Language

I’m going to say something about language..Something that we use every day, but I have no doubts,that not many of us have ever become thoughtful about what it really is.
Unfortunately, there are so many scientists interested in what actually language is and as always there are many definitions for language. Therefore, there is no unanimous opinion on what it is. Due to this fact and shortage of time I’ll mention just two of them. So one scientists say that language is system relating symbols to meaning and proving rules for combining and recombining the symbols for communication. Others say: language is the communication of information through symbols arranged according to systematic rules. I guess all of us should pick the most suitable definition for each of us.
Although scientists do not agree on what language is it looks like there are no arguments about what it is made of. I think that trying to understand language is equally important to understand all parts of it. So, the main structure of language is grammar, which deals with tree major components of language: Syntax, Phonology , Semantics. Now I’d like to say something more about these parts.
To begin, grammar. Grammar is a system of rules that determine how our thoughts can be expressed. In other words, it is the study of rules governing the use of language. It is important to know that every language has its own grammar. Even the same language has some different kinds of grammar. For example, the grammar we are learning at school is called prescriptive grammar. It covers how we’re supposed to speak and write by addressing appropriate style and correct sentence formation. The grammar that interests linguists is descriptive grammar, the collection of rules and principles which tell people how to create and understand an almost infinite number of utterances in their own language.
Then there is, syntax. Syntax is the ways in which words and phrases can be combined to form sentences.
Next, phonology- the study of smallest units of speech, called phonemes. Phonemes are divided into vowel phonemes and constant phonemes.
And the last, but not least- semantics. It is the meanings of words and sentences. Semantic rules allow us to use words to convey the subtlest nuances.
Now, when we know what the language is made of we should find out how we do lean it. Or should I say did learn. Even though infants can not speak but still they are communicating to the world. By the age of a month, a child is already distinguishing between similar sounds. Later (at age of 3 month through 1 year) they start babbling, which means making speechlike but meaningless sounds. Allover the world babies babble the same sounds. But luckily in the end of this stage the sounds that babies make begin to resemble the language of their caretakers. Moreover, after age of 1 year, children begin to learn more complicated forms of language. During this period they start using telegraphic speech. That’s sentences in which words not critical to the message are left out. It sounds if they were part of a telegram. As children get older they use less telegraphic speech and produce increasingly complex sentences. This also leads to errors. At age of 3 years children start to apply language rules even when the application results in an error. It is called overgeneralization. Finally by the age of 5 years children have acquired the basic rules of language.
Anyone can learn a new language. People who can use two languages well are bilingual. Children especially can learn to be bilingual, because they remember new information faster than adults. They can learn two languages at home, at school, or in the community. Some people learn both languages very well. But sometimes, they know one language better than the other. The language bilingual people know better is called the dominant language. Over time the dominant language may change, especially if it isn’t used regularly. Speaking two languages is like any other skill. To do it well, we need lots of practice.
There are many different advices how to become a bilingual. One way is to use two languages from the start. For example, one parent uses one language while the other parent uses another language.
Another is to use only one language at home. Children can learn the second language when they start school.
And the last I’m going to mention is to try to hear and practice using both languages in everyday situations as much as possible.
Furthermore, there are many resources you can use to become a bilingual. First, you can read in both languages. You can find the books you need at bookstores, at libraries, and on the Internet. Tapes and CDs in other languages can help too. Singing is a great way to start learning a second language, and it can be lots of fun! Moreover, children's programs are available in many languages. These programs often teach children about numbers, letters, colors, and basic vocabulary. So you can begin from easy things. You can also learn to be bilingual at language camps or in bilingual education programs. These give you the chance to use two languages with others.
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Literature:
Linda L. Davidoff ‘Introduction to psychology’, 1987
J. Lapė, G. Navikas ‘Psichologijos įvadas’, 2003
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Bilingual-Children.htm

