Jeffrey Amundson to lead psychology series
For Hub City Times
MARSHFIELD — Offered through UW-Marshfield/Wood County Continuing Education, Dr. Jeffrey Amundson is leading a three-part series on the brain. Amundson holds a Ph.D. in psychology and teaches at UW-Marshfield/Wood County and UW-Marathon County.
Everyone’s brain is wired differently, and that is what makes individuals unique. Historically in society this uniqueness is often defined as a neurological problem such as ADHD, autism, depression, or anxiety. A new perspective called neurodiversity has emerged that challenges this historical way of thinking about “disorders.”
In Mental Disorder or Mental Diversity? (Nov. 1, 7-8:30 p.m.), participants will gain a deeper understanding between typical and nontypical brains, issues surrounding the neurodiversity perspective, and ways to appreciate neurological differences.
Second in the series is Technology Addiction on Nov. 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. In today’s society it is nearly impossible to see someone without a cellphone. In the K-12 environment, technology use begins in kindergarten and is continued in subsequent grades. There are daily news reports of teens and adults spending unhealthy amounts of time using mobile devices and other forms of technology. Some mental health experts consider these trends to be an epidemic. In this course students will gain a deeper understanding of how technology, like drugs, can be addictive and learn how to address such issues.
Do Plants Think? — Nov. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. — will consider the questions, “Is perception of the world unique to animals, or can plants do it too?” and, “Can a plant really, like a human, sense and respond to its environment and change accordingly?” While this concept may seem bizarre, this way of thinking was proposed as early as 1880 by Charles Darwin. In this session, gain an understanding of basic neurobiology and how these basic biological concepts apply to plant perception.
The registration fee is $15 for each class or $35 for all three. Register online at marshfield.uwc.edu/ce, or call the Continuing Education office at 715-389-6520.
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