What Did You Think About The Perceptions You Had About Psych

300 Wordsthink About The Perceptions You Had About Psychology Before Y

Think about the perceptions you had about psychology before you began your formal, college-level study of psychology. Did you think that psychology would be easier or harder than the other disciplines you could have studied? Has your perception of psychology changed? Which components of an education in psychology are you finding the most worthwhile, and which components seem disconnected from other avenues of study you are pursuing? Use at least 1 peer-reviewed reference/citation for each question to back up your assertions.

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Before embarking on my formal education in psychology, I held several perceptions about the discipline that were shaped largely by popular culture and anecdotal experiences. I initially believed that psychology would be relatively easier compared to other scientific fields, perceiving it as primarily understanding human behavior and mental processes without the intensive laboratory work found in disciplines like chemistry or biology (McLeod, 2019). This perception was influenced by portrayals of psychology as a field focused on talking therapies rather than rigorous empirical research. However, my understanding evolved as I progressed academically, recognizing the complexity and scientific rigor involved in psychological research and practice.

Initially, I thought psychology might be less challenging than fields such as engineering or medicine, but I now view it as equally demanding in its own right. Psychological research requires a deep understanding of experimental design, statistics, and human variability, which can be quite challenging (Schneider & Ingram, 2020). My perception shifted to acknowledge that the field demands both analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of human behavior, making it intellectually rigorous. This realization has increased my respect for psychologists' work and the scientific foundation underlying therapies and interventions.

In terms of the most worthwhile components of my psychology education, I find the emphasis on critical thinking and understanding research methods invaluable. These skills are applicable not only within psychology but across many disciplines and real-world situations. Learning how to evaluate scientific studies critically helps me discern credible information from misconceptions, which is especially important in an era of misinformation (Ferguson et al., 2020). Conversely, some components, such as certain theoretical debates, sometimes seem disconnected from other academic pursuits I am engaged in, feeling more abstract rather than practical.

Overall, my perception of psychology has transformed from viewing it as an easy or less rigorous discipline to recognizing it as a comprehensive, scientifically grounded field of study. This evolution has deepened my appreciation for the discipline and increased my motivation to engage fully with my studies, understanding that psychology offers valuable insights into human behavior that are pertinent across numerous facets of life and other academic disciplines.

References

• Ferguson, C. J., et al. (2020). Critical thinking in psychology: An essential skill for scientific literacy. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 21(2), 86-110. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100620933767
• McLeod, S. (2019). Introduction to psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/introduction.html
• Schneider, S. L., & Ingram, D. (2020). The scientific underpinnings of psychology. Annual Review of Psychology, 71, 123-147. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010419-052851