PSY 328 Project Two Milestone

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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328

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Psychology

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Apr 3, 2024

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PSY 328 Project Two Milestone Template To begin your milestone, you will first select one of the professions from the list provided. Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information. Your responses should each be about 3 to 5 sentences in length. Review the example responses in the assignment guidelines and rubric document to help you get started. Professions : ● Doctor ● Nurse ● Mental health professional ● Teacher ● Customer service representative ● Political figure ● Business owner ● Police officer 1. Personality and the Individual A. Identify one trait from the Big Five (openness, also known as intellect/imagination; conscientiousness; extraversion; agreeableness; or neuroticism, also known as emotional stability) of your choice that you think is particularly important for your selected profession and justify your response. I believe that conscientiousness is the most important trait for a mental health professional. Conscientiousness is characterized by being responsible, organized, and reliable. This trait is essential for mental health professionals because they hold a great deal of responsibility for the well-being of their clients. Mental health professionals are entrusted with their client's sensitive information and must handle it with care and attention to detail. This requires a high level of conscientiousness to keep accurate and thorough records, maintain client confidentiality, and follow ethical guidelines. 1

Moreover, a conscientious mental health professional will keep appointments, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments. This level of reliability and consistency is crucial for building trust with clients and establishing a therapeutic relationship. It also ensures that clients can count on their therapist to be there for them when they need support and guidance. Being organized and detail-oriented is also important in the mental health profession. It helps with managing a caseload, creating treatment plans, and keeping track of progress. A conscientious mental health professional will be able to stay on top of tasks and provide quality care for clients. Furthermore, being responsible is a key aspect of conscientiousness. Mental health professionals must take responsibility for their actions and decisions and be accountable for the well-being of their clients. This includes acknowledging and addressing any mistakes or errors, as well as continuously seeking to improve and enhance their skills and knowledge. Overall, I believe that conscientiousness is one of the most crucial traits for a mental health professional as it enables them to provide reliable and consistent care for their clients, maintain ethical standards, and handle the demands and responsibilities of the profession. 2

B. Describe whether it would be ideal for your selected professional to be low, high, or mixed for the Big Five trait you identified for most situations and justify your response. It would be ideal for a mental health professional to be high in the Big Five trait of conscientiousness for most situations. Conscientiousness is a personality trait characterized by being organized, responsible, and detail- oriented. In the context of mental health, a high level of conscientiousness can bring several benefits. Firstly, a high level of conscientiousness can help a mental health professional to be reliable. In the field of mental health, clients often rely on their therapists or counselors for support and guidance. A highly conscientious mental health professional would be able to consistently manage their schedules and appointments, which can help establish trust with clients and ensure that their needs are consistently met. This can be especially important for clients who struggle with issues related to trust and reliability. Secondly, conscientiousness can also help a mental health professional to be organized and detail-oriented in their work. This can be particularly helpful when managing a caseload, keeping track of clients' progress, and maintaining accurate records. A high level of conscientiousness can also contribute to 3

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effective time management, which is crucial in a demanding profession like mental health. Additionally, a high level of conscientiousness can also contribute to a mental health professional's ability to adhere to ethical standards and maintain boundaries with clients. Being conscientious involves being aware of and following rules and regulations, which is essential in a profession where maintaining ethical standards is crucial. On the other hand, being low in conscientiousness may not be ideal for a mental health professional as it could lead to disorganization, forgetfulness, and difficulties with time management. This could potentially harm the quality of care given to clients, as well as lead to ethical breaches. A mixed level of conscientiousness may also not be ideal for a mental health professional, as it could lead to inconsistency and unpredictability in their work. Clients may not know what to expect from their therapist or counselor, which could impact their trust and progress in therapy. In summary, being high in conscientiousness can be ideal for a mental health professional in most situations. This trait can contribute to their reliability, organization, and adherence to ethical standards, which are all crucial in providing effective and consistent care to clients. 4

