PSYCH2GO ISSUE 3 pages

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Psych2Go
Psych2Go Magazine - Issue 3 Cover Designer
“To relate to substance abuse awareness, I went a little bit of the
conceptual route. The main guy on the cover hides behind masks that
he gets lost in. The masks are labelled days of the week to show his
struggle with maintaining who he really is. He is trapped behind the
glass (like an exhibition) with onlookers on the outside judging him
instead of offering and supporting him to get help.” - Susan Yung

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ISSUE 3
PSYCH2GO
The science
that’s all
about you!

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Psych2Go
Psych2Go started as a blog to feature short psychology facts in the format of memes
(text-posts that are rapidly spread around the internet). Our mission was to brand
ourselves as a forum/platform for people to get quick psychology information to further
discuss and debate about the posts. We wanted to create an open forum of discussions
to help foster critical thinking about research methods and limitations.
To accomplish that, the Psych2Go team is transparent about the fact that we don't
always post legitimate psychology information, but only do so in order to get people
to really question ALL our posts and think on an analytical level. Sometimes what you
think is true is actually not true and sometimes what is not true is yet to be supported
by research.
We have found that understanding research methods and having an open and
encouraging forum for all of this is essential. Several Facebook groups have also
been created, already aiming at this - including groups that allow people to express
their creativity like our “Poetry” and “Doodle” group, and our “Research and Writing
Discussion” group which creates discussion among expression of ideas, and academic
assistance.
As time went on, it made sense that Psych2Go should start providing supplementary
materials such as sources, references, as well as some explanation to our viral meme
posts that are featured on our Tumblr (as you’ll see an example from the “Psych to
Go” article in this magazine issue) which generates large discussion from audience
members. From these realizations to include more material content, psych2go.net, the
sister site was born.
When we started, Psych2Go had a team of 10 writers and published over 200 articles
within less than 2 months and received over 1 million page views. And the articles
followed a specific format:
1. Intro
2. Bring up research.
3. Identify the research methods and the limitations
4. question for our readers
This format is aligned with our mission statement to analyze research, create
discussions, and provide the resources needed to facilitate those discussions.
Then, as time went on, we thought about implementing a mentorship program to help
further facilitate this learning process for our younger audiences (since a majority of
our readers were not yet psychology students).
And that’s where psych2go.net is today! We have editors, mentors, and intern writers,
who our Human Resource team has a very close relationship with and helps them every
step of the way.
Our goal is to become the go-to site for psychology, writing, help, research, studies,
and so forth. Psych2Go serves as an easily accessible and inclusive platform for our
young audiences.
Tai Tai
Manager and Creator of Psych2Go
Psych2go@outlook.com
Psych2go.tumblr.com
Psych2go.net
WAIT, WHAT EXACTLY IS "PSYCH2GO"?

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ISSUE 3
Artwork by: Susan Yung

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Psych2Go
HELLO!As a special part of the “Psych2Go” team, we believe that this magazine sets itself
apart from other science magazines out there. Understanding this magazine is not in a
traditional “magazine” format gives our magazine a creative and unique feel.
This was made by a collection of young entrepreneurs from all over the world. This
publication includes international contributors from places like Slovenia, The U.K., the
Netherlands, the Philippines, Canada, and people within various places of the U.S. like
New York, Maryland, D.C., Tennessee, and California.
Keep in mind that not all of us are trained professionals in the Psychology field, but
simply people that are intrigued by Psychological concepts, only wanting to pass our
research along, while involving people to talk about their personal experiences, as well
as informing an audience with interesting Psychological facts.
We hope that you enjoy this collaborative publication that acts as an extension of our
online blog, psych2go.net, and we ask that you get involved with this entrepreneurial
organization as well! After all, Psychology is the science that’s all about you, and as a
growing company, we’re offering the opportunity for you to grow with us.
Teresa Johnson
Editor-in-Chief, Manager & Coordinator of Psych2Go Magazine
@teresaxjohnson

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ISSUE 3
Artwork by: Drew Borja

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ISSUE 3
CONTENTAbout Psych2Go/ pg 4
Hello message / 6
Meet the writers / 12
Psychology in the news / 15
Interview with a Psychology student / 16
Social Psychology / 18
Exploring mental health / 22
Significant people that endured mental illness / 24
LGBTQA Psychology / 26
Music Psychology / 28
Personality Psychology / 30
Developmental Psychology / 32
Autism Spectrum (S.E.E.P) / 34
Animal Psychology / 38
Forensic Psychology / 40
Art submissions winner / 42
Career Building / 44
Community Submissions / 46
Community Photography / 50
Entertainment and games / 52
Projective Psychology / 56
Movie Review / 58
Creative Writing / 60
Psych to Go / 62
Debunking Psychological Myths / 64
Advice Column / 66
Mental Health Hotlines / 68
Thank you to contributors / 70
Reader Feedback / 72
Community Challenge / 74

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Psych2Go
Hello all! I’m Sneha and I’m currently pursing my Master's degree
at University of Pennsylvania's School of Design and I’ve been
practicing Arts & Design for around 5 years. My work inclines toward
a palate of textures that influence the organic and structured notion
of spaces around me. Recently, I completed a Diploma in Learning
Disorders Management and Child Psychology.
U.S. (Pennsylvania)
Hi, I'm 21 years old and in my final year of a degree in Psychological
Research at the University of Birmingham. In my spare time I play
football, watch all the films and tv shows on netflix and occasionally
write short stories.
The U.K.
Hi, I’m Teresa and I attend Community College as a sophomore in
hopes of taking on NYC my Junior and Senior year of college. I plan
to receive a bachelors degree of communications and journalism
due to my love of writing, communicating and self-expression. In my
free time I love to sing, draw, write, and explore new places. I started
by making videos for Psych2Go on their YouTube channel, but now
I’m project manager and editor-in-chief of this magazine!
Editor-in-chief - U.S (Maryland)
I'm Imogen, I'm 21 and going into my final year of an MSci in
Psychology and Psychological Research. I work as a staff writer
and a HR rep for psych2go.net, and I love learning and teaching all
things psychological. I hope to one day become a researcher, and I
love forensic, child and animal psychology!
Managing Editor - The U.K.
Sneha
Jamie
Teresa
Imogen
I'm a sophomore/junior at American University, and I’m majoring
in Psychology with minors in Spanish Language/Translation and
Business Administration. I love blogging and crafting, as well as
watching YouTube like it's my job. I'm super excited to be a part of
this magazine, and I can't wait to see where this adventure takes
me!
U.S. (Maryland)
Lauren
Hello, I’m Larissa, and I’m a third year Psychology major working
towards a minor in Law and Society as well as Ethics and
Philosophy. Some of my greatest passions in Psychology include the
topics of eating disorders, self-harm, psychopathology, and forensic
psychology. When I’m not working or doing homework I enjoy
watching Netflix, sleeping, reading, playing with cats, and writing!
U.S. (Minnesota)
Larissa

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ISSUE 3
Hi! I’m Kayleigh. Besides having a passion for writing, learning new
things and gathering interesting facts (Did you know the majority
of lizards can’t run and breathe at the same time?), I love creative
things like drawing and making jewelry. I'm currently studying at
University and in my free time I can be found listening to music,
reading and writing, or browsing the internet.
Netherlands
Hi I'm Hannah. I have my BSc in Psychology and I'm completing
my post grad in journalism at the moment. I’m fascinated by
human sexuality & sexual behavior, and the science behind mental
illness. I enjoy editing papers and long runs on the elliptical. My
two hedgehogs keep me motivated, and they say that they hope you
enjoy our articles and magazine! Just know that whenever you read
something by me, a hedgehog was nearby.
Nova Scotia
Hi! I’m Liv Mitchell, I currently study a Masters in Psychology at the
University of Birmingham in the UK. I’m originally from Shropshire
in England, and I have a real interest in intellectual disabilities and
special needs.
The U.K.
Being a media student, I am a huge supporter of anti-consumerism
and media awareness. In my spare time you can find me reading
(especially fantasy literature), listening to music, watching
Japanese anime, taking long walks in the nature and most often
writing. Above all I am simply a girl, madly in love with stories in all
shapes and sizes.
Slovenia
Kayleigh
Hannah
Liv
Katja
Hi there! I'm oftentimes described as a shy girl with a quick wit.
Amazingly, I've managed to channel my passion to different facets
of art and psychology, and blended my two loves. A firm believer that
you never stop learning
Philippines
Risha
I began having an interest in Psychology at age 12 and hope to
attend Ruhr-Universität Bochum for a double major in Linguistics
and Psychology. I am a musician who writes Electro-Pop songs in
reference to life struggles and mental illnesses, soon to release my
album in April. In my free time, I like to create graphic designs for
fellow artists.
Ontario, Canada
Dancia

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Psych2Go
Hello! My name is Gabriel, and I’m a psychology major at William
Carey University. I plan to get my Bachelor’s degree in 2017. After
that, I aspire to obtain my Master’s degree and my or PsyD. I plan
to become a psychiatrist or a Christian counselor. My hobbies
include making candles and selling them on Etsy, reading, and
listening to music. I love learning about mental illness and
other branches of psychology. I’m very excited to be a part of
this magazine, and I hope I am able to help people through my
writings!
U.S (Mississippi)
Kimiya
I'm Tyra Davis, a middle school English Teacher living in NYC, but
I've always been a writer at heart. Although my background is not
in psychology, I have suffered from anxiety and depression in the
past, which brings with it a lot of experience dealing with negative
feelings and emotions. I hope to bring some of this experience to
light in my advice to our readers.
U.S (New York)
Advice Column Team
Tyra
My name is Laura Corona and I am 21 years old. Currently studying
Communications and soon will begin working my way into becoming
an American Sign Language Interpreter.
U.S. (California)
Advice Column Team
Laura
Paul Travis is an author living for the rush of big city lights and a
self-proclaimed diva with a heart of gold willing to help anyone in
the world that he possibly can.
For more information check out www.paultravis.net
(U.S) Pennsylvania
Paul
I love writing about subjects regarding the mind. I'm a straight-A
tenth grader in high school, pursuing my dream of becoming an
author one day. In my free time, I read, write, and talk to my friends.
U.S (Texas)
Hi! Jessica here. I'm a psych major in college working on my junior
year. I've been inspired to study psychology by my passionate high
school teacher but my favorite topic is the brain. I'm studying hard
to research and learn to help others.
U.S (Maryland)
Jessica
Gabriel

