Psycovery - Aug 2012

腦退化症的小小致病原

澱粉樣蛋白斑塊 (amyloid plaque) 長久被視為導致腦細胞壞死的毒素，幾乎在所有阿滋海默氏症 (Alzheimer’s disease, 腦退化症的一種) 患者的腦部都能發現這些蛋白纖維積聚，但這些纖維的多少與患者腦退化症的病情及其病徵卻找不出關係。最新的研究發現，澱粉樣蛋白斑塊原來並不是致病的毒素，只是該症的副產物。反而，一些細小及可溶的分子，由β澱粉樣肽 (Aβ, beta-amyloid) 組成的低分子聚合物 (低聚物, oligomer) 才是致病毒素。

研究發現，這些低聚物能夠經神經元移動，擴散至腦部其它部分，甚至能夠「感染」其它腦細胞。研究人員利用染上綠色的正常人類神經元及已注入紅色低聚物的神經元作人工培養，他們發現，紅色的細胞只需一天就能接觸到綠色的正常細胞，而兩天後，神經元的軸突 (axon) 甚至出現變形，細胞內的細胞器更出現滲漏，逐漸被染紅。這些低聚物可以通過並破壞細胞膜，令腦細胞無法生存。然後，由於這些髮夾狀的分子能引致在腦部聚集成纖維糾結，並且不斷吸引其它錯誤摺疊的低聚物，最終成為斑塊。

這些低聚物通常在大腦的內嗅皮質 (entorhinal cortex) 產生，並且會擴散至整個海馬體 (hippocampus) 。由於這個部分對記憶非常重要，所以初期患者的記憶力會開始衰退。而隨著這些病理上的轉變繼續傳播到腦的其它部分，患者的病情亦會每況愈下，影響包括認知能力下降及情緒不穩等等。

目前，阿滋海默氏症仍然是一種無法根治的的疾病，雖然最近成功研發出可處方藥物，能夠輕微緩和初期病徵，但患者最終亦會失憶、混亂、失言、甚至癡呆。最近這些發現，有望能破解該症潛在的機制，影響日後關於腦化症的研究方向，只要研發出能夠預防或阻止低聚物組成及擴散的抑制物，就可以有效預防及治癒初期的腦退化症。

圖中黃色箭嘴所示的紅色分子為 Aβ 。當受感染的神經元接觸綠色的健康神經元時，白色箭嘴所示的 Aβ 會擴散，如黑色箭嘴所示，令到綠色細胞受到感染。 (Image: Hjelm, Å, 2012)

Sora Siu

References:

Alzheimer's infects from neuron to neuron. (2012, 6 28). Retrieved 7 20, 2012, from Psypost: http://www.psypost.org/2012/06/alzheimers-infects-from-neuron-to-neuron-12461

Hjelm, Å. (2012, 6 27). Alzheimer's infects from neuron to neuron. Retrieved 7 20, 2012, from Linköping University Research: http://www.liu.se/forskning/forskningsnyheter/1.352091?l=en

Small molecule may play big role in Alzheimer's disease. (2012, 7 14). Retrieved 7 20, 2012, from Psypost: http://www.psypost.org/2012/07/small-molecule-may-play-big-role-in-alzheimers-disease-12780

Psych-Action - Aug 2012

Organiser: Dept of Soc Work & Soc Admin, HKU
Name of Activity: A new non-drug variant of neurolingusitic programming (NLP) resulting in a rapid resolution of chronic depression and phobia
Speaker: Professor Bruce Arroll
Type: Seminar
Date: 23th August, 2012 (Thur)
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Venue: MW103, Meng Wah Complex, HKU

Organiser: Dept of Psych, HKU
Name of Activity: Chinese Parenting Paradox: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Maternal Controlling Behaviors
Speaker: Ms Kitty Ka Yee Tsang
Type: Seminar
Date: 27th August, 2012 (Mon)
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Venue: Rm 813, 8/F Building C, Centennial Campus, HKU

Sora Siu

Sunshine is always with you - Aug 2012

「快樂」由你自己決定!

