Clinical Psychology: Understanding and Practice
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology is the field of psychology dedicated to the research, teaching, and services related to understanding, predicting, and alleviating cognitive, emotional, biological, social, and behavioral maladjustment, impairment, distress, and discomfort. This is applied to a wide range of client populations.
Goals of Clinical Psychology
- Integrate science and practice.
- Apply integrated knowledge to alleviate suffering and promote health.
- Meet these goals for clients
Key Concepts in Social and Organizational Psychology
Social Psychology & Organizational Behavior: Core Concepts
Latané & Darley’s Decision Model (1968)
Latané & Darley’s decision model outlines the steps individuals take when deciding whether to intervene in an emergency:
- Notice the incident.
- Define the situation as an emergency.
- Assume personal responsibility.
- Feel competent to help.
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
Geert Hofstede’s framework identifies six dimensions reflecting how a society values relationships, social structures, achievements,
Read MoreUnderstanding Human Society: Structure, Dynamics, and Socialization
Definition of Human Society
The term human society refers to any group characterized by shared emotion or rationality. It is a collective where individuals live together, with varying degrees of voluntariness and stability, bound by general rules that apply equally to all. The purpose is to achieve common goals and benchmarks for quality of life, ultimately ensuring the survival of both individuals and the group.
Dimensions of Human Society
Social Structure
Within a society, each member plays different
Read MoreUnderstanding Perception: From Sensation to Meaning
Perception: A Complex Cognitive Process
Perception is a cognitive process of a more complex nature. It involves the mental process of organizing and interpreting sensations. Perception is based on feelings, but it is accompanied by mental representations.
Consider, for example, a chocolate bar. We do not perceive isolated sensations—first its black color, then its rectangular shape, and then its sweet and rich taste. Instead, we conceive of the chocolate as an integrated whole. We also consider
Read MoreUnderstanding Sociopathic Behavior: Characteristics, Development, and Biological Factors
Sociopathic behavior, often considered a deviation from social norms, is not attributed to organic mental disorders or disturbances. Instead, it is understood as a progressive learning process through which individuals acquire and develop maladaptive or inappropriate behaviors. While a definitive list of variables for distinguishing different types of sociopathic behavior is challenging to provide, it’s observed that violations of rules can range from numerous, ongoing transgressions to occasional
Read MoreEssential Principles of Therapeutic Practice
Carl Rogers’ Core Conditions of Therapy
- Unconditional Positive Regard: The client needs to feel accepted, loved, and prized. This involves accepting and valuing the client without judgment.
- Genuineness: The therapist needs to be congruent and their authentic self in the therapeutic relationship.
- Accurate Empathy: Deeply understand the client’s experience when offering empathy, sensing their world as if it were your own, without judgment.
Nonverbal Communication in Therapy
Three key categorizations
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