 
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 1, 2010Â
Genius in art, although difficult to explain, is easily viewed in work by Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and others.
A University of British Columbia researcher has a new theory on what makes Rembrandt’s masterful portraits so appealing.
In the study, published in the current issue of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s arts and sciences journal Leonardo, UBC researcher Steve DiPaola argues that Rembrandt may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer’s gaze around a portrait, creating a special narrative and “calmer†viewing experience.
Renaissance artists used various techniques to engage viewers, many incorporating new scientific knowledge on lighting, spatial layout and perspectives.
To isolate and pinpoint factors that contribute to the “magic†of Rembrandt’s portraits, DiPaola used computer-rendering programs to recreate four of the artist’s most famous portraits from photographs of himself and other models.
Replicating Rembrandt’s techniques, he placed a sharper focus on specific areas of the model’s face, such as the eyes.
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/01/enchantment-of-rembrandt-explained/14208.html
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 1, 2010
Provocative new research suggests exposure to the common virus that causes cold sores may be partially responsible for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
John Hopkins scientists discovered shrinking regions of the brain and the loss of concentration skills, memory, coordinated movement and dexterity widely seen in patients with schizophrenia may result from exposure to herpes simplex.
“We’re finding that some portion of cognitive impairment usually blamed solely on the disease of schizophrenia might actually be a combination of schizophrenia and prior exposure to herpes simplex virus 1 infection, which reproduces in the brain,†says study leader David J. Schretlen, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The research, described in the May Schizophrenia Research, could lead to new ways to treat or prevent the cognitive impairment that typically accompanies this mental illness, including with antiviral drugs, the scientists say.
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/01/common-virus-may-lead-to-cognitive-problems-in-schizophrenia/14205.html
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 1, 2010
Provocative new research suggests exposure to the common virus that causes cold sores may be partially responsible for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
John Hopkins scientists discovered shrinking regions of the brain and the loss of concentration skills, memory, coordinated movement and dexterity widely seen in patients with schizophrenia may result from exposure to herpes simplex.
“We’re finding that some portion of cognitive impairment usually blamed solely on the disease of schizophrenia might actually be a combination of schizophrenia and prior exposure to herpes simplex virus 1 infection, which reproduces in the brain,†says study leader David J. Schretlen, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The research, described in the May Schizophrenia Research, could lead to new ways to treat or prevent the cognitive impairment that typically accompanies this mental illness, including with antiviral drugs, the scientists say.
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/01/common-virus-may-lead-to-cognitive-problems-in-schizophrenia/14205.html
You and I can talk, we can reach out and touch each other on the arm and we can see each other, but we can never know exactly what’s going on in the other’s head.
It’s why psychological science is so hard and it’s why understanding others can sometimes be so hard. It’s also why understanding how we are viewed by others is so hard.
Even the least narcissistic of us spend some time trying to work out how others view us: Do they find us attractive, intelligent, trustworthy, funny?
The news may not always be good, but it still would be fascinating to know.
Research shows that we normally try to work out how we are viewed by others by thinking about how we view ourselves, then extrapolating from that. The problem with this approach is that to varying degrees we all suffer from an ‘egocentric bias:’ we think we’re at the center of the world and everything is about us. We shouldn’t be blamed for this — it’s a natural consequence of the fact that we’re locked inside our own heads.
The problem is that other people don’t share our own egocentric view of ourselves. They’re not seeing us filtered through our personal beliefs, attitudes and intentions. Instead they see us filtered through their own perceptions. So we find it difficult to see ourselves through others’ eyes.
Read in Full:Â Â http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/06/01/how-to-see-yourself-through-others-eyes/
You and I can talk, we can reach out and touch each other on the arm and we can see each other, but we can never know exactly what’s going on in the other’s head.
It’s why psychological science is so hard and it’s why understanding others can sometimes be so hard. It’s also why understanding how we are viewed by others is so hard.
Even the least narcissistic of us spend some time trying to work out how others view us: Do they find us attractive, intelligent, trustworthy, funny?
The news may not always be good, but it still would be fascinating to know.
Research shows that we normally try to work out how we are viewed by others by thinking about how we view ourselves, then extrapolating from that. The problem with this approach is that to varying degrees we all suffer from an ‘egocentric bias:’ we think we’re at the center of the world and everything is about us. We shouldn’t be blamed for this — it’s a natural consequence of the fact that we’re locked inside our own heads.
The problem is that other people don’t share our own egocentric view of ourselves. They’re not seeing us filtered through our personal beliefs, attitudes and intentions. Instead they see us filtered through their own perceptions. So we find it difficult to see ourselves through others’ eyes.
Read in Full:Â Â http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/06/01/how-to-see-yourself-through-others-eyes/
 
Article Date: 01 Jun 2010 – 2:00 PDT
Mental health charity Mind is launching a new guide for police officers in England and Wales, providing practical advice on how they can work better with people who have mental health problems. Police and mental health – how to get it right locally, which has been endorsed by both ACPO and the Police Federation, offers simple and practical tips on how to build better relationships with people with experience of mental distress and provides a range of examples of good practice which can be replicated to suit police officers’ local circumstances.
People with experience of mental distress are 11 times more likely to be a victim of crime than the general population and are far more likely to come into contact with police as a victim rather than as an offender. However, persistent stigma and stereotyping means that many police officers too readily associate people with mental health problems with offending and crisis situations, which can mean that victims with mental health problems struggle to get unbiased and fair treatment when they are on the receiving end of criminal behaviour. Yet simple steps, such as drop in surgeries and basic mental health awareness training, can make an enormous difference to ensuring justice is served to victims who are among the most vulnerable and victimised in our society.
