A class blog for a course taught by Dr. David McAnulty. This blog consists of student comments, critiques and media links all relating to the history of psychology, including significant figures, research, writings, systems and theories.
I was actually saving this class till I was an upperclassman because I was scared about the difficulty of the course. But now looking back over the semester, I think I have learned more about how to be an effective asset in counseling more than any other. By learning about all the different schools and techniques It has taught me that there is no right way to counsel people. All of these great theorists have developed very effective techniques in helping people. In the beginning of the semester when Dr. McAnulty asked me if I thought that studying these theorists was important. I had no idea how important it was actually going to be. I feel much more educated in my field and have realized that studying these psychologists will make me a better counselor in the long run.
As we watched the TedTalk on the Phantom limbs a couple weeks ago a friend of mine brought up and showed me this audio excerpt. As the study of physiology grew and Scientists are starting to make more and more connections between the brain and the mind they are starting to understand that psychology has much more than behavioral processes. As the ted talk showed us the brain can play tricks on us and vice versa fairly easily. When we visually stimulate the brain to think that our tightened phantom limb is being stretched out by using the mirror box, we can see a very distinct connection between our physical and mental processing. When watching this video correctly it can have similar effects. By adjusting the volume and audio densities in this clip we tick our brain into experiencing and almost visualizing a haircut. I think it is so interesting and also creepy how easily our senses and manipulate our brains into experiences. This clip will make you think, and view your brains capacity for auditory sensory competently differently. More »
While Goethe was known for his skill in writing, his movement towards enlightenment, and his conservative political stance, his influence on Charles Darwin, and his theory of Colours, I wanted to take a look at some of his more philosophical quotes and their meanings. I think you can learn so much about a person from their own words and phrases. I found so many wise and applicable quotes but here are some of my favorites:
“All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own.”
“Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it.”
“Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.”
“Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.”
“Do not give in too much to feelings. A overly sensitive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth.”
“Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.”
“He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion.”
“I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better that book or orator.”
It’s amazing how much wisdom and philosophy on life can be put into one phrase. I think I relate to Goethe in many ways. He talks about not conforming to earthy things and being your own person. I think it is very important to maintain your own individuality. He talks about his love for music and the arts and how he applies it to his faith. I think that a lot of Christians today are scared to express their faith in more than one way or see God in things outside of the church. Goethe was not afraid to do that and that is something I really respect and take after myself. He also talks about having respect for others and God’s creation. The last thing I would like to point out is his push towards experiencing life first hand and making an effort to learn from your mistakes. I think he has some really good and interesting thoughts.
One of the struggles in my journey towards faith was the idea that the Bible was very black and white, that is was God’s way or the highway to hell. I couldn’t understand how such a loving God could create such a bad a scary place and be so mean to his creation. Through elementary school I struggled with taking the Bible very literally. My public schools would teach evolution and the Big Bang theory and I was struck with the confusion of how animals adapted to their environment when they were all created perfect in the Garden of Eden. So I came to the conclusion as a 7 or 8 year old that science was bad and had nothing to do with God. I was ignorant to the fact that Science has everything to do with God and that the Bible cant always be taken in the very literal form.
I think one of the things Christians really struggle today with is what in the Bible should be taken literally and what should be taken figuratively. The fight between Faith and Reason was evident then and is still a focal point in Christians live today. However like we discussed in class God does not call us to be robots, but to use our minds as the powerful tool that he gave us. Faith and Reason need to be coincided. It is so important, especially as Christians to use critical thinking skills in learning to live like Christ.
I was listening to music this week and Ignorance by Paramore came on my shuffle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH9A6tn_P6g As I was listening to the lyrics I thought that this is kind of how Jesus tries to be in our lives but we treat him as a stranger. If we continue to be ignorant he will take his “friends” that have written their names in blood and forget about us as well. When it comes to the time when we need him he will say, “but I don’t know you.”
Not only do I think I will use several types of counseling in my therapy, but I also think it is important. Each person is unique and every person will respond differently to the techniques. I don’t think there is any correct way of counseling people. It is all the the theories we have studied that have made an impact on psychology and all of them have valid points.
I agree that the client is going to get help and that it is the counselors job to make sure that the client is comfortable and respected in that environment. However, I don’t think that congruence and approval are always a good idea. In some cases people need to hear what they don’t want to. I agree that this should be done with empathy, but telling your client what they don’t want to hear is just as much part of the job as telling them what they want to hear.
I think this is a struggle for every christian, especially in the counseling fields. My concern would be that the advice I am giving is not good advice or that it is not godly. I think that God can use you no matter what occupation you have or where you are in the world. For individuals who are so set in their ways I would tell them that something is obviously not working in your life or you wouldn’t be here. The way your trying to solve the problem wasn’t working so lets try a different way.
I was thinking about this too. I think I would take the humanistic approach. I say this in the context of looking at the individual that I am counseling and judging off of their unique needs. Of course this would depend on the severity of their case. I Don’t think I would take any specific form of therapy but mesh all of them together in order to fit the client.
