My Journey in Psychology
Logan Brown
Utah State University
To give an answer about one’s self and how one feels should be a simple matter. It is an entirely different matter to be asked the same question two years later. I happen to be in this situation. I took this class with Professor Bates the first year it was introduced in a psychology major’s curriculum. I won’t deny that I did not make much of an effort in the course. I am now required to re-take it in order to gain a better grade, and a better grasp of APA writing. However, I am also in the unique position to evaluate the answers of a younger self, and give my opinions as they have changed.
As a Psychology major, I must be able to give a good answer when asked what the devil Psychology is and what its goals are. “Psychology is the science that sudies behavior, and the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it, and the profession that applied the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems.” (Weiten, 2008, p. X) This was and is probably the best definition of Psychology I have heard to-date. According to Kuther, There are 4 primary goals in Psychology. They are to be better able to describe, understand, predict and change behavior and mental processes.
Once upon a time, I said that the two reasons for choosing psychology were my continued interest in behavior and mental processes, and my wish to be a positive influence in others - especially those who have trouble with these processes. This was an answer that was devised more so in order to answer a question than to define why I choose psychology.
To shed some light on my background, I have wanted to learn about Psychology since the 7th grade. I took a career aptitude test 3 times in a row, trying to answer differently each time in order to get different results. Each attempt brought up a list of different occupations; excepting one – Psychologist. No matter how I tried to manipulate the program in order to gain insight into what I would be best at if I answered differently, I received the answer that I would do well in this field. Later on, in my junior year of High School, I took an Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course that would count for PSY 1010 at almost any college I attended. I loved the course; I felt like it set me on a path to become what I wanted to be, to become what I am today.
Since writing this paper the first time, I was accepted to try out for an internship in Southern Utah at a wilderness therapy program called Red Cliff Ascent. I was told from the onset that I was younger than they would normally allow. After a week of training and observation, I was told that I was not ready emotionally to be a counselor, but they wanted me to come back in a few years after I had more life experience. This crushed me, and I drove the first hour of the five-hour trip with tears welled up in my eyes. I had the knowledge, intelligence, and skills that they desired, and they told me so. That summer, I decided to change my major to biochemistry, and become a dentist. That turned out to be the worst 2 years of my life; I studied math, biology, and chemistry with fervor. However, that zeal did not translate to good grades. I decided to go back to my initial love, Psychology. Even though I now am on academic probation, I feel like I am where I need to be. I understand the material, and hopefully I will truly appreciate my natural capacity for the field.
Now, more than ever, I believe my reasons for choosing psychology are in agreement with its goals and very definition. I still agree with my answer, that I want to be an influence in people’s lives by understanding, predicting, and then altering their behavior and mental processes for the better. Though at this point, I can say that I have a pure love for the field, its application, history, and improvement.
Of the seven skills Kuther describes, two that I need more personal development in are the time- and self-management skills. Time management is a weakness in that I procrastinate. To be frank, as I write this sentence I have 36 minutes before it is late. In order to be a good psychologist, I have to be able to complete assignments and work preperations in a timely manner. With good Self-management skills I would prove to be more accountable, reliable, and on time. As it is, I must admit that my own brother chastises me for not being reachable via phone. I may not always get back to people in a timely manner, but then again I am constantly trying to prove to myself that I am not a slave to my phone. It may be that I must accept that my phone is not an actor, but rather a tool for me to be better connect and communicate with my surroundings and the people I love, trust, and work with.
In order to become better at time- and self-management, I have started to use the iCal application on my new MacBook and phone. While I am unable to sync them like I would if I had an iphone, I am still becoming better at making, keeping, and planning my life. It’s a high-tech planner. This is a kick in the ego, because my father told me a long time ago that I’d end up having to use one if I were to truly desire to become successful.
I used to think I was a pretty “savvy” psychology student before my emotional breakdown. I have come to realize that I may have been – and still am – but I realistically have a long ways to go with regard to my self-mastery. I know who I want to be, and have gained a better idea of who I am. I am continually learning, and am forced to be true to myself. Literally, forced. I thought once that it was an constant process – an uphill battle – to be true to one’s self, but it is a much harder road to do something that you don’t love. Dentistry may have offered money, and a cozy yet sometimes interesting life, but it doesn’t give me what I truly want out of a profession. I have wanted, more than anything else I can think of in my entire life, to be a Psychologist.
References
Kuther, T. L. (2006). The Psychology Major’s Handbook. Belsworth, CA: Wadsworth.
Weiten, W. (2001). Psychology: Themes and Variations (7th ed.). Toronto: Wadsworth.
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