Self-assessment of success in learning ESP

Writing a summary
In first summaries I faced with some difficulties such as formulating the sentences and recognizing the main points of the text. But now I progress and my summaries are much more accurate.

Writing comprehension tests on modules in psychology
My performance was very good, because I spent a lot of time on learning. However, some material was confusing, not all of the definitions were understandable. So, there were some tests in which I did not avoid mistakes.

Making power point presentations
I did my presentation a lot of time ago and it was not very difficult. The theme I had chosen was not very interesting so I try to brighten it with some funny pictures. However, I did not present my work in front of the class yet. I think it will be quite difficult for me, but I try to do my best.

Impromptu speaking in class
My performance in this skill did not improve. I have some difficulties speaking in class and I do not fight with this problem. Next semester I pay attention to this skill and try to improve it.

Performance in listening practice
On the one hand, I think there were some easy tasks with already known information. On the other hand, I faced with some difficulties when information was new. It was hard to follow the text and answer to the questions in one time. Despite this, I think this practice improve my performance a little bit.

Writing contributions to e-portfolio (WEBLOG)
This task was the most interesting for me. I am keen on writing such as contributions. It was very interesting to search the new information and wrote it in my weblog. My performance was not very bad, but now I learned a lot of new words connected to my speciality.

Learning ESP

Foreign languages are necessary for all of us, particularly in our improving world. Learning ESP (English for specific purpose) is quite difficult, because of the new information which we have not only to understand, but also to learn. There are some effective ways of learning English.

Firstly, it is very important to get speaking practice. Most students are motivated to be active in class, because they can improve their speaking skills. Short talks on ESP issues help to get more speaking practice using specific terms and new knowledge. However, there are plenty of students who afraid to participate in class discussions because of mistakes. Generally, the best way to learn is learning from our mistakes.

Moreover, ESP includes some listening practice. Students have not only tried to raise their ability to hear in the class, but also watch some movies related to specific subject. Thus, the students improve pronunciation and can understand more quickly.

Another method to gain more knowledge on ESP is writing. Individual Power Point presentations on ESP themes, summaries writing and contributions enlarge student’s ability to write accurately and clearly. Students understand that is the main information in the text, as a result they can easier read specific books and write specific texts related with their future profession.

All in all, to learn ESP isn’t very difficult if you are active, reasoned and want to be the good specialist.

Analytical summary

Robert S. Feldman
Sleep and Dreams

In the module “Sleep and Dreams” Robert S. Feldman introduces our states of consciousness during sleep. Author explains different stages of sleep, dreams theories and sleep disturbances.

Firstly, Feldman describes four stages of sleep and gives short definitions. Furthermore, the writer explains REM sleep and gives some charts. What is more, author mentions sleep deprivation and its consequences.

Secondly, the writer argues about the function and meaning of dreaming. Moreover, Feldman describes three major theories of dreams and talks about it quite broadly.

Thirdly, author introduces main sleep disturbances. After this, the writer discusses circadian rhythms and gives graphic view of human body changes over every 24-hour period. Furthermore, Feldman describes daydreams and gives some advice to avoid insomnia.

Finally, Feldman’s main idea is to explore major information on sleep and dreams.

Analytical summary

Robert S. Feldman
Introduction to Psychology

Robert S. Feldman in the book “Understanding Psychology” introduces key concepts of psychology. First theme of this book includes three modules in which the author explains the science of psychology and its roots.

In module 1, Feldman discusses psychologists at work. Author introduces different subfields of psychology and gives explanations of them. Moreover, in module 1 it is mentioned where psychologists could work after graduation.

In module 2, the author describes the Past, the Present ant the Future of psychology. Feldman explores the roots of psychology, mentions some famous scientists and their approaches, which have made substantial contributions to psychology. Furthermore, author describes five major perspectives, which help to understand behavior and mental processes.

Module 3 reveals psychology’s key issues and controversies. Author claims that all fields of psychology are unified and rely on one of the five major perspectives. Moreover, Feldman gives an example how culture, ethnicity and race influence behavior and even some advice how to separate accurate information from pseudo – psychology.

Finally, Feldman’s one of the major goals of first theme is to introduce the psychology definition, roots, perspectives, subfields and to provide information for consumers of psychological knowledge.

