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In the case of … THE WOMAN WHO DREAMS OF STRESS Arlene Amarosi, a working mother, has been under a lot of stress this year. She has been having difficulty getting to sleep and often lies in bed staring at the ceiling while worrying about her problems. As a result, she’s often tired throughout her workday and relies on coffee and caffeinated energy drinks to keep her going. Lately Arlene’s sleep has been disturbed even more often than usual. Several times over the past week she has been awakened by disturbing dreams.
In these dreams she is always at work, struggling to keep up with an impossible workload. She is struggling with the new software that her company recently trained her to use, but no matter how fast she goes, she can’t keep up with the workflow. The dream ends when Arlene wakes up in a panic. It often takes Arlene hours to get back to sleep, and she has been feeling even more tired than usual during work. Arlene is worried that her recent dream experiences indicate that something is wrong with her.
1. If you were Arlene’s friend and wanted to reassure her, how would you help her to understand the normal experience of sleep and dreams? 2. Which theory of dreaming seems to best explain Arlene’s disturbing dreams, and why? 3.
How might meditation help Arlene? 4. If you were Arlene’s health care provider, how would you advise her to overcome her insomnia? What are some effects on Arlene of her high caffeine intake? 5.
What would happen if she just suddenly stopped drinking coffee and energy drinks? How would you advise her to modify her caffeine use? the case of … JOHN BUCKINGHAM, THE NEW GUY ON THE JOB When John Buckingham moved across the country to take a new job, he didn’t expect to run into much difficulty. He would be doing the same kind of work he was used to doing, just for a new company. But when he arrived on his first day, he realized there was more for him to adjust to than he had realized. Clearly, John had moved to a region where the culture was much more laid back and casual than he was used to.
He showed up for his first day in his usual business suit only to find that almost all the other employees wore jeans, Western shirts, and cowboy boots. Many of them merely stared awkwardly when they first saw John, and then hurriedly tried to look busy while avoiding eye contact. John got the message. On his second day at work John also wore jeans and a casual shirt, although he didn’t yet own a pair of cowboy boots. He found that people seemed more relaxed around him, but that they continued to treat him warily.
It would be several weeks—after he’d gone out and bought boots and started wearing them to work—before certain people warmed up to John enough to even talk to him. 1. What does the behavior of John’s co-workers toward John suggest about their attributions for his initial manner of dress? 2. Describe the kinds of biases that might have affected John’s co-workers as they formed impressions of him on his first day.
Could they have been using a faulty schema to understand him? Is there evidence of the halo effect? 3. Explain why John changed his manner of dress so soon after starting his new job. What processes were likely involved in his decision to do so?
4. John’s co-workers seemed very hesitant to “warm up†to John. How would you explain to John their initial reluctance to like him very much? 5. If you were the human resources director for this company, what strategies could you employ to prevent experiences like John’s?
How would you justify the implementation of these strategies to the company president? Psyc #7 Instructions C04V: Case Studies Your project must be submitted as a Word document (.docx, .doc). Your project will be individually graded by your instructor and therefore may take up to five to seven days to grade. Be sure that each of your files contains the following information: Your name Your student ID number The exam number Your email address You’ll find your case study assignments in the textbook, Psychology and Your Life, Fourth Edition. Use your textbook to complete your Case Study.
Please take a few moments to watch the video in the next resource titled, "Case Study Instructions." The video gives a verbal explanation of this assignment. Read the following case studies in your textbook and answer the questions in your text: Case Study 1: “The Woman Who Dreams of Stress,†after Module 14 Case Study 2: “John Buckingham, the New Guy on the Job,†after Module 43 Process Your assignment must include the following: A cover sheet The answers to both Case Study 1 and Case Study 2 written in complete sentences The Cover Sheet The first page of your paper will be the cover sheet. Provide the following information: Case Studies Your name and student ID Current date Introduction to Psychology C04V Assignment # Formatting Format your paper using a standard font, such as Times New Roman, 12 point, double-spaced.
Set the margins at a standard 1 inch on all sides. Since you’ve given your information on the cover sheet, no header is necessary. For the body of your paper, make a clear distinction when you’re answering the questions about Case Study 1 and answer questions 1–5 in complete sentences. Then move on to Case Study 2 and continue in the same format. For clarity, please include each question from the case study prior to your response.
