Examination of Clinical Psychology Essay Example for Free

Examination of Clinical Psychology Essay Clinical psychology has a full history that dates back to the early days of Greek philosophy. The combination of philosophy, current psychology and science has created a specific discipline in clinical psychology. Research continues to improve and evolve this branch of psychology. There are certain distinctions that set clinical psychology apart from other areas of this discipline and this paper will explore not only those distinctions but also the history of clinical psychology. The History of Clinical Psychology The beginnings of psychology in general can be found in the era of Greek philosophy. Early philosophical thinkers saw the connection between the mind and body including the influence that relationship had concerning emotional sickness. Hippocrates, Plato, and Aristotle were a few of those that recognized the soul or spirit as being the primary force of the body. They also recognized that problems within the soul could manifest in physical illness (Plante, 2011, p. 34). In the middle ages, any kind of mental, emotional or physical sickness was thought to be characteristic of sin or evil and treatments of such issues were dealt with on a spiritual level. The following Renaissance era was all about scientific research and discovery taking the previous beliefs on spiritual origins and disproving them. Illness was established as something more explainable by scientific research rather than spiritual and metaphysical beliefs (Plante, 2011). As the nineteenth century rolled in, members of psychological study started to have a more accurate understanding of the connection between the body and mind. Sigmund Freud was one such forward thinker and he promoted theories that unconscious thoughts of the mind can hold a strong influence on one’s health drawing on the original beliefs of the Greeks (Parsons, 1958). The actual emergence of psychology began with the development of the first laboratory and book of psychology by Wilhelm Wundt. Development was quick after this first large step even though the new concepts and principles of psychology were being applied to peoples’ issues. Also the wars of our history provided a platform for the world of clinical psychology. Service members emerged in war required specialized treatments which led to the development of psychometric assessments. Later developments led to the creation of evolved models of guidelines and training for the education of clinical psychologists (Plante, 2011). Clinical Psychologys Evolving Nature Clinical psychology has a fundamental instrument that develops its evolving nature which is described by its relationship with modern medicine and used of scientific methods (Kazdin, 2008). Clinical psychology continues to develop applications as new scientific evidence mounts. Contemporary clinical psychology embodies the scientific advances of science mixing in a deep understanding of the mind. The relationship of practice and research continue to come together to facilitate continual improvements in treatments and this relationship is a necessary element to the evolving nature (Kazdin, 2008). The only possible challenge for clinical psychology and research is the challenge of trying to customize treatment to meet the patient’s individual needs when there really is no defined outline of every individualistic need for each individual patient (Kazdin, 2008 p. 17). The Role of Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology Research is a vital aspect of any psychology and clinical psychology is no different. Research provides the empirical foundation to answer questions with validity. Statistics is a vital part of this research since this area of the research facilitates researchers being able to conclude if the information is substantial and relevant. Research is also vital because to clinical psychology because it boosts therapy methods which leads to the improvement of one’s life and it also helps discover effective methods to diagnose and treat human behavioral issues (Plante, 2011). The scientific method of empirical study also benefits the researchers themselves enabling them to gain critical thinking skills. Research is one of the most fundamental practices that allows for the betterment of clinical psychology (Plante, 2011). Clinical Psychology as it Differs from Other Disciplines The primary differences between other disciplines and clinical psychology involve the targeted training, area of focus and possibly even the educational requirements. Some psychologists participating in the area of clinical diagnosis, such as a school psychologist or social worker, generally must earn a masters degree but other specialized areas of clinical psychology might require a doctorate (Plante, 2011). School psychologists also specialize primarily in working with children and society’s youth whereas social workers can serve a more broad population and work in hospitals, schools or even county programs. Areas of counseling psychology are very similar to clinical psychology and there is the belief that the two separate groups do not even need to exist separately (Kazdin, 2008). There are also psychiatrists who have the added, extensive education and training in the medical arena and for all intended purposes they are physicians. They not only counsel as psychologists but are allowed to issue psychiatric medicine. Then there are other various mental health care professionals such as psychiatric nurses, specialized counselors, and industry and organization counselors who all provide clinical services. Even though clinical psychology differs in some aspects from other counseling professions, all of them have the purpose of using psychological principles to understand human behavior, helping individuals to live healthier and happier lives (Plante, 2011). Conclusion As this paper has laid out, there are many various contributions to the formation of clinical psychology becoming its own discipline. The evolution has traveled a long road but it has been steady and continuous with new information being discovered through scientific methods. Philosophy kicked off the curiosity that lead to future contributions by pioneers such as Freud and his psychoanalytic methods. Clinical psychology does hold its differences amongst other disciplines of psychology but the overall goal of all disciplines still remains to serve the general human population, attempting to give everyone a chance at a better quality of life. References Kazdin, A. E. (2008). Evidence based treatment and practice: new opportunities to bridge clinical research and practice. American Psychologist, 63(3), 146-159. Parsons, T. (1958). Social Structure and the Development of Personality: Freuds Contribution to the Integration of Psychology and Sociology. Psychiatry: Journal for the Study of Interpersonal Processes, 21(10), 321-340. Plante, T. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons.

