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Undergraduate Studies  ePortfolio Jennifer Barrios BA in Psychology, 2011
Personal Statement The   area   I   wish   to   specialize   in   is  Clinical and Counseling in Adolescent Psychology. I  want   to   assess   and   treat   adolescents   with   psychological   problems   and   crises .  I   am   very   interested   in  the development and advancement of adolescent psychology as a means of improving the welfare and mental health of youth and their families. I am also interested because I see adolescence as a good time to try guide an individual. Once an individual enters into adulthood, things can be more difficult for both the individual and the treating therapist. Negative mental concepts individuals have developed into deeper stages as in contrast with adolescents where these negative concepts are still in their earlier stages and can still be modified or removed .
Personal Statement I love helping people, and I feel very comfortable in any setting; I am good at communicating effectively with a group, with just one other person, and by using words in writing.  I like talking and listening to others. I think this is crucial for the profession I am pursuing.  I place high importance on values such as: commitment, compassion, connection, determination, encouragement, enthusiasm, focus, persistence, and willingness. All of these values are important in different and most stages of our lives, especially when engaging with other individuals.  Overall, I have a big desire to help pre-adolescents and adolescents because they are the future of our society. I want to help this specific group because they are sometimes very confused and lost when it comes to what they need to do with themselves and they seek very drastic alternate measures to “fix” their situations. I want to help guide them, and I want to help them realize their full potential, and help them focus on their dreams. I need to pursue for higher education in order to obtain the knowledge and tools to achieve these goals in the best way possible.
Resume WORK EXPERIENCE April 2011 – Present  Krohn and Moss, Ltd. (Paralegal)  Preparing and filing documents with various Courts (State and Federal) for a Lemon law practice; Drafting/formatting/typing various legal documents and correspondence; Scheduling appointments and  calendaring case dates; Answering heavy telephones, screening calls, emails and messages; Opening and  closing cases; Indexing cases; and providing translation services.  Also responsible for the oversight of  client services by ensuring rapid response and high satisfaction levels for clients. May, 2009 – April 2011  Tax Lawyers Consulting Group, APC, Los Angeles, CA (Paralegal) Responsible for performing legal research, analyzing, drafting and filing documents related to Federal  Income Tax issues; Drafting and filing various legal documents and correspondence; Scheduling  appointments and calendaring case dates; Answering heavy telephone; Screening calls, emails and  messages; Opening and closing cases; Indexing cases; Also responsible for the oversight of client services  by ensuring rapid response and high satisfaction levels for clients.  May 2008 – May 2009  Barnes’s & Noble, Los Angeles, CA  (Sales Assistant))  Responsible for customer service, ensuring rapid response and high satisfaction levels for all customers.  Providing support regarding availability and locations of products within the store while utilizing  proprietary company software; Answering heavy phones; Inputting data entry; Heavy cash handling;  Providing back up to team members, as needed to meet deadlines and maximize efficiency; Resolving  customer complaints with tact and understanding of customer concerns.  December 2007 – April 2008  Food4Less, Los Angeles, CA (Bookkeeper/Cashier)  Providing support for store manager, including creating daily income/loss report, assisting with general  ledger entries, processing vendor/distributor invoices for payment and other accounting tasks; Data  entry, Answering heavy telephones; Preparing cash pickup;  Researching discrepancies and  communicating corrective action; General customer service .
Resume EDUCATION Argosy University ,  Degree Completion: 2011 Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology specialized in Criminal Justice GPA: 3.99 (President’s and Dean’s List) Platt College , Degree Completion: 2009 Associate of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies  GPA: 3.95 (Dean’s List)  San Carlos State University of Guatemala, School of Law  (2004 – 2007) Guatemala City, Guatemala  Dean’s List SKILLS Bilingual :  Fluent in English and Spanish   (reading, writing and speaking). Computer Knowledge :  Windows 1997, 2003, XP, Vista and Windows 7, MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Word Perfect, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, basic web programming (HTML). Administrative:  General Administration; Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Types 60 Words Per Minute.
Reflection My experience at Argosy has been very different from any other study experiences I have had before. I  interacted with my classmates and instructors through virtual settings and environments. I counted over 100 essays in my PC hard drive. This is something I had never done before. Being an online student has been one of the most intense experiences I have ever lived because I have been in front of the computer at least 70 hours per week because I work full time (40 hours per week) as a Paralegal while being a full time student at Argosy. I have learned that with online schooling you need to be proficient in time management and have strong self discipline. I carried my laptop with me almost 24/7. These are important because accumulated work can become very overwhelming. I also think it has been kind of weird not to interact with people face to face, but I am very into online social networks so I saw my experience at Argosy as another form of social networking. The advantage was that I was learning a lot and obtaining my degree at the same time. I would think twice before recommending this type of learning to any of my friends. Online schooling requires intense reading and writing, and some people might prefer lectures, taking notes and  tests. I love to read and write so  I did not have such a hard time. Overall, I feel that Argosy has helped me expand my critical thinking skills and I have acquired valuable tools for research and interpretation of concepts
Reflection Strengths  Argosy has helped me  analyze the complexities of a given issue however I still need. I am now to compare, contrast, and use information from a variety of sources pertinent to the chosen topic when completing a project in psychology. Thanks to Argosy I know how to correctly summarize the research design, statistical and other evaluative tools, and findings of the article. I have also developed the ability to apply clarity in content, language use, grammar, organization using APA formatting. This construction of ideas helps me develop, apply and defend a particular stance related to psychological concepts in written work. I can also recognize now the subtle breaches in ethical practices in psychology and I feel like I can make good choices of behaviors. I also can engage in multiculturally-sensitive thought and action, and I can recognize subtle forms of discrimination and prejudice within and around psychology. I think it helps a lot that I am from another culture and that I have many friends from different backgrounds. I embrace different culture. I am now able to   synthesize and evaluate various psychological theories, and apply them to explain everyday events and experiences. I can also use psychological principles in solving problems, explaining social issues, and dealing with everyday life situations. Overall, I feel like the knowledge acquired has helped me understand many psychological concepts and I know feel confident when a certain psychological topic is touched or when a situation needs a certain explanation. I think  my GPA will reflect how dedicated and head strong I was during my BA studies even though I has a lot of situations and circumstances going on in my life while I was studying.
Reflection Weaknesses ,[object Object]
I am not a big fan of experimental psychology so research studies and presentations can sometimes make me struggle. I was not a big fan of Psychological Statistics.
There are some ethical situations that I might not be familiar with because I have not been able to be active in the field. Knowing the theory is not enough unless you put it in practice.