Grading Criteria Your instructor will use the following rubric when grading your essay. You may use this rubric as a guide when writing and completing your assignment. Introduction to Psychology Case Studies Project Name: Student ID: Skill Realized Skill Developing Skill Emerging Skill Not Evident CONTENT • The student provided thoughtful answers in complete sentences for the questions regarding both case studies (“The Case of the Woman Who Dreams of Stress†and “The Case of John Buckingham, the New Guy on the Job.â€) (8 points per question) _ / GRAMMAR, SENTENCES, and MECHANICS • The student proofread his or her paper. _ / 2 • The student used correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. _ / 5 • The student made sure that there were no typographical errors and chose appropriate and correct words. _ / FORMAT and LENGTH • The student’s cover page contains all the required information (the title; his/her name and student number; the current date; the course title and number, Essentials of Psychology, SSC 130; and the case studies project number). _ / 5 • The student used a standard 12-point font and 1-inch margins. _ /
Paper for above instructions
Case Study Analysis: The Woman Who Dreams of Stress and John Buckingham, the New Guy on the Job
Cover Sheet
Case Studies
Your Name [Provide Your Name]
Student ID: [Provide Your Student ID]
Current Date: [Insert Current Date]
Introduction to Psychology C04V Assignment # [Insert Assignment Number]
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Case Study 1: The Woman Who Dreams of Stress
1. If you were Arlene’s friend and wanted to reassure her, how would you help her to understand the normal experience of sleep and dreams?
As Arlene's friend, I would first reassure her that experiencing stress-related dreams and insomnia can be a normal response to significant life challenges, particularly when balancing work and family responsibilities (Schredl, 2010). I would explain that sleep is a complex process involving various stages, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is where most dreaming occurs (Aserinsky & Kleitman, 1953). I would also encourage her to remember that dreaming often serves as a way for our minds to process emotions and experiences, especially stressful ones, and this is a common phenomenon (Hall & Nordby, 1972). Providing resources or articles on sleep hygiene and stress management could also be helpful (Walker, 2017).
2. Which theory of dreaming seems to best explain Arlene’s disturbing dreams, and why?
The Activation Synthesis Theory proposed by Hobson and McCarley (1977) may best explain Arlene's distressing dreams. This theory posits that dreams result from the brain's activity during sleep, where random neural activity is synthesized into coherent narratives. Given Arlene's high levels of stress and anxiety related to her job, which manifest in her dreams as overwhelming workloads and challenges with new software, her mind is likely attempting to make sense of these feelings. The content of her dreams reflects real-life stressors, indicating that they are rooted in her waking life experiences and anxieties (Moffitt, 1993).
3. How might meditation help Arlene?
Meditation has been widely researched for its calming effects on anxiety and stress levels (Goyal et al., 2014). By practicing mindfulness meditation, Arlene may develop greater awareness of her thoughts and feelings, which could help reduce her anxiety regarding work and her dreams. Mindfulness has been shown to enhance emotional regulation and decrease rumination, potentially leading to improved sleep quality (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). Incorporating daily meditation practices could create a more peaceful mental state for Arlene, enabling her to approach her challenges with greater clarity and resilience.
4. If you were Arlene’s health care provider, how would you advise her to overcome her insomnia? What are some effects on Arlene of her high caffeine intake?
As her health care provider, I would recommend that Arlene examine her sleep habits and caffeine consumption. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and reducing screen time before bed could significantly improve her sleep hygiene (Hirshkowitz et al., 2015). In relation to her caffeine intake, I would highlight that excessive caffeine can lead to increased heart rate and heightened anxiety, which may exacerbate her insomnia (Juliano & Mark, 2008). I would advise her to limit caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening, and to gradually reduce her dependency on it to mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
5. What would happen if she just suddenly stopped drinking coffee and energy drinks? How would you advise her to modify her caffeine use?
