Masters in Psychology ~ 1

x AALiYah

Introduction to Foundations, Psychology Graduate Studies

week1 began with introductory readings for topics on:

• Introduction to Psychology

• History of Psychology

• Timeline of Psychology

followed by topical discussions on early psychologists and an assignment on personal career goals.

class objectives included developing skills in communication, collaboration, delegation, and conflict resolution.

also emphasized were citations as tools for academic researchers to share ideas responsibly.

excerpt on my additions to the discussion:

• "How have psychologists participated in addressing social issues and change?

Social issues are behaviors or conditions that negatively impact members of society and therefore demand a solution. That is, these social problems not only impact individuals but also create disruption or hardship for large numbers of people. (Stewart et al., 2023) Social change defined as, “the alteration of mechanisms within the  social structure, characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behaviour, social organizations, or value systems.” (Wilterdink & Form, 2023). The picture attached to our “Introduction to Psychology,” reading under the heading “Social Psychology” comes to mind as, as the picture reads, “Social psychology is the scientific study of social influence: culture, pressures to conform, persuasion, groups of people; social relations: prejudice, aggression, attraction and intimacy, and helping.” “Sociocultural theory is an emerging theory in psychology that looks at the important contributions that society make to individual development. This theory stresses the interaction between developing people and the culture in which they live. Sociocultural theory also suggests that human learning is largely a social process.” (Burns, n.d., Social Psychology)"

• "How has humanism, which focuses on each individual’s potential, played a role in social change?

“According to the Oxford-English Dictionary: Humanism is an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.” (What Is Humanism?, 2023, According to the Oxford-English Dictionary) Social is defined as, “relating to society; human society; community of human beings living together as a group.” (social, n.d., social) “Potential defined as, “the possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions.” (potential, n.d., potential) Social change defined as, “the alteration of mechanisms within the  social structure, characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behaviour, social organizations, or value systems.” (Wilterdink & Form, 2023). By the referenced, humanism’s removal of the Divine/Supernatural has stagnated at potential and unable to move into actual change."

• "Is the psychology of social change important in American society today? Why or why not? Provide examples and support for your opinion.

American society defined as, “a society in which many people seem convinced that it is undergoing rapid social change, while they hold firmly to many values and social structures inherited from the past.” (American Society, n.d. ) By the referenced, actual change is not important as the illusion of rapid change is the priority. Holding to values inherited from the past is the literal opposite of change. Change is defined as, “to cause to be different; to give a completely different form or appearance to; transform.” (change. n.d.., change). Illusion is defined as, “something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality; Psychology. a perception, as of visual stimuli (optical illusion), that represents what is perceived in a way different from the way it is in reality.” (illusion, n.d., illusion)"

• "References "American Society ." Encyclopedia of Sociology. . Retrieved December 5, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/american-society Burns, J. (n.d.). Introduction to Psychology. Middlesex Community College. https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/69346/overview?section=1   change. (n.d.). “The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language 5th Edition.” Retrieved December 5, 2023 from  https://duckduckgo.com/?q=change+definition&ia=web   illusion. (n.d.). Dictionary.com LLC. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/illusion   potential. (n.d.). “The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language 5th Edition.” Retrieved December 5, 2023 from  https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Potential+definition&ia=web&iax=definition   social. (n.d.). “The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language 5th Edition.” Retrieved December 5, 2023 from  https://duckduckgo.com/?q=social+definition&t=chromentp&ia=web&iax=definition     Stewart, R., Chapel, L., & Kelly, M. (2023, November 21). Social Issues: Definition, Causes & Examples. Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/social-issues-definition-examples.html   What Is Humanism? (2023). Austin Humanist Community. https://austinhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/   Wilterdink, N., & Form, W. (2023, October 15). social change. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-change"

excerpt on my assignment:

"Part 1: Vxxxx Rxxxxxxxxx

Graduate studies have been on my agenda since I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation with minor in Psychology. Having experiences in multiple fields, I hunted for a program that would combine my expertise, as I ascend forward in my professional and personal journeys of life.

Varied Fields

Amalgamating my initial interest in a doctor/nurse type role, in film production and entertainment business, as well as criminal defense, law enforcement, and criminal justice – here I rise the Phoenix. I found that the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences housed my field of Psychology, and this program focuses on, “general rather than clinical psychological study of individuals, applied to various industries and settings such as business, government services, social services, and education.” (Phoenix, 2022, p. 243). Earning this degree totally unites my career life. I can organize and bundle my complete self, in all of my fields, in a professional package.

 “The physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes throughout our lives contribute to our individual identities.” (Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology, n.d.) The concept of change is ever-applicable in my life – where I constantly experience change. Sharpening the ability to recognize individual differences helps me further understand human beings.

Understanding the factors affecting human behaviors and motivations, enables me to filter opportunists while reconnecting with my real family whom is my support system. This ability also adds value to my professional processes for potential clients and workflow through my cases, providing myself and clients a new positive direction in life."

Part 2: Library Resource

Having focus in multiple fields including recreational therapy, psychology, entertainment law, and criminal justice, I was excited to learn of legal psychology where I found interest in criminal psychology and forensic psychology. “Counter-empathy refers to an emotional response that is valence-opposite from the emotional state of another individual. Screening for counter-empathy characteristics is of great significance for social psychology, clinical psychology, and criminal psychology research.” (Jie, 2023, p. 1). “Previous studies have shown that counter-empathy can increase aggressive behaviors, antisocial behaviors independent of empathy (Dryburgh & Vachon, 2019; Vachon & Lynam, 2016).” (Jie, 2023, p. 2).

References

Jie, J., & Wang, Y. (2023). Development and Validation of the Counter-Empathy Scale. Psychological Reports, 126(4), 2078–2095. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941221076775