END-OF-ESP COURSE SELF ASSESSMENT (CONTRIBUTIONS TO WEBLOGS)

Writing (a summary): I had some difficulties, when I had to find the main points of the text. Generally, I understand the structure of the analytical and restatements summaries, but however I can not avoid spelling and grammar mistakes. Nevertheless, my performance is not bad and I will try to do my best in my English exam.

Writing ESP vocabulary tests: I have learned a lot of new information, new definitions. I am happy about my performance, because I have spent quite a lot of time for learning the material. This year it is quite difficult to learn all information from e.g. five modules together, but it is very useful for our future exam, when we will have to remember all information from all modules.

Writing class dictations (comprehension questions before the listening practice): my performance was not very good at this task, it was difficult to remember whole sentence and write it without mistakes. I did grammar and spelling mistakes, especially in new words, also often I lost some words.

Listening comprehension in class: sometimes it was quite easy to understand the text, but when speaker talked very quickly it was hard to understand the text and avoid mistakes. When we heard the record twice it was easier to understand and change some answers if necessary. However I am happy about my performance, because I am in progress.

Listening to peers’ power point presentations: I performed well in this task, because I could understand more a less all information. However, it was difficult to understand specific words, but I could understand the whole.

Making power point presentations: It was the most interesting task for me, because the theme was very interesting. It was interesting to make some practice, but difficult to translate the practical material from Lithuanian language into English. But I have not other choice, because the game was described only in Lithuanian books. I am happy about my performance, because my hard work was evaluated.

Speaking on ESP themes in class: This task was not difficult. It was always interesting to make a discussion, when you could say your opinion. I was quite active and I am happy about my performance.

KLEPTOMANIA

Kleptomania - an impulse-control disorder characterized by repeated stealing of objects not needed for personal use or for their intrinsic value, with emotional tension before the commission of a theft, followed by pleasure, gratification, or relief after its completion, the behavior being generally experienced as ego-dystonic. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O87-kleptomania.html)

These patients have an irresistible inclination to steal. Often they throw away the stolen goods, as they are mostly interested in the stealing itself. Kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting because shoplifters plan stealing of objects and usually steal because they do not have money to purchase the items. Occasionally the individual may hoard the stolen objects or surreptitiously return them. Although someone with this disorder will generally avoid stealing when immediate arrest is probable (such as in full view of a police officer), they usually do not plan the thefts or fully take into account the chances of apprehension. The stealing is done without collaboration with others.

Signs of kleptomania include:
· Recurrent failure to resist stealing impulses unrelated to personal use or financial need
· Feeling increased tension right before the theft
· Thefts are not committed in response to delusions, hallucinations or as expressions of revenge or anger
· Feeling pleasure, gratification or relief at the time of the theft
· Thefts cannot be better explained by Antisocial Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder or a Manic Episode
(http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/klepto.html)

Kleptomania is more often in females that in males. It is difficult to document the precise number of people with this problem. Often people with this disorder have another psychiatric disorder. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse disorders are common in individuals with kleptomania. Treatment is different. It can be in group, or one-on-one setting. To overcome kleptomania therapist can use behavior modification therapy, family therapy. Some medications that are used for people diagnosed with kleptomania are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mood stabilizers and opiate antagonists

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SELF-ASSESSMENT OF ESP LEARNING

WRITING SKILLS
I think that my writing skills are quite good, my preparation is not as perfect as possible, but I think it is better than last term. On my view, my summaries are better than last term because I have spent much time for preparing for it. For me this task is quite difficult, because it is a bit difficult to remember the material. Self-designed tests are the most interesting tasks and for me it is the best way to repeat the material. Next, dictations are quite difficult for me, and I can not avoid spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Finally, contributions to weblogs are both interesting and quite difficult, because it is quite difficult to avoid any errors however the preparation is very interesting.

SPEAKING SKILLS
In my opinion, my speaking skills are good, but I can not avoid all pronunciation errors, I can understand the whole, but particular words for me are unknown. Participation in class discussions and speaking in pairs help me to expand my vocabulary, to understand other people. Presentations are good way to repeat modules, to know new information. I hope that this term my preparation is better, because this work need a lot of work.

LISTENING SKILLS
I think, that it is the most difficult tasks of all. Some listening activities in class are quite successful, but some of them are not as successful as I want. Listening to podcast was not the easiest task, but it was successful for me. I understand that I need to improve my listening skill and do more listening activities outside the class.

READING SKILLS
In my opinion, my reading skills are quite good. While I am reading I can understand the whole, but to understand reading tasks exactly I always need vocabulary. It involves all tasks: home reading, class reading, reading comprehension exercises, computer tasks. Reading is very good way to improve not only vocabulary skills, but also writing skills and speaking skills.

Artificial Intelligence

What is artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence was invented to help people in daily life, however it has not only positive, but also negative influence. It is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. It is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but AI does not have to confine itself to methods that are biologically observable. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the area of computer science focusing on creating machines that can engage on behaviors that humans consider intelligent. The ability to create intelligent machines has intrigued humans since ancient times, and today with the advent of the computer and 50 years of research into AI programming techniques, the dream of smart machines is becoming a reality. Researchers are creating systems which can mimic human thought, understand speech, beat the best human chess-player, and countless other feats never before possible. AI have some advantages and disadvantages. AI is a new step that is very helpful to the society. Machines can do jobs that require detailed instructions followed and mental alertness. AI with its learning capabilities can accomplish those tasks but only if the worlds conservatives are ready to change and allow this to be a possibility. The more use we get out of the machines the less work is required by us. In turn less injuries and stress to human beings. Human beings are a species that learn by trying, and we must be prepared to give AI a chance seeing AI as a blessing, not an inhibition. Finally, we need to be prepared for the worst of AI. AI have many kinks to work out. There is always that fear that if AI learning is based, will machines learn that being rich and successful is a good thing, then wage war against economic powers and famous people? There are so many things that can go wrong with a new system so we must be as prepared as we can be for this new technology. It is not my aim to suprise or shock you--but the simplest way I can summarize is to say that there are now in the world machines that can think, that can learn and that can create. Moreover, their ability to do these things is going to increase rapidly until--in a visible future--the range of problems they can handle will be coextensive with the range to which the human mind has been applied. --Herbert Simon

References:

http://library.thinkquest.org/2705/

http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/whatisai/node1.html

BODY LANGUAGE

Body language is an important part of communication which can constitute 50% or more of what we are communicating. If you wish to communicate well, then it makes sense to understand how you can (and cannot) use your body to say what you mean.
Body language comes in clusters of signals and postures, depending on the internal emotions and mental states. Recognizing a whole cluster is thus far more reliable than trying to interpret individual elements.

Aggressive body language: Showing physical threat.
Attentive body language: Showing real interest.
Bored body language: Just not being interested.
Closed body language: Many reasons are closed.
Deceptive body language: Seeking to cover up lying or other deception.
Defensive body language: Protecting self from attack.
Dominant body language: Dominating others.
Emotional body language: Identifying feelings.
Evaluating body language: Judging and deciding about something.
Greeting body language: Meeting rituals.
Open body language: Many reasons for being open.
Power body language: Demonstrating one's power.
Ready body language: Wanting to act and waiting for the trigger.
Relaxed body language: Comfortable and unstressed.
Romantic body language: Showing attraction to others.
Submissive body language: Showing you are prepared to give in.

Signals can be sent by the individual parts of the body. For me very interesting part is face, because face is so expressive and can say a lot of information about people, about their feelings, emotions and so on. There are some examples:

Anxiety - Eyes damp; eyebrows slightly pushed together; trembling lower lip; chin possibly wrinkled; head slightly tilted down.
Fear - Eyes wide, closed or pointing down; raised eyebrows; mouth open or corners turned down; chin pulled in; head down, white face.
Anger - Eyes wide and staring; eyebrows pulled down (especially in middle); wrinkled forehead; flared nostrils; mouth flattened or clenched teeth bared; jutting chin, red face.
Happiness - Mouth smiling (open or closed); possible laughter; crows-feet wrinkles at sides of sparkling eyes; slightly raised eyebrows; head level.
Sadness - Eyes cast down and possibly damp or tearful; head down; lips pinched; head down or to the side.
Envy - Eyes staring; mouth corners turned down; nose turned in sneer; chin jutting.
Desire - Eyes wide open with dilated pupils; slightly raised eyebrows; lips slightly parted or puckered or smiling; head tilted forward.
Interest - Steady gaze of eyes at item of interest (may be squinting); slightly raised eyebrows; lips slightly pressed together; head erect or pushed forward.
Boredom - Eyes looking away; face generally immobile; corners of mouth turned down or lips pulled to the side; head propped up with hand.
Surprise - Eyes wide open; eyebrows raised high; mouth dropped wide open with consequent lowered chin; head held back or tilted to side.
Relief - Eyebrows tilted outwards (lowered outer edges); mouth either tilted down or smiling; head tilted.
Disgust - Eyes and head turned away; nostrils flared; nose twisted in sneer; mouth closed, possibly with tongue protruding; chin jutting.
Shame - Eyes and head turned down; eyebrows held low; skin blushing red.
Pity - Eyes in extended gaze and possibly damp; eyebrows slightly pulled together in middle or downwards at edges; mouth turned down at corners; head tilted to side.

References:
http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/body_language.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_language

Chimps beat humans in memory test

Restatement summary

Chimpanzees have an extraordinary photographic memory that is far superior to human.

First of all, chimps outperformed university students in menory test devised by Japanese scientists. Furthermore, chimpanzees at the age of five have a better performance in a memory task than humans. Researchers believe that young chimps have a photographic memory. This menmory allows them to memorise a complex scene or pattern at a glance. However Dr. Lisa Parr described research as "ground - breaking"

To sum up, the studies show that elaborate short - term memory skills may have had a much more salient function in early humans than is present in modern human.

Sleep

Dreams

Have you ever wonder how you can interpret some of the most common dreams? Each dream is a mixture of our biological instincts, our cultural assumptions and our own personal experience. As we dream, our brains create stories from these ingredients, sometimes to "replay" recent events, and at times voice concerns that our waking minds are not yet ready to face. These stories are occasionally laced with complicated plots, and sometimes populated with elaborate visual or verbal puns that help us unlock their meaning. Animals symbolize our own traits, good and bad. When you see an animal doing something in your dreams it usually represents a bad trait. Vehicles that you ride in usually reflect two things; the direction you are heading in life, and your body. A child represents to most of us, something new, different and joyous. Using this logic, it is easy to see why a child represents a new phase in your life or a new project as well. When you get into different moods you tend to choose different clothing, so clothing, for this reason best symbolizes your mood or state of mind. They also signify attitude. Nearly any dream you have that refers to death, dying or attending a funeral, or the like, pertain to change. Most all the time this change is very dramatic and major. It can be change in your life attitude or emotional balance. These types of dreams can also symbolize confronting fear, usually fear of death or change. The building in a dream usually points directly to a specific area of your life. Dreaming of being in an office complex, or factory can pertain to your working environment. People most often portrayed in dreams are actually reflections of your own personality traits, provided the dream is not prophetic. Dreams can have different meanings for different people so we have to know about our self as much as possible.

Mother - people who make the biggest influence on me A lot of people make a big influence on me: my friends, my relation byt the biggest influence make my mother. Our relatioship is briliant and I am so happy for that. To start with my mother is very understandable, well wishing, heartiness and very optimistic. When it is hard to make an important decidion my mother always help me and give fabulous seggestions. Next, when I am very sad she always try to make my thinking more positive. She says me: 'keep your pecker up'. Summarizing concrete ways in which my mother influence me I would like to say that she helps me to be more positive and emotional stronger. She shows me that people should be more understandable for each other. I think my mother will have a great influence on me in the future because she is both good mother and good friend. To sum up, I am very happy because I have a wonderful mother and the best example.

PHOBIAS Now I would like to talk about phobias, about famous people who have some phobias, also about causes and treatments. David Beckham: Ataxophobia Talk about perfectionism: In David Beckham's closet, each shirt is filed according to its color. Each can of soda is lined up in his refrigerator like soldiers at attention. Beckham is sometimes described as an ataxophobic or a person who fears disorder. "Everything has to match in the house," his wife, Victoria, formerly known as Posh Spice, told People magazine two years ago. "If there are three cans of diet Coke he'd throw one away rather than having three because it's uneven." Woody Allen: Anhedonia Woody Allen turned his neurosis into a career. "I've been killing spiders since I was 30,'' he boasts to Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. In addition to various insects, Allen also claims to have morbid fears of sunshine, dogs, children, heights, small rooms, crowds, cancer and various illnesses, and any place on earth outside Manhattan. The main causes: Arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions. Traumatic experience at early age. Heredity, genetics and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences play a big role. Treatments: Some therapists use virtual reality to desensitize patiens to the feared entity. These are parts of systematic desentization therapy. Congitive behavioral therapy can be benficial. It lets the patient understand the cycle of negative thought patterns and ways to change these thought patterns. Congitive behavioral therapy may be conducted in a group setting. Anti-anxiety or anti-depression medications can be of assistance in many cases. In deslusitization three steps are involved: Training the petient to physically relax. Establish an anxiety hierarchy of the stimuli involved. Providing fears stimulus by anxiety hierarchy step after step. There are about 500 phobias but I would talk about some of them. Anglophobia - fear of pain. This phobia can be eliminated by a right methods. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved onesand business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, overall feelings of dread. Though a variety of potent drugs are often prescribed for anglophobia. Bacillophobia - fear of bacteries. A phobia is an unreasonable sort of fear thet can cause avoidance and panic. Phobias are relatively common type of anxiety disorders. This phobia can be treated by Congitive behavioral therapy using exposure and fear reductions techniques and medications during the early stages of therapy. To sum up, there are a lot of phobias but we have to fight with them and win them.