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ISSUE 3
In the past few months, psychology,
as per usual, has made its way into
the news. But before we dive into that,
remember that April is the Autism
Awareness month, and Substance Abuse
Awareness for Psych2Go Magazine.
One of the recent features in The Atlantic
magazine was an article on how to make
psychology studies more reliable. (After
last year’s researchers struggling to re-
create experiments and not being able to
replicate the results, this is something
that warrants some serious thought).
The article discusses the quality of
psychology itself, and how the replication
of studies draws major questions and
concerns. The pipeline project was
designed by Ulmann to specifically add
to the credibility of most studies. You can
read about it on The Atlantic.
Donald Trump is making headlines
recently as well with his shot at the
presidential race. Not even psychology is
safe from the wrath of Trump. An article
on the bizarre appeal of Donald Trump.
The reporter in this article seemed to
discuss groupthink*, and how a large
enough group of people can start to think
together as one, whether or not some
of the ideas of the group are extremely
far-fetched. It also highlights that people
often identify with him in different ways.
You can read this on qz.com.
The last article, “6 ways you
unintentionally reference one of
psychology’s most controversial figures”
from Business Insider, highlights
different ways problematic figures in
psychology are often referenced
in everyday life without any thoughts
on their problematic ways. Terms like
ego and defence mechanism are direct
references to Sigmund Freud, a man so
interested in sexual organs he spent time
searching eels for them. It also deals with
words like anal, repression, and others.
If it sparks your curiosity, here’s
something to do in your free time: Spend
some time researching some common
words you use and see who they might
be referencing or where it’s origins lie
(Common examples: “being anal” or
“hysterical”).
*groupthink - a psychological
phenomenon that occurs within a
group of people, where their desire for
conformity in the group results in an
irrational decision-making outcome.
Sources cited:
(n.d.). Retrieved April 03, 2016, from http://www.
theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/03/save-
psychology-by-replicating-studies-before-theyre-
published/475983/
Inside the Trump machine: The bizarre psychology of
America’s newest political movement. (n.d.). Retrieved
April 03, 2016, from http://qz.com/645345/inside-the-
trump-machine-the-bizarre-psychology-of-americas-
newest-political-movement/
Baker, J. S. (2016). 6 ways you unintentionally
reference one of psychology’s most controversial
figures. Retrieved April 03, 2016, from http://www.
businessinsider.com/6-ways-you-unintentionally-
reference-one-of-psychologys-most-controversial-
figures-2016-4?IR=T
By: Hannah Bennet
Artwork by: Sohaina Maratita
IN THE NEWS

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Psych2GoPsych2Go
Psych2Go: How’s the program like
and what’s the cost for taking it?
EA: Well, Psychology Major in my
college is relatively new, and we have 1
specialization for now, that is Industrial/
Organizational Psychology. My professor
said that it’s possible for us to pursue
another specialization, but to make it
possible we have to study more on our
own.
As for the cost... It’s relatively affordable.
For entrance fee, It’s only around $1000,
already using scholarship. For the next 4
years, I have to pay $230 each term. I’m
allowed to pay it periodically, divided into
4 payments each month. It helps a lot
since i’m paying everything on my own.
To conclude it, my college cost for now is
around.. $50 a month and that’s including
other fees such as books, papers, and
seminars.
Psych2Go: How’s the education?
EA: There are some classes which require
us to do some research and write papers
about it. Besides the usual classes, We
have online class once every 2 months,
and we have a lot of seminars and
gatherings related to psychology. I learnt
a lot of new things from the experts, and
the topics are always interesting. Also,
There are some organizational activities
in my major, such as debate club and
social contribution club. In social
contribution club, we are volunteering to
help in some social cause, like teaching
kids at orphanage. It’s so much fun.
Pysch2Go: What are your goals in terms
of career?
EA: In terms of career, I’m going to be a
lecturer in college and a therapist that
specializes in helping kids with special
Erick
Ahmad
INTERVIEW
Interview conducted by: Imogen Bowler
In this issue of the magazine we
will be interviewing Erick Ahmad
from Bunda Mulia University
located in North Jakarta,
Indonesia. Ahmed is studying
their bachelor degree. Right
now, he’s still freshmen 2nd
term and is about to enter his
second year in college.

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ISSUE 3ISSUE 1
needs. I also want to build my own
school somewhere in the countryside
to help kids that are unable to get a
proper education because of some
circumstances. I’m only teaching as a
part-time for now, besides my college
activities, but I’m gathering everything I
need to reach my dream, slowly but sure.
I’m sure I can do it before I reach 30 if I
work hard and stay humble.
Pysch2Go: What advice would you give to
aspiring psych2go students?
EA: Let’s see…don’t bite more that you
can chew. Learn to take responsibility for
your own actions, yet don’t be too hard on
yourself. Never take things personally,
since everyone is entitled to their own
opinion. At the end of the day, effort never
betrays us. never give up, because most
of things that worry us right now are
not going to be relevant in 4 years later,
anyway. You can do it, and make sure that
the you-in-the-future is glad because of
your decision.
Psych2Go: What, outside of your degree,
have you done to further your interest or
career in psychology?
EA: I tried to educate myself with books
and other media related to psychology.
I’ve been teaching for 5 years now, at pre-
school and as a private tutor. I learnt a lot
about pedagogic and child-handling, and
I’m going to learn a lot more from now on.
Psych2Go: What got you interested in
psychology?
EA: At first, my junior high school
teacher inspired me to learn psychology.
She taught us a lot about how to behave
and interact with others in a refreshing
way. Also, as I grew up, I became more
interested in it, like, “what makes us
behave, think, and feel the way we do?”,
“Who are we?”. The more I tried to find
out, the more I was interested in it.

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Psych2Go
By: Paul Travis
A LESSON TO PLAYING IT SAFE:
SocialPsychology
Don’t Go Overboard And Think Before You Act
In each of us lives a streak of
wildness. The kind where you let
loose, go to a party and the person you
have a huge crush on is attending with his,
or her friends. As the clock ticks, so does
the amount of trouble you could be getting
yourself into. People between the ages 0f
18-25 drink heaviest of all. It’s indicated
from studies by the National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
How much is too much?
Their research shows unbeknownst
problems occur with five or more drinks
in a row on at least five occasions that
month, increasing sexual activity and can
end with tragic consequences thereafter.
Yes, the age span is a stage in life marked
by change and exploration. Just be
cautious not to give yourself a problem
you would regret for the rest of your life.
I was an early bloomer. The excitement
and thrill for myself had to have been
during my high school years. I was living
at home with the secret of being gay
and wanted to explore. People may have
known of my orientation. They didn’t
know I would sneak out of my window to
the underage club with my friends that
waited around the corner, or how I would
sneak that older musician guy I desired
through my window, but we always played
it safe. I never gave into sexual activities
and always did everything with caution.
The tease was way more fun than the
actual thing. I had fun the smart way!
When drinking you let an inner rebel
into the spotlight. You dance against
the sexy people on the floor and give
the overview conversation of that night
during breakfast with your buddies.
Time after time hooking up with random
people isn’t cute. Abusing your body
by indulging alcohol then allowing men,
or women to take advantage can ensure
damage long-term, especially on self-
esteem. Bad habits will form. Worst of all
you may find yourself lost in the bottle, or
with the endless supply of heartbreak. Is
going overboard really worth it?
By the age of 19- 21 I ran my course and
had enough. My focus was on my career.
Even though back then I was receiving
a nice paycheck by acting in New York
City during my summer breaks, the
determination began when I left all the
toxic people in my acting circle, events
and situations behind me. I removed the
alias I provided in my acting career, threw
it all away and began my journey as a
writer. Much more rewarding doing it the
right way. No more headaches, or getting
myself into unnecessary situations that
caused heartache. Take it as a lesson, my
readers. I began life in a new perspective.
I never had more than one partner who
is my boyfriend, but not everyone does.
Did you know alcohol increases the risk
of STDs…How? There are three key ways
according from destination to recovery:
1. Multiple partners
2. Unprotected sex
3. Combining extra substances with
alcohol and sexual activities
Alcohol lowers inhibitions. Both men
and women are more likely to engage in
casual sexual behaviors that otherwise
wouldn’t happen when sober. Drinkers
are more likely to have multiple partners,
increasing the risk of HIV transmission
and STDs. A good example is the research
conducted by McKinley Health Center at
the University of Illinois; young adults

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ISSUE 3
who use alcohol are seven times
more likely to have unprotected sex. The
worst of all is alcohol can also impair the
individual’s immune system, making it
harder to fight off an STD.
Alcohol abuse and risky sexual behaviors
are common amongst young adult
students, according to the McKinley
Health Center at the University of
Illinois. 50 percent of men and 41 percent
of women report having consumed
alcohol just prior to sex. 49 percent of
men and 38 percent of women reported
having sex as the direct result of drinking.
In addition to this, 26 percent of males
and 36 percent of females failed to use a
condom during their wild nights on spring
break. 23 percent of sexually active teens
report having unprotected sex because
they were using alcohol or drugs at the
time. Half of all men and women (48
percent) who had sex under the influence
of alcohol regretted the sexual encounter.
Now, let’s take the time to think of what
we have learned. I’m not saying sit inside
and don’t experience the wild nights of
partying. I would be a hypocrite since I
was doing my thing during my teens, but
even then I was safe. I’m all about living
in the moment. I enjoyed giving men a
visual and always remaining a fantasy,
because deep down I knew my actions
were a bit risky. Studies are proven facts
but so is living. If you want to have fun, be
safe, think of your actions and don’t live
with an everlasting regret.
Sources cited:
Coplin, David. “Why we should be embracing new
technology.” CNN. 2015. Web. 27 May. 2015
Morris, Chris. “Is technology killing the human touch?”
CNBC. 2015. Web. 15 Aug. 2015
Mount, Harry. “Was Einstein right? Physicists once
said he feared that technology would surpass human
interaction-and these photos show that time may not
be far off.” Daily Mail.com. 2015. Web. 28 Jan. 2015
Williams, Amy. “How Do Smartphones Affect Childhood
Psychology?” PsychCentral. 2015. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
“The Psychological Toll of the Smartphone.” Association
For Psychological Science. 2014. Web. June. 2014v

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Psych2Go
Is it used as a crutch?
Is it something people simply rely on to
feel better in a moment’s time?
Substances mostly refer to illicit drugs
and alcohol but it can also refer to
abuse over a particular concept which
is equivalent to an obsession. Obsessing
or relying on a substance is not healthy.
You should never have too much of one
thing, and a lot of these “things” should
be used in moderation. There are some
people that have addictions to particular
harmful narcotics like cocaine or tobacco,
which becomes a deeper and more
concerning issue, rather than focusing
on less harmful drugs like marijuana
or occasional alcohol. But again,
even if you do smoke weed or drink wine
and beer, it shouldn’t consume your life.
There was a study done by “The Lancet
Psychiatry” which reported that teens
who smoke marijuana daily are sixty
percent less likely to graduate high school
or college than those who never use or
occasionally use the substance. Societal
use, especially among teenagers, of
marijuana is thought to be harmless,
however it can still be as detrimental as
other drugs in the ways that it can affect
life goals if the user becomes dependent
on it.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
AWARENESS MONTHBy: Teresa Johnson
Artwork by: Sohaina Maritita

