Practitioner Model versus Practitioner-Model and its Impact on My Professional Development

Outline the key roles of one professional career pathway within applied psychology and critically discuss two research areas addressed within the chosen career pathway.

In this essay I am looking at where Psychology as a discipline has come from and what affects these early ideas have had on psychology today, Psychology as a whole has stemmed from a number of different areas of study from Physics to Biology,

Scholar-Practitioner versus Practitioner-Scholar—both carry slight, yet meaningful connotations that inform both short term and long-term visions and goals within the field of psychology. According to McClintock (2004) and Capella University (2003) research and theory are essential to both; however, the extent to which varies. Studying the intricate difference between these two models can only enhance a graduate program.

The basic definition of psychology is the study of human minds and there function, with respect to the affects the human mind has on behavior. The field of psychology is one of the most diverse fields that continue to expand and branch out into a plethora of distinguishing subfields; some subfields include retail marketing, legal work, social work and education (Sternberg, 2007). When deciding what career path to select one has to consider the level of education and scholarship they are willing to pursue. Pursuing and completing an undergraduate degree will earn an individual the title of a reflective scholar. A reflective scholar is a graduate that has completed a Bachelors or Bachelorette degree. Next, is the practitioner-scholar, which, is an individual that has graduated with a Masters degree. Following the practitioner-scholar is the scholar-practitioner, who is a graduate that has complete a program at a Doctoral level (McClintock, 2003). Each level of scholarship entails a pristine level of knowledge about the practices, strategies and techniques needed to establish quality and efficient

My plan to become a Practitioner Scholar includes steps such as completing my Graduate Degree in General Psychology with a specialization in Family Therapy two years from now. Between now and that time I will continue to practice full-time in the field of Social Work as a Targeted Case Manager. I have been with my present agency for two and a half years. I plan to remain here as there is always room to advance. Once I have completed all the requirements for my Graduate Degree in General Psychology I plan to pursue my specialization in family therapy. I would like to provide services in family homes as I believe that the only true place to

ARMSTRONG, M. (2011) How to be an even better manager. 8th ed. London: Kognan Page.

Upon the first examination of the scholar practitioner, it seems clear that this role explores real-world solutions to problems rooted in research that effectively advances the literature of the field in a timely, relevant manner (Short, 2011). But there is a natural almost co-dependent relationship to scholarship and practice that can be described as the joining of two areas that contribute equally to the improvement of the given field of study (Snow, 2015). In consideration of this symbiotic relationship between concept and practice, Nganga suggests that often that the relationship occurs organically but grows as our interests and experiences evolve (Nganga, 2011).

The British Psychological Society states that ‘Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour’ (BPS). In this essay I will be discussing what is actually meant by this and whether psychology fits into both the traditional views of a science, as well as more contemporary perspectives. It is widely suggested that Psychology is a “coalition of specialities” meaning it is multi-disciplinary (Hewstone, Fincham and Foster 2005, page 4). I will therefore examine whether it could be considered wrong to think that all parts of the discipline should neatly fit into one view of a scientific approach.

There were contextual forces as well as work in America to foster the growth of applied psychology. The number of people with a Ph. D. in psychology rose and there were not enough academic positions to employ them, and when one attained a teaching job many administrations did not value (or fund) psychology programs. As psychology was a newest science when compared to physics and chemistry…received smallest financial support, so need to proof that psychology is useful in solving social, educational and industrial problem in order to improve budgets. An emerging societal problem was a dramatic increase in public school enrollment, which opened doors for some psychologists. Thus, the focus of psychology shifted towards the application in solving real-world problem.

History and Systems of Psychology is a course requirement offered to Psychology majors and minors. This course is used to provide majors and minors with the foundation and the evolution of the field of psychology. Within this class, many scholars of discussed. Two scholars that stood out to me in this course would be John Watson and Max Wertheimer. These two particular scholars are responsible for two of the most influential and famous schools of thought, behaviorism and Gestalt psychology. These two schools of thought are responsible for changing the field of psychology and introducing the field to new theories and ways of thinking. Although the two schools of thought are similar in being influential but they are different in many ways. The two schools of thought are even said to be contradictory of one another and one is even said to be the cause of the fading out of the other.

Wade E. Pickren’s article, Internationalizing the History of Psychology Course in the USA is an advocacy piece for diversity in the field of psychology; specifically in the teaching of the history and systems of psychology course in US colleges and universities. Pickren first outlines the development of historical psychological texts (dubbed textbook histories REFERENCE), the subsequent influence of said texts on the development of the course of history and systems, criticisms of then current textbook histories and the events that led to “The New History of Psychology” (REFERENCE). The present standing of the history of psychology course in the USA is examined followed by a review of how the USA dominated the field of psychology after World

Authored by Keith E. Stanovich, How to Think Straight About Psychology is a known work of the psychology world which was published in 1986. Beginning courses in psychology use his text frequently. Stanovich primary purpose for writing the text is to bring attention to his observation that the public’s understanding of psychology is different from psychology as a modern science. Psychology as a modern science explains the underlying functions that shape human attitudes and behavior. To the people who misunderstand this, the field of psychology is not a real science, but a pseudo-science instead. How to Think Straight About Psychology describes people’s several false impressions of psychology and it gives its readers a factual understanding of the field as a modern and scientific psychology while explaining how this science works.

Cultivating my understanding of psychology regarding its historical transformations, applied research methods, significance of ethics, and statistical relevance will undoubtedly

Some psychologists (metatheoretical psychologists) act as critical evaluators and clarifiers of psychology 's ideas and practices, and focus on the process of theorising itself, while other psychologists do not engage in theoretical research at all. Empirical facts are understood in the light of a specific theory, and theory is built from a careful consideration of the facts. Indeed, theory and research are so intertwined that neither can exist without the other, and both are required to see psychology flourish (Sandin, 2006).

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. It was established as a separate discipline during the late 1800s and can be taken back to the time of the ancient Greeks. From around 500BC to 322 BC, Greek philosophers suggested a theory of “psyche” that is where the word psychology comes from. This meaning the mind, soul and spirit. The Pythagoras, Hippocrates, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were some of the most influential philosophers of their time. However, due to the uncertainty of truth in these theories, they ended up being the foundations relating to psychological thought. However, throughout the 17th century, the advancement of psychology has exceeded into its own discipline along with the establishment of the six schools of thought.