Overcoming Odds

In both the intro and the development courses, the topic  of abuse rears its ugly head. Although unpleasant to think about, this social ill and its twin sister neglect certainly exist. Daily, children are burned, slapped, battered, shaken, belittled, debased, and criticized beyond belief. Many are neglected emotionally and physically. They’re starving for love and sustenance, for hugs and hamburgers and kind words and milk.  And then there are those who suffer sexual abuse by those whom they trust to care for and protect them.

Yet somehow there are children who overcome all odds, the ones with resilience. Resilience, the ability to overcome circumstances that place a child at high risk for psychological or physical damage, includes several factors. Their easygoing, good-natured, and affectionate dispositions work to endear them to others. Somehow they’re successful in eliciting behavior in others that’s essential for their development. Resilient children are also usually intelligent, independent, and have good communication skills. I’ve also read that many have at least one person “in their corner” on whom they can rely for support.

What do you think? Do you know someone who has survived abuse and/or neglect? What was his or her “secret?” Do you think it was resilience? Be as specific as possible. I’ve got a great example, but you go first.

Brain Changes

While cleaning out files earlier today, I came across some information that I probably posted a year or so ago under a different title. I think it’s appropriate for re-posting because last week someone in my PSY 203 (Human Growth & Development) class asked a question about infants and how quickly their brains develop. I reminded her that all of us, even elderly people, can keep our brains fresh and fit. HOW? Just how do messages get conveyed to and from the brain? What about synapses within the brain itself? How can we keep those synapses in good working order?

I came across some “neurobic” exercises proposed by Lawrence Katz, Duke University neurobiologist, and Manning Rubin in The Owner’s Manual to the Brain (love that book!). Each exercise is designed to form new associations among previously unassociated parts of the brain and bring new resources to a person’s consciousness. This “mental jogging” results in the formation of new synapses and the rejuvenation of already established synapses. I’m all for that. What about you? Which of the following seems like a “doable” exercise in your life? Can you think of other suggestions?

• Make different smells available from morning to night. • Occasionally use your unaccustomed hand to brush your teeth. • Switch what you normally wear (pins, wristwatch, pocket contents, hair part, etc.) on the left side to the right side and vice versa. • Take a different route to a frequent destination, such as work. • Try picking out the right coins (and other objects) without looking. • Turn things literally upside down, such as a picture in your office. • Chat with people whom you (and others) tend to overlook (e.g., store clerks). • If you’re not an artist, try painting or drawing a picture. If you are an artist, try doing it with your feet. • Try searching for food in the wild. • If you exercise indoors, try switching occasionally to outdoors and vice versa. • Master some new piece of technology from time to time. This could range from something as simple as a new wine bottle opener to a digital camera. • Try eating and preparing ethnic foods you’ve never experienced. • Acquire a new hobby.

Power of Self-Esteem

In PSY 103, we’re beginning a study of “self” words, including self-esteem. I thought it might be interesting to cite the definition given in the text (Reece & Brandt) and ask you to respond to it. Is it true? Does it affect our choices, and if so, how? Does it influence how we see the world and our place it in? Again, how? In other words, read the definition of this powerful concept and react to it. You might consider including a specific example of how it applies to your life.

“Our level of self-esteem affects virtually everything we think, say, and do. It affects how we see the world and our place in it. It affects how others in the world see and treat us. It affects the choices we make-choices about what we will do with our lives and with whom we will be involved. It affects our ability to both give and receive love. And, it affects our ability to take action to change things that need to be changed.”

Do you agree or disagree with the above? Just how important is healthy self-esteem?