I wish I would  have had more time to volunteer while I was studying in order to get a feel of how psychological concepts can be applied to real life situations. My biggest weakness is my lack of familiarity with the practice of the field.
I know that further studies requires further research, and this is something I will still have to struggle with. However, it is something I need to work on due tot he use of research terminology used in the field.
Table of Contents Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Communication Skills: Oral and Written Ethics and Diversity Awareness Foundations of Psychology Applied Psychology Interpersonal Effectiveness
Critical Thinking How   might   your   own   cultural ,  ethnic ,  or   family   values ,  rules ,  or   traditions   be   misinterpreted   as  “ abnormal ”  by   someone   from   a   dissimilar   background ?  Give   examples   in   your   answer . Each   socio - cultural   group   fosters   its   own   cultural   patterns   by   systematically   teaching   its   offspring ,  all   its   members   tend   to   be   somewhat   alike .  In   a   society   characterized   by   a   limited   and   consistent   point   of   view ,  there   are   not   the   wide   individual   differences   that   are   typical   in   a   society   like   ours ,  where   children   have   contact   with   diverse ,  often   conflicting   beliefs .  I   feel   that   even   in   our   society ,  however ,  there   are   certain   core   values   that   most   of   us   consider   essential . Many  clinicians   have   cultural   biases   and   stereptypes   formed   and   that   is   why   they   see   abnormal   behaviors   in   their   eyes .  Abnormal   behavior   is   behavior   that   deviates   from   the   norms   of   the   society   in   which   the   person   lives .  Experiences   such   as   hearing   the   voice   of   a   dead   relative   might   be   regarded   as   normative   in   one   culture  ( e . g .,  in   many   Native   American   tribes ),  yet   abnormal   in   another   cultural   milieu  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  Nonetheless ,  certain   unconventional   actions   and   behaviors   are   almost   universally   considered   to   be   the   product   of   mental   disorder .  Another   example   is   if   of   how   women   from   different   cultures ,  for   instance ,  face   very   different   norms   about   what   constitutes   an   ideal   body   weight  --  and   this   influences   the   course   of   certain   disorders .  Supposedly ,  anorexia   nervosa   is   to   have   biological   underpinnings   and ,  therefore ,  universal ,  but   in   less   industrialized   cultures ,  anorexia   is   rare  ( Vedantam , 2005).  Culture   informs   our   decisions   on   what   we   consider   normal .  If   we   understand   that   our   definition   of   pathological   isn ' t   pathological   in   other   countries ,  we   can   make   better   decisions   on   when   to   treat ,  especially   with   medications  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  There   is   strong   evidence   of   cultural   influences   on   abnormal   behavior ,  and   this   area   of   research   may   yet   answer   many   questions   about   the   origins   and   courses   of   behavior   problems ,  as   well   as   their   treatment  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  References Butcher ,  J . N .,  Mineka ,  S . &  Hooley ,  J . M . (2010).  Abnormal   Psychology .   Pearson   Education ,  Inc .  Boston :  MA .  Vedantam ,  S . (2005).   Patients '  Diversity   Is   Often   Discounted .  The   Washington   Post .  Retrieved   March  12, 2011,  from ,  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500982.html
Critical Thinking Dealing with resistance is a big part of the treatment of involuntary clients. What are some methods of involving clients in their treatment to lessen resistance? Why do you think these would be successful?  Sometimes, despite a counselor’s best efforts, some clients respond negatively to counseling interventions. The behaviors displayed by these difficult clients are referred to as resistance.  In clinical terms, resistance is defined as “a process of avoiding or diminishing the self-disclosing communication requested by the interviewer because of its capacity to make the interviewee uncomfortable or anxious” (Watson, 2006). Client resistance is one of many clinical challenges counselors regularly face.  To make things easier, counselors should understand that resistance is a normal client reaction.  Its presence in session should be expected and not come as a surprise.  Once counselors become familiar with resistance, they can begin to see it for its true therapeutic value.  Client resistance usually signifies that a particularly distressing issue has been brought up with the client.  This issue might be central to the work both counselor and client are trying to achieve (Watson, 2006).
Critical Thinking ( CONTINUATION OF RESISTANCE DISCUSSION) It is important for counselors to recognize client's feelings and thoughts. Unsure of what to expect, clients are asked to enter into a relationship built on trust and intimacy with an individual they have just met for the first time. Also, they have to explore personal issues they might not have shared previously with even their closest friends and family.  This makes opening up to the counselor very hard. For involuntary clients, they have been coerced into treatment, and as a result they are not willing to fully commit themselves to the process, and given these situtions it is only natural that some clients feel a sense of resistance toward the counseling process (Watson, 2006).  I also think it would help if counselors knew why clients are resistant, because it could be that each client is resistant due to different reasons. An understanding of how resistance is seen in different situations may help the counselor better understand the reasons behind a client’s difficult attitude during the counseling process (Watson, 2006). For example, some see and use resistance as a defense mechanism because it is the client’s attempt to block or repress anxiety-provoking memories and insights from entering conscious awareness.  My therapist told me I used to resist because of this at the beginning of therapy.
Critical Thinking ( CONTINUATION OF RESISTANCE DISCUSSION) Another reason a client exhibits resistant behaviors might be because he/she (a) lacks the necessary skills or knowledge needed to follow behavioral assignments, (b) have negative expectations or beliefs regarding their counseling outcomes, and (c) are subject to undesirable environmental conditions (Watson, 2006).  Ultimately, the client’s resistance is seen as an obstruction or obstacle to successful goal attainment.  Rather than avoiding the issue, researchers suggest that client resistance should be addressed.  Counselors need to employ a variety of strategies to productively use the client’s resistance to move therapy forward (Watson, 2006).  References Argosy University.(2011).  Module 5: group intervention.  Retrieved June 8, 2011 from  http://myeclassonline.com Mitchell, C.W. (2011).  Effective techniques for dealing with highly resistant clients . Retrieved June 8, 2011 from  https://learn4health.com/online-courses/effective-techniques-for-dealing-with-highly-resistant-clients-part-one Watson, J. C. (2006).  Addressing client resistance: recognizing and processing in-session occurrences . Mississippi State: University Meridian Campus. Retrieved June 8, 2011 fromhttp://counselingoutfitters.com/Watson.htm
Critical Thinking How   might   your   own   cultural ,  ethnic ,  or   family   values ,  rules ,  or   traditions   be   misinterpreted   as  “ abnormal ”  by   someone   from   a   dissimilar   background ?  Give   examples   in   your   answer . Each   socio - cultural   group   fosters   its   own   cultural   patterns   by   systematically   teaching   its   offspring ,  all   its   members   tend   to   be   somewhat   alike .  In   a   society   characterized   by   a   limited   and   consistent   point   of   view ,  there   are   not   the   wide   individual   differences   that   are   typical   in   a   society   like   ours ,  where   children   have   contact   with   diverse ,  often   conflicting   beliefs .  I   feel   that   even   in   our   society ,  however ,  there   are   certain   core   values   that   most   of   us   consider   essential . Many  clinicians   have   cultural   biases   and   stereptypes   formed   and   that   is   why   they   see   abnormal   behaviors   in   their   eyes .  Abnormal   behavior   is   behavior   that   deviates   from   the   norms   of   the   society   in   which   the   person   lives .  Experiences   such   as   hearing   the   voice   of   a   dead   relative   might   be   regarded   as   normative   in   one   culture  ( e . g .,  in   many   Native   American   tribes ),  yet   abnormal   in   another   cultural   milieu  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  Nonetheless ,  certain   unconventional   actions   and   behaviors   are   almost   universally   considered   to   be   the   product   of   mental   disorder .  Another   example   is   if   of   how   women   from   different   cultures ,  for   instance ,  face   very   different   norms   about   what   constitutes   an   ideal   body   weight  --  and   this   influences   the   course   of   certain   disorders .  Supposedly ,  anorexia   nervosa   is   to   have   biological   underpinnings   and ,  therefore ,  universal ,  but   in   less   industrialized   cultures ,  anorexia   is   rare  ( Vedantam , 2005).  Culture   informs   our   decisions   on   what   we   consider   normal .  If   we   understand   that   our   definition   of   pathological   isn ' t   pathological   in   other   countries ,  we   can   make   better   decisions   on   when   to   treat ,  especially   with   medications  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  There   is   strong   evidence   of   cultural   influences   on   abnormal   behavior ,  and   this   area   of   research   may   yet   answer   many   questions   about   the   origins   and   courses   of   behavior   problems ,  as   well   as   their   treatment  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  References Butcher ,  J . N .,  Mineka ,  S . &  Hooley ,  J . M . (2010).  Abnormal   Psychology .   Pearson   Education ,  Inc .  Boston :  MA .  Vedantam ,  S . (2005).   Patients '  Diversity   Is   Often   Discounted .  The   Washington   Post .  Retrieved   March  12, 2011,  from ,  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500982.html
Ethics and Diversity Awareness Why   is   culture   an   important   consideration   in   the   interview ,  assessment ,  and   diagnostic   process ? I   feel   that   culture   is   very   important   to   keep   in   mind   because   certain   forms   of   psychopathology   appear   to   be   highly   specific   to   certain   cultures .  It   is   like   they   are   found   only   in   certain   areas   of   the   world ,  and   seem   to   be   highly   linked   to   culturally   bound   concerns  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  I   think   that   therapist   and   clinicians   need   to   be   aware   of   how   people ’ s   cultural ,  ethnic ,  socioeconomic ,  and   family   backgrounds   can   shape   their   views   of   personal   problems   and   the   world   in   order   to   address   the   mental   disorder   and   counseling   methods .  Acknowledging   the   importance   of   cultural   factors   in   diagnosing   patients   can   help   the   therapist   to   address   the   disorders   in   a   more   efficient   manner .  If   the   clinician   attends   an   individual ’ s   cultural   identity   it   can   lead   to   possible   cultural   explanations   for   an   individual ’ s   disorder ,  and   even   to   cultural   factors   that   might   affect   that   clinician ’ s   relationship   with   the   individual .  It   is   good   for   the   therapist   in   the   interview ,  assessment   and   diagnostic   process   to   do   some   research ,  and   to   find   out   about   the   culture - bound   syndromes   that   usually   occur   only   in   specific   societies   or   cultural   areas .  I   think   that   c ulture   and   the   environment   play   a   huge   role   in   why   people   develop   emotional   problems ,  what   treatments   they   respond   to   and   whether   they   recover .  
Ethics and Diversity Awareness How   might   your   own   cultural ,  ethnic ,  or   family   values ,  rules ,  or   traditions   be   misinterpreted   as  “ abnormal ”  by   someone   from   a   dissimilar   background ?  Give   examples   in   your   answer . Each   socio - cultural   group   fosters   its   own   cultural   patterns   by   systematically   teaching   its   offspring ,  all   its   members   tend   to   be   somewhat   alike .  In   a   society   characterized   by   a   limited   and   consistent   point   of   view ,  there   are   not   the   wide   individual   differences   that   are   typical   in   a   society   like   ours ,  where   children   have   contact   with   diverse ,  often   conflicting   beliefs .  I   feel   that   even   in   our   society ,  however ,  there   are   certain   core   values   that   most   of   us   consider   essential . I   feel   that   many   clinicians   have   cultural   biases   and   stereptypes   formed   and   that   is   why   they   see   abnormal   behaviors   in   their   eyes .  Abnormal   behavior   is   behavior   that   deviates   from   the   norms   of   the   society   in   which   the   person   lives . W omen   from   different   cultures ,  for   instance ,  face   very   different   norms   about   what   constitutes   an   ideal   body   weight  --  and   this   influences   the   course   of   certain   disorders .  Supposedly ,  anorexia   nervosa   is   to   have   biological   underpinnings   and ,  therefore ,  universal ,  but   in   less   industrialized   cultures ,  anorexia   is   rare  ( Vedantam , 2005).  Culture   informs   our   decisions   on   what   we   consider   normal . If   we   understand   that   our   definition   of   pathological   isn ' t   pathological   in   other   countries ,  we   can   make   better   decisions   on   when   to   treat ,  especially   with   medications  ( Butcher ,  et   al , 2010).  References Butcher, J.N., Mineka, S. & Hooley, J.M. (2010).  Abnormal Psychology.  Pearson Education, Inc. Boston: MA. Vedantam, S. (2005).  Patients' Diversity Is Often Discounted . The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2011, from,  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500982.html
Ethics and Diversity Awareness INTERVENTION AND ETHICS There   are   many   ethical   concerns   to   take   into   account   with   interventions .  One   concern   surrounding   interventions   is   informed   consent ,  which   refers   to   a   patient   agreeing   to   or   consenting   to   intervention   and   subsequent   treatment  ( Argosy   University , 2010).  Ethically ,  healthcare   professionals   are   bound   to   respect   participants ’  addiction   treatment - seeking   decisions ,  and   therefore   cannot   force   treatment   onto   unwilling   participants   unless   they   represent   a   threat   to   themselves   or   others  ( Lim , 2010).  Professional   ethics   and   legal   precedents   suggest   that   informed   consent   is   the   beginning   of   an   intervention  ( Argosy   University , 2010).  Sometimes   coercive   tactics   are   characteristic   of   interventions  ( Lim , 2010)  and   this   in   itself   is   ethical   because   nobody ,  not   even   an   addict ,  should   be   forced   to   do   something   they   do   not   wish   to   do ,  unless   their   life   is   really   in   severe   danger .  The   couple ’ s   initial   response   to   confrontation   is   to   leave   the   intervention   and   escape .  Eventually   they   might   submit   to   social   pressure   and   undergoes   treatment .  This   separation   between   personal   motivation   and   rehabilitation   entry   is   an   ethical   issue   to   consider  ( Lim , 2010).  Several   studies   have   suggested   the   importance   of   the   association   between   internal   desire   to   reduce   or   change   addictive   behavior   and   long - term   recovery  ( Lim , 2010).
Ethics and Diversity Awareness Another   ethical   concern   is   privacy .  Professionals   should   exercise   caution   when   sharing   information ,  particularly   with   the   patient ’ s   place   of   employment   or   in   community   settings ,  where   the   patient ’ s   confidentiality   may   be   breached  ( Argosy   University , 2010).  Professionals   involved   in   a   potential   patient ’ s   intervention   should   also   not   directly   benefit   from   the   intervention   or   proposed   treatment   program .  For   example ,  the   director   of   an   expensive   residential   treatment   program   should   not   be   placed   in   the   position   of   directing   the   intervention  ( Argosy   University , 2010). References Argosy   University . (2010).  Module  7:  various   treatment   strategies .  Retrieved   August  14, 2010,  from ,  http :// myeclassonline . com / re / DotNextLaunch . asp ? courseid Drug   and   Alcohol   Treatment   Centers . (2010).   Addiction   intervention .  Retrieved   August  14, 2010,  from ,  http :// www . treatment - centers . net / addiction - intervention . html Lim ,  A . (2010).  The   force   of   intervention .  Retrieved   August  14, 2010,  from ,  http :// www . basisonline . org / Narcanon   of   Southern   California . (2010).  Drug   intervention .   Retrieved   August  14, 2010,  from ,  http :// www . addictionca . com / drug - intervention . htm
Foundations of Psychology Addiction   intervention   is   a   pre - planned   attempt   by   one   or   many   people   such   as   family ,  friends ,  co - workers ,  or   even   neighbors   to   get   the   addict   to   seek   professional  addiction   treatment ,  and   to   enter   a   rehabilitation   treatment   center .    Often   interventions   are   held   by   family   members   and   close   friends   and   take   place   when   other   approaches   to   have   the   addict   getting   help   have   been   unsuccessful  ( Drug   and   Alcohol   Treatment   Centers , 2010).  It   would   be   best   for   the   interventionist   to   get   all   the   facts   about   the   addiction   the   couple   is   bound   to   before   talking   to   them .  The   intervention   needs   to   be   done   at   the   right   time   and   place ,  preferably   when   the   addict   is   sober   and   in   a   calming ,  private   place  ( Drug   and   Alcohol   Treatment   Centers , 2010).  An   effective   intervention   should   be   well   planned   and   should   include   as   many   caring ,  invested   individuals   from   a   substance   abuser ’ s   personal   and   professional   life   as   possible  ( Argosy   University , 2010).  In   this   case   it   would   be   very   good   to   alert   the   couple ’ s   family   and   friends   so   they   can   provide   as   much   support   as   possible .
Foundations of Psychology The   interventionist   needs   to   plan   what   he   or   she   is   going   to   say  &  mentally   prepare   for   the   intervention  ( Drug   and   Alcohol   Treatment   Centers , 2010)  because   their   most   likely   will   be   great   opposition   from   the   couple .  He   or   she   needs   to   convey   affection   and   respect   to   the   couple   in   order   to   not   make   them   feel   less   because   they   have   their   addiction .  The   interventionist   needs   to   express   concern .  Successful   interventions ,  which   are   presented   in   the   spirit   of   love ,  care   and   concern ,  many   times   are   referred   to   as  “ carefrontation   versus   confrontation ” ( Drug   and   Alcohol   Treatment   Centers , 2010).  Therapists   should ,  however ,  take   care   to   not   embarrass   or   humiliate   the   substance   abusers .  The   primary   objective   is   to   provide   a   caring   and   supporting   environment   where   loved   ones   provide   clear   evidence   of   how   the   substance   abusers ’  substance   use   is   hurting   them   and   those   around   them .  As   stated   earlier ,  the   goal   of   an   intervention   is   twofold :  challenge   a   substance   abuser ’ s   system   of   denial ,  and   immediately   secure   treatment . References Argosy University. (2010).  Module 7: various treatment strategies . Retrieved August 14, 2010, from, http://myeclassonline.com/re/DotNextLaunch.asp?courseid Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers. (2010).   Addiction intervention.  Retrieved August 14, 2010, from, http://www.treatment-centers.net/addiction-intervention.html
Applied Psychology Do you believe in "repressed memory or not? I do believe in repressed memory.  A   person   subjected   to   a   traumatic   event   can   use   a   variety   of   psychological   mechanisms   to   cope   with   the   trauma .  In   some   instances ,  particularly   if   the   event   occurs   at   an   early   age ,  these   coping   mechanisms   could   result   in   an   individual   not   remembering  ( repressing )  that   the   event   ever   occurred  ( Blommer , 2007). I have had repressed memories myself and I know they have not been made up or placed in my mind by someone else like the controversy holds, because I have been able to confirm these memories with third parties. I also believe that repression is a strong defense mechanism  where   one   pushes   painful   or   dangerous   thoughts   out   of   consciousness ,  keeping   them   unconscious  ( Maisto , 2008).  Repression   is   considered   to   be   the   most   basic   of   the   defense   mechanisms  ( Maisto , 2008).  Defense   mechanism   from   what ?  From   anxiety ,  emotional   pain ,  and / or   emotional   instability .  Sometimes   the   repression   does   not   last   forever ,  though ,  and   that   memory   that   one   is   trying   to   forget   or   make   disappear   can   make   its   way   to   our   mental   surface   and   cause   the   person   to   remember   and   relive .  I agree with m any   psychologists   that   believe   that   individuals   can   recover   some   past   memories ,  but   the   memories   cannot   be   recovered   in   their   pristine   form  ( Argosy   University , 2010).  It   is   also   true   that   during   the   process   of   reconstruction ,  the   memories   can   get   distorted  ( Argosy   University , 2010).  But   I   believe   the   base   form   of   the   memory   is   the   important   part .  Some   people   believe   that   little   details   are   not   so   much   of   a   deal   when   it   comes   to   reliving   a   traumatic   event .  It   is   believed   that   he   main   event   in   the   memory   is   really   all   what   should   matter  ( Maisto , 2008).  Yet ,  if   there   is   a   way   that   these   memories   can   be   confirmed   or   made   valid ,  I   do   believe   they   should   be   given   initial   consideration .  I   believe   that   nowadays   there   are   ways   to   prove   the   validity   of   such   memories .  If   the   offender   or   creator   of   such   memories   is   alive   this   person   can   be   put   under   a   lying   detection   machine   to   corroborate   if   these   memories   are   true .