Laughter

Every day you can hear saying:"laughter is a good thing", " laughter is the best medicine", and many other similar phrases..But do we actually know what laughter is and what it is good for??:0 So let's find out that now! ;>
As usually..Firstly the definition. Laughter is an expession or appearance of merriment or amusement.I guess it's important to know that laughter is the physiological response to humor. In other words laughter is not the same as humor(!).
As you probably noticed every people laughs in his/her own way. Due to this fact many researchers try to devide lauhgter in some groups. For example some researchers say that there are ha-ha,he-he, hi-hi, ho-ho, hu-hu types of laughter. Some of them say that there are such types like: snorting, sniggering, cacling, chuckling, belly-laugh.
Moreover, laughter truely is healthy. It helps you to:

1. reduce sterss


2. lower blood pressure


3. elevate mood


4. boost immune system


5. improve brain functioning

In short, i think that everybody should try to laugh as much as possible, because i don't think that laughing has any negative sides. So, here are some tips how to laugh more:

1. figure out what makes you laugh and do it more often


2. spend as much time as possible with people, that make you laugh


3. be funny every chance you get

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info:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/laughter.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughter
http://www.laughteryoga.org/
http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/laughter

And now...laugh!!!

A man was telling his neighbor, "I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art. It's perfect."
"Really," answered the neighbor. "What kind is it?"
"Twelve thirty."

A drunk was in front of a judge. The judge say,s "You've been brought here for drinking." The drunk says, "Okay, let's get started."

http://www.funny2.com/henny.htm

http://www.helpguide.org/life/jokes.htm

Laziness

Wherever we go, whatever we do we always face the laziness. Due to this I'm really interested in what actually laziness is. That's what I'm going to find out now. :)
Firstly, laziness is the lack of desire to perform work or expend effort. On my opinion, it is important to know that there are different kinds of laziness. Here they are:

1. Physical laziness


2. Emotional laziness


3. Intellectual laziness


4. Pathological laziness


5. Creative laziness


6. Psychological laziness

Since there are many different kinds of laziness there must be even more reasons for it. So, here are some of them:

1. Little interest in what you're doing


2. You do everything too slowly


3. You don't feel excited with what you're doing


4. You have too many breaks

Although sometimes everybody needs to take a rest and to do nothing. Still, we must always understand when time to kill laziness comes...:0 So, here is some advices how to deal with laziness ( because lazy people wouldn't think about them :P ).

1. Realize the potential consequences of your behavior


2. Think about the big goals (that’s what I’ve found online, but personally I think that at first it would be better to do and think about little things, because in this case we could faster take a rest;>


3. Give yourself more to do


4. Take a productive break

Summing up I'd like to copy one motivation that should make you fall to thinking about senselessness of laziness ;) :

I do know that if laziness is the determiner of your behavior, then you're missing out on much of what this beautiful world has to offer. Please take your place in the world and be a positive influence to others. Help to teach others of the beauty of living life and of being active in life, not the boredom and tedium of being lazy.(http://www.livinglifefully.com/laziness.html

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laziness

http://www.livinglifefully.com/laziness.html

http://overcominglaziness.com/

And the last thing to add (some clever thoughts I've found about laziness:D ):

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired. ~Jules Renard
Tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy man. ~Jimmy Lyons

It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance? ~Ronald Reagan

More at: http://www.quotegarden.com/laziness.html

Emotional Intelligence

There are many different kinds of intelligence. For instance, fluid, crystallized, practical, emotional, and some other. Today I'd like to write something about emotional intelligence.
To begin, Emotional Intelligence( shortly EI ) is the set of skills that underline the accurate assessment, evaluation, expression, and regulation of emotions. Due to fact that EI is a quite new area for psychologists, there are many more different and similar definitions for it. Furthermore, the term " Emotional Intelligence" was popularized by Daniel Goleman. Despite the fact, there were several terms before this one. For example, social intelligence.
Moreover, Emotional Intelligence is often measured as an Emotional Intelligence Quotient(EQ).It is is important to measure IQ (intelligence quotient) and EQ separately because the results of tests showed that people with low scores on traditional intelligence can be successful, despite their lack of traditional intelligence. I guess i may be a proof for this statement too. I've done EQ test online. Unfortunately, my score wasn't really high. Despite the fact, i still don't think I'm worse than others. Also i agree with one of my classmates' opinion that scores on such tests also depend on how you're feeling or what you're thinking of when you're doing the test.
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Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_intelligence
http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=1121

