Ten people joined the first Demystifying Psychology “Zoom” Discussion Group on Friday 15 May. Forensic Psychology is the current topic. We started with an outline of a few basic concepts then jumped into some interesting comments and discussions. We are using the free Zoom version so at the 40-minute mark we were logged out … just as we found our rhythm.
 
All U3A members are welcome to join these discussion groups as often as you wish.  You might be interested in the topics, want to exercise the grey matter, or socialise Jetson style. (Enjoy a funny short “blast to the past” at https://youtu.be/0idWiHiasKg). Join us.
 
The relaxation of Covid19 restrictions to allow visitors to our homes is good news for non-tech members who are interested in this discussion group.  This might be an opportunity for tech-savvy members to invite a friend over to join the discussion. Of course, social distancing guidelines continue.
 
This is what happened (and was discovered) at our first discussion group.
 
Technology:

1. Ten participants worked well and there is capacity for a larger group.
2. “Zoom style” discussion group protocol was readily taken up. Muting and “hands up” (actual or the icon) when wishing to speak worked well.
3. Laptops, desktops, iPad, and tablets were used successfully.
4. Clicking the link to the discussion group is a one-step way to join in.
5. When a discussion group is timed out, click on the original link to participate in a further 40-minute discussion group time.

 
Content:

1. Forensic psychology and law are linked.
2. A Forensic Psychologist might assess a client and assist courts to interpret the assessment and its implications.
3. Forensic Psychologists work in many settings as well as courts, for example, schools, child protection, and mental health.
4. Psychopathic and sociopathic characteristics are similar (now called Antisocial Personality Disorder ASPD).
5. What is known about these characteristics comes mainly from forensic (i.e. structured) interviews with people who have come to the attention of courts etc.

 
Discussion:

• The apparent fascination for Forensic Psychology and portrayal of sociopathy and psychopathy in the TV/movie/book worlds.
• Drug dependency and choices made.

 
… and then we were timed out!!
 
Interesting reading/listening:

• TED Talk “Strange answers to the psychopath test” by Jon Ronson  2012
  https://www.ted.com/talks/jon_ronson_strange_answers_to_the_psychopath_test?utm_source=tedcomshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tedspread
• Psychopathy https://blog.allpsych.com/psychopaths-dont-care-about-cute-animals/
• Psychology od stalking https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/the-psychology-of-stalking/3385910

 
Time allocation:
Forty minutes is not enough. Future groups will be extended using the method in 5 above. New extended times are:

• First Wed of each month – 10am to 12noon.  Next discussion group 3 June 2020
• Third Friday of each month – 1pm to 3pm. Next discussion group 19 June 2020

 
These extended times may not fit with some diaries. My apologies. Your contribution is welcome so please feel free to join and leave each discussion group as you need to.
 
Go to https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/demystifying-psychology for :

• How to participate
• Links for discussion groups

 
We are all doing a great job in these historical times.  Keep well.
 
Jane Rushworth
0437 621 575

​​Having got off to such a great start we’ve been side-lined by a tiny microbe with a very loud message.

I hope you’re able to make the most of this surreal Picasso-esque time in which we know what we’re looking at, but it all seems quite odd.  

​Perhaps like you, my focus has been my “tribe” – my three children and their families. Fears and changes rolled over us daily. Some incomes have gone, staff have been put off, businesses closed, or models changed (three times in one week for a cafe). Now we’re relatively “settled” as well as respectful, intrigued and appreciative of the emerging new “normal”.

​With physiological and safety needs secure (relative to this surreal time) my tribe is talking more about maintaining family and friend contacts in Stage 3 guidelines.

​One of our tribal strengths is humor and irreverence.  And didn’t the toilet paper debacle give us a ripper start (pun fully intended!)  
​
Had we been meeting at U3A, we might have been discussing:

• What theoretical perspectives describe your recent experiences?
• How has your preferred coping style varied? How might others have seen these changes?
• How are you nurturing yourselves? What are your daily self-kindnesses?
• Recent political and economic decisions reflect Maslow’s theory. How?

 
Some interesting links at this time of considerable change.

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Demystifying Psychology got off to an excellent start last Friday 21 February. 36 energetic, curious and engaged minds took part in the inaugural information packed session.

​Foundation concepts took up the first hour. Discussions focused on what is psychology, its history (which extends back to Plato), the various schools of psychological thought, ethics (and some pretty dastardly historical examples), the importance of measurement and the psychologist/psychiatrists “bible” – the Diagnostic Statistical Manual.

Then after a well-earned cuppa we settled into the next hour and the first topic - “Personalities and Coping Styles”.

As a U3A “newbie” I really appreciated (as I’m sure those who participated would also) the kindness of members who helped set up the room (Joy and Pat) and oriented me to the IT and photocopier equipment (Bev).  Thank you for your help and warm welcome to U3A.

You’ll find the Session #1 Powerpoint, together with two handouts, below.

Handouts:  
Preferred Coping Styles Inventory (pdf)
Psychological Disorders and Mental States (pdf)

The program runs on the 3rd Friday of the month (2-4pm) up to and including 15/6/2020. Looking forward to Session #2 on 20 March.

Jane Rushworth