Butas, Gimelle M.

General Psychology

December 2, 2016
Prelim Assignment 3 - 5

Prelim Assignment 3
How do you apply critical thinking in daily life? Cite a specific
situation.
Critical thinking has been defined in many different ways, but experts
generally agree that critical thinking involves an attempt to achieve a
desired outcome by thinking rationally and in a goal-oriented fashion. Critical
thinking equips a person for examining and reshaping his own character and
for dealing with an unhealthy ego. It can redefine the way he/she views
his/her life, how he/she analyzes group influences and help him/her to get a
grip on his/her emotions. Wasting time is avoidable when critical thinking is
implemented in everyday situations.
According to Robert H. Ennis, "Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective
thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe and do." Activities
become more enjoyable, negative consequences are avoided and frustration
is less likely to take hold when critical thinking becomes an integral part of
daily navigating through life. Ennis also stated that, "A critical thinker uses
broad in-depth analysis of evidence to make decisions and communicate
his/her beliefs clearly and accurately,"
As a college student doing her thesis, critical thinking is needed.
Practicing critical thinking tends to make me to be better informed, more
open-minded and more capable of drawing cautious conclusions from the
data Ive gathered during the interviews and survey processes. There is the
need to seriously consider the thoughts and opinions of the respondents
which should also be different to my own opinion thoughts and opinions
which then makes me become reflectively aware of my own personal beliefs.

Prelim Assignment 4
Explain your behavior using the various psychological perspectives.
Behavior 1: When I was still a child, my father is the one who tend to
wake me up by just a simple shake since when I dont move from my bed I
would get an early scolding. Fast forward a few years, when my family wants
to wake me up from sleep they just lightly touch me and I would then be
awake. I am considered as a light sleeper and even just my bedroom door
opening wakes me up abruptly. Psychodynamic psychology was applied since
such perspective emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind, early
childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships to explain human
behaviors.

Behavior 2: As a child, I already love reading fictional stories in books.

Even today, I still carry the attitude of starting my morning by reading a
short story or finishing on reading one. My parents even told me that I
became irritable and grumpy on some instances that I have no time on
reading stories. Behavioral psychology was applied since such perspective
focuses on learned behaviors. My behavior of reading stories in starting my
day is likened to a learned behavior which my parents and those surrounding
me have observed and knew my behavior.
Behavior 3: Im a person who takes enjoyment in planning her day
and writing it in a planner notebook. Whether if its inspirational quotes, song
lyrics, or a meaningful passage, I tend to record it and write it on my journal
with the corresponding time and date when I read it. I tend to also use post-it
notes to remind myself on various activities. Cognitive psychology was
applied since such perspective focuses on mental processes such as
memory, thinking, problem-solving, language, and decision-making. In this
perspective, psychologists often utilize an information-processing model,
comparing the human mind to a computer, to conceptualize how information
is acquired, processed, stored, and utilized.
Behavior 4: Im a person who enjoys solitude and a calm environment
and is easily annoyed by people encroaching my personal space. My mother
always say that I look and act like my father; with how both of us tend to
prefer a serene environment. My father also said that he got his behavior
with how also my grandfather acts. Biological psychology was applied with
how it emphasizes the physical and biological bases of behavior. In this
perspective, it looks at how genetics influence different behaviors or how
damage to specific areas of the brain influence behavior and personality.
Behavior 5: During the first semester of this year, I was motivated to
finish my thesis books regarding the consequences of my actions. I was
forced to reach out to foreigner professionals just to get some needed data
which they can provide. I was also motivated with how my family and friends
supported and helped me. Humanistic psychology was applied with how it
emphasizes the role of motivation on thought and behavior. Concepts such
as self-actualization are an essential part of this perspective. Those who take
the humanist perspective focus on the ways that human beings are driven to
grow, change, and develop their personal potential.
Prelim Assignment 5
How will your knowledge about psychology be relevant to your
chosen field?

In my own opinion, social and psychological research plays an

increasingly important role in the future of architectural practice, not by
replacing intuition and experience in the design process, but rather by
supporting it. It is in my best interests as a future architect to better
understand the psychological and social dimensions of the designed
environment and how design decisions influence human well-being and
performance. With the majority of todays designed spaces being occupied
by people, it can be assumed that a key indicator of the success of a design
depends on how the given space influences the human activities within that
space.
For example in residential environments, the importance of the
residential environment in supporting an individuals social development and
psychological well-being cannot be fathomed. In specialized housing
environments where the boundary between private and public space is
reduced and the physical environment directly impacts social interaction.
Appropriate design decisions, considering the psychological and social
opportunities of these environments, have the potential to positively impact
the users of these spaces.
Another example is in the workplace design, where the effect of the
designed environment on worker productivity help define the relationship
between the physical work space, productivity and the organizational
culture. Another example is the effect of the physical environment on
teaching and learning ranging from classroom colors to furniture layout and
design. The psychosocial effect of designed environments on learning is
undoubtedly a relevant and important in architecture.
Lastly in healthcare facilities, one of the most significant avenues of
design focused psychosocial research addresses the effect of the physical
environment on health and recovery. Psychology serves as the primary driver
for many programs in evidence based design which addresses patient and
caregiver well-being.