2008.01.15
What makes you tick?
I know I said that my first post would be about schizophrenia (which is a topic I really do find fascinating, and I have plans to work on it for my doctorate/career research). I have that post mostly written and plan on publishing it soon. That said, I have let myself become distracted to my initial idea of a first post because of something I heard on the MAX (local light rail transit system).
While on my way to work, I heard some people debating or discussing psychology. I don't think any of them were actually in a psychology degree program for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason was that one of the guys said, "All psychologists do is diagnose people." None of the others disagreed.
Wrong! Psychiatrists diagnose people, sure. But not all psychologists are psychiatrists. I technically wouldn't call it diagnosing. And if I become a psychiatrist, I won't use that term as it implies that there is something wrong with the client, and that there is a right way to be. I do not think that is true.
There are obviously some things that can be wrong with the brain, and so need attention. Schizophrenia, for one thing. Especially in severe cases. However, it's not wrong to be schizophrenic.
Technicalities aside, there are a multitude of careers in psychology--much like any other degree. Teaching, human resources, research, AI development... the list goes on. I know I want to go into research involving humans in the field of personality.
The point is that we, as psychologists, do not just go around diagnosing people. Are we intrigued by people? Of course. You kind of have to be. :) You've got to want to understand other people. Perhaps that makes us seem to "judge" / "diagnose" others. I, at least, simply find humans to be fascinating and complex, full of mystery--and I find myself wondering what makes each individual person tick.
Comments
No comments yet.