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Alcohol abuse is another term that
people usually relate with substance
abuse. Sometimes the user that
consumes a lot of alcohol may not realize
that it’s become an addiction and an issue
of abuse because it is seen as a norm in
their eyes. It is vital to find alternative
outlets of stress relief or emotional
comfort if these feelings are frequent
because sometimes relying on drugs and
alcohol can harm you more than help
your situation. Some people choose to
socially drink, and use marijuana, but
it’s important to stay aware that people
can misuse these materials and it can
sometimes lead to larger issues. At a
certain age when education or moving
ahead in your career is important, it’s
necessary to prioritize, balance, and
maintain a healthy lifestyle. By being
healthy mentally and physically, you will
ultimately be happier.
We were taught as younger children
to stay away from drugs and alcohol,
but as you move through high school
and college, you will find that certain
substances will be used by your peers
all around you, and you may even find
yourself smoking or drinking at some
point. That doesn’t make you a bad
person,it’sactuallyacommonoccurrence
that happens to a lot more young adults
than you would think. It’s just important
to be responsible with the way you go
about using these substances and to not
develop an addiction. Honestly, I could
say “Stay away from drugs and alcohol,”
but as a population of young human
beings that are constantly exploring and
growing, it might happen at some point.
And it’s completely okay if you decide not
to indulge in these substances as well,
it’s just a commonality among teenagers
and young adults, and it only becomes a
problem when people use these items
as the sole “problem-solvers” to their
life predicaments. When an individual
gets to be older, around the age of sixty,
alcoholism and misuse of prescription
drugs can become an an even greater
issue than with younger adults. Aging
displays biomedical changes that
influence the effects of alcohol and
drugs on the body. As an example,
misuse of alcohol could accelerate
the normal decline in physiological
functioning that naturally is seen when a
person ages (Gambert and Katsoyannis,
1995). It was also recorded that alcohol
had potential to elevate an older adults’
risk for injury, illness, and socioeconomic
decline (Tarter, 1995). Regardless if aging
plays a factor in heightening effects of
substance abuse, it can affect anyone
at any age - from young adult to older
adulthood. Stay aware of what certain
drugs and substances can do to your
body. It’s important to take care of the
one person that matters most in this
world: YOU.
If you or anyone you know is currently
suffering from substance abuse please
visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov to
find help.

Sources Cited:
Kane, J. (n.d.). Smoking Weed Could Cost Teens.
Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.
huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/29/smoking-weed-could-
cost-teens_n_6063600.html
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance
Abuse Among Older Adults. Rockville (MD): Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US);
1998. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series,
No. 26.) Chapter 1 - Substance Abuse Among Older
Adults: An Invisible Epidemic. Available from: http://
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64422/
Gambert, S.R., and Katsoyannis, K.K. 1995. Alcohol-
related medical disorders of older heavy drinkers.
In: Beresford, T.P., and Gomberg, E., eds. Alcohol and
Aging . New York: Oxford University Press.
Tarter, R.E. 1995. Cognition, aging, and alcohol. In:
Beresford, T.P., and Gomberg, E., eds. Alcohol and
Aging . New York: Oxford University Press.

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Psych2Go
HOLISTIC APPROACHES
By: Dhiyan Khalisa
Artwork by: Lea Sophia Hopfenmüller
TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE:
Holistic approaches to certain types
of addiction can be useful tools to aid
throughout the process of recovery.
There are a myriad of ways to approach
holistic practices - ones that are
particularly helpful for any individual
are ones immersed in the natural
environment and creative outlets. These
offer a channel to let out the inner self in
expressive and honest ways. The creative
arts, in particular, foster a renewed way
to relax without the abuse of substances
one might generally steer towards. These
are a few that I’ve found to be particularly
engaging and beneficial for most people
(especially those who use these in their
everyday lives) – music, painting and
poetry.
Music – Music in a sense acts as a
guided backdrop for the body and mind.
It’s a very vague tool as it can cater to a
multitude of genres, a milieu of tunes
from natural environments, or the
soundscape of an urban fabric. Ambient
tunes from the natural environment
such as water for example, can help
guide muscle relaxation and can enable
hypnotherapeutic forms of exercise.
These are quite common environments
that people steer towards because it
empowers the self to be situated within
a calm space. Another would be your
average park, where the sounds of birds
and carefree users amalgamate, helping
people get away from the hustle and
bustle of the daily grind. Adding these
wellness strategies is thought to improve
the quality of sobriety, which in turn
reduces relapse potential.
Poetry – This in a sense can be similar to
music. Music and poetry come together
in terms of binding lyrical qualities.
One may read more into it and connect
with their inner self through words and
written poetry. It’s an excellent tool for
self-reflection, charting progress within
the self, recording daily experiences
and thoughts, and identifying habitual
patterns. Words are the most powerful
tool to express thoughts and explore
any issues one may be dealing with in a
private way.
Painting – Expressing emotions through
color and visuals can be the most
powerful way to express oneself. Like
music and poetry, art itself can cause
a person to be more relaxed. Drawing,
coloring, sculpting etc, can help interpret
feelings that can be self-initiated through
a medium that is splashed onto a canvas.
This is extremely hard to tackle as
one grows up because it’s deemed as
something an individual does as a hobby
and isn’t taken too seriously. Art is a
form of expression and definitely aids
in relieving oneself from the strenuous
activities of daily life. Break away from
social expectations and see how freeing
it is to let your creativity flow!
There are several ways to approach
holistic methods when dealing with
substance abuse. Many people are
different in characteristics. A certain
form of expression may stand out much
more than others. Many lean more
towards healing the inner self through
meditation or homeopathic techniques,
while some may like more movement
through therapeutic forms such as
dancing or bodywork. Finding a safe,
serene and natural method to heal is a
positive approach to take and can be very
beneficial in the long run!
Sources cited:
“Coloring Therapy.” The Addiction Recovery Guide. Accessed Feb-
ruary 09, 2016. http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/holistic/
coloring_therapy.
“What Is Art Therapy? | What Does an Art Therapist Do?” Art Ther-
apy. Accessed February 09, 2016. http://www.arttherapyblog.com/
what-is-art-therapy/#.VroCHbgrJD8.
ExploringMentalHealth
The Creative Arts

23
ISSUE 3
“Expressing emotions through color
and visuals can be the most powerful
way to express oneself.”

24
Psych2Go
When thinking of important literary
figures, Charles Dickens is one of the
names that come to our mind. He
was a Victorian author, philanthropist,
journalist, editor and spokesperson. In
his writing he dealt with social inequality,
poverty and in his last, unfinished novel,
the use of opium in the Victorian era.
The majority of the people at that time
believed it was a medicine, a miracle
even, but the side effects of using it are
anything but healing.
Charles Dickens was born on 7 February
1812 as the second of eight children.
At the age of eight he was sent away to
school but his education was interrupted
four years later when his father was sent
to jail due to his enormous debt. The
entire family was forced to move and
Charles started working at a factory so he
could help pay off his family’s debt. This
turned out to be a changing point in
his life. He worked for ten hours a day
pasting labels on shoe polish pots for
which he received 6 shillings a week. As
a twelveyearold boy being forced to work
in such inhumane conditions, this left
him feeling lonely and desperate. He
began walking around the streets of
London at any time of the day or night
and his love of strolling accompanied
him through all the years of his life.
Finally being able to pay back the
debt, Charles resumed his schooling but
never forgot the terrible experience he
had to endure.
As many authors do, Dickens started out
as a journalist, working for “The Mirror
of Parliament” and “The True Sun” before
becoming a parliamentary journalist
for The Morning Chronicle. His literary
career started with the publications of
some sketches which he signed with his
childhood nickname “Boz”. The editor
of these sketches later on became his
wife. Soon after this his first novel
Pickwick Papers was published and
his literary career took off. Apart from
writing fiction, Dickens also wrote
travel books and spent much time
abroad, even visiting the USA where he
lectured against slavery. Regarding his
personal life, he fathered ten children
and afterwards became estranged with
his wife. He had a mistress instead, the
actress Ellen Ternan.
According to some people, Charles
Dickens was not only an opium addict, but
also enjoyed labdanum. Both substances
are dangerous when used regularly.
“I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free.”
By: Katja Stojic
CHARLES DICKENS AND THE USE OF
OPIUM IN VICTORIAN ERA
Significant People Enduring Mental Illness in Psychology History:
Artwork by: Laura Mulrooney
Significantpeopleenduringmentalillness

25
ISSUE 3
Opium is a narcotic that produces a
euphoric effect, followed by feelings of
drowsiness and relaxation. The person
who uses it will feel all his pain vanish
and this effect can last up to 12 hours.
After a long day of writing, Dickens
supposedly enjoyed smoking opium. He
was also an insomniac and would wander
the streets of London at night.
The biggest problem the Victorians faced
at the time was that opium was treated
as a miracle and a pain relieving drug.
Labdanum was used even by children.
Dickens pointed out the trouble in his
last novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood
where he depicted opium as a repulsive
drug which transforms its user into
someone revolting.
Opium dens were also popular at the time,
places where one could get and smoke
opium. Contrary to popular belief, these
places were far from being glamorous
and mysterious. It is not scientifically
proven that Dickens used opium on a
regular basis, but his knowledge about
it was vast. As a famous author, he
used his wellknown name to raise
awareness and warn people about the
dangers of using opium.
Despite his attempt to hide the terrible
childhood experience, Dickens was
transformed by working in a factory as
a child which showed in his writing. He
wrote about social inequality, poverty,
child labour and was well aware of the
situation their country was in – while
the richest got richer, the poor starved
and one of five kids died before the age
of one. Midnight walks were his cure for
insomnia, opium and labdanum a way to
relax. Although a famous and successful
writer, Dickens wasn’t a caring person
in his personal life. His estranged wife
stayed at home while he spent time with
his mistress. He died of stroke in 1870
which may have been partly caused by
his regular opium usage, and although
he wished to be buried elsewhere, his
ody lays at Westminster Abbey.
Sources cited:
Ben Johnson. “Charles Dickens.” Historic UK. Web. 25
Mar. 2016.
Felicity Morse. “Death, Duplicity And Opium Dens:
Dickens Display Reveals Dark
Side Of London.” The Huffington Post UK. 12 Aug. 2011.
Web. 25 Mar. 2016.
“Opium Addiction Treatment.” Opium Rehab Centers
– Opium Detox – Addiction
Treatment. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.
“Opium in Victorian England.” A Little Dickens for the
Day. 2012. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.

