Much later, my father explained the difference between rational optimism and rationalization and suggested to me that the former is probably more healthy psychologically than the latter. According to him, both achieve the same short-term benefit, but rationalization is associated with long-term consequences in the nature of clinical depression and mood swings. He explained that people who rationalize purposely avoid acknowledging disappointments and that this sort of repression usually results in negativity that is always expressed later, and often in manners that are far removed from their original cause. I recognized in friends and acquaintances what my father explained and learned to recognize the value of "making lemonade" as a conscious and purposeful decision to salvage disappointments rather than as a subconscious rationalization.
Empathy:
It is more difficult for me to identify whether natural predisposition or environmental influences and modeled behavior is more responsible for the fact that I seem to have always exhibited a high degree of empathy. I always remember caring about the well-being of animals, including stuffed animals and balloons before the age where I learned that the latter where inanimate objects. Prior to that, I remember being moved to tears over "sick" balloons and my older brother once secured a chocolate ransom from me by threatening to hurt a stuffed bear. I also recall being very concerned whenever someone else sustained an injury or acquired an illness and I always did my best to comfort family members who were sick.
My mother exhibits the same behavior and I specifically recall her modeling...
Psychology is considered to be an area of study that involves behavior. Behavior is demonstrated in a lot of diverse areas in the field of psychology. Some of these examples are mental illness, relationships, sexuality, depression, family dynamics, or culture. Accepting of behavior is picked up by various techniques and it could be from society or changes in individuals or the overall population. Psychologists look at various factors such as
children and I have been privileged that most of the focus of my work experience has been in this field. At present I have completed my A.A. In early childhood education and I am seeking the deeper and more in-depth understanding of the field that only a four-year undergraduate degree can provide. The Early Care and Education program of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is ideally suited to
Psychology Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement When I was 12 years old, a cousin (let us call her Jenny) who was living with us at the time as her parents sorted out their marital problems started exhibiting strange behavior. At the time, she was only 14. At first, her strange behavior was barely noticeable but with time, it became clear that something was amiss. We became alarmed when she started
Personal Reflection on "The Self" "The self" in the social world is how one presents themselves to others, and how they appear to others. This "outward" self plays an essential role in each person's affect, cognition, human motivation and social identity. According to Jung, "the self" is an archetype, and it represents both the conscious and the unconscious mind. However, there are many concepts of the self, from early philosophers to
It may even be impossible to retroactively identify every influence on the development of personality. However, contemporary psychologists already understand the general patterns in which major areas of psychological influence exert themselves on the individual. More often than not, more than one avenue of psychological inquiry is helpful. Personality development in the typical patient may have been primarily influenced by Freudian issues in infancy and subsequent specific experiences in middle
I believe I have learned many things in class that will help make me more effective and successful in my personal life. Perhaps the most evident thing I have learned is how to determine my own conscious motivators and recognize how my unconscious beliefs and morals may impact my attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. This falls more into the realm of social psychology. I have learned exactly how critical environment can
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