Suddenly stopping caffeine can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritability, and decreased concentration (Stewart et al., 2010). Therefore, I would recommend a gradual reduction in her caffeine intake rather than an abrupt stop. She could start by replacing one of her daily caffeinated beverages with a decaffeinated option or herbal tea, slowly cutting back over a period of weeks to minimize withdrawal effects. Additionally, encouraging her to find alternative energy-boosting methods, such as regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and hydration, could be beneficial (Reid, 2020).
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Case Study 2: John Buckingham, the New Guy on the Job
1. What does the behavior of John’s co-workers toward John suggest about their attributions for his initial manner of dress?
John’s co-workers' behavior suggests that they may have attributed his formal attire to a lack of understanding of the workplace culture. Their awkwardness and avoidance of eye contact indicate that they may view John’s appearance as an indicator of his character or suitability for the workplace (Fiske et al., 2002). This could reflect an internal attribution bias, where they perceive him as out of touch or overly formal for a casual environment.
2. Describe the kinds of biases that might have affected John’s co-workers as they formed impressions of him on his first day.
The co-workers may have exhibited confirmation bias, selectively focusing on John's attire to form a judgment about him while ignoring other factors that could contribute to his social persona (Nickerson, 1998). They may have relied on a faulty schema that associates professionalism with formal dress, leading them to assume John lacked adaptability or likeability based on his first impression (Rosch, 1978). The halo effect may also have been at play, causing them to form biased impressions based solely on his initial appearance rather than his skills or personality traits (Thorndike, 1920).
3. Explain why John changed his manner of dress so soon after starting his new job. What processes were likely involved in his decision to do so?
John likely changed his manner of dress as a response to feedback from his environment, which indicates a process of socialization and adaptation. The discomfort he observed in his colleagues’ reactions likely led him to conform to the social norms of the workplace to fit in (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). This decision also reflects the fundamental need for social acceptance and belonging, prompting him to adjust his behavior to align with that of his colleagues (Baumeister & Leary, 1995).
4. John’s co-workers seemed very hesitant to “warm up” to John. How would you explain to John their initial reluctance to like him very much?
The initial reluctance of John’s coworkers to engage with him may stem from their social norms and the discomfort associated with addressing someone who appeared different. This could be attributed to in-group favoritism, where people favor those who are similar to themselves (Tajfel & Turner, 1986). Additionally, their hesitance could result from uncertainty about his personality based solely on his initial appearance, leading to hesitation in forming relationships until he conformed more closely to their perceived expectations.
5. If you were the human resources director for this company, what strategies could you employ to prevent experiences like John’s? How would you justify the implementation of these strategies to the company president?
As an HR director, I would implement orientation programs that emphasize workplace culture and expectations, including dress codes. Additionally, fostering an inclusive environment through team-building activities could help to bridge gaps between employees with diverse backgrounds or experiences. I would justify these strategies to the company president by emphasizing the potential for improved employee morale, productivity, and retention rates, as well as creating a more cohesive work environment (Meyer & Allen, 1991). By ensuring that new employees feel welcomed and understood, we can cultivate a healthier workplace culture.
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References
1. Aserinsky, E., & Kleitman, N. (1953). Sleep, disturbances, and dreams. Journal of the Experimental Psychology,, 46(2), 173-176.
2. Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.
3. Cialdini, R. B., & Goldstein, N. J. (2004). Social influence: Compliance and conformity. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 591-621.
4. Fiske, S. T., Cuddy, A. J. C., Glick, P., Xu, J., & Crotty, S. (2002). A model of (often mixed) orientation in stereotypes. The Psychological Record, 30(1), 21-25.
5. Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M. S., & Gould, N. F. (2014). Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368.
6. Hall, C. S., & Nordby, V. J. (1972). The Psychology of Dreaming. New York: Harper & Row.
7. Hirshkowitz, M., Whiton, K., Albert, S. M., et al. (2015). National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40-43.
8. Hobson, J. A., & McCarley, R. W. (1977). The Brain as a Dream Generator: An Activation- synthesis Hypothesis of the Dream Process. American Journal of Psychiatry, 134(12), 1335–1348.
9. Juliano, L. M., & Mark, W. (2008). Caffeine consumption. Psychopharmacology, 195(4), 547-570.
10. Meyer, J. P., & Allen, N. J. (1991). A three-component conceptualization of organizational commitment. Human Resource Management Review, 1(1), 61-89.
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