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
Research by Mind has shown that 71% of people with experience of mental distress have been victimised in the community, yet many said they were reluctant to come forward to the police about their experiences for fear that they wouldn’t be believed, or not taken seriously. Police can come into contact with people with mental health problems under difficult circumstances and may lack the confidence, skills and training to deal appropriately and sensitively with these situations. We hope that this guide will contribute to improving relations whatever situation they are in.
This guide should be essential reading for all police officers, and it packed full of ideas, suggestions and advice about working with people with mental health problems, ideas which we hope will become core in supporting demanding police work. We would encourage local forces to look at some of these projects, such as the appropriate adult schemes or expert-by-experience training and consider how they could be replicated in their own area, to build public confidence in the police, help officers better serve and protect the public, and ultimately grant everyone equal access to justice.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Lead on Mental Health, said:
ACPO warmly welcomes this guide, which is a really important piece of work that showcases some of the excellent police practice going on around the country. It is hoped these examples will prove useful to other forces looking to develop their policies and practices towards people with mental health problems.
Sergeant Kevin Huish, Mental Health lead for Police Federation of England and Wales said:
As the police have early contact with such a high percentage of the public who have one or more mental health problems or learning disabilities it is important that they have knowledge and access to health and diversion services. This guide can be an invaluable starting point for Police Forces to equip their officers with the right information to do so.
Â
Article Date: 01 Jun 2010 – 2:00 PDT
Mental health charity Mind is launching a new guide for police officers in England and Wales, providing practical advice on how they can work better with people who have mental health problems. Police and mental health – how to get it right locally, which has been endorsed by both ACPO and the Police Federation, offers simple and practical tips on how to build better relationships with people with experience of mental distress and provides a range of examples of good practice which can be replicated to suit police officers’ local circumstances.
People with experience of mental distress are 11 times more likely to be a victim of crime than the general population and are far more likely to come into contact with police as a victim rather than as an offender. However, persistent stigma and stereotyping means that many police officers too readily associate people with mental health problems with offending and crisis situations, which can mean that victims with mental health problems struggle to get unbiased and fair treatment when they are on the receiving end of criminal behaviour. Yet simple steps, such as drop in surgeries and basic mental health awareness training, can make an enormous difference to ensuring justice is served to victims who are among the most vulnerable and victimised in our society.
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
Research by Mind has shown that 71% of people with experience of mental distress have been victimised in the community, yet many said they were reluctant to come forward to the police about their experiences for fear that they wouldn’t be believed, or not taken seriously. Police can come into contact with people with mental health problems under difficult circumstances and may lack the confidence, skills and training to deal appropriately and sensitively with these situations. We hope that this guide will contribute to improving relations whatever situation they are in.
This guide should be essential reading for all police officers, and it packed full of ideas, suggestions and advice about working with people with mental health problems, ideas which we hope will become core in supporting demanding police work. We would encourage local forces to look at some of these projects, such as the appropriate adult schemes or expert-by-experience training and consider how they could be replicated in their own area, to build public confidence in the police, help officers better serve and protect the public, and ultimately grant everyone equal access to justice.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Lead on Mental Health, said:
ACPO warmly welcomes this guide, which is a really important piece of work that showcases some of the excellent police practice going on around the country. It is hoped these examples will prove useful to other forces looking to develop their policies and practices towards people with mental health problems.
Sergeant Kevin Huish, Mental Health lead for Police Federation of England and Wales said:
As the police have early contact with such a high percentage of the public who have one or more mental health problems or learning disabilities it is important that they have knowledge and access to health and diversion services. This guide can be an invaluable starting point for Police Forces to equip their officers with the right information to do so.
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Autistic Superstars is a new two-part documentary about a group of young people with autism who have a passion for music. Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates follows them as they prepare for what could be the biggest night of their lives a one-off gig in London.
Carly Ryan is one of the singers featured on the programme. You can watch episode one again on BBC iPlayer.
Source(Video 7:34):Â http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/8689312.stm
Â
Autistic Superstars is a new two-part documentary about a group of young people with autism who have a passion for music. Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates follows them as they prepare for what could be the biggest night of their lives a one-off gig in London.
Carly Ryan is one of the singers featured on the programme. You can watch episode one again on BBC iPlayer.
Source(Video 7:34):Â http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/8689312.stm
Jan
22
 
Autism | A day in the life of the Schwenker twins, their working mom and dad, and Barkley the dog | Robin Nelson
MARIETTA, Ga.—It’s 6:32 a.m. on a school day in the Schwenker home. Jennifer Schwenker is doing her best to get 7-year-old twin sons Sam and Ben dressed, fed—and diapered—before they head to Garrison Mill Elementary School in Marietta, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta.
Sam happily chirps—but not in words. Ben flits about the kitchen, flapping his hands while singing “Ooaahh” in an uninhibited, angelic voice. Both boys were diagnosed with autism when they were 18 months old, leaving Jennifer and husband Michael bewildered. They’ve read mountains of books and handouts to learn about autism, but daily life is never what they expect.
“Raising autistic children is like finding yourself unexpectedly living in a foreign land,” says Jennifer. “They’re locked deep inside their own world. We can’t understand them, even if part of their brain understands us.”
A large board in their living room displays dozens of simple pictures and corresponding words. “It’s a PECS board, a picture exchange communication system,” Jennifer explains. Since neither boy speaks more than a few words, Jennifer and Michael use the simple pictures to help their sons express their wants and needs.
Read in Full:Â http://www.worldmag.com/articles/16735