Project 6: Practitioner's Handbook Organizing Chart

(The more details, analysis and real life connections to your own life, your family, friends, lived experiences, media,
current events etc. the better - be sure to explain clearly the connections to the unit and concepts learned in class in
paragraph format in the chart.)

Unit 3 Activity 1: Introduction to Psychology - Prominent Psychologists and Theories

What I’ve learned: What I’ve observed: Questions I have: Insights about how the
course content relates to
what I’ve been observing
(real-life connections):

In this unit, I learned about In my environment, I’ve One question I have is how The course content has
psychodynamic theory, observed how unresolved modern neuroscience could provided me with a deeper
particularly its focus on the childhood experiences can further validate or challenge understanding of the
unconscious mind's role in profoundly affect adult Freud's ideas about the behaviours I observe in
shaping human behaviour, a behaviour and relationships. unconscious mind. Could those around me, especially
concept introduced by For instance, my friend who brain imaging techniques in terms of how early
Sigmund Freud. The theory compulsively washes his reveal how unconscious experiences and
highlights the interactions hands and performs processes operate, and if unconscious conflicts shape
between the id, ego, and ritualistic behaviours like so, how might this change current actions. For
superego, and how these repeatedly opening and our understanding of example, understanding that
components create internal closing a cabinet likely psychodynamic theory? I a friend's compulsive
conflicts that can influence developed these habits as a also wonder how behaviours might stem from
our thoughts, emotions, and way to cope with anxiety psychodynamic theory can unresolved childhood issues
actions. Freud’s idea that stemming from childhood be adapted to be more has helped me empathize
early childhood neglect. This behaviour can culturally sensitive, with their struggles rather
experiences, particularly be seen as a manifestation especially in collectivist than simply seeing these
those involving caregivers, of unresolved unconscious societies where the actions as irrational. This
play a crucial role in forming conflicts, aligning with emphasis on individual perspective also makes me
our unconscious mind was Freud’s idea that early internal conflicts might not more aware of how my own
also emphasized. I explored experiences shape our resonate as much. How can past experiences might
how unresolved conflicts internal world. I’ve also the theory be modified to influence my current
from childhood can lead to noticed that people often incorporate cultural values behaviour and relationships,
anxiety and psychological use defense mechanisms, and social norms better? encouraging me to reflect
issues in adulthood. like repression or denial, to Another question is how on unresolved issues.
Alongside psychodynamic avoid confronting painful psychodynamic concepts Observing colleagues' use
theory, we also covered memories. For example, can be integrated with other of defence mechanisms like
other approaches, including another friend of mine psychological approaches, projection has made me
the biological approach, seems to have completely such as more mindful of how people
which looks at how genetics blocked out traumatic cognitive-behavioural manage their insecurities
and neurochemical events from their past, therapy, which focuses on and internal conflicts in the
imbalances influence which has led to difficulties present thoughts and workplace. The connections
behaviour; the cognitive in forming intimate behaviours. Can these between theory and real-life
approach, which focuses on relationships. These approaches complement examples also emphasize
mental processes like observations highlight the each other in treatment, or the importance of
memory and perception; the theory's relevance in do they fundamentally addressing these
behavioural approach, understanding how conflict? Additionally, I’m unconscious processes in
which examines how our unconscious processes curious about the empirical therapy to achieve lasting
environment and influence daily behaviour. In support for psychodynamic emotional and psychological
experiences shape a work setting, I’ve seen therapy—how can its well-being. I now recognize
behaviour through others project their effectiveness be measured, the value of exploring one's
reinforcement and insecurities onto others, given its focus on subjective past to understand present
punishment; and the criticizing them for traits experiences and behaviour, which is a key
humanistic approach, which they struggle with unconscious processes? aspect of psychodynamic
emphasizes personal themselves. This reflects Finally, I wonder how therapy. Additionally, the
growth and Freud’s concept of psychodynamic theory can insights from other
self-actualization. These projection, where individuals be applied in modern psychological approaches,
diverse theories provide a attribute their own unwanted contexts, such as such as the cognitive and
broader understanding of feelings to others. I’ve also understanding the behavioural models, have
human behaviour, each seen how stress can cause psychological impact of broadened my
offering unique insights and people to regress to earlier social media or other understanding of how
explanations. stages of behaviour, such contemporary stressors. different factors—like
Psychodynamic theory, as an adult acting childishly How can the theory evolve thought patterns and
despite its limitations, under pressure, which to remain relevant in environmental
remains influential, connects to the addressing these new influences—interact with
particularly in therapeutic psychodynamic idea of challenges? unconscious processes.
settings where uncovering regression. These real-life This integrated perspective
unconscious processes can examples illustrate the allows me to see behaviour
lead to emotional growth ongoing influence of as a complex interplay of
and healing. unconscious processes on various influences, rather
behaviour. than the result of a single
factor.

