Introduction
Four people who are neither psychologists nor psychology majors were interviewed in this interview. They have various ethnic groups and professionals aged between and 18-and 45 years. The first person is a 25-year-old female graphic designer. The second person is a 38-year-old male construction worker. The third person is a 30-year-old female teacher. Finally, another 45-year-old male, a software engineer, was also interviewed. These people were chosen to get various opinions on how non-psychology individuals approach the discipline of psychology.
First Impression of Psychology
In the designer’s first-person s, the female graph shows that she thinks about therapy and counseling. She links psychology with the notion of helping people to overcome emotional and psychological dysfunction. The second person, the male construction worker, stated that he considers behavior and how it influences human actions. He links psychology with comprehending why people behave in a certain way. The third person, the female teacher, said she thinks of mind and mental processes. She relates psychology by studying how the brain functions and impacts human behavior. The fourth person, the male software engineer, mentioned that he thought of research and experiments. Psychology deals with analyzing human behavior through scientific means (Tan et al., 2021).
Foundations of Psychology as a Science.
The first person stated that she considers psychology a science because it entails research and applying evidence-based methods to understand human behavior. The second person also affirmed that psychology is a science because it utilizes scientific methods to investigate and analyze human behaviors. The third person said that psychology is a combination of science and art. She considers that although research and scientific methods are relevant in psychology, the subjectivity of interpreting human conduct is also a part of it. The other person stated that psychology is based on empirical evidence and research methodologies. People believe psychology is scientific from the responses (Tan et al., 2021). The focus on research methods and evidence-based approaches indicates the scientific orientation of this area. The inclusion of the subject aspect implies that psychology also includes objective experiences and interpretations (Tan et al., 2021).
Main Questions in Psychological Inquiry
The first one said that psychologists want to know how people’s emotions work and help individuals improve their emotional state. They also help to answer questions about personality and how it affects behavior (Kumar et al., 2023). The second person stated that psychologists study human thought and interpretation of the world. They also answer questions about motivation and why people act in such a manner. The third person stated that psychologists address child development, learning, and memory questions. They also research trauma and stress impact on mental health(Kumar et al., 2023). The fourth person stated that psychologists want to understand and explain the behavior of human beings, involving issues such as decision-making in a social environment and mental disorders.
One True Discovery in Psychological Studies
The first person said that the truth she believes is that social support is essential for mental health. In passing, she noted that studies have revealed how the support of family or friends aids an individual in managing stress levels and enhancing mental health. The second person stated that he may admit the abovementioned fact to be actual. He said that childhood rearing and family milieu have been studied to reveal a substantial impact on development. The third informant stated that she agrees with the finding that mental health is dependent both upon genes and environment. She stated that scientific research had demonstrated that although genetics contribute to mental health, child-rearing and life encounters are critical aspects (Memirie et al., 2023). The fourth person stated that he believes mindfulness and meditation positively affect mental health. He also noted that studies have revealed that mindfulness reduces stress and improves mental well-being.
Summary
The interviewees for this interview showed different understandings and perspectives relating to psychology. Some saw psychology as therapy and counseling; others spoke of behavior, the mind, and study methods. It was understood that psychology is a science; despite this, some individuals acknowledged the subjective element in interpreting human behavior. The psychologists dealt with several issues touching on emotions, personality cognition development, and mental health. Other areas that they talked about included social support, early experiences, genetics, and environment, as well as the state of mindfulness listed in psychological research, which could be considered valid according to them.
The interviewers and every individual are to be made aware of psychology being an interdisciplinary field. Psychology combines research and scientific methodologies with biology, sociology, and neuroscience. Its results apply to diverse areas of human life, such as psychology and therapeutic practice, pedagogy, or even management in business organizations.
References
Kumar, P., Antony, S., Murthy, P., A. Thirumoorthy, & Philip, M. (2023). Relationship of personality, psychological distress, and substance use with social network characteristics of college going young adults. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(8), 832–838. https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_182_23
Memirie, S. T., Dagnaw, W. W., Habtemariam, M. K., Bekele, A., Yadeta, D., Bekele, A., Bekele, W., Gedefaw, M., Assefa, M., Tolla, M. T., Misganaw, A., Gupta, N., Bukhman, G., & Norheim, O. F. (2022). Addressing the Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDIs) in Ethiopia: Findings and Recommendations from the Ethiopia NCDI Commission. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 32(1), 161–180. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v32i1.18
Tan, M. M. J., Han, E., Shrestha, P., Wu, S., Shiraz, F., Koh, G. C.-H., McKee, M., & Legido-Quigley, H. (2021). Framing global discourses on noncommunicable diseases: a scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05958-0
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