conflict psychology

Where ever people gather and interact there will be differences of opinion, conflict, disagreements, disputes and arguments. It's a normal part of human functioning. We all have a tendency to shy away from conflict or view it as a negative process.
Moreover, conflict is described as a state of opposition, disagreement or incompatibility between two or more people or groups of people, which is sometimes characterized by physical violence.
Furthermore, there are many different kinds of conflicts. For instance, intrapersonal, interpersonal, emotional, group, organizational, community, intra-state, international, environmental, ideological, diplomatic, economic, military, religious-based conflicts and many other.
No doubt, there are many reasons that cause a conflict. However, I'd like to mention just two of them. One of the most common causes is competition for limited resources. Also, ineffective communication is a great contribution to conflict too.
Equally important is to know that unsolved conflict can have a number of consequences such as frustration, lack of cooperation, intimidation, lost opportunities, etc.
Despite the fact there are many negative things about conflict, still there are some ways to cope with it. Here's one:

1. Nullify emotion


2. Explore the reasons for the conflict


3. Consider alternatives


4. Agree on most appropriate


5. Implement the chosen one


6. Evaluate solution

In conclusion, it seems as though we are surrounded by violence, angry people and so on..But maybe we could be a little bit more respectful and tolerant for each other.Then perhaps we could help make life a little more harmonious.

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Thanks for help;) :

http://www.dushkin.com/connectext/psy/ch15/conflict.mhtml

http://conflict911.com/cgi-bin/links/jump.cgi?ID=11671

http://conflict911.com/guestconflict/coolconflict.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict

summary

Human beings understand the world and things around in many different ways. This difficult process called cognition involves a lot of other processes. For instance, thinking and reasoning, problem solving, language, etc.

Thinking and reasoning
Thinking and reasoning are closely related. Without one there would not be the other. Word thinking does not have a concrete, one meaning definition. People use the word "think" very loosely to cover almost any mental processes at all. However reasoning is described as a process in which people use various decision- making strategies to answer questions accurately.

Problem solving
The other important part of cognition is problem solving which forms parts of thinking. It has been defined as higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of more routine or fundamental skills. This process begins when faced with problem. In this way people achieve the goal, and work to overcome the obstacles.

Language
Language is a formal system of communication which involves the combination of words and symbols. It includes many rules such as grammar, phonology, semantics, syntax. While growing up children goes through few stages of language. First, babbling- using meaningless sounds. Second, telegraphic speech- words not necessary to message are left out. Last, overgeneralization- applying language rules even when it is not necessary. There are some disorders of understanding language.Receptive- difficulties understating spoken language. Other, expressive- difficulties expressing thoughts verbally.

On the whole, as mentioned before all of these processes involved in cognition and language are closely related. It is useful to know that if one is developed, others will develop automatically too.

fear

fear is a distressing emotion araised by impending pain, danger, evil, act., or by the illusion of such. Nowadays there are lots of reasons that cause fear, for example, terrorism, unfamiliar religion, school safety, child molesters and many other reasons. i think firs of all trying to avoid this unpleasant feeling we should find out as much as possible information about it.
Firstly, the reaction of out body to fear. There are many symthoms of fear that people feel, but increased heart rate, rapid breathing, tenseness or trembling of muscles, increased sweating, and dryness of the moth are the most common. Fear shows itself in a multiplicity of ways. Those who weren't loved will often sabotage their close relationships because of fear of being loved. Those who couldn't ask their parents for love will fear doing so with their parents.
Moreover, fear first appear in human infants at about 7 month of age. Young children generally have more fears than older persons and their fears are experienced more intensely. Within families studies have shown that middle children as a group experience fewer fears than older or younger. Furthermore many people are plugged by chronic and unrealistic fear, including phobias and obsessions, that cause much unnecessary distress and can severely reduce their ability to function normally in society.
Summing up, fear can hold us back from engaging in life. It ca color our view of the world in flashing red lights. Due to this there are many advices to help people suffering from fear. Some suggest turning fear into love. Some suggest facing the fear. Another prescriptions are to act counterphobically, that means doing what one fears.