26
Psych2Go
and Stereotypes
LGBTQA:
By: Dancia Susilo
Artwork by: Laura Mulrooney
LGBTQ+Psychology

27
ISSUE 3
Being a part of the LGBTQA commu-
nity comes with plenty of stereotypes,
some being more common than others.
Ironically, because of these stereotypes
on sexual orientations, many people who
are indeed homosexual or bisexual have
been called “the straightest person ever”.
Homosexual males have been stereo-
typed as having high pitch voices who
flail their hands around, talking about
boys and fashion. Homosexual females
have been stereotyped as having short
hair, being aggressive, and having only
male friends. Bisexuals are mislabelled
as slutty just for being attracted to both
genders and are assumed to have double
the sexual relationships due to this.
If all the various stereotypes were to be
listed, this article could go on for pages.
Clearly, stereotypes are just that: stereo-
types. They are oversimplified beliefs of
characteristics and personalities of spe-
cific groups of people where an assump-
tion is made based off of their appearanc-
es and cultural identity.
The origins of these stereotypes can
often be traced to what is being por-
trayed in the media. Whether conscious
or subconscious, everything that people
view and experience through the media
and society, alters their perspectives. A
homosexual female actually attempted
to follow these stereotypes to make it
more blatant that she is into females (and
perhaps get a date out of it). However,
this fell through because people in the
LGBTQA community are well aware that
these stereotypes are not true.
In reality, these people are no different
than everyone else. They are selective
of who they form relationships with, they
are attracted to various appearances, and
whether or not they get into multiple re-
lationships depends on their morals and
expectations.

28
Psych2Go
I WRITE SONGS,
NOT TRAGEDIES:
THE EFFECTS
OF MUSIC
ON MENTAL HEALTH
By:Gabriel Taylor
Artwork by: Natalia Mituriev
MusicPsychology
When diagnosed with a mental dis-
order, one may be prescribed medication
to help. They may also receive counseling
and psychotherapy; however, many peo-
ple are opposed to pills and venting their
feelings. They would rather take matters
into their own hands and practice other
treatments. A great way to treat mental
illness is by using music.
According to new-medical.net, “For de-
cades research has shown that listening
to music alleviates anxiety and depres-
sion, enhances mood, and can increase
cognitive functioning, such as spatial
awareness” (‘Study shows music alle-
viates anxiety, depression’, 2010). While
this is true, the genre of music also plays
a part in the regulation of symptoms in
mental illness.
Anxiety
In a study conducted by researchers from
the University of Utah Pain Research
Center, researchers have docu-
mented that listening to music can be
effective for reducing pain in high-anxiety
persons. One hundred and forty-three
subjects were instructed to listen to mu-
sic tracks. While listening to the music,
they received safe pain shocks with fin-
gertip electrodes (Nauert, n.d.). “The
findings showed that central arousal
from the pain stimuli reliably decreased
with the increasing music-task demand.
Music helps reduce pain by activating
sensory pathways that compete with
pain pathways, stimulating emotional
responses, and engaging cognitive atten-
tion, taking the focus away from pain,”
Nauert stated. Therefore, music is very
useful in reducing pain.
In an experiment conducted by Dave El-
liott and his colleagues, 84 people par-
ticipated to help determine which char-
acteristics of music and music selection
relieved anxiety the most (‘Certain types
of music can help lower anxiety’, 2011).
The results showed that the selections

29
ISSUE 3
rated as the most relaxing, had
qualities that were different from the
other selections. These sounds were very
harmonious to the participants. Listen-
ing to music has been shown to cause a
decrease in cortisol, which is the stress
hormone. Listening to fast-paced, up-
beat music can increase a person’s anx-
iety while listening to slow, harmonious
and peaceful music can lower a person’s
anxiety. However, depending on the indi-
vidual, the genre of the music does not
matter so much as whether or not they
like the music.
Writing music is a great way to relieve
anxiety. Writing down what makes one
anxious can help to relieve the anxious
thoughts. It also may be easier to share
your feelings through your music and
lyrics rather than talking about them.
Reading the lyrics to your favorite song
can help you feel better if you study and
analyze them and think about why they
mean so much to you.
Depression
As one can imagine, listening to music
can change one’s mood, so naturally
this will have multiple effects on some-
one with depression. June Silny, a writer
for lifehack.org, says that music helps
you express your emotions. It’s melodic
encouragement that helps you let go of
suppressed feelings (Silny, n.d.). Positive
and upbeat music tends to lift your spirits
and relieve feelings of hopelessness and
despair, while sad and slow music may
increase your depression. Listening to a
song that brings back memories of a bad
time may make your symptoms worse
and make you sink deeper into your de-
pression. Depending on the individual,
however, listening to lyrics that deal with
the singer suffering from depression may
make the listener feel better. Knowing
that someone else feels the same way
can make one feel less alone, and, con-
sequently, less sad.
As with anxiety, writing music can tre-
mendously help battle depression. A lot
of people write down their feelings in
the form of poetry or songs as a way
to cope with their depression. Physically
writing out your thoughts can be used as
a form of releasing your negative inner
thoughts and freeing your mind. Both,
listening to music, and writing music
have been known to prevent suicide and
self-harm.
Music is very influential in mental illness-
es such as anxiety and depression. It is a
powerful alternative for those who do not
want to use medication to treat their ill-
ness. Whether it is to help you calm down
when feeling anxious, or to boost your
mood when feeling depressed, music is
an excellent tool to use, and may even be
a better form of medication.
Sources cited:
Bailey, E. (2012, March 13). Music to help relieve
anxiety - alternative therapies - anxiety. Retrieved from
http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1443/151176/
relieve-anxiety/
Certain types of music can help lower anxiety. (2011,
November 1). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.
org/blog/certain-types-of-music-can-help-lower-
anxiety-1101111
Nauert, R. Music Soothes anxiety, reduces
pain. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/
news/2011/12/23/music-soothes-anxiety-reduces-
pain/32952.html
Silny, J. 9 ways music can cure depression, drug
addiction and stop suicide. Retrieved from http://www.
lifehack.org/articles/featured/9-ways-music-can-
cure-depression-drug-addiction-and-stop-suicide.
html
Study shows music alleviates anxiety, depression
(2010, July 28). Medical News. Retrieved from http://
www.news-medical.net/news/20100728/Study-shows-
music-alleviates-anxiety-depression.aspx

30
Psych2Go
ADDICTIVE
PERSONALITY
By: Jamie Moffatt
Artwork by: Trisha Mae Laya
PersonalityPsychology
How personality
profiles can prevent
harmful drug
dependence
Once developed, drug dependency
can haunt a person for their entire life.
Staying abstinent even after choosing to
quit is hard. Around 40-60% of people
relapse in the year after receiving
treatment for substance abuse disorder
(McLellan, Lewis, O’Brien Kleber,
2000). Therefore, the surest way of
treating addiction is to prevent it before
it truly begins. Personality profiling is
one tool which some researchers believe
can be used to identify and help people
who are at risk of developing a substance
abuse disorder.
Through surveys of substance abusers,
researchers have identified four
distinct personality profiles which are
particularly at risk of succumbing to
drug dependence: Anxiety-Sensitive,
Hopelessness, Sensation Seeking and
Impulsivity (Woicik, Stewart, Pihl
Conrod, 2009; Conrod, Pihl, Stewart
Dongier, 2000). Each profile is associated
with a different motive for taking drugs.
In a study on cannabis use (Hecimovic,
Barrett, Darredeau Stewart, 2014),
Anxiety-Sensitive individuals mostly
reported smoking to ‘fit in with peers’
and help with socialisation, whereas
Hopelessness individuals were more
likely to turn to cannabis in order
to cope with depressed feelings. While
both motives involve relieving negative
feelings, they lead to different drug
use behaviour in substance abusers
(Conrod, Pihl, Stewart Dongier, 2000).
The Anxiety-Sensitive profile is strongly
associated with dependence on drugs
that inhibit anxiety. The Hopelessness
profile however, is typically associated
with opiate use, a class of drugs which
triggers euphoric experiences. Those
that fit into the remaining two profiles,
Sensation-Seeking and Impulsivity,
seem to be motivated to use substances
in order to enhance positive emotions.
However, where Sensation-Seekers
are associated with heavy alcohol use,
Impulsive individuals tend to prefer drugs
which provide an immediate high, such as
cocaine.
Several researchers have begun to use
personality profiling to inform drug
dependence interventions in early
adolescence. At this age (around 13 to
16 years), an intervention can prevent
harmful addictions before they even
begin. With profiling, the intervention
can be tailored in accordance with the
personality profile of the individual, thus

31
ISSUE 3
improving its effectiveness. The
interventions aim to teach alternative
methods of dealing with issues associated
with the personality profile. For example,
an individual who closely matches the
Hopelessness profile is taught healthy
solutions to feelings of depression.
Several studies have confirmed the
effectiveness of personality-matched
interventions. Attending a session lasting
no more than three hours significantly
reduced the likelihood of trying new illicit
substances and also prevented increases
in drug use (Conrod, Castellanos-Ryan
Strang, 2010). These interventions
have proven to be particularly effective
in reducing binge and problem drinking
amongst adolescents (Conrod, Stewart,
Comeau Maclean, 2006).
Despite the success of personality-
targeted interventions, it is important to
note that personality is just one factor
which influences the development of
substance abuse disorder. Education
level, mental illness, quality of living,
social group, gender and ethnicity are
just some of the other factors which can
influence whether someone becomes
addicted to drugs (Kilpatrick et al.,
2000). Until all of these factors are fully
understood, no intervention will be able
to completely prevent the development
of harmful drug dependence. However,
personality profiling has certainly proven
to be an effective tool in reducing the
harmful presence of substance abuse
disorder in our society. Developing a
substance abuse disorder can torment
someone for their whole life, from the
physical and mental damage caused by
the drug itself to the challenges faced in
battling relapse. If personality profiling
can be used to prevent addictions before
they truly begin, it will prove to be
incredibly beneficial for society.
Sources cited:
Conrod, P. J., Pihl, R. O., Stewart, S. H., Dongier, M.
(2000). Validation of a system of classifying female sub-
stance abusers on the basis of personality and motiva-
tional risk factors for substance abuse. Psychology of
Addictive Behaviors, 14(3), 243.
Conrod, P. J., Castellanos-Ryan, N., Strang, J. (2010).
Brief, personality-targeted coping skills interventions
and survival as a non–drug user over a 2-year period
during adolescence. Archives of General Psychi-
atry, 67(1), 85-93.
Conrod, P. J., Stewart, S. H., Comeau, N., Maclean, A.
M. (2006). Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions
targeting personality risk factors for youth alcohol mis-
use. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychol-
ogy, 35(4), 550-563.
Hecimovic, K., Barrett, S. P., Darredeau, C., Stewart,
S. H. (2014). Cannabis use motives and personality risk
factors. Addictive behaviors, 39(3), 729-732.
Kilpatrick, D. G., Acierno, R., Saunders, B., Resnick,
H. S., Best, C. L., Schnurr, P. P. (2000). Risk factors
for adolescent substance abuse and dependence: data
from a national sample. Journal of consulting and clin-
ical psychology, 68(1), 19.
McLellan, A. T., Lewis, D. C., O’Brien, C. P., Kleber, H.
D. (2000). Drug dependence, a chronic medical illness:
implications for treatment, insurance, and outcomes
evaluation. Jama, 284(13), 1689-1695.
Woicik, P. A., Stewart, S. H., Pihl, R. O., Conrod, P.
J. (2009). The substance use risk profile scale: A scale
measuring traits linked to reinforcement-specific sub-
stance use profiles. Addictive behaviors, 34(12), 1042-
1055.