Psychology of shopping

1 in 20 of us, women and men alike, can’t control the urge to spend. This shopping addiction is called oniomania or, more commonly shopaholism. The shopaholics always have a compulsive desire for shopping; they lose control and buy many items which they don’t need at all.

We all shop for many reasons. Mostly we know what we need and don’t waste money for the unnecessary things. People with shopping addiction buy to relieve anxiety and over time the buying creates a dysfunctional lifestyle. They may have problems with their marriage, fall into debts. The causes are:

• Emotional deprivation in childhood


• Inability to tolerate negative feelings


• Need to fill an inner void


• Excitement seeking


• Approval seeking


• Perfectionism


• Genuinely impulsive and compulsive


• Need to gain control

Psychotherapists say that the first step to treat this disorder is admitting you have a problem. Secondly, you have look at your individual reasons for shopping. When you do that you can begin serious and deep treatment. A wide range of shopaholism causes give start to a lot of effective treatment options: drug treatment, individual, group and couples therapy, counseling for compulsive buying, Debtors Anonymous, Simplicity Circles. They are usable also with most other addictive, impulse control or compulsive disorders.

Also, there are some types of behavior:

• Compulsive shoppers


• Trophy shoppers


• Image shoppers


• Bargain shoppers


• Codependent shoppers


• Bulimic shoppers


• Collector shoppers
  

Famous shopaholics in history include Marie Antoinette, Mary Todd Lincoln, and Princess Diana. Their addictions ranged from clothing (Diana) to art and antiques (Hearst) to shoes (the heralded Marcos collection) to gloves (Mrs. Lincoln owned 84 pairs of them). Nowadays famous shopaholics are Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria Parker and others.

Often shopaholism is a symptom of something else - perhaps shopping is fulfilling something in a person's life or is a substitute for something. It is disorder which has to be solved, because shopaholic can have extremely serious consequences and significantly erode quality of life.

Psychology of laughter

Laughter is one of the best ability which has people. We laugh, but we don’t know why we do it. It rises from our spirit profound. Some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together.

A general theory that explains laughter is called the relief theory. Sigmund Freud summarized it in his theory that laughter releases tension and "psychic energy". This theory explains why laughter can be as a coping mechanism when we are upset, angry or sad. Also, it makes us less stressed, lowers our blood pressure, reduces anxiety (it's because laughter stimulates endorphines, the natural painkillers) and produces a general sense of well-being.

Laughter, it is said, is the best medicine. There is a lot of evidence that laughter does a lot of good things for us. For example, laughing reduces blood sugar levels, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion and boosts immune function. Moreover, it reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort. Because of that, laughter therapy is widespread all over the world. In some countries such as India, laughing clubs (in which participants gather in the early mornings for the natural laughing) are becoming very popular.

There are some types of laughter:
· Snorting: a snob expressing disapproval.
· Sniggering: insensitive, unsympathetic and immature.
· Cackling: loud, ape-like shrieks, enjoying the misfortune of others.
· Chuckling: kind and thoughtful.
· Belly-laugh: open and trustworthy.
Laughter types and frequency is related with personality, mood, but also, in our brains are some areas which explain why some people laugh more. Those who laugh more are happiest, bridge over troubles easier; they are healthier and live longer.

Finally, Sebastian Roch Nicolas Chamfort is said "The most wasted day of all is that in which we have not laughed." In my opinion, all of us have to laugh more. Humor is a universal language. It brings people in and breaks down barriers.

My future profession

Psychology studies weren't my childhood dream or something like that. Such as studies I choose just for university, but now I enjoy lectures and I think that my choise isn't very bad.

Talking about future I should say that I am interested in industrial/organizational psychology, because I have always dreamed about my own business. I believe that knowledge about human psychology will help me in this subfield. To know a lot of about behaviour and mental processes are very important if you want to be a good specialist in working with people. Every day businessmans and other firms managers fight with a plenty of problems connected with people behaviour in a lot of different situations. I strongly believe that psychology can help to reduce or even liquidate such as problems.

Finally, I have to say that these plans are in the distant future and now I just want to enjoy my studies and don't think about future, because everything can change absolutely.