How can psychology benefit today's society?
Psychology benefits society in so many ways. Knowledge of psychology is extremely important, no matter it be for your everyday or professional use.Let's define what exactly is psychology.Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given situation.Now, let's put that into context, starting from something small and trivial such as a conflict between you and your coworker for instance. You both have differing perspectives on a certain matter, and lack of knowledge of the other person's stance causes misunderstanding. A person who studied psychology is able to analyze this behavior, and thus find a tactful way to resolve it.In another scenario, perhaps if you were an entrepreneur looking to launch and advertise a product, you would definitely need to research consumers’ mindsets and tendencies to lean towards what items and what form of advertisements, in order to guarantee your product's success.Society is all about interactions with other people and the coming together of everyone's good intentions and ideas to fuel progress that benefits all of us. Psychology is key to understanding the people around you, listening to their problems and their experiences, and keeping them in mind when you pursue an occupation later on that helps the world become a better place to live in.No matter what field you plan on working in, business & technology (creating and selling things that make people's lives easier); medical fields (people live longer and are less at risk of mental illnesses, harmful diseases); or education, psychology will help you bring everyone you are serving closer, help you understand their problems and needs, and make the path to solving them much easier.My two cents!
What psychological disorders are overlooked in modern society?
Not many and the scientific community is hell bent on finding some new ones. We love our labels so we can put everyone into a neat category for later reference, in case there might be a new drug we can try out for a disorder.Let me tell you a little story about “bicycle man,” whose real name is now buried somewhere in the great archives of mankind, not to be retrieved in this lifetime or any other, unless I miss my guess.Bicycle man, despite his handle, walked between San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Bridge, a continuous journey using his bicycle as a sort of crutch to lean on as he made his way. A close examination of the bike proved that both tires were barely inflated and held together by string and bits of cloth. His meager belongings were packed in a bag and slung over the frame.Bicycle man lived off the kindness of strangers who would stop and give him a handout, though he never begged. He looked like he needed a handout. His hair was long and scraggly and matched a long, gray beard which reached his waist. Always, he was seen along coast highway pushing that bicycle, inexorably toward his goal, which was the Golden Gate or San Diego Zoo. These were his stopping places, where he would rest, then turn around and go in the opposite direction.Then a social worker or someone equivalent noticed bicycle man and decided he needed “help.” The police carted him off to a duly appointed facility, where he was bathed, shorn of his locks and beard, suitably attired and interviewed for possible, permanent benefits that would enable him to settle down, all warm and dry in one spot.Was he schizophrenic, schizotypal, schizoid or what? Before he was labeled, another dedicated group of people got a court order and sprung bicycle man, whereupon he was given an old bicycle and sent on his free and easy way.On my frequent trips up the coast, I would spot bicycle man slowly plodding along, stop and give him a few dollars before going on my way. He never spoke.A few years later I read his obituary in the Los Angeles Times. I never forgot the image of him resolutely pushing that old bicycle along at his pace, in his own time and with no one to tell him how to go about it. A free man, on his own terms.
Can we attribute the social and psychological problems of modern society to the fact that society requires people to live under conditions radically different from those under which the human race evolved?
No - for example Mead’s work ascribing an ideal past corrupted by civilisation was shown to be deceptive. The subjects in her study subsequently stated they lied to her Margaret Mead and the Great Samoan Nurture Hoax. So many descriptions of modern life and its woes assume an ideal past.The past was not the perfect existence the question assumes. Life expectancy does not support major changes or differences between eras The life expectancy myth, and why many ancient humans lived long healthy livesThe idea of evolution shaping the lived in world is not as simple as imagined. The idea of epigenetics leads to “But to "select for" certain traits – as opposed to just "selecting" them by not having them die out – wouldn't natural selection have to have some kind of mind?” Oliver Burkeman - Why everything you've been told about evolution is wrong Choices become outcomes for the following generation.What we live and experience is far more shaped in the immediate acts and choices than imagined; we are not the helpless victims.We are not victim, we can choose our actions and reshape our children's future as a result. SeeWhat’s Wrong With Today’s Society? Brutally Honest Illustrations
Why does modern society deny human nature?
Good question, but with complex answers. One of the oldest and most important questions in Western philosophy, having implications especially in ethics, politics and theology...and remains unanswered to the satisfaction of all branches of contemporary science. How fixed is human nature? Nature versus Nurtures debate, the study of human nature encompasses anthropology, sociology, sociobiology, psychology, particularly evolutionary psychology and developmental psychology. The "nature vs nurture" debate is a subtopic in the fields of anthropology, sociology, sociobiology, psychology, and particularly, evolutionary and developmental psychology.
Should i take psychology or sociology?
I think you should take the psychology course. You will learn how to get inside people's heads.
Why do many real world psychologists hate Dr. Phil?
Many psychologist views that he is marketing himself as a psychology and that he is often times on the edge of practicing psychology. Many of his techniques are not effective, many indicates he practices "pop psychology" and much of his advice is not accurate. His extensive usage of advice giving goes against much of what the idea of psychology includes. I have never heard anyone say they hate him, but rather don't agree with him.
How can social psychology be applied to problems in society?
APA's Division 9: Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) welcomes psychologists and allied social scientists who share a common concern with research on psychological aspects of important social issues and social subjects to bring theory and practice into focus on human problems of the group, the community, and the nation, and the increasingly important problems that have no national boundaries. And, while they would only involve social psychology, not be subsumed by it....Division 48: Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence: Peace Psychology Division works to promote peace in the world at large and within nations, communities and families. It encourages psychological and multidisciplinary research, education and training on issues concerning peace, nonviolent conflict resolution, reconciliation and the causes, consequences and prevention of violence and destructive conflict. The division fosters communication among researchers, teachers and practitioners who are working on these issues and are applying the knowledge and methods of psychology in the advancement of peace and prevention of violence and destructive conflict. The division seeks to make connections between all areas of psychological work and peace and welcomes participation from all areas of the discipline.Division 27: Society for Community Research and Action: Division of Community Psychology encourages the development of theory, research, and practice relevant to the reciprocal relationships between individuals and the social system which constitute the community context. The Division supports 23 regional groups promoting communication among community psychologists in six U.S. regions, Canada, Western Europe, and the South Pacific. The Division has formed interest groups in the areas of international community psychology, rural psychology, aging, applied settings, and children and youth (prevention issues). See Divisions of APA.