you know any undergraduates who might want to spend their summer gaining research experience nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, please pass this info along to them. The deadline is April 14. There is also more information at: http://www.reu.colostate.edu

Best,

Dave

Scholars,

I hope everyone had a great break and that you are now ready to get back to work.

Just a few reminders for the week:

–mass advising tomorrow during the meeting period in Shott. All PSYC majors need to be there!

–stat exam on Tuesday over chapter 9 and 10 material.

–cognition will be diving into chapter 6 material

–intro psych students will be finishing up the physio material. Our test will either be on Friday or Monday. I want to make sure we cover the material as completely as possible.

I may be a little later than usual this morning as I am keeping my nephew until 10:15 or so.

Scholars,
In addition to the mass advising session that Dr. Noble and I will be doing, all psych profs have sign-up sheets by their office doors for individual help and guidance. They generally coincide with our office hours. You will find my calendar here (it is also a link in the right hand column). As students sign up at my door I will try and put it into my calendar. You may also make an appointment if no times work out. There is no reason you should miss the mass advising as it is during our meeting period. We will try and answer all questions at that time. Bring your catalog and any notes or plans you have made on how to get out of the university in 4 years (or 5…or 6…) with a degree.

You will find our checklist here as a pdf file. Print it out and keep it with your catalog.

Technorati Tags: cognition, pedagogy

Scholars,

I hope everyone has a great spring break.

If you missed it last night my boy Santino Rice did not win Project Runway. I’m thinking about ordering a t-shirt from his blog: http://santinorice.com/

And Yes, we will be having Intro Psych class tomorrow. ;-(

When we get back there will be a stats exam on Tuesday. I will be around most of the day on Monday. feel free to make an appointment for clarity if you need it.

Cognition folk, be reading chapters 4, 5, & 6. Our next exam will cover that material. In addition, keep on tagging and sharing good information.

If you happen to be staying around over spring break check out SEPA next weekend. You can find the program here.

Here’s a question from CED that I’ll answer for everyone…I’m sure some of you are a little confused because of the guest speakers that were interviewing for a faculty position.

Dr. Chuck,

I was just curious as to when our 2nd exam is, and what exactly it will be covering.

Thank You!

– C. E. D.
PSYC 1101
MWF11

Our next test will cover the modules on Learning and on Physiology. You’ll find my lecture slides and the modules that go along with the material here, our class website. We will need all of this week to get through the physio material and possibly the Monday after Spring Break. When we finish the physio material our next meeting will be the test. I’ll be able to give you a definite answer on Friday and I’ll post the date here on the blog for all to know. I am currently anticipating the Wednesday after break for exam #2.

Give me an underground laboratory, half a dozen atom smashers and a beautiful girl in a diaphanous veil waiting to be turned into a chimpanzee, and I care not who writes the nation’s laws. — S. J. Perelman

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