Water in New Jersey Essay -- Environment Environmental Essays

Water in New Jersey Residential, commercial and industrial development is the largest contributors to landscape change in the state of New Jersey. When buildout occurs in one region, development pressure begins in another, virtually insuring the Megalopolis concept of one huge urban corridor stretching between Boston and Washington D.C. Year after year, farmland dwindles, roads become congested, and more residents are left to compete for diminishing natural resources. Desperate measures and newer technologies are incorporated to replace poor planning and lack of vision on behalf of decision-makers caught between competing interests. When the long term health and wellbeing of the established population and the short term gain of a limited number of people compete for vital natural resources there should be no question who's interests should prevail. Water resources tend to be taken for granted in New Jersey and why shouldn't they? Rainfall and runoff from snowfall are plentiful, averaging over forty inches per year. The state is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Delaware River on the other, with reservoirs containing billions of gallons of water, and large underground aquifers in between. It's hard to imagine a shortage of this abundant resource. Under normal conditions, this would be the case, but under drought conditions, as has been experienced throughout the winter of 2001 - 2002, the residents of New Jersey are forced to confront the stark reality of the situation that we may be entering into a severe water supply crisis. Mandatory water conservation and stiff penalties for noncompliance may do what preservation and antidevelopment advocates have been trying to do for decades in the state of Ne... ...ment to New Jersey using water resource concerns as a tool to limit large-scale suburban development. These southern agricultural counties are a unique region where large numbers of people are dependent on valuable groundwater resources to continue living in a healthy environment. References New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 1993, New Jersey 1992 State water quality inventory report, chapter IV, 44p. Blair, Russell, 2002, Telephone interview with Cape May County Agricultural Agent, March 5, 2002 New Jersey Farm Bureau, 2002, Statistics obtained at website as of March 5,2002, www.njfb.org New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2002, Statistics obtained at website as of March 5, 2002, www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/ United States Geological Survey, 2002, Statistics obtained at website as of March 3, 2002, www.usgs.gov

A Long Way Gone Research Paper Essay

When people imagine soldiers they think of strong men. However, some soldiers today are child soldiers. At a young age child soldiers witnessing and committing horrible acts of violence, which makes them at a higher risk for mental health issues like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Most child soldiers are between the ages of 15 and 18 years, but some are as young as 7 years old. At that young age children should not witness murder, rape, or even be able to be allowed to kill. According to Klasen, Oettingen, Daniels, and Adam,â€Å"Child soldiers refer to any person who is below the age of 18† (574). At that age it is a high risk that, that kid could be traumatized. Child soldiers are some of the most troubled populations of children and adolescents. According to Klasen, Oettingen, Daniel, and Adam,â€Å"The experiences the children the children are inflicted on are beatings, torture, witness of killing, and sexual abuse† (573). Also, according to Klasen, Oettingen, Daniels, and Adam, children who have traumatic experiences are more likely to have mental health issues (574). One of these problems is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to Bayer et. Al and Vinck et, al, â€Å"child soldiers with more posttraumatic symptoms are less open to reconciliation, have higher feelings of revenge, and favor violent forms of behavior to resolve conflicts (Klasen, Oettingen, Daniels, and Adam 580). Therefore, because of the violence the children are witnessing, they are developing mental health issues. These mental issues are affecting these innocent kids at very young ages. The reason why is because child soldiers are witnessing murder, r ape, and committing murder. There should be an urgent stop to this so call Child Soldiers.

Exploring How the British Could Have Achieved Victory in...

