How does specializing in the areas of psychology benefit society or humanity?

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Assignment 2: Areas of Specialization in Psychology

In this assignment, you will learn about the field of psychology, including the many areas of specialization in psychology. Your main post is Due by the due date assigned. Complete your participation for this assignment by through the end of the module.

After completing your readings, lecture notes, and viewing the supplemental videos, consider the wide number of specializations within psychology. Psychologists specialize in many different areas; they study many different facets of human behavior and work with many different populations. The field of psychology is quite large and diverse! Popular specialties include Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology or School Psychology. After learning about these many areas of specialization, answer the following questions:

  1. Pick two areas of specialization; describe what each specialty is about, and what kind of work the psychologist might do. How does this specialty benefit society or humanity?
  2. Imagine beginning your own career in psychology. Choose one of the areas that you think you might enjoy studying or specializing in. Why does this area have so much appeal to you? What would you like to accomplish by specializing in this area of psychology?

Please note, a good initial discussion response should be at least 150–250 words in length.

What type of response might the body and brain be experiencing to manage the stressor?

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Assignment 1: Stress and Coping

Due by the due date assigned, Complete your participation for this assignment through the end of the module.

There are many different types of stress and various impacts that stressful situations can have on all areas of our health. Review these possible stress-provoking situations.

  • Sally is a hardworking young professional who was applauded for her work performance and given more responsibility. After a few months there is a rapid decline in her productivity and she is seen withdrawing from work. Sally’s new manager constantly criticizes her for her lack of productivity, which makes her performance worse, and causes her more worry.
  • Nancy is ready to leave the house for work and spills coffee on her clean work clothes. Then, she finds that her car will not start. When she tries to call for help, she realizes her cell phone is disconnected because she did not pay the bill. She starts to cry.
  • Bob found out that one of his best friends just died. The funeral will be held next week.
  • Tom is called at work and told that he needs to pick up his teenage son from school. This is the second time this year that his son has been sent home for fighting. Tom’s boss is not happy that he requests to leave work early.
  • Tracy, a single mother, finds she doesn’t have enough money left to buy food for her children before her next paycheck in two weeks. This is the third time this year she has struggled to put food on the table.

Choose one situation to evaluate and answer the following questions:

  • Does this represent chronic or acute stress?
  • What type of response might the body and brain be experiencing to manage the stressor?
  • What would be the goal for coping with this stress? (eliminate, reduce, tolerate)
  • What type of coping strategy should be implemented—emotion-focused coping or problem-directed coping? How would the individual employ this approach? In other words, using this type of coping strategy, what could he or she do to cope with the stressor? Give 2 examples.
  • Write 2 “coping self-statements” the individual might make in response to this stressor. You will find some examples of coping self-statements in your textbook.
  • What are some of the potential long-term impacts on this individual’s health if he or she does not find a way to cope with this stressor?

Please be sure you address each question, using terms and concepts from your text. A good initial discussion response should be at least 150–250 words in length.

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    copingwithstress.docx

Describe how the process of memorization works.

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Assignment 1: Applying Memory Research to Learning

Due by the due date assigned. Complete your participation for this assignment through the end of the module.

First review the Memory chapter in your textbook, then respond to all of the following prompts.

  1. Describe how the process of memorization works. Use the terms Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval in your explanation.   
  2. Imagine that you have a son in 7th grade. Your son needs to memorize all the states and their capitals for his social studies class. Based on what you have learned in your text, provide twomemory tips or techniques for your son to use. In each case, provide enough detail to illustrate the technique you are recommending.
  3. State one fact you’ve learned about memory this module that will help you in your own studies.

Please be sure you address each question, using terms and concepts from your text. A good initial discussion response should be at least 150–250 words in length.

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    memory.docx

Of the seven criteria for abnormal behavior, which two do you think are most valid?

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Assignment 1: Discussion: Abnormal Behavior

Due by the due date assigned. Complete your participation for this assignment by through the end of the module.

Your textbook lists seven criteria that psychologists use when labeling someone’s behavior as “disturbed” or “abnormal.” Review the list from your textbook.

Psychologists may use a combination of these criteria for determining that behavior is disturbed or abnormal. Of the seven criteria for abnormal behavior, which two do you think are most valid? Which two are the least valid?

In the discussion below, identify the two most valid criteria and the two least valid criteria. Provide an argument for your position, stating your rationale for your choices.

Please be sure you address each question, using terms and concepts from your text. A good initial discussion response should be at least 150–250 words in length.

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    PSY101_M5A2_Criteria.pdf

how do different theorists explain the same behavior differently

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In developing personality theories, psychologists seek to organize their understanding of a person.  When we can understand a person, we can then help them with their personality issues. Different theorists have different ideas in regards to understanding people; in this week’s prompt, I am asking you to show me that you can see how the theorists differ in their understanding of the same person.

Compare two of the personality theories discussed in Modules 38 & 39, and show how the theory would explain the personality described in the case study of 7-year old Johnny (below).

