Horchata sounds disgusting...

In December by Vampire Weekend

In December, drinking horchata
I'd look psychotic in a balaclava
Winter's cold is too much to handle
Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals

In December, drinking horchata
Look down your glasses at that aranciata
With lips and teeth to ask how my day went
Boots and fists to pound on the pavement

Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten
Chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on

You'd remember drinking horchata
You'd still enjoy it with your foot on masada

Winter's cold is too much to handle
Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals

Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten
Chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on
Oh you had it but oh no you lost it
Looking back you shouldn't have fought it
In December, drinking horchata
I'd look psychotic in a balaclava

But winter's cold is too much to handle
Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals
Years go by and hearts start to harden
Those palms and firs that grew in your garden
Are falling down and nearing the rosebeds
The roots are shooting up through the tool shed
Those lips and teeth that asked how my day went
Are shouting up through cracks in the pavement

Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten
Chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on
Oh you had it but oh no you lost it
You understood so you shouldn't have fought it.

Reviewing Works Cited list used for Maslow essay

Works Cited

1. "Abraham Maslow Quotes." Famous Quotes and Quotations at BrainyQuote. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/abraham_maslow.html>.

• advertisements for american public university
• probably not a good source to use because there is no information regarding where the quotes came from

2. Boeree, George. "Abraham Maslow." Personality Theories. My Webspace Files. Web. 23 Oct. 2010. <http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html>.

• author has a doctorate degree
• originally copyrighted in 1998, most recent updated copyright is 2006
• author is part of the Psychology Department at Shippensburg University
• website for educational purposes; to be used by undergraduate and graduate students
• has a bibliography citing books as well as journal articles written by Maslow 
• includes a section explaining criticism directed as Maslow's theory
• these reasons indicate that this is a reliable source

Huitt, W. "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." Educational Psychology Interactive. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. <http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/regsys/maslow.html>.

• author has doctorate
• member of dept. of psychology and counseling at Valdosta State University
• lots of sources written by Maslow himself cited 
• no advertisements
• reliable source to use

Homologous Facial Expressions.

Amanda Conway

Professor Kerr

H. English 101

September 15, 2010

The genetic similarity between humans and apes is around 99% (Segelken), varying on the species of ape. The similarities between genetics and social interaction are fascinating, and new research has begun surfacing about correlations between non human primate and human facial expressions. A facial coding system created in recent years, Chimp Facial Action Coding System (ChimpFACS) works by identifying homologies, which are similarities that are usually attributed to common origin (Parr and Waller), between facial expressions in non human primates and humans (Parr and Waller). The importance of facial expressions during social interaction is obvious and scientists are discovering that primates use almost identical facial expressions as humans with the same basic social meaning.

            Primates, including humans, primarily use auditory and visual communication during social interaction (Parr and Waller). Facial expressions are a particular type of visual communication. They communicate intentions and emotions, helping others around them predict future behavior. Many facial expressions shared between apes and humans are studied, but one of the most well is the bared-teeth display in comparison to a human smile (Parr and Waller). The bared-teeth display, when used by macaques, mandrills, and chimpanzees- primates most closely related to humans- functions to increase affiliation (Parr and Waller). Affiliation is a psychology term meaning an individual’s need to create bonds with others. This display placates the other individual and shows that no harm or aggression is intended. The bared-teeth display is often used during grooming, sexual solicitation, and reconciliations with other members of the group (Parr and Waller). A chimpanzee is clearly more likely to allow himself to be groomed if the group member approaching is showing this type of expression. Reconciliations, between apes or humans, are more favorable if there is smiling and positive energy as opposed to aggressive expressions and behavior. Likewise, humans use a smile to appease and reassure others. Smiling also increases social bonding and cohesion among peers. Often strangers or people meeting for the first time tend to smile more frequently in order to put the other at ease. This also shows that no aggression is intended. indicates friendliness and agreeableness, qualities which are appealing in others. An example of a situation like this is a job interview It would be uncouth, odd, and off-putting for a person to not show these qualities with a new acquaintance. Thus, the comparison between the bared-teeth display and a human smile, and their effects on social interaction, is a perfect example of what researchers study when searching for homologous expressions.