Unit 3 Activity 2: Psychological Motivation for Behaviour

What I’ve learned: What I’ve observed: Questions I have: Insights about how the
course content relates to
what I’ve been observing
(real-life connections):

In studying Genie Wiley's In real life, the impact of One question that arises is The content on Genie
case and applying various early trauma on mental how modern therapeutic Wiley's case and Erik
psychological approaches, health, as seen in Genie approaches might be Erikson's theory directly
I’ve learned that each Wiley's case, is evident in adapted to better address relates to the real-life
approach offers unique individuals who have the needs of individuals like challenges faced by
insights into human experienced prolonged Genie who have missed individuals who have
behaviour. The clinical neglect or abuse. For critical developmental experienced significant
psychology approach example, children who grow periods. Could integrating trauma and developmental
emphasizes the profound up in abusive households techniques from disruptions. Erikson’s
impact of early trauma on often exhibit signs of PTSD, neuroscience and emphasis on the resolution
mental health, highlighting such as hypervigilance, cognitive-behavioural of life-stage conflicts is
disorders like PTSD and anxiety, and difficulty therapy enhance the particularly relevant when
attachment issues. forming secure attachments. effectiveness of considering how Genie’s
Personality psychology In terms of personality interventions for those with lack of early social
sheds light on how social development, I’ve observed severe trauma and interaction and attachment
interaction, or the lack that people who lack early developmental delays? I affected her ability to
thereof, influences social interaction may also wonder how cultural navigate later stages of
personality development, struggle with forming a and environmental factors development. For instance,
showing how isolation can coherent sense of self, influence the outcomes of her difficulties with trust and
prevent the formation of a similar to how Genie such extreme cases—would autonomy mirror the
stable sense of self. displayed fragmented Genie’s developmental conflicts Erikson describes
Abnormal psychology personality traits. Abnormal trajectory have differed if in the early stages of
examines deviations from psychology’s focus on she had been in a different psychosocial development.
typical development, with developmental delays cultural context or had The course content also
Genie's case exemplifying reminds me of children who, access to different reinforces the importance of
severe developmental due to neglect, fail to meet resources? Additionally, I’m early intervention, as seen
delays and abnormal developmental milestones, curious about how Erik in the clinical, personality,
behaviours due to extreme such as speaking or Erikson’s stages of abnormal, and
neglect. Developmental walking, at the expected psychosocial development developmental psychology
psychology, particularly age. From a developmental might apply to individuals approaches, which all
through Erik Erikson's psychology perspective, I’ve who have experienced emphasize the long-term
theory, focuses on the seen how missing critical significant developmental impact of early experiences.
significance of early periods for language or interruptions, like Genie. I’ve observed how isolation
experiences in shaping social bonding can result in How do such cases affects personality
overall development, long-term challenges, much challenge or support development. One of my
emphasizing the critical like Genie’s difficulties with Erikson’s theory, particularly former classmates, who was
periods for language language acquisition and regarding the resolution of homeschooled with limited
acquisition and social forming relationships. In my life-stage conflicts? These social interactions,
bonding. Her case highlights environment, I’ve seen how questions highlight the need displayed social anxiety and
how extreme neglect can untreated trauma can for continued research and struggled with
profoundly impact mental manifest in adulthood. A adaptation of psychological self-expression. This mirrors
health, leading to neighbor who experienced theories and practices. Genie’s experience, where
long-lasting psychological childhood neglect struggles a lack of socialization led to
scars. Clinicians attempted with trust issues and severe underdeveloped social skills
various therapeutic anxiety. Like Genie, their and a fragmented sense of
interventions to help her early experiences have left self. The classmate often
adapt, but her unique needs long-lasting psychological felt out of place in group
made treatment challenging. scars that impact their daily settings, similar to how
These efforts show the life. Despite receiving Genie struggled with
difficulty of addressing therapy, they find it difficult integrating into society. This
deep-seated trauma when to form close relationships real-life example reinforces
early experiences are so or feel safe in social how essential social
severely disrupted. These settings. This connection experiences are for
approaches collectively emphasizes the importance developing a stable
illustrate the complexity of of early therapeutic personality, as isolation can
human behaviour and the intervention, as untreated lead to lasting difficulties in
importance of considering trauma can have profound social engagement and
multiple perspectives to fully effects on mental health. It self-identity. Observing
understand psychological also reflects the long-term individuals who have
phenomena. struggles that individuals experienced neglect or
like Genie face, even with trauma in real life, I see how
professional help. These these psychological
 observations underscore the approaches provide a
importance of early framework for
intervention and the role of understanding and
nurturing environments in addressing their complex
promoting healthy needs, underscoring the
development. necessity of comprehensive
and multifaceted therapeutic
strategies.

