Learning and Development & Social Influences

Ed Psych And You, back at it again, ladies and gents!

Do you know how to drive a car with a stick shift?  If you do, how did you learn to do so?  If you don't, why not?

All right, so this question is related to the section regarding learning and development depending on experience.  Individuals are going to understand things differently in regards to what they've experienced.  Example; to learn how to write effective essays, we need experiences with writing; to solve problems, we need experiences with problem solving.

So, do I know how to drive a car with a stick shift?  I could say kind of, but at this point I'm just going to say "no" because it has been six years since the last time I tried.  Whether it was yes, or if it was no, it all revolves back to the fact of "experience."  At one point, I was dating someone who every time I saw them made me practice driving their stick.  I don't now because I don't practice - meaning I don't have any experience with doing such.

You notice that your two best friends have gained a considerable amount of weight.  Will this influence you in any way?  Are you more likely to be careful about what you eat, so the same thing doesn't happen to you?

I, personally, feel that this would influence me in multiple ways.  First, I might start avoiding them as people because I get slightly uncomfortable around heavier people.  It looks extremely awkward and, is in fact, hard on the body and therefore, watching a person struggle to walk up a set of stairs or hearing them weeze heavily makes me want to run away.  I would also probably start eating less because I don't want to end up like them.  That though plays a part with my self body issues.

It's interesting because the chapter informs us that, "Researches have found that if your friends are overweight, you're also more likely to be overweight.  And, if you go out to a restaurant, and your friends are heavy eaters, you're likely to eat more than if your friends order light meals."

Going off on a related note, positive influences exist as well!  I know this from first hand experience.  My freshmen, sophomore, and junior year of college I was dating a very negative individual, and I was also friends with people who were just Debbie Downers constantly.  It was amazing to purge them out of my life because in doing so, I became happier!


On a more fun note, I introduced my two cats today!  Well, one is a cat, and I guess, the other is still considered a kitten.  It is going well, I feel.  Kit (the grouchy old one) after day two has stopped growling constantly and instead just does so when Coconut gets within a foot.  (This is even better than the previous days where the growling would intensify if he came within three feet.)  While she swipes at him, she also jumps on top of the chair and rolls on it while swatting at him - something that resembles playing.  Today, we were all able to take a nap with no cat freaking out and no growls to be heard.  It was glorious.  They might never become best buds, but I think we are on a good path to them getting along/tolerating each other. :)

Physical Development

Chapter 3 of my textbook is proving very interesting!

That, and my kitten is currently trying to eat my fingers while I type.  No, this isn't some tiny kitten.  This is a fluffy, teenager cat that basically is going through an "angst" stage and wanting to eat every and anything that moves.

Ew.  His nose is wet.

Are you short or tall?  Thin or heavy?  Did you go through puberty early or late?  How have these factors affected your development as a person?

I am an individual that falls within the "short" category by 1".  I would say I am average, if not on the thin side.  Definitely not heavy or overweight.  I went through puberty at a young age, but also did not develop in other areas until college - and that was also due to gaining weight.

It was definitely hard because even though in sixth grade we talked about periods and our bodies changing, I had teachers give me a hard time when I asked to go to the bathroom at the same time every day for a week.  I didn't want to go to change the products in between recess because that meant people might see what I was doing.  It was difficult having teachers not be there to help you.  It was also tough that I go my period earlier than everyone else, but I didn't develop any breasts.

Having boys call you, "2x4, flat as a board" literally from 7th to 12th grade, was awful.  It impacted me in such a way, that when I got to college and boys showed interest in me, I dismissed it because why would they like me?  I don't have boobs.  There were a couple that I'd flat out ask them, and they were very confused because "boobs aren't everything."  It was great to have some young men that were maturing enough not to be focusing completely on one body part, but it was awful because I still wonder if I'm good enough - based off the idea I'm not pretty if I don't have a cup size over a C.

I think it was hard because having my period sooner than everyone made me kind of serious.  I was dealing with body pain before everyone else.  I was dealing with the embarrassment of trying to hide a tampon in my sleeve.  I was gaining the understanding of what having a period meant for my body, and that thought - that I could have kids now, was terrifying.

Overall, I think puberty made me develop mentally faster, while my body was.  My indicated that my body was "now a woman," and with that I felt I needed to become a grown up.  It was also hard that by acting more mature and serious than others my age, they became annoyed with me.

It's really cool for me to come to college though and be able to take a step back and learn about what is and isn't important in life.  And be able to pick the people you actually want to hang out with, haha.  My graduating class was 42, so you really don't get much of choice.

There it is! My reflections for Ed Psych!