  • Choose one behavior in Johnny to explain.
  • Choose two theories from the following orientations: psychoanalytic (Freud), humanistic (Rogers), trait (Big 5), or social-cognitive (Bandura).
  • Using your two theorists, explain they would explain Johnny’s behavior.
    • You are using the same behavior in Johnny; your job is to show how different theorists would explain the same behavior differently.
      • be sure to describe the concepts correctly
      • be sure to describe the behavior (Johnny’s behavior) you are applying the theory to

Remember that I am not asking you for your personal opinion about the case, nor am I asking you to “help” Johnny; do not discuss any techniques that might describe how to “treat” Johnny.

Case Study

Johnny is a 7 year old second grader who has two siblings: a younger brother in first grade and a newborn sister. He lives with his mother and father. His father is employed in a low skilled job and his mother stays at home to care for the newborn. Johnny can be extremely argumentative and short tempered with the other students. He doesn’t complete class work or homework. The few instances he did complete some work, it was very sloppy. His 2nd grade teacher, Miss Jones, reports that Johnny has the potential to do much better in class; she is impressed by his oral responses, which shows her that Johnny understands the daily lesson; however, he fails the written work. He has difficulty remaining in his seat, doing independent work, and he lacks organizational skills. Even after conferencing with Johnny’s parents, Johnny’s academic performance did not improve. Miss Jones is also concerned about his temper and his interactions with other children. He has problems on the playground. Other students are complaining he is calling them names; these names usually involve curse words. Johnny is in a constant bad mood. Johnny’s mother said she is concerned with his behavior and recognizes that he is struggling in school. In addition, she says she rarely sees his homework and he doesn’t seem to be bringing any home. He is receiving below average grades in reading and language. His grades in math are worse.

Evaluate what leadership traits you need to incorporate in order to lead your diverse department.

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Imagine that you manage a department in a health care organization of your choosing. The organization recently merged with another, layoffs occurred, and departments are now being consolidated. Your department now has employees whose ages span four generations, three different cultural groups are represented, and conflict is brewing between them. The conflict is affecting performance, shift scheduling, and cooperation with other departments.

Write a 700 word directive to address these conflicts.

Do the following in your directive:

o Assess the situation that your department is facing.

o Create clear and reasonable expectations and goals to achieve cohesion, cooperation, and communication in your department.

o Lay out a strategy to overcome these conflicts and improve workplace performance.

o Explain how success will be measured based on your strategy and goals.

o Consider using tables, matrices, or other visuals.

o Evaluate what leadership traits you need to incorporate in order to lead your diverse department.

Cite at least 3 reputable references to support your assignment (e.g., trade or industry publications, government or agency websites, scholarly works, or other sources of similar quality).

Format your assignment according to APA guidelines.

conduct an interview with the client athlete you’ve been working with

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Assignment 2: Completing the Modified Intake SessionYou have completed your preparations for conducting an interview with a volunteer client athlete.

It’s time to conduct a modified intake interview this week. This assignment is the culmination of your client interview project.

Using the basic counseling skills you have learned in this course, conduct an interview with the client athlete you’ve been working with throughout the course. Your session should be 30 minutes long.

Transcribe a record of your final session and ask your client to also take notes on your performance.Use the following outline as a guide for the interview:Ask your client to describe the issue causing the need for counseling.Use all the counseling skills you have gained so far to attend to your client and gather essential information.

Note any ethical issues of possible concern to you.Use encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing as appropriate.Reflect the client’s feelings.Use empathy to understand your client’s perspective.

Try to gain an accurate understanding of your client’s story and summarize this with the client.

Prepare your volunteer client athlete by:Ensuring that the volunteer reads the original scenario again.Ensuring that the volunteer signs the release form for this interview.

By the due date assigned, place your transcription, your client’s notes, and a two to three page summary into the Submissions Area. All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria Maximum PointsApplied basic counseling skills to elicit issues causing the need for counseling and engaged the client to gather the required information.

16Correctly identified and clearly explained the ethical issues.

8Effectively applied counseling skills of encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing throughout the session.

8Accurately reflected the client’s feelings.

8Used empathy to attend to and validate your client’s perspective.

8Accurately and coherently summarized your client’s story to end your session.

8Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources, displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

4Total:60

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    M1A4PRACTICEINTERVIEWS.doc

Demonstrate the use of empathizing skill to understand the client’s perspective

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Assignment 3: Applying Counseling Skills to a Case Study

In this assignment, complete the following tasks:Read the following fictitious case study and summarize the issue that brought the client to counseling.