Unit 3 Activity 3: Mental Health and Well-being

What I’ve learned: What I’ve observed: Questions I have: Insights about how the
course content relates to
what I’ve been observing
(real-life connections):

Through studying the I’ve observed that anxiety is As I continue to learn about The course content on
DSM-5, I’ve gained a more common than I initially mental health, several mental health and
deeper understanding of thought, manifesting in questions arise. I wonder well-being has revealed
how mental health disorders various ways, such as how different environmental many real-life examples
like Generalized Anxiety excessive worry about factors, such as family related to the challenges of
Disorder (GAD) and everyday tasks, which dynamics or socioeconomic understanding and
Disruptive Mood aligns with GAD. Emotional status, influence the managing disorders like
Dysregulation Disorder instability is also prevalent, development and severity of Generalized Anxiety
(DMDD) are classified and particularly in children and disorders like GAD and Disorder (GAD) and
diagnosed. Erik Erikson’s adolescents, with frequent DMDD. I’m curious about Disruptive Mood
psychosocial theory has mood swings and difficulty the long-term effectiveness Dysregulation Disorder
provided valuable insights regulating emotions of various treatment (DMDD). For instance, I've
into how early life reflecting the symptoms of approaches, such as observed friends who
experiences can lead to DMDD. Stress appears to cognitive-behavioural experience constant worry
mental health issues later in be a significant trigger, therapy (CBT) versus and stress, struggling to
life, particularly when critical exacerbating anxiety and medication, in managing balance school and
developmental stages, such emotional difficulties, these disorders. How do personal life, which aligns
as trust vs. mistrust, are not particularly during cultural differences impact with the symptoms of GAD.
resolved. Freud’s high-pressure situations like the understanding and Additionally, I've seen young
psychodynamic theory has exams. I’ve noticed that treatment of mental health relatives display frequent
furthered my understanding people use different coping issues, and are there emotional outbursts, which
of how unconscious mechanisms, such as specific challenges faced by may be linked to DMDD,
conflicts can influence physical activity or social certain cultural groups in especially in situations
behaviour, offering a deeper support, to manage their accessing mental health where they feel
perspective on the anxiety and mood swings, care? I also question the overwhelmed. The media
persistent anxiety seen in highlighting the importance role of early intervention in often highlights stories of
GAD. The biological of finding healthy ways to preventing the development public figures battling
approach has highlighted cope with stress. Social of severe mental health anxiety, illustrating the
the role of genetics and support plays a crucial role disorders and whether there widespread impact of these
brain chemistry in the in mental health, with are specific strategies that disorders and the
development of these individuals who have strong can be implemented in importance of mental health
disorders, emphasizing the support systems generally schools to support children awareness. Social media
importance of a holistic coping better with their at risk. Lastly, I’m curious can exacerbate anxiety, as
approach to treatment. disorders. I’ve also about the future of mental people constantly compare
Additionally, cognitive observed how early life health treatment and themselves to others,
theories have shown me experiences, such as whether emerging leading to distorted thinking,
how distorted thinking trauma or instability, can technologies, such as much like the cognitive
patterns, such as impact mental health later in teletherapy and AI, will play distortions discussed in the
catastrophizing, contribute life, aligning with Erikson’s a significant role in course. Furthermore, I've
to anxiety, while behavioural theory. Physical health improving access and noticed how the pressure to
approaches have explained seems closely linked to outcomes. succeed in a competitive
how learned responses to mental health, with those environment can contribute
stressors reinforce maintaining regular exercise to emotional instability,
symptoms. Humanistic and healthy eating habits similar to the unresolved
approaches have reminded displaying better mental conflicts Erikson's theory
me of the critical role that well-being. Cognitive describes. My own
empathy and support play in flexibility also appears to be experiences with stress
treatment, particularly for a protective factor, with during exams have made
individuals who do not feel those able to adapt and me more aware of how
understood. Finally, solve problems effectively easily anxiety can take over
understanding the four managing stress and without proper coping
domains of anxiety. I’ve become more strategies. Conversations
well-being—cognitive, critical of how mental health with peers have also shown
emotional, social, and is portrayed in the media, me how common these
physical—has broadened often focusing on extreme issues are, yet they are
my perspective on mental cases and perpetuating often overlooked or
health, emphasizing the stereotypes. Lastly, misunderstood. The course
importance of addressing all reflecting on my own mental has deepened my
aspects of well-being for health, I’ve recognized the understanding of how
overall mental health. importance of balancing all various psychological
four domains of well-being approaches can explain
to maintain overall mental these behaviours and
health. emphasized the importance
of empathy and support in
addressing mental health
challenges. This connection
between academic theories
and real-life experiences
has highlighted the
complexity of mental health
and the necessity of a
comprehensive approach to
treatment and
understanding.

Unit 3 Activity 4: Ethics in Psychological Research

What I’ve learned: What I’ve observed: Questions I have: Insights about how the
course content relates to
what I’ve been observing
(real-life connections):

