Diversity in Psychology Essay Example

Diversity in Psychology Essay Example Diversity in Psychology Essay Diversity in Psychology Essay K. Tomlin, October 2011 Reflective Essay 1: Diversity in Psychology Why do we study diversity in psychology? Diversity comes in many forms. It is extremely important that psychologists, counselors, and therapists not only develop the skills to successfully treat and assess individuals, but they must also understand their values and attitudes related to the facets of diversity: age, religion, socio-economic status, culture, sexual orientation, ethnicity, spirituality, and ability. First and foremost, the client’s sense of security and safety must remain a priority. Mental health treatment is largely dependent upon the psychologist’s knowledge and ability to manage the client’s care and treatment relationship effectively and ethically. Due to the increase in multicultural populations, psychologists will continually have to interact with nationalities that may be ethnically and racially different. Hispanic and Asian populations are expected to triple by the 2050 (Martin Nakayama, 2008). Many minority cultures and youths do not have access to or adequate mental health services due to communication limitations, clinician bias, or other barriers that will further separate them from any treatment process and further discourage said services. What is lacking, at times even among professionals interested in multicultural issues, is the specific implementations of research programs, policy initiatives, and service programs that tackle the issues and diverse needs of culturally diverse youths and in particular those with serious emotional and behavioral disorders (Casas, Pavekski, Furlong, Zanglis, 2001). What are the different ways that diversity is an integral part of our larger society? Within diversity is competence and responsibility. No mental health care services should be established until the psychologist has had proper training, ongoing education, and knowledge with the understanding of the facets mentioned previously. Diversity-based psychology will not only better serve the public and provide better treatment options, but allow the psychologist to have more effective training and become increasingly more helpful. Psychologists in the past were derived from the White culture and were limited in being able to treat a radically different race or culture than that from the Euro-American culture. Psychology must break away from being a unidimensional science, that it must recognize the multifaceted layers of existence (Sue, Bingham, Porsche-Burke, 1999). Diversity can expand our horizons – linguistically, politically, socially – as various lifestyles and ways of thinking come together (Martin Nakayama, 2008). A major goal for the future of society is that there is access and opportunity at the personal, professional, institutional, and social levels. In addition, educational experiences do not reflect social reality (Sue, et al. , 1999). What have you learned or experienced previously that may influence your learning or attitude about this course? After reading Experiencing Intercultural Communication (Martin Nakayama, 2008), I gathered a tremendous amount of information pertaining to immigration in regard to the European influence on â€Å"Americans† and how culture was practically depleted with the onset of the first peoples. The United States still has a very far way to go before culture is actually a positive force on society. The majority becoming a minority and the minority becoming a majority will a very new experience for me, but I believe it will be a very positive one now that I have a better understanding of diversity and the population shifts. My attitude toward other cultures is a lot more sensitized, especially after living as a white minority in a pacific island for four years. I have a much greater appreciation for the needs of others and how I can communicate and relate to them. I believe this class will further teach and guide me in the diversity of psychology, the diversity of culture, and the importance of how my future psychology career will impact those I treat. References Casas, J. M. , Pavelski, R. , Furlong, M. J. , Zanglis, I. (2001). Advent of systems of care: Practice and research perspectives and policy implications. In J. F. Ponterotto, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki C. M. Alexander (Eds. ) Handbook of multicultural counseling (2nd ed. ). Sage. Martin, J. Nakayama, T. (2008). Demographic imperative. Experiencing intercultural communication (3rd ed. , pp. 10-14). New York: McGraw-Hill. Sue, D. W. , Bingham, R. , Porsche-Burke, L. (1999). The diversification of psychology: a multicultural revolution. American Psychologist, 54(12), 1061-1069.

Problem Solving Strategies

Problem Solving Strategies The type of problem solving strategy you use depends, in part, on the type of situation you are facing. For instance, finding the answer to a mathematical equation requires different skills than writing an essay on the differences between two philosophers views on religion. Problem solving is considered to be the process of finding solutions to difficult issues.  The type of  problem solving  strategy you use depends, in part, on the type of situation you are facing. For instance, finding the answer to a mathematical equation requires different skills than writing an essay on the differences between two philosophers views on religion. One has a fixed, set answer; the other is subject to interpretation. THE ART OF PROBLEM SOLVING Problem Solving Strategies Below are a few problem-solving strategies, how each works and when they are appropriate: ALGORITHMS. These types of problem-solving techniques rely on a set formula that allows you to arrive at one fixed answer. Good examples of algorithms are mathematical formula and computer programs. HEURISTIC. Heuristic problem-solving tactics are commonly referred to as rule of thumb strategies. These tactics are based on past experience and dont usually arrive at a single, fixed answer. Such problem-solving techniques are used when an exact answer isnt necessary when a range or an approximation is good enough. An example of using a heuristic problem-solving technique is estimating how long it will take you to drive home from campus. If, on previous trips, it has taken between 30 and 35 minutes, its likely that the next trip will take the same amount of time. However, unusually heavy traffic or construction could change this answer. CONSTRUCTIVE CONTROVERSY. This problem-solving technique, developed in the late 1970s, involves presenting your proposed solution to a group of other people, defending your idea, listening to their input and modifying your idea based on their feedback. This approach works well for team projects. INSIGHT. This technique is less structured, but often very effective. This is the let me sleep on it way of solving problems, such as when you awake with an answer to a problem or the answer comes to you in the shower or on the way to class. This technique relies on the subconscious using our past experiences to formulate an answer to a similar problem to those weve dealt with in the past. Since you have no way of knowing if youll arrive at an answer this way, this is obviously a poor technique to use for projects with a deadline. BRAINSTORMING. Brainstorming unleashes the talents of multiple team members on a single project. This technique involves throwing out tentative ideas, discussing each ideas merits and challenges and using the best of these possible solutions to solve the problem. DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Some projects, such as reading an entire text or writing a 5,000-word paper, can seem overwhelming. Dividing those huge projects into smaller, more manageable segments, such as reading a chapter a night or writing 500 words a week, often makes them easy to handle. RESEARCH. This problem-solving tactic makes use of other peoples past experience with similar problems to solve a current problem. As the name implies, this technique involves studying past performances and applying this acquired knowledge to the task at hand. Problem-solving strategies are a necessary part of college, the work environment, and everyday life. The better you become at the different types of strategies and at determining which type to use in which situation, the easier you will find not only your college studies but navigating the world at large. PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS In case you are working on a problem solving assignment, and are having difficulties with it, would be happy to assist. Feel free to contact our writers and they will help you to work through the assignment. Our staff will assign writers with suitable backgrounds and adequate experience. This will result in a paper that is properly written and formatted, with thorough background research and a solid literature base. Feel free to contact us anytime  or place an order and we will gladly help you.