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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Heather BrownPsychology, 2011

Personal Statement

Resume

Reflection

One of the primary driving forces initially in pursuing higher education was financial security, at the time the company I was employed with had recently had a corporate “divorce” from other doctors, but were enthralled in a civil case filed by a previous employee and facing bankruptcy. After two years of having a job up in the air, I decided that it was time to consider other options. I had taken college courses previously, and had been fascinated by it. In the years that I followed I had several personal experiences that relit that curiosity, and the desire to reach out to others. The one thing that I am most grateful for as a result of acquiring a degree is how much I have grown as a person and the knowledge that I have acquired. I have learned a great deal about different biological, psychological, and social perspectives to many social issues, the different approaches of psychology, such as behavioral, cognitive, and psychoanalysis, beliefs and explanations of behavior, the assessments, such as Intelligence tests, psychological tests such as the MMPI, and competence tests used in the criminal justice systems, techniques used in counseling and interviewing, such as Gestalt therapy, empty-chair and role playing, sharpened my understanding of financial and social implications that have led to making more educated decisions both economically and politically. It has also improved my abilities in communication by teaching the perception of verbal and non verbal cues, such as the importance of wording, and body language. The impact of culture, family, and peers on behavior and treatment has also been incredibly enlightening. I have also learned about the disadvantages and limitations of these topics. My research abilities have gained as I have a better understanding of the importance of not only using peer-reviewed articles, but understand, and evaluate methods, as well as considering multiple contributing factors. I have learned about multiple mental health disorders and issues, and substance abuse concerns and the physical impact on the brain and body. My writing skills have increased with furthering my education, although APA references is something that I have struggled with.

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Research SkillsCommunication Skills: Oral and WrittenEthics and Diversity AwarenessFoundations of PsychologyApplied PsychologyInterpersonal Effectiveness**Include work samples and projects with a Title Page and organized accordingly to demonstrate each of the Program Outcomes above

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Cognitive Abilities have improved with education and experience. The following work exhibits skills and abilities to understand and evaluate information from various perspectives.

The first paper was a outline completed for a paper being researched that discussed PTSD in soldiers.

The second paper was a paper discussing Durkheim’s concepts of Anomie and Suicide.

Cognitive Abilities…

Cognitive Abilities…

Research Skills

My time here at Argosy has sharpened my ability to understand the importance of bias, reliability, validity, methods, and statistical significance. It has also driven me to consider other contributing factors.

The first paper was a comparison of the uses, strengths, and limitations of the Rorschach Test and the MMPI-2.

The second example is an overview of several studies conducted directed at the homosexual community investigating discrimination, substance abuse, and mental health.

Research…

Research…

Communication Skills

Communication skills, both oral and written, have improved with completion of numerous research papers and acquiring knowledge regarding interviewing techniques, and awareness of diversity.

The following papers exhibit the progress of communication skills.

The first paper is the last paper due in a interviewing class that evaluates our progress and awareness, as well as discussing interviewing techniques.

The second paper is a discussion paper done regarding the differences between two generations, the Boomers and Generation X, their beliefs, and how communication skills should incorporate these concepts to optimize relationships and situations.

The third paper was a hypothetical situation of being a speaker hired by a Minor League Baseball team to speak to players about substance abuse.

Communication Skills

Communication…

Communication…

Ethics and Diversity

Ethics and diversity have been well covered topics throughout my time here at Argosy. Further, the advantage of living in numerous states and working within several different backgrounds has created awareness and the need to understand the differences between individuals.

The first paper discusses the importance of confidentiality in a hypothetical scenario in which I was a counselor in a Women’s Correctional facility.

The second paper discusses the ethical implications conducted in the experiment of the Stanford Prison Experiment.

Ethics and Diversity

Ethics and Diversity…

Foundations of Psychology

The foundations of psychology have been quite interesting to learn about, though many of them have their limitations as well as strengths. These next few works cover some of the basics.

It’s hard to discuss the topic of psychology with out the insights of Freud. His theories on the subconscious, and defense mechanisms are invaluable. Although, I don’t agree with all aspects of Freud’s work, it’s important to recognize his contributions to the field and study of psychology. The assignment compares Skinner’s work on behavioral conditioning with psychoanalysis.

The second paper shows how the foundations of psychology are still being used in regards to substance abuse.

The third paper shows the different aspects of the basic concepts of psychology being applied in the criminal justice system.

Foundations…

Foundations…

Foundations…

Applied Psychology

The last several years of studies has given created awareness of many topics and issues. It has given me the ability to make more educated decisions, and to justify my arguments by showing support. These next few papers are some examples of skills to apply psychological concepts.

The first paper was done for an Industrial/Organizational class that was discussing ideas to address things that demotivate employees.

The second paper discusses the hypothetical case of “Peter”, a drug abuser who had multiple etiological factors that needed to be addressed to provide optimal treatment.

Applied Psychology…

Applied Psychology…

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Online courses and interviewing classes have gone a long way in teaching me the importance of

Interpersonal Effectiveness

If my education has taught me one thing, it is the importance of building rapport with individuals seeking services and guidance. Compassion, and empathy go along way in creating trust in relationships. The following papers are examples of interpersonal effectiveness.

The first paper was assigned to help students create social programs pertaining specifically to women. The needs and topics that should be covered, and the potential professionals that should be included.

The second paper was an educational project designed to help create awareness of dangerous drugs being abused by kids that are in the home.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Interpersonal Effectiveness

My Future in Learning

Experience and use of media will aid in my pursuit of life long learning. Keeping up with current news, watching documentaries, using technology such as the social site linkedin to keep up on the current social and political issues, as well as new treatment options and latest research studies and assessment tools. I also plan on reading more, I particularly enjoy books, for instance Gregory Howard William’s “Life on the Color Line” that creates awareness of our own behavior and the impact it can have on others.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. Hmbrown77@yahoo.com