In studying ethics in I've observed that ethical I wonder how researchers The course content on
psychology experiments, considerations are deeply can strike a balance ethics in psychology
I've learned about the intertwined with research between the need for valid experiments has illuminated
importance of balancing methodologies in and reliable results and the several real-life examples of
scientific inquiry with ethical psychology. For example, imperative to uphold ethical unethical practices,
responsibility. I've explored the Asch conformity standards. This leads me to particularly in the business
key concepts like validity experiment used deception, question whether there are world. For instance,
and reliability, which ensure leading to stress and still situations where businesses often collect and
that research results are discomfort for participants. deception in psychological use consumer data without
credible and consistent. This highlights the ethical experiments might be proper consent, mirroring
Understanding these dilemma of whether the considered ethically the ethical violations seen in
concepts is crucial, as they knowledge gained justifies justifiable. I’m also curious some psychological
determine whether a study's the means used. In real life, about the specific criteria experiments. Companies
findings can be trusted and similar ethical challenges that Institutional Review may track customers' online
applied broadly. The arise in situations like Boards (IRBs) use when behaviour, purchasing
Canadian Code of Ethics for marketing research, where evaluating the ethical habits, or even personal
Psychologists emphasizes consumer data might be viability of a study. Another information, often without
principles like informed manipulated without question I have is how clear disclosure, leading to
consent, avoiding harm, and consent. I've also observed different cultural breaches of privacy and
maintaining integrity in that modern ethical perspectives might influence trust. This unethical practice
research relationships. I've guidelines, like those the interpretation and can result in long-term
reviewed unethical enforced by IRBs, aim to application of ethical consequences, such as the
experiments like the Asch prevent such issues by guidelines in psychology. erosion of consumer trust
conformity study, where requiring transparency and Additionally, I’m interested and potential legal
deception was used, leading respect for participants. The in how researchers can ramifications. Another
to ethical dilemmas. Modern application of mitigate potential long-term real-life example is the use
ethical standards now mixed-methods research, psychological effects on of misleading advertising,
require minimizing combining quantitative tasks participants in experiments where businesses
deception, ensuring with qualitative interviews, that are inherently stressful. exaggerate product benefits
informed consent, and reflects a growing emphasis The balance between or hide potential risks to
prioritizing participants' on understanding the ethical guidelines and the manipulate consumer
well-being. These guidelines emotional and psychological drive for scientific innovation behaviour. This parallels the
prevent long-term impact on participants. The raises another deception used in
psychological harm and ethical principle of "do no concern—how does this experiments like the Asch
enhance the credibility of harm" is evident in how impact the development of conformity study, where
