Psy 101 Fundamentals Of Psychology I The New York Times Crea

Psy101 Fundamentals Of Psychology I The New York Times Creating

For this course, you will select a New York Times article related to psychology from a provided list and write a three-page reflection paper. Your essay should include a summary of the main ideas, a discussion of something new you learned, your agreement or disagreement with the article's main ideas with explanation, how you might apply what you've learned to your life, additional research related to the topic with a discussion of what you found most interesting along with the link, and at least one idea or question for follow-up research that extends beyond the article. The paper must be double-spaced with one-inch margins, and the references should be formatted in APA style. The assignment emphasizes thorough, well-organized, and professional writing.

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of psychology through current events helps bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, making the subject more tangible and relevant. In this reflective paper, I analyze a recent article from The New York Times that discusses a psychological concept or issue, articulating its main ideas, my insights, and implications for personal growth and further inquiry.

The selected article for this reflection is “How Exercise Affects Our Memory” by G. Reynolds (2019), published in The New York Times. The article examines recent research linking physical activity to cognitive enhancement, particularly memory improvement. Reynolds discusses how regular aerobic exercise increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) — a protein associated with neuroplasticity and memory function. The article highlights studies demonstrating that individuals who engage in consistent physical activity tend to perform better in memory tasks and experience a slower cognitive decline with age. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of integrating exercise into daily routines to maintain cognitive health.

One of the new insights I gained from this article is the biological underpinning connecting physical activity to brain health, especially the role of BDNF. Prior to reading, I was aware that exercise benefits physical health, but I was less familiar with how it supports cognitive functions at the molecular level. This understanding reinforces the importance of a holistic approach to health, recognizing that mental and physical well-being are deeply interconnected. I now appreciate that implementing regular exercise can be a proactive strategy to enhance memory, not just for aging populations but also for young adults aiming to sharpen cognitive function.

I generally agree with the main premise that exercise has positive effects on memory and cognitive health. This aligns with extensive research in neuropsychology indicating that physical activity stimulates neurogenesis, enhances synaptic plasticity, and promotes overall brain resilience (Cotman & Berchtold, 2002). However, I believe that individual differences, such as genetics and lifestyle, can modulate the extent of these benefits. It is also essential to recognize that while exercise is beneficial, it should be complemented by other cognitive health strategies like proper nutrition, mental stimulation, and adequate sleep.

Applying what I have learned, I see the potential to integrate more physical activity into my daily routine to support my memory and mental clarity. For example, I plan to incorporate brisk walking or cycling during work breaks and prioritize regular workouts as part of my wellness regimen. Moreover, understanding the neurobiological benefits provides motivation to maintain consistent exercise habits, knowing that it directly influences my brain health. This knowledge empowers me to make informed choices that can improve my academic performance and overall quality of life.

Further research into the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function reveals fascinating findings. For instance, a study by Erickson et al. (2011) employed neuroimaging to show that seniors who participated in aerobic exercise exhibited increased hippocampal volume — an area critical for memory — correlating with improved memory scores. Interestingly, animal models have demonstrated that exercise can induce neurogenesis even in mature brains, offering hope for reversing age-related cognitive decline (Kempermann et al., 2002). A particularly intriguing area is exploring how different types or intensities of exercise uniquely impact various cognitive domains. I found this most interesting because it opens avenues for personalized interventions aimed at optimizing brain health across lifespan stages.

Looking ahead, a compelling follow-up question is how long-lasting these cognitive enhancements are after initiating an exercise program and what the optimal frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity are to sustain memory benefits. Additionally, investigating whether combining physical exercise with other interventions like cognitive training or nutritional supplementation produces synergistic effects could significantly advance preventive strategies for cognitive decline. Exploring genetic factors that influence individual responsiveness to exercise-induced neuroplasticity would also be an enriching direction for future research.

References

• Cotman, C. W., & Berchtold, N. C. (2002). Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation. Trends in Neurosciences, 25(6), 295-301.
• Erickson, K. I., et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017–3022.
• Kempermann, G., et al. (2002). Physical activity promotes adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Nature, 418(6890), 50-56.
• Reynolds, G. (2019, May 1). How exercise affects our memory. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/well/mind/exercise-memory-brain.html
• Smith, P. J., et al. (2010). Aerobic exercise and neurocognitive function in older adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 18(2), 180-193.
• Stillman, C. M., et al. (2018). Exercise effects on cognition and brain plasticity. Topics in Cognitive Science, 10(3), 860-877.
• Voss, M. W., et al. (2013). Exercise and neuroplasticity in aging. Neuroscientist, 19(5), 468-477.
• Young, J. M., et al. (2019). Physical activity and brain health: implications for mental health. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(4), 20.
• Zhu, X., et al. (2016). Epigenetics of exercise and cognition. Biology (Basel), 5(2), 21.
• Zimmerman, M., et al. (2016). Brain plasticity and physical activity: A review. Neuropsychology, 30(2), 227–236.