人類與動物不同，因為有自由意志 (free will) 而知道到「快樂」的存在。人類天生是追求「快樂」的，沒有人想追求痛苦，這個道理真是人所共知。但是「快樂」是如何產生，可能不是每人也知道，其實快樂和滿足都是主觀的感覺，很在乎你對現實的理解和期望，換言之每人也不同，這道理既抽象又實在。但原來在很早前，美國心理學家沙尼文博士 (Dr. Martin Seligman)，在正向心理學這方面已經很有研究，還把「快樂」的定義作出很清晰的解說。

Image: topics.jp.msn.com/otoko_blog

沙尼文在他的名著「真正的快樂」(Authentic Happiness)裡列出了一條快樂的方程式：H=S+C+V。H就是快樂指數；S是指與生俱來的情緒基調，有些人天生是較易開心，有些則較易憂鬱，這理論是從雙生兒的心理研究中獲得的。原來每個人天生都有一個快樂的幅度 (Set range)，後天因素亦很難把這幅度改變。在快樂方程式中，沙尼文相信S的影響約佔40%。C代表現實環境和個人際遇 (Circumstances)，一般人以為C最重要，以為環境順利如意是快樂的保證，但原來C在快樂方程式中衹佔20%而已，因人在適應環境或際遇之後，心情往往會回到自身的水平，例如研究顯示，中了彩票的人的快樂大多不能長久維持，就是這個理由。最後，V是指個人所能控制的範圍 (Voluntary activities)，即你可以選擇去做令自己開心或不開心的事情──你的思想模式、信念、對事情的理解、應付問題的能力、行為模式等，都是決定你「快樂」與否的因素，約佔整體的40%。

由此可見，除了天生的因素外，快樂可以掌握在自己手中，因為V在快樂方程式中佔很高百分率，所以我們可以訓練自己正面思考，這是最實際和有效的方法去令自己快樂。相信只要我們每天也實踐正面思考，每人也會成為一個開心快樂人，縱使日後遭遇到一些不幸事情也能跨得過去。

Woody Yip

Reference:
Seligman, M.E.P. (2002). Authentic Happiness. New York: Free Press.

Pillars in the Making - Aug 2012

Learning by observation

This time, I want to introduce observational learning to you. It is a type of learning which happens by watching other’s behaviors. It is a form of social learning. I think observation is the most effective way for children to learn knowledge or behavior, as we can easily find a lot of daily examples of observational learning happening around us most of the time.

Albert Bandura is the founder of observational learning, he called it the process of social learning modeling, and provided it with four conditions which are necessary for learning to form through observation. The first condition is attention.  When attention takes on the target modeled behavior. This can understand the details about this behavior. The second condition is retention. The observer must be able to recall the observed behavior. The third condition is motor reproduction, which means the observer has to have the ability to perform the particular type of behavior. The last condition is motivation and opportunity. Observer must have motivation and chance to carry out the behavior. Without the above conditions, observational learning cannot occur.

Bandura’s BoBo doll experiment

Image: learningtheories4101.pbworks.com

As Bandura was very interested in how observational learning affected children’s behavior, he conducted an experiment in 1961 and 1963, and this experiment was named as “The BoBo Doll” experiment. Three groups of children were involved in this experiment. They have to watch videos which contained different level of violence behavior. Children were allocated to three different rooms and each room got a BoBo doll. The result showed that the group of children who watched video containing the most violence video would perform more violence behavior to the BoBo doll.

This experiment shows that it is important that parents should choose the right type of TV programs for their children, otherwise the kids will become the clown in the Batman movie!!
 

 Vicky Wong

References:
Bandura, Albert. (1986) Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, US: Prentice-Hall.

"Blazing Angels or Resident Evil? Can Violent Video Games Be a Force for Good?", Christopher J. Ferguson, Review of General Psychology, 14, 68-81

Sharon & Woolley (2004). Do Monsters Dream? Young Children Understands of the Fantasy/Reality Distinction. Journal of Developmental Psychology, 22, 293-310. Retrieved October 4, 2010 from the British Psychological Society database.

