Psychology

Essay Question 1 Erickson
Erickson describes eight stages of human development. The first stage is Trust vs. Mistrust and it is in this stage that the main developmental task is to learn how to trust. The second stage is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, in this stage the toddler learns how to control bodily functions, and how to remain independent from their parents for longer periods of time. This stage occurs from around the age of one and a half to age three. Stage three is that of Initiative vs. Guilt, children in this stage are learning how to initiate play with other children, and learning to confront and deal with psychological issues of toddlerhood including the oedipal conflict defined by Freud. Industry vs. Inferiority the childs main task is to learn to follow rules, and the value of hard work. It is at this age that the child begins to explore the neighborhood and expands their social circle outside of that of family members.  (The Learning Place .Com, 2009).

As a child enters adolescence they confront the stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion. During this stage an adolescents main task is to develop a sense of self that is independent of their family and friends. Stage six is that of Intimacy and Solidarity vs. Isolation, in this stage the young adult is trying to build lifelong relationships, and seeking to create a family on their own. In stage seven, Generativity vs. Stagnation, the adults main task is to work to leave a legacy to the next generation whether it is ones values or a fine work of art. The final stage is that of Integrity vs. Despair, in this stage the final developmental task is to learn to accept the fact that ones death is possible in the near future (The Learning Place .Com, 2009).

These stages can be helpful to psychologist in that they offer the psychologist a perspective on what is going on with a person emotionally. For instance, if an adolescent comes into the office and is having emotional problems in terms of conflict with ones family, anxiety, and mood swings, the psychologist will be aware that this may be an identity related issue due to the adolescents current stage of development. These stages are also helpful for psychologists in that they help psychologists to pinpoint specific problems that occur during specific points in the lifespan.

(added paragraph)When dealing with clients, I would be most comfortable in dealing with clients in the Identity vs. Role Confusion stage of development. There are several reasons for this including (a) the fact that I have been through this stage of development, and have confronted many of the things that adolescents are dealing with, and (b) how adolescents deal with this stage affects whether or not they will successfully navigate future developmental stages. The developmental stage that I would have the most difficulty with would be the Integrity vs. Despair stage, since it is very difficult to understand the issues faced by the elderly when one is only in ones 20s.

Essay 2 Physical Changes
There are specific changes that occur physically as we age. People may develop problems with hearing and eyesight. Wrinkles develop, and hair grays. People may develop rheumatoid arthritis, or other muscular, nerve, or joint disorders. Older people may have a stooped gait, and they often slow down physically.  Weight gain is common, and older people may have a more difficult time keeping physically fit due to physical limitations. People who have not taken care of themselves physically may in terms of smoking, drinking and overeating, may develop serious illnesses. They are also less muscular and physically strong than a younger person. Reactions and responses may slow (Growing Old in a New Age , 2009).

These physical changes may also impact a person socially and intellectually. An elder that cannot see well is likely to read, or watch television less, and thus will not receive the intellectual stimulation they once did. An elder who cannot hear very well may be excluded socially because they cannot participate actively in conversations and they may miss out on important cues or information when talking to people. Finally, physical changes can also influence a person emotionally. People may become depressed, or suffer from low self esteem and anxiety when they realize that they are no longer young.

Knowledge of the physical changes that occur in old age may help psychologists in that physical changes can impact cognitive and emotional health. The symptoms of many common health problems experienced by the elderly such as Alzheimers or cancer may have related psychological problems that must be treated in order for the elder to continue functioning. Often it is merely the physical changes alone that cause emotional problems. Someone who has spent their life focused on physical capability, or physical appearance may become depressed because they are no longer as strong or as physically attractive as they once were. Someone who spent their life caring for others may become anxious and depressed when they can no longer physically care for themselves and must be helped by others rather than helping others. By understanding physical issues psychologists can help elders confront the tasks of the final stage of life.

The  major positive physical changes may include losing the gawky appearance of adolescence, becoming more physically fit, and more comfortable within our own bodies. Other domains that may be affected by aging include, social, emotional and intellectual. What surprised me the most about these readings was that many people did not report the drastic physical changes that age is stereotyped as bringing.

Essay 3 Personality and Intellectual Development
The development of ones personality and intellect does not cease as we age. As adults we can develop new interests, and continue to explore new avenues of academic study. People think that as we age memory and intellect tends to decay, but this is not the case. As adults we take up new hobbies, and interests. Adults and elders also have a better sense of what they are interested in. For instance they will study history rather than math or science because that is what they are interested in. According to Learning.Org (2009), one key to remaining intellectually healthy as we age is to maintain outside interests and to continue to explore and to learn new skills. Verbal skills tend to can increase as one ages as can ones mathematical skills and reasoning skills because one has greater experience and practice in using those (Growing Old in a New Age , 2009).