            While the social effects of expressions cannot be examined by ChimpFACS, the physical characteristics can be examined and categorized. Physically, the smile of a chimpanzee and human are strikingly similar. In both, the corners of the lips are retracted which expose the top and bottom teeth. These are physical aspects which ChimpFACS can identify. It is a system that assesses the muscle movements of the face and categorizes the specific expression presented (Marshman). Detailed observation and research of chimpanzees and humans has been done in order to make the system reliable and accurate (Marshman). ChimpFACS can even create 3-D image replicas of chimp expressions since photographing the apes can sometimes be tricky business. In order to test ChimpFACS’ accuracy, chimpanzees were used in experiments where they observed 3-D representations of chimpanzee expressions. They were then asked to match the similar expressions. After the chimps completed the matching, Lisa Parr, the researcher, and her team created variations of the original expressions in order to “[determine] when the chimpanzees were using a single feature or if they needed more than one feature to match the similar expressions.” (Rios) The ability to pinpoint and interpret expressions, which are sometimes only slightly varying,  using ChimpFACS may be an essential part in understanding how emotional communication between humans has evolved (Rios).

            When trying to prove a theory, especially one as controversial as evolution, it is vital to have as much factual evidence as possible. Similarities between apes and humans is not a new subject, but comparing facial expressions and using new evidence of homologies between apes and humans is a fairly recent development. Basic human facial expressions such as fear, happiness, anger, disgust, and playfulness are widely considered to be universal. Perhaps the reasoning for this is because of man’s evolutionary descent from apes. ChimpFACS is the first step towards proving this theory by standardizing the ability to identify human facial expressions which correspond with other primates.

Works Cited

Parr, Lisa A. and Waller, Bridget M. “Understanding chimpanzee expression: insights into the evolution of communication.” Oxford Journals (20 October 2006). Web. 9 September 2010.

Marshman, Paul. ChimpFACS. Welcome to ChimpFACS. Web. 9 September 2010.

Rios, Emily. “Chimpanzee Facial Expressions are Helping Researches Understand Human Emotional Communication.” Yerkes National Primate Research Center (23 March 2007). Web. 7 September 2010.

Sefelken, Roger. “DNA Analysis reveals striking differences between humans and chimps.” Cornell Chronicle (12 February 2004). Web. 15 September 2010.

           

Some similarities worth noticing

Can you spot the similarities between this human's facial expressions and the chimp's? ;D

Facial expressions and predicting behavior.

Originally when I thought about my topic for this first essay I was leaning more towards researching facial expressions in terms of lying and guilt. I'm addicted to the show Lie to Me where the main character works with law enforcement to catch alleged criminals by detecting their lies through facial expressions. Then when I started researching facial expressions I began finding these theories about what facial expressions are really about. Perhaps they aren't connected to our emotions, but are used as a means of predicting and expressing future behavior. A smile could mean "it's okay to approach me, I'm friendly" or a scowl could mean "i'm warning you to stop." In fact a scowl might not be an expression of anger at all, but a defense mechanism. Someone could be feeling the emotion fear, but is showing aggression. For example, a dog who is fearful of a human may bare its teeth and snarl, showing aggressive behavior in order to deter the human. Does this make sense to anyone else? At first I thought it was bullocks, yes I just said bullocks, but after I started reading the research and finding more information it started to make a lot of sense. There are definitely some unexplained questions which I hope to find the answers to once I delve deeper.

Chairs

When was the first chair made?

Is the invention of the chair a result of humans becoming bipeds?

What is the most comfortable type of chair?

What is it with men and chairs?

Feelings

What are feelings?

Are our emotions a result of physical changes in our body or are they triggered by events in our environment?

• Am I sad because I'm crying or am I crying because I'm sad?
• Why do different people react differently in different situations? (nuture/nature?)

How important are facial expressions when discerning other peoples' emotions?

How are we able to detect deceit when someone tries to hide their feelings?

• how do facial expressions relate to lying, guilt, etc?

Lips and teeth

Why are lips and teeth so important in American (and other first world countries) culture?

How have views on teeth changed over time?

How many people, on average, have or have had braces at one point in their life?

• how many years do most people have braces?

What is the importance of having nice teeth?

How many people, on average, recieve collagen injections for the lips each year?

Winter

Are people more depressed during the winter?

• how prominent is seasonal affective disorder?

How is winter classified?

What kind of winter celebrations occur around the globe?

• http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/p/Winter_Customs.htm

Balaclava

Do you immediately think of criminals when you thought of a balaclava (ski mask) like I did?

Where did balaclavas originate?

• http://www.ehow.com/facts_6050611_purpose-balaclava.html

Who wears balaclavas?

December

What are some major holidays in December other than Christmas and Hanukkah?

• Legit holidays: http://www.mahalo.com/december-holidays
• Not so legit holidays: http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/dec.htm

Why is Jesus Christ's birthday celebrated in December when most people agree he was born in the spring?

Does it say anything about society that we give other people presents on Jesus' birthday, or did the holiday simply evolve into something else?