Words from Editors - Aug 2012

Time flies. This is the tenth issue already. It has never been easy to start a newsletter, yet the hardest part perhaps is to persist. I have always been grateful to have a few passionate editors fighting besides me. We demonstrated “social facilitation” throughout the process. Each of us supports each other. By suggesting creative ideas and implementing the plans more fluently, the product is becoming more and more satisfying.

If you ask me the key to start or unite an organization, I would say it must be communication. There are pros and cons for every idea, while editors often stand on contrasting positions during the discussion. In a condense group like us, what a leader must not do is to judge their view points. Instead, he or she should appreciate their initiatives and find the best way which everyone is mostly satisfied. Working itself is not difficult. Working with people is the most difficult. There is still a long way for us to go.

I am delighted to witness the improvements made so far. Comparing with the previous issues, now we have more pictures, more creative design and also more informative articles to share. The number of readers is increasing and we received appreciation from various sides. Particularly, the school gave us unconditional support as we grow and become mature.

Let your life flames! There is only three years of university life. Although this Psycholic consumes us a great amount of time, it is worth publishing. At the end, I would like to dedicate my best wishes to our dear readers: No Regrets.

Venus Lai

Laugh Out Loud - Jul 2012

Howard Gardner advocates multiple intelligences and identifies seven intelligences in 1993.  Can you link them up?

For hint, see Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple intelligences: The Theory in Practice. New York: Basic Books. 

Please send the answers with your NAME and CONTACT NUMBER to salford.psy.hk@gmail.com on or before 25th July, 2012.  Those who got all correct will enter our lucky draw to win special prize!

Venus Lai & Stephanie Szeto

________________________________________________________________

 The answer of 8th issue, June 2012
A. Sigmund Freud proposed 2. Psychosexual stages
B. Jean Piaget proposed 3. Cognitive Developmental Theory
C. Howard Gardner proposed 1. Multiple intelligences

答對上期問題而被抽中的讀者是
Frankie Chan

幸運兒可得到
日記簿 及 便條紙 各1份

由於參加者眾多，其他參加者將獲得安慰獎以作鼓勵。=）
特此鳴謝 www.sunnysideup12.com 的贊助

Andrien Photography - Jul 2012

Warren Adrien Tang

歡迎投稿 - Jul 2012

Welcome for your contribution

We welcome your contribution.  Please keep your psychology-related article to a maximum of 800 words and send it with article title, references your full name and contact number by email to salford.psy.hk@gmail.com with subject: “Contribution to Psycholic” on or before 27th Jul, 2012.  Plagiarism is not accepted.

歡迎投稿

歡迎閣下的參與，請把不多於800字有關心理學的作品，連同文稿主題、參考文獻及閣下的姓名和聯絡電話，於2012年7月27日前以電郵投稿至 salford.psy.hk@gmail.com ，郵件主題註明：「Contribution to Psycholic」。抄襲作品恕不接受。

PsyPanacea - Jul 2012

Write to Panacea and you might be answered! We want to wipe that frown off your face. Remember, all askers remain anonymous. Just drop your question into our mailbox, or write to us at salford.psy.hk@gmail.com. The Goddess awaits your worries and woes.

Kristen Pereira

Dear Panacea,  

Image: tomdownload.com

My husband’s mahjong habit is really killing the romance. We do talk...once a day, at the dinner table. But other than that, travelling, weekends, bedtime, he’s always playing! (it’s also on his phone, making it easier to play everywhere he goes). We never sleep at the same time anymore, he comes in 3 hours after I’m asleep. We never watch TV together, or have a nice dinner. He keeps denying his addiction. How do I help him?  

-Worried Wife

Defense Mechanisms - Jul 2012

Humor

Making fun out of bitterness is a good way to regulate mood. It helps retaining optimism, and thus preserving well-being. When used wisely, it helps accommodating embarrassing atmosphere and gaining liking too.

Picture: Venus Lai

Making fun of others can be hurtful! Do not build your happiness on others’ agonies. Otherwise, humor will become “black” in color （黑色幽默）. :P

Venus Lai

Reference:
Robinson, J. III & McCormick, D.J. (2011). Concepts in Health and Wellness. New York: Cengage Learning.