32
Psych2Go
DevelopmentalPsychology
As you will know substance abuse
can have far-reaching consequences. It’s
physically as psychologically harmful for
the person abusing substances as well as
possibly damaging to those around them.
Substance abuse can be very dangerous
too, for parents and their children. You
can imagine what sort of consequences
substance abuse by pregnant women can
have for their unborn child. Take alcohol
abuse for example, when a mother drinks
too much alcohol during pregnancy the
development of the unborn child can be
influenced, which will eventually also
alter the child’s postnatal development,
again, both physically and psychological-
ly. No two people with FAS will have the
exact same symptoms.
What are the symptoms or external
characteristics?
As you may have noticed from the pic-
ture, the external characteristics of FAS
are often visible in the face. Some of the
physical characteristics of a child with
FAS include small eyelids, short up-
turned nose, and microcephaly, which
means they have a smaller head than the
average person. Children with FSA often
have a long upper lip (a larger than av-
erage distance from nose to mouth) as
well as a thin upper lip, a small jaw and
flattened cheeks. These facial features
can sometimes result in impairment in
showing facial expressions.
FAS has more consequences than just a
different physique. Some developmental
symptoms linked to the syndrome are
mental retardation, and delayed develop-
ment of both fine and gross motor skills.
This means that people with FAS will
have delayed development of skills like
sitting up on their own, rolling over,
crawling and walking, but also grasping
objects with their thumb and index finger,
or drawing. FAS patients can also have
a decreased birth weight, or suffer from
hearing disorders.
What are the mental or psychological
effects?
People with FAS often have trouble con-
trolling impulses, which can sometimes
lead to aggressive behaviour or drug and
alcohol abuse. They can have problems
with attention deficit disorder, gener-
al conduct disorder, depression and/or
psychotic episodes. Of course, this does
not go for all people who suffer from FAS
but it can occur in some cases. While
growing up, children with FAS can have
impaired language development, memo-
ry problems, learning problems, or even
seizures.
How is FAS treated?
While there is not cure for FAS, there is
research that shows hat early interven-
tion can improve children’s development
. Therapy from birth to about three years
of age can help children with FAS improve
their speech, movement and social abil-
ities. Because these developments hap-
pen so early in life it is important that the
child is diagnosed early. Children with
FAS will often need special education
services to reach their full potential, as
they might need extra attention because
of some of the troubles that come with
the condition. A stable home environment
is essential. Research has shown that
children with FAS who grew up in a sta-
ble, loving and nurturing home environ-
ment are less likely to develop secondary
conditions than children who grew up in
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its
Effects on Development
By: Kayleigh Herber
Artwork by: Pilar Chavez

33
ISSUE 3
a stressful environment.Depending
on which symptoms a child might have,
medication could be prescribed. This
might be the case, for example, when a
child has a lot of difficulty containing hy-
peractivity. As many FAS children have
trouble socializing with others, friend-
ship training or social therapy might ben-
efit them too. Because their behaviour
tends deviate from average, parents will
often be involved in their child’s therapy
as well. Both parents and children will
benefit from interaction and behaviour
therapies which focus on teaching both
parties how to deal with each other.
So what is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
It is a condition that may arise when too
much alcohol is consumed while preg-
nant. It alters the development of a child
both physically and psychologically. Chil-
dren with FAS have distinctive facial fea-
tures, such as flattened cheeks, a long
upper lip and small eye openings. They
might have impaired language develop-
ment, trouble socializing with others or
problems controlling impulses. As there
is no cure, the best way to avoid it is to not
drink alcohol during a pregnancy.
As there is no cure, the best
way to avoid it is to not drink
alcohol during a pregnancy.

34
Psych2Go
My sibling; KL was diagnosed
with Autism at an early age. During
his development, it has often been a
challenge to get integrated into social
groups and communities. Like many
parents of children with disabilities, our
mother was particularly worried anytime
my brother wasn’t at home or school.
As a result, he mostly stayed home until
his early teens. This was stopped, after
pushing a few boundaries and taking him
on trips. These trips could range from
walking to the grocery store, playing at a
new park or taking the metro to a place
we have never been. My brother was
12 on an earlier big trip, we went to a
wavepark about an hour metro trip from
our house. My mom said I could go, but I
couldn’t take KL. I took KL secretly.
My brother wasn’t the best
swimmer and like many people with
Autism, he has sensory overload and
a hard time adjusting to unexpected
situations. As his sibling, I was not
thinking about that. I just didn’t want to
leave him out of the fun! During the trip,
a few adults had approached us with
questions, if I had not been there it would
have been hard to answer for him as
sometimes he can seem aloof.
Unexpected situations are especially
difficult. For instance, when he is out
alone even at 16 he will be stopped on
his way from the grocery store, due to
appearing young and his mannerisms.
We had to teach him how to answer those
questions; to say “I am going home from
the grocery store and have permission”,
this prevents them from stopping and
calling the police (like they have
done in the past). This is especially a
great burden for parents, as they do not
have to feel like a poor parent by getting
unwanted attention from CPS or Law
Enforcement.
After teaching him how to take the
metro and getting him more familiar
with the neighborhood, my mom can
now feel comfortable letting him outside
the house on his own. I felt my role as a
sibling truly impacted his initiative and
gave him the freedom to achieve his
goals. Our goals when he goes on trips
by himself is to get him to plan ahead,
think about unexpected situations and
to reflect on the trip. This is done with a
presentation before going on the trip and
afterwards writing a report. This helps
with IEP meetings by showing what he
is truly capable of and the trip from his
perspective.
I am so proud of my brother’s growth! He
is currently a sophomore in high school,
volunteers many hours a week, went on
an out-of-state trip with me, has his own
YouTube channel and is in Best Buddies
and other extracurriculars. Not only
does that help him grow socially, but it
gives him a sense of belonging inside our
community, church and his school. One
piece of advice I wish to give to siblings
of people with disabilities, is to not be
afraid of getting them involved. Reduce
the stigma! Get them out of the house so
their creativity and self can shine!
S.E.E.P
Getting Someone With Autism
By: Ase Lundgren
S.E.E.P.(Special,Exceptional,ExtraordinaryPeople)
Out Into The World:
A Sibling’s Perspective

35
ISSUE 3
“I felt my role as a sibling
truly impacted his initiative
and gave him the freedom to
achieve his goals.”

36
Psych2Go
The Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum
Disorder in Genetic Syndromes
Associated with Intellectual Disability:
Is it Always Warranted?
By: Liv Mitchell
Artwork by: Jane Shi
S.E.E.P.(Special,Exceptional,ExtraordinaryPeople)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
is diagnosed in approximately 1.89%
of children in the general population
(Kim et al., 2011) and as many as 40%
of individuals with severe to profound
intellectual disability (ID) (La Malfa,
Lassi, Bertelli, Salvini, Placidi, 2004).
ASD symptomology has been identified in
a number of genetic syndromes, however
the variability of the behaviour described
in these syndromes has caused the
nature of these associations to be
questioned (Skuse, 2007). Detailed study
into this relationship has drawn attention
to critical distinctions between the ASD
behavioural profile of genetic syndromes
and idiopathic ASD, particularly within
the domain of social impairment. The
cause and nature of these differences
are clinically relevant in terms of the
conceptualisation, identification and
management of ASD within these genetic
syndromes.
One genetic syndrome in which atypical
autistic-features have been described
is Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS).
CdLS is estimated to occur in 1:10,000
live births (Jackson, Kline, Barr,
Koch, 1993) and is characterised by
developmental delay, distinctive facial
features, delayed growth and limb
development deficits (Jackson et al.,
1993; Kline et al., 2007). Evaluation at
a superficial behavioral level suggests
a strong association between CdLS
and ASD symptomology. Prevalence
estimates of ASD in CdLS range from 50-
67% in studies using direct or informant
autism-specific assessments (Basile,
Villa, Selicorni, Molteni, 2007; Berney
et al., 1999; Bhuiyan et al., 2006;
Moss et al., 2008; Oliver et al., 2011).
However, inspection of specific ASD
symptomology at domain and item-level
on autism-specific assessments has
revealed qualitative differences in the
patterns of social interaction between
CdLS and idiopathic ASD. Moss et al.
(2012) found heightened social motivation
and heightened social anxiety in CdLS
relative to idiopathic ASD. These findings
indicate subtle differences between the
social impairments in CdLS and ASD.
In line with Moss et al. (2012), studies
report that behaviours indicative of social
motivation are not impaired in CdLS
relativetothewiderIDpopulation(Nelson,
2010). However, heightened social anxiety
and reduced social initiation behaviour
has been consistently described in the
syndrome (Collis, Oliver Moss, 2006),
particularly during unstructured social
interaction (Crawford, 2015). The co-
occurrence of lowered initiation and
heightened anxiety behaviour, alongside
preserved aspects of social motivation,
in CdLS has lead researchers to suggest
that a desire to interact is present in the
syndrome group but increased social
anxiety results in social withdrawal
through reduced initiation of interaction
(Crawford, 2015).
Conversely, idiopathic ASD has been
associated with diminished social
interest. The Social Motivation Theory
of Autism (Chevallier, Kohls, Troiani,
Brodkin Schultz, 2012) proposes that
primary deficits in social motivation are
central to almost all children with ASD