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ePortfolio

  • 1. Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Jennifer Barrios BA in Psychology, 2011
  • 2. Personal Statement The area I wish to specialize in is Clinical and Counseling in Adolescent Psychology. I want to assess and treat adolescents with psychological problems and crises . I am very interested in the development and advancement of adolescent psychology as a means of improving the welfare and mental health of youth and their families. I am also interested because I see adolescence as a good time to try guide an individual. Once an individual enters into adulthood, things can be more difficult for both the individual and the treating therapist. Negative mental concepts individuals have developed into deeper stages as in contrast with adolescents where these negative concepts are still in their earlier stages and can still be modified or removed .
  • 3. Personal Statement I love helping people, and I feel very comfortable in any setting; I am good at communicating effectively with a group, with just one other person, and by using words in writing. I like talking and listening to others. I think this is crucial for the profession I am pursuing. I place high importance on values such as: commitment, compassion, connection, determination, encouragement, enthusiasm, focus, persistence, and willingness. All of these values are important in different and most stages of our lives, especially when engaging with other individuals. Overall, I have a big desire to help pre-adolescents and adolescents because they are the future of our society. I want to help this specific group because they are sometimes very confused and lost when it comes to what they need to do with themselves and they seek very drastic alternate measures to “fix” their situations. I want to help guide them, and I want to help them realize their full potential, and help them focus on their dreams. I need to pursue for higher education in order to obtain the knowledge and tools to achieve these goals in the best way possible.
  • 4. Resume WORK EXPERIENCE April 2011 – Present  Krohn and Moss, Ltd. (Paralegal) Preparing and filing documents with various Courts (State and Federal) for a Lemon law practice; Drafting/formatting/typing various legal documents and correspondence; Scheduling appointments and calendaring case dates; Answering heavy telephones, screening calls, emails and messages; Opening and closing cases; Indexing cases; and providing translation services. Also responsible for the oversight of client services by ensuring rapid response and high satisfaction levels for clients. May, 2009 – April 2011  Tax Lawyers Consulting Group, APC, Los Angeles, CA (Paralegal) Responsible for performing legal research, analyzing, drafting and filing documents related to Federal Income Tax issues; Drafting and filing various legal documents and correspondence; Scheduling appointments and calendaring case dates; Answering heavy telephone; Screening calls, emails and messages; Opening and closing cases; Indexing cases; Also responsible for the oversight of client services by ensuring rapid response and high satisfaction levels for clients. May 2008 – May 2009  Barnes’s & Noble, Los Angeles, CA (Sales Assistant)) Responsible for customer service, ensuring rapid response and high satisfaction levels for all customers. Providing support regarding availability and locations of products within the store while utilizing proprietary company software; Answering heavy phones; Inputting data entry; Heavy cash handling; Providing back up to team members, as needed to meet deadlines and maximize efficiency; Resolving customer complaints with tact and understanding of customer concerns. December 2007 – April 2008  Food4Less, Los Angeles, CA (Bookkeeper/Cashier) Providing support for store manager, including creating daily income/loss report, assisting with general ledger entries, processing vendor/distributor invoices for payment and other accounting tasks; Data entry, Answering heavy telephones; Preparing cash pickup; Researching discrepancies and communicating corrective action; General customer service .
  • 5. Resume EDUCATION Argosy University , Degree Completion: 2011 Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology specialized in Criminal Justice GPA: 3.99 (President’s and Dean’s List) Platt College , Degree Completion: 2009 Associate of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies GPA: 3.95 (Dean’s List) San Carlos State University of Guatemala, School of Law (2004 – 2007) Guatemala City, Guatemala Dean’s List SKILLS Bilingual : Fluent in English and Spanish (reading, writing and speaking). Computer Knowledge : Windows 1997, 2003, XP, Vista and Windows 7, MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Word Perfect, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, basic web programming (HTML). Administrative: General Administration; Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Types 60 Words Per Minute.
  • 6. Reflection My experience at Argosy has been very different from any other study experiences I have had before. I interacted with my classmates and instructors through virtual settings and environments. I counted over 100 essays in my PC hard drive. This is something I had never done before. Being an online student has been one of the most intense experiences I have ever lived because I have been in front of the computer at least 70 hours per week because I work full time (40 hours per week) as a Paralegal while being a full time student at Argosy. I have learned that with online schooling you need to be proficient in time management and have strong self discipline. I carried my laptop with me almost 24/7. These are important because accumulated work can become very overwhelming. I also think it has been kind of weird not to interact with people face to face, but I am very into online social networks so I saw my experience at Argosy as another form of social networking. The advantage was that I was learning a lot and obtaining my degree at the same time. I would think twice before recommending this type of learning to any of my friends. Online schooling requires intense reading and writing, and some people might prefer lectures, taking notes and tests. I love to read and write so I did not have such a hard time. Overall, I feel that Argosy has helped me expand my critical thinking skills and I have acquired valuable tools for research and interpretation of concepts
  • 7. Reflection Strengths Argosy has helped me analyze the complexities of a given issue however I still need. I am now to compare, contrast, and use information from a variety of sources pertinent to the chosen topic when completing a project in psychology. Thanks to Argosy I know how to correctly summarize the research design, statistical and other evaluative tools, and findings of the article. I have also developed the ability to apply clarity in content, language use, grammar, organization using APA formatting. This construction of ideas helps me develop, apply and defend a particular stance related to psychological concepts in written work. I can also recognize now the subtle breaches in ethical practices in psychology and I feel like I can make good choices of behaviors. I also can engage in multiculturally-sensitive thought and action, and I can recognize subtle forms of discrimination and prejudice within and around psychology. I think it helps a lot that I am from another culture and that I have many friends from different backgrounds. I embrace different culture. I am now able to synthesize and evaluate various psychological theories, and apply them to explain everyday events and experiences. I can also use psychological principles in solving problems, explaining social issues, and dealing with everyday life situations. Overall, I feel like the knowledge acquired has helped me understand many psychological concepts and I know feel confident when a certain psychological topic is touched or when a situation needs a certain explanation. I think my GPA will reflect how dedicated and head strong I was during my BA studies even though I has a lot of situations and circumstances going on in my life while I was studying.
