What captivated my interest in working within the field of psychology was the joy and sense of accomplishment after aiding another individual in need. Since high school I have been involved in volunteer work assisting individuals by helping them acquire new skills, or becoming a friendly mentor. Throughout the years I learned how to observe others, as in discovering how different a person may react to a certain situation, to how they interact within their social groups. Since my volunteer work in high school, I went forth in taking up clinical psychology courses throughout my college career and also acquired a summer job that let me expand and learn more outside of the classroom, which then proven to me again that I love the psychology filed in helping people. During my college experience as an undergraduate majoring in clinical psychology and minoring in sociology, I pushed myself to excel the best in my academics along with outside circular activities. I manage to maintain an overall B average in all my classes, while also assisting a professor in their research, being the President of the Kutztown Psychology Club, choreographer at the Kutztown Dance team, and working a part time job. Due to all of these events I learned how to properly manage my time wisely, while still maintaining standard grade scores. However, I also learned that I tend to put too much pressure on myself by filling up a busy schedule thinking I can accomplish anything and everything, when in
Throughout my life I have always enjoyed helping others in whatever way I could have whether through offering social support, academic tutoring, or just a word of encouragement. I was also very curious in understanding the actions and thoughts with being human and decided to pursue psychology as such. I would envision myself as a doctor daily and promised my deceased mom that I would
My interest in counseling psychology dates back to my years in high school. During this time, I realized that I was proficient at listening to others and advising them on the soundest decisions to make for their situations.
The general public has doubts about the psychology’s credibility and usefulness (Lilienfeld, 2012). These misconceptions have been tied to possible sources of skepticism such as “illusions of understanding, psychology’s problematic public face, and individual’s hindsight bias” (Lilienfeld, 2012). This skepticism must exist for a reason and it is crucial to understand why the general public finds behavioral science research less credible than that of other scientific disciplines often described as “harder” sciences.
Being a psychologist is aspiring to me for three distinct reasons. The first reason is to help others who are experiencing difficulties with mental health disorders. Currently I work as a behavioral therapist and with each day I have enjoyed the satisfaction of influencing others to improve their lives. Being able to leave behind a legacy of inspiration is my hope. The second reason I chose to be a psychologist as my career path is for the reason that understanding of human behaviors intrigues me. As a Senior Children’s Service Counselor, providing young
Psychology has grabbed my attention ever then. The career helped me realize that there are people out there in the world that need a push to go on about their day. Helping someone in need of care may seem like a lot of work in other people’s eyes, but for me,
Growing up with a mother who was a mental health counselor, the field of psychology was always around me. I have always loved this subject, and have taken every opportunity to read new theories, learn about new research methods, and take psychology classes. The brain has always intrigued me and when my stepfather suffered a stroke I realized that neuropsychology is the field I will work in.
The field of psychology is steadily expanding due to the progression in technology, which is being driven by the advancement of civilization. More and more time is spent on the internet, which has gradually altered the method in which primary communication takes place. Previously face-to-face interaction was touted as the primary method of interfacing with one another, now communication via the internet is almost mandatory to establish and maintain healthy relationships (Greenfield and Yan, 2006). This is especially true amongst children, adolescents and teenagers. The need for psychologists have never been greater in order to assess how individuals are able to acclimate to this societal change. Traditionally, there are two methods in which children, adolescents and teenagers communicate via the internet, through social media and video games. Each primary method presents their own unique social challenge. In response to the issues in of teenagers over use of the internet, psychologists are providing assistance for internet addictions at a greater rate. The first method utilized by mental health professionals is traditionally counseling and if those efforts fail, then the potential exists for adolescents to be placed on medications.
There are different psychological approaches in psychology. I mentioned these in great detail in my previous assignment; I will now discuss the different psychological approaches to health practice. The psychological approaches are; Behaviourist, Psychodynamic, Humanistic. The behaviourist theory is all about teaching behaviour whether it is appropriate of not when you can see the changes in behaviour is when you know it has worked. The behavioural learning technique is the result of conditioning. Conditioning suggests that a reward following a desirable response acts as reinforcement and increases the likelihood that the desirable response will be repeated. Reinforcement is the most important part of the behaviourist approach. A nurse in a healthcare setting provides reinforcement at each step. For example, when a little girl is having to get a blood test done and is afraid and rejecting to do so peacefully, the nurse will look for some positive behaviour and then immediately reinforces by saying, you are such a big girl or you did an excellent job with that! The psychodynamic theory says that behaviour is driven by subconscious forces in which we have no control over. These unconscious forces can be accessible through a slip of the tongue (Freudian slip) or in dreams/nightmares and signify the unconscious truth. In a healthcare location, these subconscious forces are studied to try and attempt to make a diagnosis. The use of the psychodynamic theory can be obliging in
Psychology has been a part of my life indirectly for many years, from something as insignificant as people watching in a cafe to an impromptu counselling session for a friend with emotional trauma. I have had a real desire to work with people for a long time and have always been fascinated with human behaviour and understanding how the mind works, in order to empower individuals to lead better lives. It is this fascination that has makes psychology such a desirable subject for me.
In this paper I will discuss the impact that applied and behaviorist psychology has had on the field of psychology. J. R. Angell at the University of Chicago is possibly one of the most advanced of the functional psychologists, predicted that American psychology was prepared for better objectivity. In 1910, he stated that it is possible that the term consciousness would more than likely vanish from psychology, even more than the term soul had vanished (p. 209).
Chapter one of Experience Psychology has shown me theoretical and historical perspectives of psychology and has given me basic knowledge of research methods. In learning this I have come to notice these elements of psychology in the Netflix original show Bates Motel.
Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies the mind, how it works and how it affects an individual’s behaviour. Over time, psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive, humanistic and evolutionary perspectives have been developed for understanding of psychological occurrences (Burton, Westen & Kowalski, 2015). They continue to contribute to the way that psychologists, health professionals and others look at human behaviour and mental processes. In an allied health context, it is important to not only be aware of physical problems presented by patients, but to also be aware of their mental and social condition. In fact, “the biopsychosocial model reflects the belief that biological, psychological, and social factors interact in an
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.
I’d think that I’d like working with people because even though I am alone most of the time, I still know how to communicate with people and make friends. Psychology gives an explanation for why people do what they do and I like to understand things. With psychology you have to be good at observing, which I like to think I’m good at. I also like how there are a lot of fields that re encompassed in psychology so it gives me the ability to take one degree and be able to have a pool of jobs to choose
The unified approach refers to a common basis within a field in which all agree. Historically psychology has tried to establish a unified approach using structuralism. Structuralism explores the structure of the human mind by analysing consciousness into component parts. Psychologists later excluded structuralism in exchange towards functionalism (Magnavita, 2005). Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and the mind. While behaviour can be directly observed for example through actions and responses, the mind cannot directly be seen for example thoughts. Psychology trusts upon the feedback of participants through gathering data and then analysing to conclude. All research occurs while adhering to the BPS code of ethics. There are a variety of ways to study the mind and behaviour and similarly there are a variety of approaches to psychology. Unlike chemistry and physics, which adopt a singular purpose and agreed consensus. Psychology can be complex and therefore cannot rely solely on one approach ( Gleitman, Reisberg & Gross, 2010)