37
ISSUE 3
and are a cause (not consequence) of
impaired social cognition in the disorder.
The social anxiety reported in ASD has
been linked to negative expectations
of peer reactions as a result of social
deficits (La Greca Lopez, 1998), thus
appears to differ in cause from the
social anxiety described in CdLS. Taken
together, these findings suggest that the
social impairments observed in CdLS and
ASD differ in nature and cause.
In conclusion, it appears more fine-
grained analysis of social behaviour
and ‘ASD symptomology’ is required
to accurately characterise social
impairments in CdLS. The identification
of shared characteristics between
individuals with CdLS and those who
have ASD is important with regards
to intervention. ASD interventions are
better developed and more accessible
than those for other genetic syndromes,
and their benefits in children with CdLS
have been highlighted in the literature
(Howlin, Wing Gould, 1995). However,
case reports (see Moss Howlin, 2009)
have demonstrated the importance of
identifying differences in the behavior
between the syndromes and the need
for targeted intervention of syndrome
specific behaviors (such as social anxiety)
alongside potentially beneficial autism-
programmes.
Sources cited:
Basile, E., Villa, L., Selicorni, A., Molteni, M. (2007). The
behavioural phenotype of Cornelia de Lange syndrome: a
study of 56 individuals. Journal of Intellectual D i s a b i l i t y
Research, 51, 671–681.
Berney, T. P., Ireland, M., Burn, J. (1999). Behavioural phenotype
of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Archives of Disease in
Childhood, 81,333–336.
Bhuiyan, Z. A., Klein, M., Hammond, P., van Haeringen, A.,
Mannens, M. A. M, Van Berckelaer-Onnes, I,.
Hennekam, R. C. M. (2006). Genotype-phenotype
correlations of 39 patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome: The
Dutch experience. Journal of Medical Genetics, 46,
568–575.
Chevallier, C., Kohls, G., Troiani, V., Brodkin, E. S., Schultz, R. T.
(2012). The social motivation theory of autism.
Trends in cognitive sciences, 16(4), 231-239.
Collis, L., Oliver, C., Moss, J. (2006). Low mood and social anxiety
in Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Journal of Intellectual
Disability Research, 55, 792.
Crawford, H. (2015). Social Behaviour and Social Cognition in
Fragile X, Cornelia de Lange and Rubinstein-Taybi syndromes.
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Birmingham).
Gualtieri, C. T. (1991). Behavior in the Cornelia de Lange
syndrome. In C. T. Gualtieri (Ed.), Neuropsychiatry
and behavioral pharmacology (pp. 173–186). New York: Springer
Verlag.
Hyman, P., Oliver, C., Hall, S. (2002) Self injurious behaviour,
self-restraint, and compulsive behaviours in Cornelia de Lange
syndrome. American Journal on Mental Retardation,107,
146–154.
Hudenko, W. J., Stone, W., Bachorowski, J. A. (2009). Laughter
differs in children with autism: an acoustic analysis of
laughs produced by children with and without the
disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 39(10),
1392-1400.
Jackson, L., Kline, A. D., Barr, M., Koch, S. (1993). Cornelia de
Lange syndrome: A clinical review of
310 individuals. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 47, 940–
946.
Kim, Y. S., Leventhal, B. L., Koh, Y. J., Fombonne, E., Laska, E.,
Lim, E. C., Grinker, R. R. (2011). Prevalence of autism
spectrum disorders in a total population s a m p l e .
American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(9), 904-912.
Kline, A. D., Krantz, I. D., Sommer, A., Kliewer, M., Jackson, L. G.,
FitzPatrick, D. R., Selicorni, A. (2007). Cornelia de
Lange syndrome: clinical review, diagnostic and scoring systems,
and anticipatory guidance. American journal of medical genetics
part A, 143(12), 1287-1296.
La Greca, A. M., Lopez, N. (1998). Social anxiety among
adolescents: Linkages with peer relations and
friendships. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 26(2), 83-94.
La Malfa, G., Lassi, S., Bertelli, M., Salvini, R., Placidi, G. F.
(2004). Autism and intellectual disability: a study of
prevalence on a sample of the Italian p o p u l a t i o n .
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48(3), 262-267.
Levin AV, Selicorni A. 2007. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: Clinical
review, diagnostic and scoring systems, and
anticipatory guidance. Am J Med Genet Part A 143A (1):1287–
1296.
Liebal, K., Colombi, C., Rogers, S. J., Warneken, F., Tomasello,
M. (2008). Helping and cooperation in children with
autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders,
38(2), 224-238.
Lord, C., Corsello, C. (2005). Diagnostic instruments in autistic
spectrum disorders. In F. Volkmar, A. Klin, R. Paul
(Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental
disorders (3rd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 730–771). New York: Wiley.
Moss, J. F., Oliver, C., Berg, K., Kaur, G., Jephcott, L., Cornish, K.
(2008). Prevalence of autism s p e c t r u m
phenomenology in Cornelia de Lange and Cri du Chat
syndromes. Journal Information, 113(4).
Moss, J., Howlin, P. (2009). Autism spectrum disorders in genetic
syndromes: implications for diagnosis, intervention and
understanding the wider autism spectrum disorder
population. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 53(10), 852-
873.
Moss, J., Howlin, P., Oliver, C. (2011). The assessment of
presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder and
associated characteristics in individuals with severe
intellectual disability and genetic syndromes. The Oxford
Handbook of Intellectual Disability and Development.
Moss, J., Howlin, P., Magiati, I., Oliver, C. (2012). Characteristics
of autism spectrum disorder in Cornelia de Lange
syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,
53(8), 883-891.
Moss, J., Howlin, P., Hastings, R. P., Beaumont, S., Griffith, G. M.,
Petty, J., Oliver, C. (2013). Social behavior and
characteristics of autism spectrum disorder in Angelman,
Cornelia de Lange, and Cri du Chat syndromes. American journal
on intellectual and developmental disabilities,
118(4), 262-283.
Moss, J., Oliver, C., Nelson, L., Richards, C., Hall, S. (2013).
Delineating the profile of autism s p e c t r u m
disorder characteristics in Cornelia de Lange and Fragile X
syndromes. American journal on intellectual and
developmental disabilities, 118(1), 55-73.
Nadig, A. S., Ozonoff, S., Young, G. S., Rozga, A., Sigman, M.,
Rogers, S. J. (2007). A prospective study of response to
name in infants at risk for autism. Archives of pediatrics
adolescent medicine, 161(4), 378-383.
Richards, C., Moss, J., O’Farrell, L., Kaur, G., Oliver, C. (2009).
Social anxiety in Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Journal of autism
and developmental disorders, 39(8), 1155-1162.
Skuse, D. H. (2007). Rethinking the nature of genetic vulnerability
to autistic spectrum disorders. TRENDS in Genetics,
23(8), 387-395.

38
Psych2Go
By: Imogen Bowler
Artwork by: Drew Borja
ANIMAL STUDIES
THEIR IMPACT
ON OUR UNDERSTANDING
OF SUBSTANCE
ABUSE
AnimalPsychology

39
ISSUE 3
Do you think you know the origins of
addiction? Many believe addiction is due
to the substance a person takes, which
logically makes sense. If something is
addictive, then taking it causes addiction
right? There are some animal studies
which aim to look at these questions, and
they will be discussed in this article to
look at where the cause of addiction lies.
The studies discussed looked at a wide
range of animals and their behaviour
when given psychoactive drugs such as
cocaine.
The first study being discussed here is by
Deneau, Yanagita and Seevers (1969). In
this study, monkeys were given a way to
self-administer different drugs to them-
selves, to see if they would become de-
pendent on these drugs. The drugs the
monkeys got addicted to were morphine,
codeine, cocaine, d-amphetamine, pen-
tobarbital, ethanol, and caffeine. This
shows how these drugs can be addictive
when animals, or people, are given the
choice to take them. Its also been shown
by Fischman (1988) that a wide range
of species will self-administer cocaine
when given the chance. This is even the
case when the cocaine use started to
have adverse, toxic side effects. How-
ever, while these studies seem to show
the pure addictive nature of these drugs,
there are methodological issues with
these studies. They do not resemble real
life, often in these studies the animal
does not have anything else to do, or
has to be trained to self-administer the
drugs.
Furthermore, it has been shown that
even little changes to the methodology
used can change how the animals react.
For example, in studies with rats, the rats
are often starved before the experiment.
Once this is not the case, because the
rats are given sugar dissolved in water
(Carroll et al, 1989) or because they are
maintained on a healthy diet (Carroll et
al, 1980) then self-administering goes
down. In these studies, the animals are
often given unlimited access to the drugs
being studied. However, this is dissim-
ilar to real life, and studies have
shown reducing access to the drug de-
creases use (Wilson et al, 1971). Finally,
one major criticism of the original drug
studies with animals are that often the
animals are in environments where they
have nothing else they can do but take the
drugs. As you can imagine, this existence
ranges from boring to despair-inducing,
and is not very realistic to the natural
habitat. In fact, studies where the rats
have other things to do in their cage, and
generally then the rats would not take
the drugs until they died (Alexander,1981;
Schnek et al, 1987) as was found with the
first experiments looking at this question.
As made clear in studies discussed here,
animal studies suggest there is much
more to drug addiction than just taking
the drugs. Environmental factors are very
important, and this explains why some
can use drugs recreationally without
developing an addiction. These factors
should be considered when treating drug
addiction to ensure the person is getting
the support and help they need.
Sources cited:
Alexander, B. K., Beyerstein, B. L., Hadaway, P. F.,
Coambs, R. B. (1981). Effect of early and later colony
housing on oral ingestion of morphine in rats. Pharma-
cology Biochemistry and Behavior, 15(4), 571-576.
Carroll, M. E., Meisch, R. A. (1980). The effects of
feeding conditions on drug-reinforced behavior: main-
tenance at reduced body weight versus availability of
food. Psychopharmacology, 68(2), 121-124.
Carroll, M. E., Lac, S. T., Nygaard, S. L. (1989). A con-
currently available nondrug reinforcer prevents the ac-
quisition or decreases the maintenance of cocaine-re-
inforced behavior. Psychopharmacology, 97(1), 23-29.
Deneau, G., Yanagita, T., Seevers, M. H. (1969).
Self-administration of psychoactive substances by the
monkey. Psychopharmacologia, 16(1), 30-48.
Fischman, M. W. (1988). Behavioral pharmacology of
cocaine. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 49, 7-10.
Schenk, S., Lacelle, G., Gorman, K., Amit, Z. (1987).
Cocaine self-administration in rats influenced by envi-
ronmental conditions: implications for the etiology of
drug abuse. Neuroscience letters, 81(1), 227-231.
Wilson, M. C., Hitomi, M., Schuster, C. R. (1971). Psy-
chomotor stimulant self administration as a function
of dosage per injection in the rhesus monkey. Psycho-
pharmacologia, 22(3), 271-281.

