Papers/Articles written by Amanda D. Barncord Doerr
The function of hemispheric asymmetry in regards to perceptions, cognition, and emotions.
July 2009
The intent of this capstone project is to study the hemispheric-specific traits of the brain to identify how these traits affect perception, cognition, and emotion. It is hypothesized that a counselor could theoretically increase rapport with their client by having a greater understanding of how the brain affects the mind. To determine whether this idea has any possible scientific basis, a literary review of professional books and journal articles dealing with brain hemispheres and mental functions was conducted. Research was focused on perception, cognition, emotion, concept of self and ways to identity hemispheric dominance. Personality was also an aspect originally considered, but none of the literature reviewed made any reference to it.
Creating Safer Prisons Through Art
April 24, 2007
Can art actually affect the level of violence? According to the 1983 California's Brewster Study, inmates participating in AIC [Arts In Corrections] at two state prisons had fewer disciplinary problems. (Menees) In one institution, the reduction of disciplinary reports written was 80%. (Gussak) How much violence could art reduce nationwide? Unfortunately, not enough data about non-lethal violence is available to properly assess the costs of violence to the prison system. Some facilities keep no record at all of the assaults within their walls. (CSAAP)
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Illness or Character Flaw?
October 2007
Narcissism may be one of the most commonly recognised character flaws. The word itself comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a young man who fell in love with his own image in a pool and then was turned into a daffodil by the gods for punishment for his hubris. Ellis and Nacke first introduced the term into psychiatry at the end of the 1800s, but it took Freud and Rank in the 1910s to describe the disorder. Reich an Horney expanded on the concept some in the 1930s. Then for about 40 years the issue laid practically dormant until the 1970s, when Kohut and Kernberg connected the developmental processes of self to the formation of pathological narcissism. It was their work that introduced the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) into the DSM. (Rivas, 2001)
Keys to Successful Interventions
May 2009
When many lay people talk about having an intervention with someone about their behavior, they tend to bring up scenes of verbally abusive behavior that is expressly prohibited by the ethical guidelines of the APA. Obviously there must be something wrong with this idea of ambushing a person with their bad behavior and beating them over the head with their flaws. Such behavior sounds more destructive than therapeutic. And indeed, described that way it is, this model of intervention sounds far more satisfying to the participants than useful to the recipient.
Stress management Life Learning Paper
May 2005
However, even when someone works to reduce the likelihood of stress in their life, it is going to happen. Playing and engaging in creative activities helps the mind and the soul, giving them more physical, mental and spiritual energy to invest towards the cause of the stress. Meditation, reading, drawing and other introspective pursuits allows a person to learn, supplement and process information which can lead to better ways of coping. Just being able to clear the mind can help one deal with some of the rough spots of life. It allows us to think out our actions and become responders and not reactors.
A Comparision of Historical Archetypal Intergenerational Family Roles
November 2004
Based on the archetypes studied for this paper, it would appear that an intergenerational family structure needs to have a sharing of wisdom and knowledge and a sense of teamwork to function smoothly. The more the elders share with the younger generations in regards of knowledge, skills, powers and responsibility, the less relational conflict there is between the generations. And the more the younger generation seek to learn from the elders, the more successful they are in their quests.
