Brain Scans and Application of Research to Brain Injury

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Brain Scans and Application of Research to Brain Injury

The past twenty years have seen advancements in technology that were critical to further understanding concepts in cognitive psychology. Two such developments are positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These scans allow researchers to “see” the brain in action.

Research how brain scans can diagnose injury and disease using the Internet and the Argosy University online library resources. Based on your research, answer the following questions:

  • How do PET and MRI work?
  • If you were showing a person words while having an MRI, what brain areas would probably be active?
  • If a brain injury victim is unable to move the right arm, in which area of the brain would an MRI scan most likely reveal damage?
  • What kind of scan do you think would be best in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease?
  • How do the research tools (equipment and methodology) available today contribute to a greater understanding of “conscious processes and immediate experience” than was possible using trained introspection and structuralism?

PETs and MRIs also can diagnose head injuries. Consider the following scenario:

You are working at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and meet with Allison. Allison is in the US Army and has just returned home from a deployment. During her deployment, a bomb was thrown into a vehicle in which she was riding. She was not severely injured but was told that she sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Respond to the following:

  • Define TBI for Allison.
  • Describe any symptoms that Allison might experience.
  • How do you think the army should deal with these injuries? For example, if Allison is not obviously physically impaired, should she be discharged and receive disability pay? Should she be redeployed? If Allison stays in the army, what kinds of jobs do you think she should not perform?

Write your initial response in 4–5 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

By the due date assigned, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through the end of the module, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses.

Discussion Grading Criteria and Rubric

All discussion assignments in this course will be graded using a rubric. Download the discussion rubric and carefully read it to understand the expectations.

Grading CriteriaMaximum PointsQuality of initial posting, including fulfillment of assignment instructions16Quality of responses to classmates12Frequency of responses to classmates4Reference to supporting readings and other materials4Language and grammar4Total:40

Describe the appropriate applications of the test in terms of the population(s) on which the test is validated (including age ranges) and any information regarding populations for which the test’s use is not recommended.

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Prior to beginning work on this assignment, read the required textbook chapters and articles for this week. Select two tests about which to write your review. The first test must be selected from List A and the second test must be selected from List B.  Your choice of tests include the following:

List A (Select one test from this list.)

· Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS–IV)

· Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition (WISC-IV)This is the one that I want to do.

· Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI – IV)

List B (Select one test from this list.)

· Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) This is the one I want to do.

· Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC-II)

· Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition (KTEA-3)

· Sequential Tests of Educational Progress (STEP)

· Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition (SB5)

· Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Third Edition (WIAT- III)

· Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ IV) Tests of Achievement

· Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ IV) Tests of Cognitive Abilities

Create a PowerPoint presentation with 10-12 slides (not including the title and reference slides) entitled Review of [Insert the name of the tests reviewed]. Your presentation must provide at least one slide for each of the required topics and include appropriate citations of your referenced sources. Separate reference slides, which follow APA formatting guidelines for a References page, must be included at the end of the presentation. You must create your own template and organize your presentation in the sequence provided. Do not use a font smaller than 18 pt. You are encouraged to insert relevant figures and graphics. Make sure to appropriately cite any images, tables, figures, or information from the test publisher’s website used.  The notes section of each slide must include the text for oral comments you would make while presenting the materials to a live audience.

References must be cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. For assistance with creating a visually engaging and readable presentation, you may review Garr Reynolds’s tips for creating presentations. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

The presentation must cover each of the following topics in the order presented below. Two tests may be discussed on the same slide using the side-by-side comparison format.
Required topics to be addressed for each test:

· Name of the test, author or authors, publisher and publication date

· Qualifications of the test user

· Common professional uses of the test

· Explain what the test is purported to measure along with any reliability and validity evidence that supports the author’s or publisher’s claims.

· Describe the appropriate applications of the test in terms of the population(s) on which the test is validated (including age ranges) and any information regarding populations for which the test’s use is not recommended.

· Subtest names and brief descriptions

· Administration and scoring procedures

· Cost and administration time

· Your critique of the instrument, including an evaluation of the test’s strengths and weaknesses as a measure of the theoretical constructs of intelligence and/or achievement

· Evaluate reviewers’ comments from at least one scholarly, peer-reviewed journal article published in the last 10 years that provides an appraisal of basic measurement issues related to the tests you selected.

The presentation

· Must consist of 10 to 12 slides (not including title and reference slides) that are formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· Must include a separate title slide with the following:

o Title of presentation

o Student’s name

o Course name and number

o Instructor’s name

o Date submitted

· Must use the assigned chapters in the course text and a minimum of 1 peer-reviewed journal article published within the last 10 years.

· Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

· Must include separate reference slides formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center

Write a 750-1,000-word analysis of the case study using the theory you chose. Include the following in your analysis.

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Write a 750-1,000-word analysis of the case study using the theory you chose. Include the following in your analysis.

  1. What concepts of the theory make it the most appropriate for the client in the case study?
  2. Why did you choose this theory over the others?
  3. What will be the goals of counseling and what intervention strategies are used to accomplish those goals?
  4. Is the theory  designed for short- or long-term counseling?
  5. What will be the counselor’s role with this client?
  6. What is the client’s role in counseling?
  7. For what population(s) is this theory most appropriate? How does this theory address the social and cultural needs of the client?
  8. What additional information might be helpful to know about this case?
  9. What may be a risk in using this approach?

Include at least three scholarly references in your paper.