  • 8.
  • 9. I am not a big fan of experimental psychology so research studies and presentations can sometimes make me struggle. I was not a big fan of Psychological Statistics.
  • 10. There are some ethical situations that I might not be familiar with because I have not been able to be active in the field. Knowing the theory is not enough unless you put it in practice.
  • 11. I wish I would have had more time to volunteer while I was studying in order to get a feel of how psychological concepts can be applied to real life situations. My biggest weakness is my lack of familiarity with the practice of the field.
  • 12. I know that further studies requires further research, and this is something I will still have to struggle with. However, it is something I need to work on due tot he use of research terminology used in the field.
  • 13. Table of Contents Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Communication Skills: Oral and Written Ethics and Diversity Awareness Foundations of Psychology Applied Psychology Interpersonal Effectiveness
  • 14. Critical Thinking How might your own cultural , ethnic , or family values , rules , or traditions be misinterpreted as “ abnormal ” by someone from a dissimilar background ? Give examples in your answer . Each socio - cultural group fosters its own cultural patterns by systematically teaching its offspring , all its members tend to be somewhat alike . In a society characterized by a limited and consistent point of view , there are not the wide individual differences that are typical in a society like ours , where children have contact with diverse , often conflicting beliefs . I feel that even in our society , however , there are certain core values that most of us consider essential . Many clinicians have cultural biases and stereptypes formed and that is why they see abnormal behaviors in their eyes . Abnormal behavior is behavior that deviates from the norms of the society in which the person lives . Experiences such as hearing the voice of a dead relative might be regarded as normative in one culture ( e . g ., in many Native American tribes ), yet abnormal in another cultural milieu ( Butcher , et al , 2010). Nonetheless , certain unconventional actions and behaviors are almost universally considered to be the product of mental disorder . Another example is if of how women from different cultures , for instance , face very different norms about what constitutes an ideal body weight -- and this influences the course of certain disorders . Supposedly , anorexia nervosa is to have biological underpinnings and , therefore , universal , but in less industrialized cultures , anorexia is rare ( Vedantam , 2005). Culture informs our decisions on what we consider normal . If we understand that our definition of pathological isn ' t pathological in other countries , we can make better decisions on when to treat , especially with medications ( Butcher , et al , 2010). There is strong evidence of cultural influences on abnormal behavior , and this area of research may yet answer many questions about the origins and courses of behavior problems , as well as their treatment ( Butcher , et al , 2010). References Butcher , J . N ., Mineka , S . & Hooley , J . M . (2010). Abnormal Psychology . Pearson Education , Inc . Boston : MA . Vedantam , S . (2005). Patients ' Diversity Is Often Discounted . The Washington Post . Retrieved March 12, 2011, from , http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500982.html
  • 15. Critical Thinking Dealing with resistance is a big part of the treatment of involuntary clients. What are some methods of involving clients in their treatment to lessen resistance? Why do you think these would be successful? Sometimes, despite a counselor’s best efforts, some clients respond negatively to counseling interventions. The behaviors displayed by these difficult clients are referred to as resistance. In clinical terms, resistance is defined as “a process of avoiding or diminishing the self-disclosing communication requested by the interviewer because of its capacity to make the interviewee uncomfortable or anxious” (Watson, 2006). Client resistance is one of many clinical challenges counselors regularly face. To make things easier, counselors should understand that resistance is a normal client reaction. Its presence in session should be expected and not come as a surprise. Once counselors become familiar with resistance, they can begin to see it for its true therapeutic value. Client resistance usually signifies that a particularly distressing issue has been brought up with the client. This issue might be central to the work both counselor and client are trying to achieve (Watson, 2006).
  • 16. Critical Thinking ( CONTINUATION OF RESISTANCE DISCUSSION) It is important for counselors to recognize client's feelings and thoughts. Unsure of what to expect, clients are asked to enter into a relationship built on trust and intimacy with an individual they have just met for the first time. Also, they have to explore personal issues they might not have shared previously with even their closest friends and family. This makes opening up to the counselor very hard. For involuntary clients, they have been coerced into treatment, and as a result they are not willing to fully commit themselves to the process, and given these situtions it is only natural that some clients feel a sense of resistance toward the counseling process (Watson, 2006). I also think it would help if counselors knew why clients are resistant, because it could be that each client is resistant due to different reasons. An understanding of how resistance is seen in different situations may help the counselor better understand the reasons behind a client’s difficult attitude during the counseling process (Watson, 2006). For example, some see and use resistance as a defense mechanism because it is the client’s attempt to block or repress anxiety-provoking memories and insights from entering conscious awareness. My therapist told me I used to resist because of this at the beginning of therapy.