An Investigation into How the British could have achieved victory in the American War of Independence The American War of Independence was perhaps the first colonial war of independence during the period of European dominance across the globe. Great Britain, a relatively new country with a stable, democratic government, established an enormous trading empire which stretched from North America to East India and was the greatest superpower on Earth. It came to be so, firstly by its highly effective navy which allowed it to transport goods and defeat other rival fleets. Its government of elected officials allowed it to function more effectively compared to an Absolute Monarchy in terms of generating revenue from its colonies, and finally,†¦show more content†¦It is believed she gave word to Paul Revere that the British were planning on destroying the armouries at Lexington and Concord and thus he spread the famous line of ‘The British are coming!’ Many British Generals serving throughout the French-Indian War began to sympathize with the colonists who fought alongs ide the British. This meant that many of the experienced and greatest of British Generals, including Gage himself, did not believe that war was the right option and did not believe in the British cause. So to prevent the catastrophes that Gage caused during the first months of the War, the British should have given the position to a General who was both capable but also sensible. Historians believe that if General Charles Cornwallis had of served in his stead then the early British disasters could have been avoided and the colonists would have been crushed in the first few months. Cornwallis was a competent commander, but when he inherited his Lordship, he often voted against heavy taxation of the colonies. Many blame him for the British defeat of the War because of his surrender at Yorktown but with his intervention at an earlier date, such a competent commander could have increased the odds of the British winning the war. The British Army was a well trained but in no way was it ‘battle-hardened’. Being an island nation, Britain predominantly used its navy as its main weapon and the regular army for sea-to-land assaults e.g. assault onShow MoreRelatedThe West African Nation of Ghana2488 Words   |  10 Pagesâ€Å"This mid-twentieth century is Africa’s. This decade is the decade of African independence. Forward then, to independence. To independence now. Tomorrow, the united states of Africa.† It was with these words that Kwame Nkrumah concluded his speech at the opening ceremony of the All-African People’s conference in 1958. It was one of the first Pan-African congresses to be held in the continent, in an independent African nation and with a number of African freedom fighters-an achievement that NkrumahRead MoreMoving West And Beyond : How The Corps Of Discovery Shaped Manifest Destiny3198 Words   |  13 PagesMarch 2015 Moving West and Beyond: How the Corps of Discovery Shaped Manifest Destiny Beginning in the early 1800s manifest destiny had no single root or cause, but became over time, a mindset which propelled the westward expansion of America. Manifest Destiny was the belief that the expansion of the United States throughout the continent of North America was both justified and inevitable. The actual term â€Å"Manifest destiny† was not coined until 1845 when an American columnist and editor, John O SullivanRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesand Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis: The Evolution of an American Urban Landscape Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform Read MoreAmerican Popular Culture and Its Impact in a Globalized World8501 Words   |  35 PagesAmericans, after all, did not invent fast food, amusement parks, or the movies. Before the Big Mac, there were British fish and chips. Before Disneyland, there was Copenhagens Tivoli Gardens (which Walt Disney used as a prototype for his first theme park, in Anaheim, a model later re-exported to Tokyo and Paris). Ââ€" Richard Pells 1. Introduction No matter what corner of the world, it is more than unlikely to walk up to an adoles-cent, mention the names Jennifer Lopez, MadonnaRead MoreContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 PagesUkraine Vietnam Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Published in the United States by Oxford University Press Inc., New York ß Oxford University Press 2006 The moral rights of the author have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) First published 2006 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permissionRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagescomprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precise ly what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of work that today qualify as constituting the subject of organisational theory. Whilst their writing is accessible and engaging, their approach is scholarly and seriousRead MoreInternational Management67196 Words   |  269 PagesInternational Management Education iii This page intentionally left blank Preface C hanges in the global business environment continue unabated. The global financial crisis and economic recession have challenged some assumptions about globalization and economic integration, but they have also underscored the interconnected nature of global economies. Most countries and regions around the world are inextricably linked, yet profound differences in institutional and cultural environments persistRead MoreStrategic Marketing Management337596 Words   |  1351 Pages853333, e-mail: permissions@elsevier.co.uk. You may also complete your request on-line via the Elsevier homepage (www.elsevier.com), by selecting ‘Customer Support’ and then ‘Obtaining Permissions’ British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress ISBN 0 7506 5938 6 For information on all Elsevier Butterworth-HeinemannRead MoreExploring Corporate Strategy - Case164366 Words   |  658 Pages22/10/2007 11:54 Page 598 ECS8C_C01.qxd 22/10/2007 11:54 Page 599 Guide to using the case studies The main text of this book includes 87 short illustrations and 15 case examples which have been chosen to enlarge speciï ¬ c issues in the text and/or provide practical examples of how business and public sector organisations are managing strategic issues. The case studies which follow allow the reader to extend this linking of theory and practice further by analysing the strategic issuesRead MoreRastafarian79520 Words   |  319 PagesMexico City Mumbai Nairobi Sà £o Paulo Shanghai Taipei Tokyo Toronto Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Copyright  © 2003 by Ennis Barrington Edmonds The moral rights of the authors have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing