How concrete is the concept of memory? If you have not already read the chapter, or even if you have, what is your view of memory? Is this an episodic construct similar to watching a movie or is there variance and malleability to this? What does the chapter say? Specifically, discuss the research on overconfidence and planting false memories.

Remember how the discussion assignments work. You need to respond to one discussion question with an essay of 400-600 words with at least two references. This is due by 11:59 pm (Central Time) on Thursday. By Sunday, you need to submit two responses of at least 75 words to people who, ideally, answered questions other than the one you answered.

Please include the question you are answering at the beginning of the posting. If you notice that several people have answered a particular question, try to answer a different one. The more different discussion topics we have, the better.

Here are the questions for Week Two:

1. Are you a person who pushes the walk buttons at intersections? The close-the-door buttons on elevators? I sure am but many of these devices are not actually functional, but we push them anyway. Read the following article from CNN (https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/placebo-buttons-design/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_content=2018-09-03T05%3A57%3A03&utm_source=fbCNNi&utm_term=link) and talk about your thoughts and feelings about engaging or not engaging in this pattern of behavior. How do you feel knowing these attempts to control the environment are futile? On that same sentiment, are those actions really futile or do you feel better controlling that component of your environment? Talk about that.
2. How concrete is the concept of memory? If you have not already read the chapter, or even if you have, what is your view of memory? Is this an episodic construct similar to watching a movie or is there variance and malleability to this? What does the chapter say? Specifically, discuss the research on overconfidence and planting false memories.
3. Given the times, tell us about misinformation and misconception in todays society. Why do people hold strongly but false beliefs about concepts like rising crime and immigrants are criminals? Talk about these or other misconceptions and juxtapose that information with facts from reputable sources. Talk specially about how misinformation is formed and spreads, while considering topics such as the power of repetition, confirmation bias, and the power of cognitively available anecdotes.
4. We often make errors in judgments about others. The perfect example is the resting bitch face. Review research on this perception phenomenon and discuss the development of errors in thinking.
5. Do you believe in free will or is everything in life predetermined (i.e., determinism)? How does a persons attitude toward free will or the absence thereof effect the behavior of cheating? How about other behaviors? Tell us about the research you found on this topic.
6. When know that attitudes can and do influence behaviors, can the opposite be true? Can ones behaviors influence the attitudes they possess? Provide examples of how this may be the case. Specifically think of concepts like being brainwashed or Stockholm syndrome).

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