Identify the client’s behaviors, emotions, and thinking patterns. In addition, identify how you would apply your encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing skills.Demonstrate how you can reflect the client’s feelings.Finally, using empathy, try to understand your client’s perspective.Note: All aspects of this case study are completely fictional and any resemblance to a real person is coincidental.Gary is a 45-year-old sport surgeon. He has come for counseling because he’s been feeling depressed lately. Gary is gay and has been in a committed relationship with his partner Sam for 15 years. Most of the surgeries he does are for elite athletes who are injured and need joint repair. Gary is an avid golfer, has been a vegetarian for 20 years, and he also enjoys jogging and gardening. Sam, his partner, is a business manager. Their relationship is happy, monogamous, and mutually supportive. Gary’s biological family live in the Seattle area. His father is 80 and is a retired heart surgeon who still teaches part time at a medical university. His mother is 75 and does not work outside the home.

He has two adult sisters with whom he is fairly close. His family knows he is gay and is supportive, as well.Gary has a history of depression dating back to undergraduate school.“I’ve always known I was gay.

When I was about 19, I came out to my family, a couple of friends, and to the golf team at school. This caused conflict with my dad for a couple of months, and my golf team acted weird and distant for a couple of weeks. So, during that time I was really down, sad, and couldn’t sleep or eat. I lost weight, worried about things, kept it all in, and couldn’t concentrate. But then things worked out, and all these relationships were okay over time.”Regarding the second time he was depressed, he stated the following:“I was about 30, and I met my partner.

We moved from Seattle to Arizona. My whole support system was pretty much gone. I felt alone, isolated, sad, and numb. I lost interest in my golf game and put myself on Prozac from samples I took from the cabinet at my clinic.”Once Gary got situated in Arizona, he got a great job at a local hospital, made new friends, felt better, took himself off the Prozac, and was back to himself again.Gary’s current problem started about three weeks ago.“I left the local hospital job after 10 years and went to work at a
world-famous hospital. I’ve always wanted to work there. The money is fabulous, my office is huge and very plush, the equipment is state of the art, but I think I might have made a mistake. Every time I make big changes, I get depressed. It just brings back all those old feelings of change, and I feel shaky all over again.

And I feel so guilty that I should be enjoying this dream job, and I’m just too frozen to celebrate all this success. I’m embarrassed as a doctor that I am feeling sad and depressed again. I should rise above this. After all, I am a doctor.

”After three weeks at the world-famous hospital, he has not told any of his current coworkers or support staff that he is gay. Gary says he is worried that they will find out and not like him.

His sleep is not of great quality. He is not finishing his meals, concentrates okay, and has only played golf once in three weeks even though he actually has more time to play.

He states he is too tired after work to do his gardening. He calls himself a health nut, so he does not drink or smoke, has never tried drugs, and states he is not homicidal or suicidal.For the skills listed below, create a two-column table with the client’s comments or situation on the left and your skill response on the right. Give exact quotes you would use with Gary.

EncouragingParaphrasingSummarizingReflect the client’s feelingsAccurately empathize to understand your client’s perspectiveSummarize the overall icture of the client’s story in narrative format.

Your final response should include a two-column table that is two to four pages in length and a one-page summary of the client’s story. Your document should, therefore, not exceed six pages.

All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.

Present your response in Microsoft Word. Name the file SP6104_M6_A3_lastname_firstinitial.doc. Submit it to the by the due date assigned to the Submissions Area.Assignment 3 Grading Criteria Maximum PointsAccurately identified and summarized the issues that brought the client to counseling.

8Clearly demonstrated the use of encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing skills and accurately provided supporting quotes in the response.

16Accurately identified the client’s behaviors, emotions, and thinking patterns and assessed how you would apply your encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing skills.

8Clearly demonstrated the ability to reflect the client’s feelings and provided a supporting quote in the response.

8Demonstrated the use of empathizing skill to understand the client’s perspective and provided a supporting quote in the response.

8Clearly and logically applied empathy to explain your client’s perspective.

8Logically collated the overall picture of the client’s story in narrative format.

8Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources, displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

8Total:72

Describe the desired outcomes of the new training program/component

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Assignment 3: Effective Organizational Training Programs

Given the changing employee demographics and rapid updates to technology, it is important for organizations to link training and development to the needs and preferences of its workforce. Training facilitates acquisition of new knowledge and skills, and development facilitates the ability to handle future responsibilities. Continual training helps ensure that employees have the skills, information, and motivation required to successfully achieve organizational objectives.

Based on the company you chose for your discussion question this week, create a 10-15 slide PowerPoint presentation which includes the following:

  • Summarize the current organizational training program.
  • Explain why you believe the organization’s current training model is effective or ineffective
  • Present an idea for a new training program or component to the existing training program which would promote employee engagement
  • Explain why the new program or component would be effective
  • Describe the desired outcomes of the new training program/component

The speaker notes section will be used to provide an explanation of each slide. APA format should be followed.

post your assignment to the Submissions Area.

Grading Criteria Maximum PointsSummarized the current organizational training program.15Explained why the current training model is effective or ineffective.20Presented idea for a new training program or component which would promote employee engagement.20Explained why the new program or component would be effective.20Explained the desired outcomes of the new training program/component.15Applied current APA standards for editorial style, expression of ideas, and format of text, citations, and references.10Total:100