research. The role of experiments are now new psychological theories? participants were misled
Institutional Review Boards designed to minimize stress, Participants' rights are also about the study's true
(IRBs) is vital in reviewing offer support, and ensure crucial, and I wonder how nature. Such practices not
and approving study that participants fully these rights shape the only harm the individuals
designs to meet ethical understand their ethical guidelines for future directly involved but can
standards. involvement. studies. When conducting also create a broader
research involving climate of mistrust. The
vulnerable populations, like course has made me more
children or individuals with aware of these unethical
mental health issues, how practices and their
can the principles of long-term effects,
informed consent be emphasizing the need for
adapted effectively? I'm also integrity in all forms of
 curious about how the research and business
Canadian Code of Ethics for conduct. Just as ethical
Psychologists compares to guidelines in psychology
ethical guidelines in other prevent harm to
countries. Finally, I want to participants, ethical
understand the challenges business practices are
of maintaining ethical essential to maintaining
standards in online or virtual customer trust and ensuring
psychological research, fair treatment. Both fields
where traditional methods of require a strong
oversight might be harder to commitment to
implement. transparency, honesty, and
respect for individuals. This
connection between ethical
principles in psychology and
business has deepened my
understanding of the
universal need for ethical
conduct across various
domains. The importance of
upholding these standards
is clear, as failures in either
field can have far-reaching
negative impacts.

Additional questions and insights:

Additional Questions:

● How do early childhood experiences influence the development of both mental health disorders and personality
traits throughout a person's life?
● What are the ethical considerations when applying psychological theories, such as Freud’s and Erikson’s, to
real-life cases like Genie Wiley?
● How can the four domains of well-being be integrated into educational systems to better support students’ overall
development?
 ● In what ways can understanding different psychological approaches, such as clinical and abnormal psychology,
improve treatment outcomes for disorders like GAD and DMDD?

Additional Insights:

● Early interventions are crucial in preventing the long-term impact of childhood trauma on mental health and
personality development.
● Ethical research practices are essential to protect vulnerable individuals, as seen in the case of Genie Wiley and
modern psychological experiments.
● A holistic approach that includes cognitive, emotional, social, and physical well-being is vital for addressing both
mental health and developmental issues.
● Understanding diverse psychological theories and approaches enriches our ability to diagnose, treat, and support
individuals with complex mental health needs.

References (if additional sources were consulted and used) in APA format:

Bibliography

University, O. S. (2012, May 25). What is the Institutional Review Board (IRB)? | Division of Research and Innovation | Oregon State

University. Research.oregonstate.edu. https://research.oregonstate.edu/ori/irb/what-institutional-review-board-irb