  • 17. Critical Thinking ( CONTINUATION OF RESISTANCE DISCUSSION) Another reason a client exhibits resistant behaviors might be because he/she (a) lacks the necessary skills or knowledge needed to follow behavioral assignments, (b) have negative expectations or beliefs regarding their counseling outcomes, and (c) are subject to undesirable environmental conditions (Watson, 2006). Ultimately, the client’s resistance is seen as an obstruction or obstacle to successful goal attainment. Rather than avoiding the issue, researchers suggest that client resistance should be addressed. Counselors need to employ a variety of strategies to productively use the client’s resistance to move therapy forward (Watson, 2006). References Argosy University.(2011). Module 5: group intervention. Retrieved June 8, 2011 from http://myeclassonline.com Mitchell, C.W. (2011). Effective techniques for dealing with highly resistant clients . Retrieved June 8, 2011 from https://learn4health.com/online-courses/effective-techniques-for-dealing-with-highly-resistant-clients-part-one Watson, J. C. (2006). Addressing client resistance: recognizing and processing in-session occurrences . Mississippi State: University Meridian Campus. Retrieved June 8, 2011 fromhttp://counselingoutfitters.com/Watson.htm
  • 18. Critical Thinking How might your own cultural , ethnic , or family values , rules , or traditions be misinterpreted as “ abnormal ” by someone from a dissimilar background ? Give examples in your answer . Each socio - cultural group fosters its own cultural patterns by systematically teaching its offspring , all its members tend to be somewhat alike . In a society characterized by a limited and consistent point of view , there are not the wide individual differences that are typical in a society like ours , where children have contact with diverse , often conflicting beliefs . I feel that even in our society , however , there are certain core values that most of us consider essential . Many clinicians have cultural biases and stereptypes formed and that is why they see abnormal behaviors in their eyes . Abnormal behavior is behavior that deviates from the norms of the society in which the person lives . Experiences such as hearing the voice of a dead relative might be regarded as normative in one culture ( e . g ., in many Native American tribes ), yet abnormal in another cultural milieu ( Butcher , et al , 2010). Nonetheless , certain unconventional actions and behaviors are almost universally considered to be the product of mental disorder . Another example is if of how women from different cultures , for instance , face very different norms about what constitutes an ideal body weight -- and this influences the course of certain disorders . Supposedly , anorexia nervosa is to have biological underpinnings and , therefore , universal , but in less industrialized cultures , anorexia is rare ( Vedantam , 2005). Culture informs our decisions on what we consider normal . If we understand that our definition of pathological isn ' t pathological in other countries , we can make better decisions on when to treat , especially with medications ( Butcher , et al , 2010). There is strong evidence of cultural influences on abnormal behavior , and this area of research may yet answer many questions about the origins and courses of behavior problems , as well as their treatment ( Butcher , et al , 2010). References Butcher , J . N ., Mineka , S . & Hooley , J . M . (2010). Abnormal Psychology . Pearson Education , Inc . Boston : MA . Vedantam , S . (2005). Patients ' Diversity Is Often Discounted . The Washington Post . Retrieved March 12, 2011, from , http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500982.html
  • 19. Ethics and Diversity Awareness Why is culture an important consideration in the interview , assessment , and diagnostic process ? I feel that culture is very important to keep in mind because certain forms of psychopathology appear to be highly specific to certain cultures . It is like they are found only in certain areas of the world , and seem to be highly linked to culturally bound concerns ( Butcher , et al , 2010). I think that therapist and clinicians need to be aware of how people ’ s cultural , ethnic , socioeconomic , and family backgrounds can shape their views of personal problems and the world in order to address the mental disorder and counseling methods . Acknowledging the importance of cultural factors in diagnosing patients can help the therapist to address the disorders in a more efficient manner . If the clinician attends an individual ’ s cultural identity it can lead to possible cultural explanations for an individual ’ s disorder , and even to cultural factors that might affect that clinician ’ s relationship with the individual . It is good for the therapist in the interview , assessment and diagnostic process to do some research , and to find out about the culture - bound syndromes that usually occur only in specific societies or cultural areas . I think that c ulture and the environment play a huge role in why people develop emotional problems , what treatments they respond to and whether they recover .  
  • 20. Ethics and Diversity Awareness How might your own cultural , ethnic , or family values , rules , or traditions be misinterpreted as “ abnormal ” by someone from a dissimilar background ? Give examples in your answer . Each socio - cultural group fosters its own cultural patterns by systematically teaching its offspring , all its members tend to be somewhat alike . In a society characterized by a limited and consistent point of view , there are not the wide individual differences that are typical in a society like ours , where children have contact with diverse , often conflicting beliefs . I feel that even in our society , however , there are certain core values that most of us consider essential . I feel that many clinicians have cultural biases and stereptypes formed and that is why they see abnormal behaviors in their eyes . Abnormal behavior is behavior that deviates from the norms of the society in which the person lives . W omen from different cultures , for instance , face very different norms about what constitutes an ideal body weight -- and this influences the course of certain disorders . Supposedly , anorexia nervosa is to have biological underpinnings and , therefore , universal , but in less industrialized cultures , anorexia is rare ( Vedantam , 2005). Culture informs our decisions on what we consider normal . If we understand that our definition of pathological isn ' t pathological in other countries , we can make better decisions on when to treat , especially with medications ( Butcher , et al , 2010). References Butcher, J.N., Mineka, S. & Hooley, J.M. (2010). Abnormal Psychology. Pearson Education, Inc. Boston: MA. Vedantam, S. (2005). Patients' Diversity Is Often Discounted . The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2011, from, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/25/AR2005062500982.html
  • 21. Ethics and Diversity Awareness INTERVENTION AND ETHICS There are many ethical concerns to take into account with interventions . One concern surrounding interventions is informed consent , which refers to a patient agreeing to or consenting to intervention and subsequent treatment ( Argosy University , 2010). Ethically , healthcare professionals are bound to respect participants ’ addiction treatment - seeking decisions , and therefore cannot force treatment onto unwilling participants unless they represent a threat to themselves or others ( Lim , 2010). Professional ethics and legal precedents suggest that informed consent is the beginning of an intervention ( Argosy University , 2010). Sometimes coercive tactics are characteristic of interventions ( Lim , 2010) and this in itself is ethical because nobody , not even an addict , should be forced to do something they do not wish to do , unless their life is really in severe danger . The couple ’ s initial response to confrontation is to leave the intervention and escape . Eventually they might submit to social pressure and undergoes treatment . This separation between personal motivation and rehabilitation entry is an ethical issue to consider ( Lim , 2010). Several studies have suggested the importance of the association between internal desire to reduce or change addictive behavior and long - term recovery ( Lim , 2010).
  • 22. Ethics and Diversity Awareness Another ethical concern is privacy . Professionals should exercise caution when sharing information , particularly with the patient ’ s place of employment or in community settings , where the patient ’ s confidentiality may be breached ( Argosy University , 2010). Professionals involved in a potential patient ’ s intervention should also not directly benefit from the intervention or proposed treatment program . For example , the director of an expensive residential treatment program should not be placed in the position of directing the intervention ( Argosy University , 2010). References Argosy University . (2010). Module 7: various treatment strategies . Retrieved August 14, 2010, from , http :// myeclassonline . com / re / DotNextLaunch . asp ? courseid Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers . (2010). Addiction intervention . Retrieved August 14, 2010, from , http :// www . treatment - centers . net / addiction - intervention . html Lim , A . (2010). The force of intervention . Retrieved August 14, 2010, from , http :// www . basisonline . org / Narcanon of Southern California . (2010). Drug intervention . Retrieved August 14, 2010, from , http :// www . addictionca . com / drug - intervention . htm
  • 23. Foundations of Psychology Addiction intervention is a pre - planned attempt by one or many people such as family , friends , co - workers , or even neighbors to get the addict to seek professional  addiction treatment , and to enter a rehabilitation treatment center .   Often interventions are held by family members and close friends and take place when other approaches to have the addict getting help have been unsuccessful ( Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers , 2010). It would be best for the interventionist to get all the facts about the addiction the couple is bound to before talking to them . The intervention needs to be done at the right time and place , preferably when the addict is sober and in a calming , private place ( Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers , 2010). An effective intervention should be well planned and should include as many caring , invested individuals from a substance abuser ’ s personal and professional life as possible ( Argosy University , 2010). In this case it would be very good to alert the couple ’ s family and friends so they can provide as much support as possible .