I can’t imagine two apes saying lets talk this one out instead of fighting over it. I agree with you that I dont think we were made as apes but humans were designed with a purpose. Its interesting that we dont physically fight as the animal world does. It speaks of our higher intelligence and also our capacity for emotions like you said.
I think that humanity will always struggle with what the world tells us is okay and what God tell us is okay. While James warns us that we should not fall to the temptations on earth, this also speaks to the conditioning of habits like you said. Our instincts may not lead us to our bad habits though. they can be temptations or anything in excess. Do all habits generate from basic human instinct?
Your post also made me think about how religion, including the idea of God and free will, is influenced by behavioral psychologists and how they view it. From Skinners perspective it we are all conditioned to act and believe certain thinks, like religion, then where did it start. Who was the original teacher that made up this concept of God and free will and how our we conditioned to make our own choices and not follow those around us.
haha Anna you kill me! Its something I think a lot about as well. The question that if God knows every decision we make and step we take how is our destiny not predetermined. I think its kind of like being a parent. Sometimes you know your kid is going to make a bad choice and you let them anyways so they can learn from the consequences themselves.
I learned that a lot too in my research on Goethe. He amazed me with his concepts on architecture and nature and music. How we can find joy and praise in everything we do and see. It made me think about all the ways we can choose to worship God, other than our voices.
I really liked what you had to say. It is something I really struggle with is being in control of my future. But from Nietzsche’s perspective its like, if at first you don’t succeed try and try again. All of our failures and experiences lead us to success. We shouldn’t be scared of failure we should embrace what can be learned from it.
Brittany Rexroat 
Lacy Hanson
Jodi Bell on Exisistential and Psychoanalytical
10:51 pm, 05.02.11
Not only do I think I will use several types of counseling in my therapy, but I also think it is important. Each person is unique and every person will respond differently to the techniques. I don’t think there is any correct way of counseling people. It is all the the theories we have studied that have made an impact on psychology and all of them have valid points.
Jodi Bell on Roger's Therapeutic Relationship Qualities
10:46 pm, 05.02.11
I agree that the client is going to get help and that it is the counselors job to make sure that the client is comfortable and respected in that environment. However, I don’t think that congruence and approval are always a good idea. In some cases people need to hear what they don’t want to. I agree that this should be done with empathy, but telling your client what they don’t want to hear is just as much part of the job as telling them what they want to hear.
Jodi Bell on Balancing Faith and Practice
10:37 pm, 05.02.11
I think this is a struggle for every christian, especially in the counseling fields. My concern would be that the advice I am giving is not good advice or that it is not godly. I think that God can use you no matter what occupation you have or where you are in the world. For individuals who are so set in their ways I would tell them that something is obviously not working in your life or you wouldn’t be here. The way your trying to solve the problem wasn’t working so lets try a different way.
Jodi Bell on General Thoughts on Psychology...
10:29 pm, 05.02.11
I was thinking about this too. I think I would take the humanistic approach. I say this in the context of looking at the individual that I am counseling and judging off of their unique needs. Of course this would depend on the severity of their case. I Don’t think I would take any specific form of therapy but mesh all of them together in order to fit the client.
Jodi Bell on Humans Vs Animals
11:29 pm, 03.21.11
I can’t imagine two apes saying lets talk this one out instead of fighting over it. I agree with you that I dont think we were made as apes but humans were designed with a purpose. Its interesting that we dont physically fight as the animal world does. It speaks of our higher intelligence and also our capacity for emotions like you said.
Jodi Bell on Habits and Instincts
11:23 pm, 03.21.11
I think that humanity will always struggle with what the world tells us is okay and what God tell us is okay. While James warns us that we should not fall to the temptations on earth, this also speaks to the conditioning of habits like you said. Our instincts may not lead us to our bad habits though. they can be temptations or anything in excess. Do all habits generate from basic human instinct?
Jodi Bell on more on free will and the like
11:15 pm, 03.21.11
Your post also made me think about how religion, including the idea of God and free will, is influenced by behavioral psychologists and how they view it. From Skinners perspective it we are all conditioned to act and believe certain thinks, like religion, then where did it start. Who was the original teacher that made up this concept of God and free will and how our we conditioned to make our own choices and not follow those around us.
Jodi Bell on Free Will (not the Rush song)
11:07 pm, 03.21.11
haha Anna you kill me! Its something I think a lot about as well. The question that if God knows every decision we make and step we take how is our destiny not predetermined. I think its kind of like being a parent. Sometimes you know your kid is going to make a bad choice and you let them anyways so they can learn from the consequences themselves.
Jodi Bell on Schopenhauer's influence through art
11:33 pm, 02.21.11
I learned that a lot too in my research on Goethe. He amazed me with his concepts on architecture and nature and music. How we can find joy and praise in everything we do and see. It made me think about all the ways we can choose to worship God, other than our voices.
Jodi Bell on Frederick Nietzsche
11:29 pm, 02.21.11
I really liked what you had to say. It is something I really struggle with is being in control of my future. But from Nietzsche’s perspective its like, if at first you don’t succeed try and try again. All of our failures and experiences lead us to success. We shouldn’t be scared of failure we should embrace what can be learned from it.