40
Psych2Go
Look! Murder!
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
By: Larissa Grundmanis
Artwork by: Lea Sophia Hopfenmüller
ForensicPsychology
Why People Are So
Fascinated with True-Crime

41
ISSUE 3
Kurt Cobain: , lead singer of Nirvana.
Married to Courtney Love. 27 years old.
Most people believe it was suicide. In
2015, a documentary, Soaked in Bleach,
was created which explored another
perspective on Kurt Cobain’s mysterious
death – the perspective of the Personal
Investigator that Courtney hired shortly
before the Cobain’s death explores the
unnerving circumstances surrounding the
rock-stars death, such as the immensely
high levels of cocaine found in his body,
and it has proved very popular. In Soaked
in Bleach, evidence is presented to refute
the facts (or fiction) previously published
in press.
The documentary uncovers the reality of
this ‘evidence’ which ranges from false
media stories, to unanswered questions
created by Love, to exposures of shady
police investigations. Not only does this
documentary creates a compelling case
against Cobain’s alleged suicide, but
it raises a question that one does not
always ask: why are true-crime stories so
fascinating?
Ken Dowler, Thomas Fleming, and
Stephen Muzzatti (2006) explored this
phenomenon For example, in modern-
day North American culture, true crime
is not just a news story, but a source of
entertainment as well. Television series
like The First 48, Cold Case, and Forensic
Files have increased in popularity over
the past decade (Gabel, 2010, p. 248),
Crime writer Ian Rankin attributes the
popularity of the crime fiction genre it’s to
natural curiosity. In Rankin’s words “We
wonder where it comes from and whether
we ourselves could ever carry out such an
act” (Lawson, 2015). According to Scott
Bonn (2016), writer of Ph.D. Psychology
Today, murder mysteries are most
interesting to the general public. The
murders may be exotic or bizarre and
Bonn attributes our interest in them to
one basic emotion : fear (Bonn, 2016).
We may be so drawn to the case of
Kurt Cobain because it was so bizarre
and there were so many questions left
unanswered. Why was there so much
cocaine in his system? After consuming
such an excessive quantity of drugs, would
he really be capable of shooting himself?
Bonn (2016) claims that stories of true
crime allow us to experience the
excitement of a threat without putting
ourselves in danger. Crime shows offer
‘guilty pleasure’ to the thrill-seekers
among us. Dr. Elizabeth Rutha restates
this idea in slightly different terms.
Watching a true crime allows people
to experience some of their darkest
emotions without acting on them.” (as
cited by Mason, 2016).
Countless mysteries are explored in true
crime documentaries, and it is these
which are so attractive to us. Perhaps, we
find interest in the unsolved because we
merely wish to understand, “’why’.” Why
did something happen the way it did? Why
is there no clear answer yet, despite all
the evidence that has been presented.
There are many questions that we will
never know the answer to, but the innate
curiosity that each one of us possesses
will drive us to search for what we seek
until we find answers.
Sources cited:
Bonn, S. (2016, January 8). Why we are drawn to true
crime shows. In Time. Retrieved from http://time.
com/4172673/true-crime-allure/.
Davis, S. F., Buskist, W. (Eds.). (2007). 21st century
psychology: A reference handbook. N.p.: SAGE
Publications, Inc.
Dowler, K., Fleming, T., Muzzatti, S. L. (2006, October).
Constructing crime: Media, crime, and popular culture.
Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice,
48(6), 837-844850.
Gabel, J. D. (2010). Forensiphilia: Is the public
fascination of with forensic science a love affair or a
fatal attraction? New England Journal on Criminal and
Civil Confinement, 36(2), 233.
Lawson, M. (2015, December 12). Serial thrillers: Why
true crime is popular culture’s most wanted. In The
Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.
com/culture/2015/dec/12/serial-thrillers-why-true-is-
popular-cultures-most-wanted
Mason, L. (2016, January 12). Why are we so fascinated
with true crime stories?. In Health E-News. Retrieved
from http://www.ahchealthenews.com

42
Psych2Go
ART SUBMISSION WINNER

43
ISSUE 3ISSUE 1
“I thought this quote fit into the substance abuse context. When one messes
with substances, like drugs, that can harm him or her, it can come back to
bite and damage him or her in ways that are hard to repair and fix. What starts
as a daring act will turn into a lifelong endeavor that is difficult to overcome.”
– Megan K.
Links to find her art:
doublerainbowcupcakes.tumblr.com
“Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster,
and when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also
into you.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
If you would like to have the chance to win and have your art
showcased in our next issue, be on the lookout for the next art
theme which will be posted on our social media!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Psych2GoDoodle/
https://www.facebook.com/psych2gomag/

44
Psych2Go
CareerBuilding
How to write a personal statement
This is ME!
By: Jessica Jang
Artwork by: Pilar Chavez

45
ISSUE 3
Picture an advertisement. All
the best resources came together to
convince consumers this product is the
best! Your personal statement is your
advertisement to convince programs and
internships that you are the best. This
is the way you show how you are unique
compared to the others. Who else would
know you better than you??
Think about this…
These questions can help you give an
idea about what you want to write about.
What events have shaped who you are or
represent your character well?
Why are you studying psychology and
what about it has kept your interest?
What event made you realize this was the
one for you?
What experiences have helped you grow
as in individual?
this famous interview question: Where
do you see yourself in 5 years?
Show! Show! Show! Don’t tell.
If you just say your characteristics,
your statement will be more like a list.
You also don’t want to try to fit every
accomplishment in this statement since
the person most likely already read your
resume.
You want this statement to be personal
to the special position and you want the
reader to infer what you are like.Try to
include descriptions using the senses so
the reader can picture the scene you set.
Even if your situation is a common one,
perception is your reality! To clarify this
in your personal statement, use emotions
and explain how your surroundings
affected you.
This adds individualism and makes your
situation more unique which makes you
stand out for other applicants!
Ideas if you don’t need a statement yet:
• Start journaling! This will help you tell
your story and mention the struggles
you conquered to reach your goals!
• Look over your resume! Think about
any of the positions you held and why
you wanted it. Were there any things
you enjoyed participating in? Did you
accomplish something big during one
of the things listed there?
• Apply to internships! Get to know fields
you are interested in. You could say why
certain topics weren’t a fit while others
were. What positions you held could be
mentioned in your personal statement
to emphasize your experience.
• Meet your professors! They are there to
help you, especially the ones that study
the topics you are most interested in
and pertains to the program. Getting
to know them can help you get a great
reference letter since it will be more
personal and reflect your statement.
Remember! Proofread then proofread
then proofread! Make sure you don’t
make spelling errors in important things
like the name of the school. Be clear and
concise! Best of luck to you!

46
Psych2Go
CommunitySubmissions:
January:PsychologyofFashion
SMOKING
a hidden cry
for affectionBy: Aura Balalia
Artwork by: Sydney Diamond

47
ISSUE 3
Think about your habits: smoking,
drinking, betting. Would your life look a
bit better without these? Would have you
started any of it if it hadn’t been for your
friends? The real question behind all this
is why would you need those particular
friends so badly that you had to start
smoking, or drinking, or gambling.
Although the research on adolescent
substance use and peer group influence
tends to be more concentrated around
the addictive nature of smoking and the
long term physical health consequences,
smoking is still perceived as a socially
accepted habit, much less being explored
as a coping mechanism.
In 2012, Prof Joseph Allen and his
colleagues from the University of Virginia
studied 157 adolescents from early to
mid-adolescence and the influence
their parents and close friends had, on
their decision of substance use. Their
findings indicated that the extent to
which a teenager becomes vulnerable to
substance use is equally determined by
external factors, like the way their close
friends were perceived by others and
by internal factors as well, such as the
adolescent’s self-determination. Also,
increased maternal support in early
adolescence seemed to play a major
role later on, in a teenager’s decision
of substance use. Therefore, the more
confident they were in finding support
in their mothers in a stressful situation,
the less likely it was for them to crave
for their close friends’ attention, and
to let themselves be influenced by their
actions.
Even though parental smoking behavior
has been suggested by several studies
(Kobus, 2003; Hoffman et al., 2007),
to influence adolescent smoking to a
moderate extent, positive parenting still
remains a decisive factor as long as
family ties are strong enough.
So why do people smoke in exchange for
acceptance?
The social status of our friends can be
tempting. We all want to be friends with
the most popular guy in the school. Not
that our parents aren’t nice people or
sociable with their friends, but because
they don’t appear to be popular
enough to give us recognition in front of
our group of friends.
Several studies have shown that there is
a way parents can make a turning point in
their teen son or daughter’s decision to
smoke: by discouraging their association
with friends who can have a bad influence
on them.
The National Cancer Institute published
in 2008, an extended review of studies
that indicated that all the youth smoking
prevention campaigns are “generally
ineffective” at decreasing smoking
behavior in teens and may even convince
some teenagers to start smoking.
So maybe all the prevention campaigns
should address this problem from
a different angle, by focusing more
on developing parental intervention
programs that would respond to
adolescents emotional needs rather than
initiating health warnings.
Living a shorter life might not sound so
scary for a teen but teaching parents
how to save their children from harming
themselves, by offering them support in
their desperate need for acceptance can
actually have an impact.
Sources cited:
Allen J, Chango J, Szwedo D, Schad M, Marston E.
Predictors of Susceptibility to Peer Influence Regarding
Substance Use in Adolescence. Child Development.
2011;83(1):337-350.
Hoffman B, Monge P, Chou C, Valente T. Perceived peer
influence and peer selection on adolescent smoking.
Addictive Behaviors. 2007;32(8):1546-1554.
Lakon C, Wang C, Butts C, Jose R, Timberlake D,
Hipp J. A Dynamic Model of Adolescent Friendship
Networks, Parental Influences, and Smoking. J Youth
Adolescence. 2014;44(9):1767-1786.
National Cancer Institute (NCI), The Role of the Media
in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use, Smoking and
Tobacco Control Monograph No. 19, NIH Pub. No. 07-
6242, June 2008
Simons-Morton B, Farhat T. Recent Findings on Peer
Group Influences on Adolescent Smoking. The Journal
of Primary Prevention. 2010;31(4):191-208.

48
Psych2Go
Advertisements. Are they genuinely
trying to raise the public’s awareness of
a certain product? Or is there more to it
than that?
Nowadays, advertisements have gone
from introducing new products to
messing with the perceptions, images,
and dreams of viewers, not to mention
injecting them with self-loathing, hatred,
and greed.
Advertisements are decades old. They
started in the ancient Babylonian Empire
dating back to the 3000s BC. The world’s
first advertisement in English was for a
prayer book in 1472. However, advertising
as a career did not begin until the 1840s
in the United States (Hayko, 2010).
Advertising is a vital tool that no business
can progress and prosper without.
Firms use various advertising techniques
to influence the performance of their
products, particularly in consumer goods
markets like electronic de- vices and
cars. Uncertainty dominates markets for
consumergoods,withthegreatpossibility
of a new competitive product entering the
market at any time. This requires firms to
improve their advertisements regularly
and vigorously to remain competitive
(Barroso Llobet, 2011). Deceptive
advertising can be defined as the
misleading and fraudulent presentation
of a product and its expected utility by a
firm (Cawley, Avery, Eisenberg, 2011).
As humans, we are “subliminally
stimulated,” which means that our
thinking can be controlled greatly by
media. Company executives believe that
they are being helpful to society as they
offer them beneficial information through
their advertisements. Psychologists
and scholars, however, are skeptical of
the content and motives of these
advertisements. They believe that
increased advertising can negatively
affect some sectors of the population and
ignite several issues, such as the self-
image of women, and the attitude and
behavior of children. For example, body
image is an issue that is augmented by
the constant appearance of models with
unrealistic figures that are exaggerated
by Photoshop.
In their book Psychology and Consumer
Culture: the Struggle for a good life
in a Materialistic World, Allen Kanner
and Renee Soule (2004) state that
advertisements push the right buttons
by addressing the weaknesses and
vulnerability of the spectators to
“manipulate people’s desires and
greatest fears to convince them to buy the
preferred products.”
The Union of Concerned Scientists
analyzed the use of deceptive advertising
by the food industry in its May 2014
journal article “Sugar-Coating Science.”
According to Bailin, Goldman,
Phartiyal (2014), many food companies
advertise their foods as “healthy,”
although it is known to the public that
these food items are anything but that.
Cookies and soda are great examples.
As consumers, we know well that they
contain relatively large amounts of added
sugar. Nonetheless, food companies tend
to design the advertisements of such
products so as they appear healthier than
they really are.
Manyrenownednationalandinternational
organizations and health institutes
have conducted research on the harms
of added sugars. However, consumers
continue to consume high levels of
added sugar despite being aware of the
DON’T BE FOOLED BY THOSE ADS YOU SEE
By: Merna Abdelsalam
(FB): www.facebook.com/Mima.Al.Nag
CommunitySubmissions:
January:PsychologyofCreativity