  • 24. Foundations of Psychology The interventionist needs to plan what he or she is going to say & mentally prepare for the intervention ( Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers , 2010) because their most likely will be great opposition from the couple . He or she needs to convey affection and respect to the couple in order to not make them feel less because they have their addiction . The interventionist needs to express concern . Successful interventions , which are presented in the spirit of love , care and concern , many times are referred to as “ carefrontation versus confrontation ” ( Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers , 2010). Therapists should , however , take care to not embarrass or humiliate the substance abusers . The primary objective is to provide a caring and supporting environment where loved ones provide clear evidence of how the substance abusers ’ substance use is hurting them and those around them . As stated earlier , the goal of an intervention is twofold : challenge a substance abuser ’ s system of denial , and immediately secure treatment . References Argosy University. (2010). Module 7: various treatment strategies . Retrieved August 14, 2010, from, http://myeclassonline.com/re/DotNextLaunch.asp?courseid Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers. (2010). Addiction intervention. Retrieved August 14, 2010, from, http://www.treatment-centers.net/addiction-intervention.html
  • 25. Applied Psychology Do you believe in "repressed memory or not? I do believe in repressed memory. A person subjected to a traumatic event can use a variety of psychological mechanisms to cope with the trauma . In some instances , particularly if the event occurs at an early age , these coping mechanisms could result in an individual not remembering ( repressing ) that the event ever occurred ( Blommer , 2007). I have had repressed memories myself and I know they have not been made up or placed in my mind by someone else like the controversy holds, because I have been able to confirm these memories with third parties. I also believe that repression is a strong defense mechanism where one pushes painful or dangerous thoughts out of consciousness , keeping them unconscious ( Maisto , 2008). Repression is considered to be the most basic of the defense mechanisms ( Maisto , 2008). Defense mechanism from what ? From anxiety , emotional pain , and / or emotional instability . Sometimes the repression does not last forever , though , and that memory that one is trying to forget or make disappear can make its way to our mental surface and cause the person to remember and relive . I agree with m any psychologists that believe that individuals can recover some past memories , but the memories cannot be recovered in their pristine form ( Argosy University , 2010). It is also true that during the process of reconstruction , the memories can get distorted ( Argosy University , 2010). But I believe the base form of the memory is the important part . Some people believe that little details are not so much of a deal when it comes to reliving a traumatic event . It is believed that he main event in the memory is really all what should matter ( Maisto , 2008). Yet , if there is a way that these memories can be confirmed or made valid , I do believe they should be given initial consideration . I believe that nowadays there are ways to prove the validity of such memories . If the offender or creator of such memories is alive this person can be put under a lying detection machine to corroborate if these memories are true .
  • 26. Applied Psychology What are the controversies that surround this issue? The main controversy that stems from this phenomenon is that some people might recover memories of something that never really happened. The most common story of memory repression most people come across is related to childhood abuse, specifically sexual abuse. The whole incident is set in motion with a grown woman or man who enters into therapy because he or she is experiencing an eating disorder, depression or relationship difficulties. The therapist usually asks the patient early in therapy if he or she has ever been sexually abused and the patient answers no. The therapist however tells the patient that her problems indicate severe childhood trauma and that the woman cannot improve until she remembers the childhood trauma (Applebaum, et. al., 1997). The man or woman then starts to think more about abuse. The man/woman starts reading about sexual abuse. Finally, he or she recovers a memory of sexual abuse. The problem is that we do not know if the man or woman is recovering memories of sexual abuse that actually happened or he or she might be creating the memories in response to therapy (Applebaum, et. al., 1997). Opponents of the therapy advance the hypothesis that repressive therapy can create false memories through suggestion techniques (Applebaum, et.al., 1997). An individual's ability to accurately recall traumatic memories after long periods of time has been debated because it is hard to establish whether an individual can recall information without distortion (Argosy University, 2010). The time gap between when a person remembers as to when the incident happened makes the repressed memory less credible or makes it less reliable to believe in. Another issue that causes controversy is that there are too few actual trials from which to gather data about reactions to repressed memory claims (Loftus, 1993). However, actual court cases and juror simulations indicate that jurors find the repressed memory claims potentially highly credible (Applebaum, 1997).
  • 27. Applied Psychology References (Repressed Memory) Applebaum , P ., Uyehara , L ., & Elin , M . (1997)   Trauma and memory : clinical and legal controversies . Oxford University Press . Retrieved June 1, 2010 from http :// site . ebrary . com . libproxy . edmc . edu / lib / argosy / docDetail . action ? docID =10087294& p 00= memory %20%20 truama Argosy University. (2010). Module 4: Jury Selection. Retrieved June 1, 2010, from http://myeclassonline.com/re/DotNextLaunch.asp?courseid=4131509 Blommer, S. (2007). What you should know about repressed and recovered memories. American Psychological Association. Retrieved June 1, 2010, from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libproxy.edmc.edu
  • 28. My Future in Learning Learning is something that never ends. We learn something new everyday even if we do not think so. If we have a job, we can learn things at our job. We also learn from other people on a daily basis as well. I have been in college for quite a well. I went to Law School in another country; I went to Paralegal school and now I have completed my BA program. I feel as though I have been studying forever, so I am used to being in a constant learning mode. I do wish to continue expanding my knowledge, but in the future I will study about specific things I enjoy. This fall I will enroll myself at my local college to study Korean and Japanese. I enjoy learning new things. I was able to endure the whole BA experience because I am very passionate about Psychology and about helping others, so I knew it would be worth it at the end. I want to pursue my Masters to specialize in the field that interests me and I want to continue learning languages. I am not afraid of the learning experience. I embrace it because knowing is half the battle. One you have the knowledge, you can go out to the world and use what you have learned.
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