DQ8:

Consider the following scenario:

As he makes his online travel reservations, Robert is overcome with a sense of anxiety. His fear of flying fills him with dread at the thought of taking an airplane. Robert’s appraisal of flying (his interpretation of the situation) instills an irrational fear. Robert mentions his concern to a close friend who works for the airline industry. His friend shares the following information—travel by air is one of the safest modes of transportation. The drive to the airport is statistically far more dangerous than a flight. Robert’s fear decreases in light of the new information. This is an example of a cognitive process helping an individual to regulate an emotional response.

For this Discussion, consider how cognitive processes can influence regulation of emotional responses. Also consider the influence of appraisal on emotional responses. Then think about how conscious and unconscious cognitive processes influence emotion.

With these thoughts in mind:

Write a brief explanation of how cognitive processes can influence regulation of emotional responses. Then explain the influence of appraisal on emotional responses. Finally, provide one example of a conscious cognitive process and one example of an unconscious cognitive process and explain how each influence emotion. Justify your response using the Learning Resources and current literature.

DQ9

Consider the work of an air traffic controller or an emergency room physician. Both jobs require alertness, quick thinking, and sound judgment in the making of a constant stream of life-or-death decisions. This process occurs with every worker’s shift, day after day. Imagine the impact of such an ongoing responsibility on cognitive functioning.

Stress has profound effects on cognitive functions, such as decision making, occasionally altering the brain in surprising ways. Stress symptoms may lead to prominent clinical characteristics, which often go beyond anxiety and fear. Stress hormones can affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain, causing physical changes in some cases. The hippocampus, for example, can atrophy as a result of chronic stress.

For this Discussion, consider effects of stress on cognitive functions. Then think about a time when stress affected your cognitive functions.

With these thoughts in mind:

Write a brief explanation of how stress affects cognitive functions, including the roles of the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. Then provide examples of situations when stress affected your attention, memory, problem solving, or decision making. Finally, explain how you might mitigate the effects of stress on cognitive functions.

DQ10

Think back to the period of time following the attacks on New York’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. If you happened to travel by airplane during that time, did you experience a higher degree of anxiety than you might normally have? If you did not fly during that period, imagine how flying might have felt in terms of anxiety levels.

How might anxiety affect the way that you and your fellow passengers view one another within the context of a situation involving such attacks? Do you think that you would pay more attention to other travelers? Might certain behaviors seem more suspicious? These are examples of attentional and interpretive bias. These examples demonstrate how mood can affect memory and learning.

For this Discussion, consider additional examples of effects of mood on memory and learning. Consider how anxiety or depression can influence attentional and interpretive bias.

With these thoughts in mind:

Write two ways mood might affect memory and learning and explain how. Explain one way that anxiety or depression can influence attentional and interpretive bias. Provide examples to support your response. Justify your response using the Learning Resources and current literature.

DQ11

Sternberg defines creativity as a drive resulting in the production of something “both original and worthwhile” (Laureate Education, 2007). He suggests that creative people demonstrate non-conforming attitudes toward commonly held societal conventions that hamper their creative pursuits, as well as demonstrating a consistent drive to attend to their creative interests. Creative individuals also show a willingness to take risks as well as criticism in the interest of improving their creative work.

For this Discussion, consider the arguments made in the video in this week’s Learning Resources. Think about ways that you have addressed problems, in particular the level of creativity you may have brought to solutions. Consider whether individuals can increase their own levels of creativity.

Write an example either of a creative solution you developed to address a problem in your life or a creative improvement upon a solution that lacked innovative qualities. Consider the notion of whether creativity can be enhanced. Post an argument for or against this assertion and explain why. Support your argument with reference to the Learning Resources.