Each response to the assignment prompts should be addressed under a separate heading in your paper. Refer to “APA Headings and Seriation,” located on the Purdue Owl website for help in formatting the headings.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide

Case Study Analysis 

Client Name: Ana

Client age: 24

Gender: F

Presenting Problem

Client states, “I recently lost my job and feel hopeless. I can’t sleep and don’t feel like eating.” Client also reports she has lost 10 pounds during the last two months. Client states that she is a solo parent and is worried about becoming homeless. Client states, “I worry all the time. I can’t get my brain to shut off. My husband is in the military and currently serving in an overseas combat zone for the next eight months. I worry about him all the time.”



Behavioral Observations

Client arrived 30 minutes early for her appointment. Client stated that she had never been in counseling before. Client depressed and anxious, as evidenced by shaking hands and tearfulness as she filled out her intake paperwork. Ana made little eye contact as she described what brought her into treatment. Client speech was halting. Client affect flat. Client appeared willing to commit to eight sessions of treatment authorized by her insurance company.

General Background

Client is a 24-year-old first-generation immigrant from Guatemala. Ana was furloughed from her job as a loan officer at local bank three months ago. Client reported that she was from a wealthy family in Guatemala, but does not want to ask for help. Client speaks fluent Spanish.

Education

Client has completed one year of college with a major in business. Client states that she left college after her son was born as she found it difficult to manage a baby, college, and a full-time job.

Family Background

Client is the middle of four siblings. Client has two older brothers and one younger sister. Client’s parents have been married for 27 years. Client states that she has had a “close” relationship with her family, although she states that her father is a “heavy drinker.” Client states that all her brothers and sisters have graduated from college and have professional careers. Client states that her father is a banker and her mother is an educator. Client states that she has not seen her family for 1 year. Client has a 1-year-old son and states that she is sometimes “overwhelmed” by raising him alone.

Major Stressors

· Lack of family and supportive friends

· Financial problems due to job loss

· Husband deployed overseas

· Raising a baby by herself

How powerful is our culture and are we even aware of the power?

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We have learned about cultures, groups, and socialization.  Values are part of these topics from our own personal values to cultural values.  All of our values are socialized.   Let’s take some time to look at a fun story and see if we can put it into a context of these concepts.

Your Module 4 Critical Assignment is to first read The Piranha River Story:

Once upon a time there lived Beyoncé who was in love with Pat. Pat lived on the shore of the Piranha River and Beyoncé lived on the opposite shore of the river. The river that separated the two lovers was teeming with people-eating piranhas. One day a huge storm washed out the bridge that was the only means of crossing the Piranha River.  Beyoncé wanted to cross the river to be with Pat because of the love they felt for each other.  They missed each other so very much. With the bridge washed out the only way across was by boat. So Beyoncé went to ask Gilligan, a riverboat captain, to provide passage across the Piranha River. Gilligan said that he would be glad to give Beyoncé passage if Beyoncé would consent to having sex with him before the voyage. Beyoncé promptly refused Gilligan and went to talk to a friend named Jesus to explain the predicament and get advice. Jesus did not want to be involved at all in the situation. Beyoncé felt the only alternative was to accept Gilligan’s terms. Gilligan fulfilled his promise to Beyoncé.  Beyoncé crossed the river and was delivered into Pat’s loving arms. When Beyoncé told Pat about the sexual escapade, Pat cast Beyoncé aside with disdain.  Heartsick and dejected, Beyoncé turned to a friend, Bubba, and relayed the tale of woe. Bubba felt compassion for his friend Beyoncé and sought out Pat.  Bubba beat Pat brutally. Beyoncé was overjoyed at the sight of Pat being punished. As the sun sets on the horizon of the Piranha River, we hear Beyoncé laughing at Pat.

Once you have completed this story and thought about it, write one 3-5 paragraph essay that responds to the questions below.  Your essay should be at least 500 words and appropriately have an introduction, body, and conclusion. If you use any outside sources, those should be cited using APA format. Included below are some questions to get you thinking about your response in terms of the science of sociology.

  • Who do you think is the most horrible person in the story and who do you think is the least horrible?  Why?  You may want to rank order the characters from “1” being most horrible to “5” being least horrible.
  • What personal values do you hold that may impact your decision of most to least horrible people?  Examples of personal values may include but are not limited to achievement, altruism, autonomy, beauty, companionship, control, creativity, duty, education, emotional well being, fairness, family, friendship, fun, greed, health, honesty, justice, knowledge, love, loyalty, monogamy, patience, peace, pleasure, power, recognition, religion, sex, spirituality, success, violence, wealth, and wisdom.  I suggest you rank order your top five or ten values that guide your life.  They may or may not be in the list above. 
  • How do you know these are your true values and not just the ones you think your culture wants you to have?  Those things that are your top values would dictate how you spend your time each day, how you make decisions, what guides you in your daily activities. Are the values you listed the ones you spend most of your time on?  For example, if you listed family in your top five values, yet most of the time in your day is spent doing things that do not involve your family, then perhaps this is not really a top value for you. Do you think that the values you listed are truly your top ones or perhaps did you list that which you think your society or culture expects you to list?
  •   
  • How powerful is our culture and are we even aware of the power? Think about it: Has society socialized you into believing that values like power, greed, and wealth are bad or good? What about values like religion, success, and sex?  Do different cultures have different values of violence? How do you know this?  What are examples? How powerful is socialization?  How easy is re-socialization, especially if it involves strongly internalized values? How powerful is our culture and are we even aware of the power?