C. Explain whether you think the effectiveness of the Big Five trait you selected depends on the situation . To justify your response, provide a real or imagined example where the trait would benefit the professional and an example where the same trait would not benefit the professional. The effectiveness of the Big Five trait I selected of conscientiousness can be dependent on the situation and the specific role or job requirements of a mental health professional. Conscientiousness is defined as a person's tendency to be organized, responsible, and goal-oriented. In general, this trait is associated with positive outcomes in various settings, including the workplace and personal relationships. However, when it comes to being a mental health professional, the effectiveness of conscientiousness may vary. In a mental health setting, a high level of conscientiousness can be beneficial for a professional. For example, a conscientious therapist will likely be thorough in their assessment and treatment planning, ensuring that all important aspects of a client's history and needs are addressed. This can lead to more effective and personalized treatment for the client. Additionally, being organized and responsible can help a mental health professional stay on schedule and keep track of important deadlines, such as submitting paperwork or scheduling follow- up appointments. This can improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of their work. 5

Furthermore, a mental health professional with a high level of conscientiousness may be better equipped to handle difficult or unpredictable situations that may arise in therapy sessions. They may be more prepared to handle crises, make quick decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances due to their natural inclination towards responsibility and organization. On the other hand, there may be situations where the trait of conscientiousness may not be as beneficial for a mental health professional. For example, a therapist who is excessively organized and goal-oriented may struggle to show empathy and build a good rapport with their clients. In some cases, being too focused on following rules and protocols may hinder the ability to connect with clients on a deeper level and truly understand their needs. Additionally, a high level of conscientiousness may lead a mental health professional to become overly perfectionistic and critical of themselves or their clients. This can create added stress and pressure, both for the therapist and their clients, and may even hinder the therapeutic process. So, while conscientiousness can be a valuable trait for a mental health professional, its effectiveness ultimately depends on how it is applied in different situations. A good balance of organization, responsibility, and flexibility is 6

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important for mental health professionals to effectively help their clients and provide the best possible c 2. Personality and Teams A. Identify another trait from the Big Five for your selected profession and describe how scoring low, high, or mixed on that trait might influence how that professional conducts their work or interacts with others. Openness to experience is another trait from the Big Five that can greatly impact a mental health professional's work and interactions with others. Scoring high on openness to experience means that the professional is curious, imaginative, and open-minded. This can be beneficial in their work as it can allow them to consider different perspectives and approaches to therapy, as well as be more creative in developing treatment plans. However, individuals who score high on this trait may also be prone to seeking out new experiences, which could potentially lead to burnout if not managed properly. Additionally, their openness may also make them more receptive to feedback and suggestions from colleagues or clients, leading to more collaborative and effective therapy sessions. On the other hand, scoring low on openness to experience may make the mental health professional more rigid and resistant to change. This could make it challenging for them to incorporate new techniques or interventions into their 7

practice, potentially limiting their effectiveness as a therapist. They may also be less open to different perspectives and ideas, which could hinder their ability to connect with and understand their clients. Mixed scores on openness to experience may manifest in a mental health professional as being open to new experiences and ideas in some aspects of their work, but resistant or closed-minded in others. This could result in a more varied approach to therapy, with the professional constantly seeking out new methods and tools, while also being more hesitant to fully commit to them. They may also struggle with balancing their desire for change and novelty with the need for structure and consistency in therapy. Overall, a mental health professional's level of openness to experience can greatly impact their approach to therapy and interactions with clients and colleagues. While scoring high on this trait can bring many benefits, the professional needs to manage any potential drawbacks. On the other hand, those who score low or have mixed scores may need to consciously work on being more open to new experiences and perspectives to improve their effectiveness as a therapist. B. Explain whether you think it is better to have a diversity of traits within the same profession or among professionals with the same role or whether it is better for the professionals to exhibit the same traits. Justify your response. 8

