Tipsters might find this info on coma, vegetative states, and minimal states to 
be relevant in Gen. Psych presentations and discussion of consciousness and 
inferences about minds. The June apa Monitor had a feature on the presentations 
of Daniel Wegner on how we perceive other minds, and Dr. Nocholas Schiff on 
brain imaging studies of folks in vegetative and minimal states.  One of the 
issues raised was termed the "myth of the 20 year coma" that can be a 
potentially valuable discussion starter in our classes regarding news/media 
presentations of such cases of patients "suddenly" awakening.  I like to 
present myths and misconceptions in my class and this may prove useful.  Such a 
discussion dovetails nicely with the decidedly more psychological perspective 
that Wegner presents on the factors laypeople may employ in deciding on whether 
a mind is present and what qualities we see associated with that attribution.  
Anyway, I thought it might be of interest in covering the chapter on 
consciousness in Gen. Psych.  The apa Monitor is this June and written by staff 
member Laurie Meyers.  Booklets about brain imaging can also be had from the 
apa at:   www.apa.org/science/fmriBooklets.html
 
The presentations can be seen and heard at:
 
http://www.fabbs.org/Events/March_2007_Cafe/index.html
 
 
Gary
 
 
 
 
Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D.
Professor, Psychology
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI 48710
989-964-4491
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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