49
ISSUE 3
abundant scientific evidence that
links the excessive consumption of sugar
to a great range of health problems.
This is because of sugar interest
companies. These companies use false,
misleading, and exploitative advertising
and marketing strategies, which serve
to manipulate consumers and influence
their purchasing behavior. These
strategies aim to draw attention away
from the actual health and nutrition
information of the product through the
stimulation of certain behavioral, social,
psychological, and cultural responses
in the viewers. For example, chips
commercials usually associate their
consumption with overexcitement,
happiness and joy, while chocolate
commercials portray their consumers
as delicate and sophisticated, with a high
sense of fashion.
Advertisements address certain
demographics—based on things such
as race, gender, age—as potential
consumers of a specific product. Each
advertisement is designed carefully to
appeal to the viewers of its target market.
In the case of food industry, women and
children are the most targeted, as well
as the most exploited. This is because
women are the principal decision-makers
of food options in most households,
and because children are the easiest to
persuade, as they are unable to detect
fraudulence or exploitation.
In summary, advertisements exist
for a reason, which is convincing the
viewers of the necessity of obtaining
this specific product for its uncountable
and irreplaceable benefits. This way,
companies guarantee that the consumer
will include it in their choice set and not
miss the first chance to purchase and
possess this product.
To be more responsible towards
ourselves and our community, we
should start viewing overconsumption
as a dreadful and unhealthy habit that
should to be eliminated. Do not believe
everything you see or hear. It is up to you,
and only you, to decide the importance
of a good. Do not purchase something
because others have it, or because it is a
trend. And finally, do not stress yourself
with the materialistic aspects of society,
and strive to be nothing but happy and
peaceful with yourself.
Sources cited:
Bailin, D., Goldman, G., Phartiyal, P. (2014).
Sugar-coating Science (1st ed.). Union of Concerned
Scientists. Retrieved February 3, 2016, from http://
www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/
documents/center-for-science-and-democracy/sugar-
coating-science.pdf
Cawley, J., Avery, R., Eisenberg, M. (2011). The
Effect of Advertising and Deceptive Advertising on
Consumption: the Case of Over-the-Counter Weight
Loss Products. Retrieved February 3, 2016, from
http:// www.iza.org/conference_files/riskonomics2011/
cawley_j6697.pdf
Godrej, D. (2006). Captive: how the ad industry pins us
down. Retrieved Febraury 3, 2016, from http://newint.
org/features/2006/09/01/keynote/
Hayko, G. (2010). Effects of Advertising on Society: A
Literary Review. HOHONU, 8, 79-82. Retrieved February
3, 2016, from http://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/hohonu/
documents/vol08x16effectsofadvertisingonsociety.pdf
Kanner, Allen, and Renee. “Globalization, Corporate
Culture, And Freedom.” Psychology and Consumer
Culture xi (2004): 49-63

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PSYCH2GO
Community Photography

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ISSUE 3
“I think my favorite part of psychology
is the fact that it gives us perspective
and reason. There are biological,
neurological, social reasons and
perspectives for behavior, thoughts,
emotions. That’s easily one of the biggest
draws for me, learning to explain why a
person has certain feelings or behaves
a certain way. It can apply to anyone,
whether they are a child, an adult, if they
have a disability or disorder or illness, if
they are experiencing stress or trauma,
or if they are an baby learning how to
interact with the world.
Isn’t it so cool that by learning the
anatomy of the brain and the functions
of each region, you can figure out if your
headache is caused by stress, hunger,
sleep-deprivation, or thirst? Isn’t it so
cool that merely seeing someone more
often, even if it’s subconsciously, that
will make you like them more? To put it
in the broadest terms, a big part of life
is interacting with your environment and
surroundings; psychology is all about
how to explain how those interactions
came to be, and how they work.
Psychologists are trained to explain
people, to people, using perspective and
reason. There’s so much cool literature
about all this. Call me a geek, but
someday you may be telling this geek
your problems, because I could help
you learn about yourself. Psychology
is essentially the science of people,
and people are individuals. Everyone
deserves a sound explanation their own
thoughts, behaviors, or emotions.
Psychology is an excellent resource for
logical, yet varied, explanations. I think
that’s the biggest reason I want to study
in psychology; it’s a reasonable science
of people and their interactions and
processes of becoming their own self.”
– Caroline Robertson
Photographs by: Conner Dorbin
https://www.facebook.com/
ConnerDorbinPhotographyandDesign/

53
ISSUE 3
Please see answers on page 71!

54
Psych2GoPsych2Go
Created and Designed by: John Olivera

55
ISSUE 3
http://lifewithost.tumblr.com/

56
Psych2Go
By: Risha Mae Ordas
Rorschach Projective Test
Projective Psychology
INTERPRETATIONS

57
ISSUE 3
Hello! This is another round of
interpretations of the Rorschach test!
Note that this is not an official Rorschach
test and is meant for entertainment
purposes only. That being said, with
the interpretations gathered, we hope
that you as our reader would hopefully
gain insight from the interpretation. For
this issue, the interpretation is in an
individualized fashion, and three answer
submissions are handpicked.
Asala Dayoub
“I’m seeing dogs all over the paper. Some
are angry, some are calm. I see two angry
cats facing one dog… I see something like
a dragon and a flower and I see a mouse.
Can I get an explanation why I see so
many dogs and other animals?”
It’s not really an uncommon thing to see
so many things in an inkblot all at once.
An explanation to seeing so many animals
is that maybe you attune yourself,
consciously or subconsciously to the
traits of the animal you see, particularly
the dog, which its most notable trait is
its loyalty. As for the different emotions
that you see in the inkblots, they may
symbolize your human attachment and
emotions such as empathy to your fellow
humans as well.
Suhani Gamre
“TI see a Pokémon using some kind of
psychic attack on the enemy.”
Whether consciously or subconsciously,
you may have recognized a conflict you
have with the things you want and the
things you need, something that we all
have struggles with. But at this particular
time, maybe this situation has projected
itself to produce this answer. The thing
about this interpretation is that it allows
you to think about how you can balance
the urges in the best way you can.
Muhammad Raf
“I see that face of that doll from the movie
“Saw”.
Since that doll is the representation of
the antagonist Jigsaw, it’s his qualities
that you tend to adhere to. Although
he might be viewed as evil and insane
in popular culture, if we take a look at
his personality, he can be attributed
to how he is so detail oriented, or
meticulous in everything that he does.
He considers himself as something that
contributes in the world in his own way,
and maybe that can be attributed to
yourself as well.
Acrokitty
“ A horse fighting a bumblebee”
Thisisareallyinterestinganswerbecause
it’s pretty loaded. This mirrors the
personality that being the independence,
freedom, and a certain sense of calm.
It reflects you being in touch with your
feelings, and shows the kind of self-
awareness to that. Maybe there is a
conflict with the emotions, but the ability
for self-discovery and knowledge will
help you balance and figure things out.
Hawaiian-sn0w
“I see war in a valley of two opposing
forces of the same strength”
It depicts somewhat what the ego and the
superego is going through at the moment.
It may or may not be subconscious as
there might be recognition in the conflict
with both the ego and the superego. As
said before, it may be a clash between
the things we want and the things we
need. But let this be a point of reference
and insight for you, as it would encourage
balance between the opposing forces.
Lifewithost
“ocean waves”
You recognize your more impulsive
behaviour and have acceptance with it.
Not a lot of people are comfortable with
this side of their personality, but its’ good
to know that maybe you are. This would
then give you the chance to control these
impulses.

58
Psych2Go
By: Hannah Bennett
SILVER LININGS
PLAYBOOK
MOVIE REVIEW:
MovieReview
(2012)

59
ISSUE 3
Silver Linings Playbook is a movie
which aimed to demonstrate a man
suffering from bipolar disorder. While
Bradley Cooper is usually an actor I
support, his portrayal of the man in Silver
Linings Playbook seemed anything but a
good representation. His behavior, while
manic, appeared a lot closer to someone
on the autism spectrum than that of a
bipolar person.
While bipolar does often come with
manic phases that can cause explosive
temper issues (I.e. the point at which he
found his wife in the shower), a lot of the
behaviours were just...off.
At the point of Pat’s (Bradley Cooper’s
character) return home, he sneaked
another patient into the car with his
mother. Generally speaking, people
suffering from certain illnesses will not
want to be stuck in psychiatric facilities,
but bipolar generally won’t cause issues
with cognitive functions to the point
that this would seem a good idea. His
character could have made bad decisions
on his own without being influenced by
his psychiatric disorder. He reads a book
and throws it out the window, because
he has the intent to win his ex wife back.
She is clearly uninterested in him, and
after the treatment she received when
she cheated on him, it wouldn’t be likely
that a person would attempt to rekindle
the romance. I think what bothered
me most about this is that the idiotic
tendencies the main character had were
attempted to be displayed as *quirky
bipolar behaviours*, but in reality, they
just made him look stupid. (That and his
total lack of understanding of social cues
was extremely frustrating).
Portrayal of depression in the movie,
however, was a little more accurate.
Jennifer Lawrence’s character, Tiffany,
has recently had her husband pass. She
has engaged in a lot of casual sex, risky
behaviours, and is taking medication.
She exhibits a lot of regular behaviours of
someone with depression, like isolating
herself, being generally unhappy in
certain environments, and throwing
herself into an activity that can
occupy her mind (dance). I think a lot of
the stigma that comes with depression
is thinking that someone with the illness
can’t have fun or enjoy things. She also
freaks out in the middle of a restaurant
when on a sort of date with Cooper’s
character. This demonstrates the anger
trigger than can come with depression.
It’s not always known to be something that
exists, but when you realize depression
isn’t all about being sad, it makes a lot
of sense.
All in all, the movie was OK.
What it got right: Depression after a
severe loss.
What it got wrong: Bipolar disorder is not
on the autism spectrum.
I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars

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Psych2GoPsych2Go
RuminationPoem by: Risha Mae Ordas Artwork by: Trisha Mae Laya

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