Personality also changes as we age. We develop new interests, and as we age we also change how we interact with others socially. An adult that was shy as a child may be more extroverted as an adult because they have learned to cope with other people. Personality wise, adults also change over time because we become more entrenched in habitual behavior bad, and good. Flexible people tend to remain flexible in attitudes and beliefs as they grow older, but those with rigid personalities tend to grow even more right in attitudes and beliefs as they age.

There are many things that can interfere with intellectual and personality development as we age.  Health problems may prevent people from maintaining an intellectually and socially active lifestyle. People may also experience emotional problems as they age that interfere with intellectual and personality growth. There are things that can be done to enhance personality development as we age. First, maintain intellectual and social pursuits. Second, we can stay active intellectually and socially by developing new interests and hobbies.

Essay 4 Personal Journey Paper
I found out many things about myself in the process of writing this personal journey paper. First, I found out that I am not as different from my peers as I thought I was. Most of the other people in the class seemed to have many of the same problems that I did while in high school. I also found that that the process of self discovery isnt always easy. I had to admit some things about myself that I didnt really want, and talk about some issues that I wasnt really ready to deal with.

I began this paper by sitting down and really thinking about my childhood. How was I different from anyone else Was I different from anyone else I also began to chart out various social, emotional and intellectual changes that I have gone through in my life. As I did this I began to see the different influences on my development as a complex web or chain. My life would have been completely different if even a single thread or link was changed.  I finally sat down and began to right out the paper chronologically in terms of my social, emotional and intellectual development.

I think that this paper could be very useful when working with clients in the counseling field. Only by understanding how people have changed over time, and what has influenced them to develop in the way that they have, can we help them to resolve their problems. In other words much like in history you have to understand the past to change the future. Clients can use a paper such as this to explore changes in their lives that have had a positive or a negative impact. They can also use the personal journey paper as a tool for understanding how and why they have developed negative behaviors. In terms of whether or not I would be willing to share my own journey, I think that I would be very specific about what I shared, and I would ensure that it pertained to the persons own personal journey.

Essay 5 Stress Management and Loss
There are many different strategies for dealing with stress as adults. One can seek psychological counseling. One can also use diet and exercise the manage stress levels. Meditation techniques and relaxation techniques have also been used successfully to manage stress. Another coping strategy is to have a non-stressful activity planned into your schedule such as a hobby in order to alleviate ones stress levels during a busy working week.

The stress management technique that I use most frequently is diet and exercise. I find that when I eat properly and avoid the diet pitfalls such as too much caffeine, or too much junk food that are common amongst college students that I am less stressed overall. I also find that going to the gym and spending an hour on the treadmills may be physically stressful but, when I am on the treadmill all the cares of my school and work day kind of just disappear.

Adults face many losses during their lifetime. Adults may lose their jobs by being fired or laid off, or through retirement. Adults must also face the deaths of aging parents and older relatives. This can be stressful because even as adults we still need our parents. Some adults have to face losing their children as children grow up and start their own lives (empty nest syndrome), or if their children become terminally ill. Adults may also lose spouses and romantic partners as they age as well as friends. Physical and mental health may also be lost as we age and find we are no longer as strong, or as healthy as we once were.

The most difficult aspect of working with clients in these areas is that often they would be issues that I am experiencing myself. It would be very difficult for instance, to distance myself from a mother or father experiencing problems with Empty Nest Syndrome if I was at an age where my own children had just moved out on their own. Stress management would probably be easier for me to deal with than loss because teaching people to manage stress merely involves giving them the tools and helping them to find out which tools work best for them.

Essay 6 Self Reflection
Helping clients to find meaning in stressful experiences is critical in helping them to overcoming problems. Stress can do one of two things, if one overcomes it, one will learn and grow. If one allows it to overcome them, than they will become psychologically defeated and unable to handle the problems of daily life. This is related to resilience in the sense that resilient people are more likely to develop the tools that they need to successfully overcome stressors. They have a more positive outlook and life, and better stress management and coping skills than people with more rigid personalities.

My own values and ethics have influenced my career choice in several ways. First, I was brought up to value helping others. This has changed my understanding of my career choices in that I no longer make career choices or employment choices based on money, or esteem of my peers. I expect that these values will influence how I treat clients because my values will make me more likely to treat them in an ethical manner than someone who was in counseling for the wrong reasons.