Psychology of Negotiations

Psychology of Negotiations

We need negotiations to achieve agreements with our employers and employees, customers and contractual partners. We also use negotiations techniques in resolving everyday disagreements. Negotiations have a different meaning for everyone. Negotiations are examined as a process, as a psycho-social phenomenon, a competitive situation, problem resolution and techniques to resolve conflicts. The best thing is when both sides are winners and both sides are happy. There are some situations when are two winners but commonly there are one winner and one loser. Of course can be two losers too.
The process of negotiations is very hard thing and if people want that the negotiations would be successful people have to prepare thoroughly and to know the partner very well. Person who negotiate the negotiation shoul be good psychologist, orator, actor and good expert of his work area. Also shoul be competent and take a suitable decidion. Moreover, people have to plan the negotiations if they want that negotiation would be successful.

Psychology of color

Color is such an important element in our lives. We use colours to convey emotion, communicate, simbolize ideas and represent our cultures.
The color you like say a lot about you:))))
For me the nicest color is blue. Blue brings comfort and serenity to our lives. People who like blue have a basic need for a calm, harmonious and tesion-free existence. sensitive to others make people who like blue color trustworthy friend. Also blue associated with success, power and professionism.
Other colors:
Red is associated with strength, boldness, excitement, determination, desire, courage;
Orange is associated with enthusiasm, cheerfulness, affordability, stimulation, creativity;
Yellow is associated with attention-grabbing, comfort, liveliness, intellect, happiness, energy;
Green is associated with durability, reliability, safety, honesty, optimism, harmony, freshness;
Blue is associated withdepth, stability, professionalism, loyalty, reliability, honor, trust;
Purple is associated with power,nobility, luxury, mystery, royalty, elegance, magic;
Gray is associated with conservatism, traditionalism, intelligence, seriousness;
Brown is associated with endurance, relaxing, confident, casual, reassuring, earthy;
Black is associated with elegance, sophistication, formality, strength, mystery;
White is associated with cleanliness, purity, newness, virginity, peace, innocence, simplicity .
Color can affect all parts of our life. Color can create a lot of conditions such as increased excitement or activity, aggressiveness or restfulness or lead to an increase or dicrease in stress.
To sum up colors are so important in our lives. It makes our life nicer:))))

The major subfields of psychology

There are 20 subfields of psichology. The most interesting one for me is development psychology because this subfiels examines how people grow and change over their life: from the moment of conception through death.

It is very interesting to see how people chage, to see the first baby’s step, to hear the first word, to see the first smile… Also to see and to understand why people are so happy when they fall in love and so on…

…the first step…

…the first word…

…the first smile…

…the first love…

Why I have chosen psichology to study

It is very difficult to explain why
I have chosen this profession...

There are quite many reasons why I have chosen this profession. To start with, it is very interesting profession because you can communicate with people, try to understand them and help them to solve their problems. I am sure that the study program of psichology would provide me with the possibility to help people. It is interesting for me to analyze people characters. I can easily tolerate people of different cheracters. Next, this profession is useful for all professions because everyone should know how to communicate with people and also everyone should hear what other people say. But it is the most difficult thing because many people take care only on themselves. But on the other hand it is very difficult work, because you can not solve people problems quickly and it take a long time to see your work results. In this work everyone should be very faithful, polite, so I think I will cope with this work and I will try to do my best.

Best wishes from Ugne