There is no clear answer to whether it is better to have a diversity of traits within the same profession or among professionals with the same role. It ultimately depends on the specific context and goals of the profession. Both scenarios have their own potential benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, having a diversity of traits within the same profession can bring a variety of perspectives and approaches to the table. This can lead to creative problem-solving, innovation, and a broader understanding of different issues. For example, in a medical profession, having a diversity of traits among doctors can help in treating patients with different backgrounds and health needs. Furthermore, a diversity of traits within the same profession can also promote inclusion and equal opportunities. It can provide representation for different groups and create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for individuals with different backgrounds. On the other hand, having professionals with the same traits can also have its advantages. It can bring consistency and standardization to the profession, ensuring that all professionals are held to the same standards and expectations. This can be particularly important in fields where precision and accuracy are vital, such as accounting or engineering. 9

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Moreover, professionals with similar traits may have a better understanding of each other's perspectives and may work well together as a team. This can lead to smoother collaborations and more efficient work processes. 3. Personality, Stress, and Coping A. Describe how you would expect your selected professional to cope with stress using a trait you identified previously or a new trait of your choosing. According to the Big Five personality model, conscientiousness refers to an individual's tendency to be organized, responsible, and reliable (Roberts, Kuncel, Shiner, Caspi, & Goldberg, 2007). In the context of coping with stress, individuals who are high in conscientiousness are likely to be proactive in managing their stress and maintaining their mental well-being. One way a mental health professional may cope with stress using the trait of conscientiousness is by implementing a structured and organized approach to their workload. This may involve creating a schedule or to-do list to prioritize tasks and deadlines, which can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and increase a sense of control over potential stressors. Additionally, individuals high in conscientiousness may rely on their strong sense of responsibility and dedication to their job to motivate them to effectively manage their workload and produce 10

high-quality work, which can also serve as a source of satisfaction and fulfillment (Roberts et al., 2007). Furthermore, mental health professionals with high levels of conscientiousness may also engage in self-care practices to maintain their well- being. This may include regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy eating habits, and engaging in enjoyable activities outside of work. By taking proactive steps towards self-care, these individuals can prevent burnout, reduce the impact of stressors, and maintain their overall mental health and well-being. In summary, mental health professionals who possess high levels of conscientiousness are likely to cope with stress in a structured, responsible, and proactive manner, using strategies such as time management, self-care, and maintaining a strong sense of responsibility and dedication to their work. B. Explain what kind of support you would expect from a person in this profession if you were seeking help or advice. Consider how much emotional intelligence you might expect your selected professional to display. I would expect a person in the mental health profession to provide unconditional support, empathy, and understanding. They should listen without judgment and create a safe and non-judgmental space for me to share my thoughts and feelings. 11

I would also expect them to be knowledgeable about various mental health issues and their treatment methods. They should be able to explain different treatment options and help me explore which approach would be the most beneficial for my specific needs. In terms of emotional intelligence, I would expect a mental health professional to display a high level of emotional intelligence. This includes being aware of their own emotions and managing them effectively, as well as being able to recognize and understand the emotions of others. They should be able to use this emotional intelligence to establish a strong rapport with their clients and help them navigate through their struggles. I would also expect them to be able to provide practical advice and coping strategies to help me manage my mental health. This could include techniques for managing stress and anxiety, communication skills to improve relationships, and problem-solving skills to address any challenges I may be facing. Furthermore, I would expect my chosen mental health counselor to provide ongoing support and guidance. This could include regular check-ins, follow-up appointments, and resources for further education or support. 12

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Overall, there would be a normal expectation for the mental health counselor to be a compassionate and skilled professional who is dedicated to helping me improve my mental health and well-being. Their level of emotional intelligence would greatly influence their ability to connect with me and provide effective support and guidance during my journey toward better mental health. 13

References Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., Shiner, R., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The power of personality: The comparative validity of personality traits, socioeconomic status, and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4),313- 345. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007. 00047.x 14

PSY 328 Project Two Milestone

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