Psych 150 Journal

I have always wondered on what my personality is. Now that I have finished Psych 150, I'll try my best to apply what I learned and see what my personality really is!

Psychoanalytic:

Me being shocked

Even though I've already read about Freud, it was still shocking to read some of his concepts being published, as George Kelly said. Things like the psychosexual stages of development are those that I highly disagree with. I also agree that we use defense mechanisms but I do not agree if they are used because of our hidden impulses since some of Freud's analysis are very absurd like how we can create an accident simply because we have a hidden desire to hurt someone. However, some of the things Freud said I can actually relate with. I too believe that some things in the unconscious can reveal things about our personality that we don't notice. For instance, I believe that our dreams can show us what we unconsciously are. This is because what I dream about are mostly about things that really do trouble me. Like based on my dreams, I can say that I am probably very worrysome because I think about exams a lot and how to talk to my crush. So I guess, even if it is hard to verify empirically, that dreams can be used to determine personalities.

Neo-Freudian:

I'm so clingy I'm gonna dieeeeeeee!

I don't quite agree with Carl Jung here since I don't really think that archetypes reveal anything about our personality, even on an unconscious level. I, however, agree with Karen Horneye about people using the neurotic strategies. This is because I think I use the "moving towards people" strategy a lot. I notice that whenever I am anxious, I would tell a lot of people about it, especially during exams or when talking to my crush (these really bother me a lot. . .). My friends even joke about how it is obvious when I look stressed out and stuff and how I have to tell EVERYONE about it. I also think I'm a very clingy person, which is maybe why I've been single since birth.

Traits:

THE OOOOOOOCEAAAAN

I don't really have much to say about the trait approach because I think it's pretty much straightforward in that you have traits, and that's your personality. That being said, I really like the OCEAN model because it's very interesting to look at your personality like that and it's really fun taking some tests. So according to pip-neo test, I'm average in openness which means "You enjoy tradition but are willing to try new things. m thinking is neither simple nor complex. To others you appear to be a well-educated person but not an intellectual." I think this is a little accurate, though I think I am less than average here since I don't really take risks. It also says that I am average in consciousness meaning means "you are reasonably reliable, organized, and self-controlled." I think/hope that this is pretty accurate. Apparently, I am also average in extraversion which says "you are neither a subdued loner nor a jovial chatterbox. You enjoy time with others but also time alone."I also agree with this since I've always wondered whether I was an extravert or introvert so it makes sense I'm average. I'm also strong in agreeableness which indicates "a strong interest in others' needs and well-being. You are pleasant, sympathetic, and cooperative." I think this is very accurate since I always wonder if people like me or not and I like it when people agree with me so I make myself easier to agree with. I also scored high in neuroticism meaning "you are easily upset, even by what most people consider the normal demands of living. People consider you to be sensitive and emotional." I think this is a little correct because I'm easily stressed, even when it;s just a small thing, probably because I always like it when things go my way, so yeah, I am a very stressed person at all times.

Again, the OCEAN model really is a good model because I tend to agree to what it said about my personality, but still though, I don't see how this can be any help to people with mental disorders.

Biological:

It's your fault I'm socially awkward!

I don't really agree with most of the concepts we learned in this approach. Like for instance, I don't really agree with stimulation levels and introversion/extraversion. I don't think that introverts are much more sensitive to stimulation and such, I think those things are completely different. But still, I think that we can still use the evolutionary theory in personality. I think this is true, even in my case, because I feel very anxious when I'm alone or if l'm rejected  by my peers. It really shows how important it is to have company. But other than that, I think this approach is a dud for me.

Humanistic:

SO GLORIOUS

I really really love this approach! I think that it's really good for once that Psychology focused on positivity and trying to become a better person and stuff. I agree that I think that people strive to become a fully-functioning person. This is because when I feel that I'm not doing our best, I feel really bad inside. I still think that I am still far from a fully-functioning person though, but of course I try my best to learn from my mistake and just do the best I can. I can also relate to what Rogers said in that if things don't match my self-concept, I feel disappointed in myself since I feel I can always do better. I also agree that unconditional positive regard is really important in bringing up people. Regarding Maslow's hierarchy of needs though, I kinda don't really agree with it that much. Still, the humanistic approach is my favorite of all, mostly due to it being positive.

Behavioral:

Awwww cute baby

I think the behavioral approach has some valid points. It is true that I, as other people, do some things because of reward and I think that you can condition some children's behavior and personality using rewards and punishments. I also like Bandura's social learning theory. I think we learn a lot by observing other people, and his steps in doing this I think really happens in real life, like it does for me. I also like how his theory says that the environment and internal states affect behavior as well and vice versa.

What I don't like though is that besides these, this approach makes it seem that humans are one-dimensional since it shows we are mostly reactive only, which is clearly false.

Cognitive:

Meh.

I agree with Kelly that people differ in how we process information. I also agree about the research about aggressiveness and it is really applicable in life, though I like violent video games, I am not an aggressive person though since I don't even know how to punch correctly. I also agree with the researches about depression since I myself notice that it really is easy to think of sad thoughts when you are sad and happy thoughts when you are happy. I guess it is true when they say that if you are down, you really are down. But that is all I can say about this personality approach though since I myself am not sure of how my construct systems or schemas look so I really don't know how to look at my personality using this approach. Also, I am not sure if I can say I am a depressed person since even though I think about sad thoughts a lot, I also think about good things a lot as well.

Sikolohiyang Pilipino:

Mabuhay!

For SP, I am not really sure how I can look at my personality using this. I am Filipino and all and I see how the surface values, pivot and core are really seen in Filipinos, but I feel that research is still lacking since I think that there are much more values that Filipinos value more and I also believe that Kapwa is the real main core of Filipino values since I know that some languages do not even have a word for it. So for now, I can't really use SP in looking at my personality, even if I am Filipino.

Overall:

YAAAAAY

Based on these, I can really see why personality really is eclectic since I used all theories to look at my personality. But even then, I am still not sure about my personality. Maybe because I need to take therapy to have more tests and find out more about my personality, or maybe because personality, although mostly stable, can still change even at this age. I have some characteristics that I know that show me who I am, as I have mentioned some already, but I still feel that I can still learn more about my personality. That being said, I really liked this course and I think I learned a lot. I wish we could have dwelled more in each theory, especially humanistic, but we can only use so much time. With that, I would like to end by saying it was a good sem and course and I wish to still learn more about personality in the future. :)

Fashion Statement: What I wear is what I am!

Fashion, according to Pauline Weston Thomas, is a free form of speech. But is this really true? Judging from my experience, I think I can agree that what we wear sends a message to other people. In my life, I have many examples of how what I wear makes me who I am.

Roles/Wearing a uniform:

Back in Ateneo Grade School and Ateneo High School, we were required to wear a school uniform. It may seem that school uniforms only represent us being students. But it also shows what school we represent, in our case, the clothes showed everyone we were Ateneans and proud of it. It can also show ideals and values of the school like the blue color of the high school polo represents our dedication to the Virgin Mary.

Me being a high school student with my high school class

My hobbies:

I was a guy that never really cared much about fashion. But that doesn’t mean that what I put on doesn’t show how I feel or think about a day. There days that I want to wear something that shows what I like to do. Here are just some of those.

I have always been a big football fan ever since I watched the 2002 World Cup on the television. I know that I’m never going to be a football player but there are other ways to make me feel that I am and this is where clothes and accessories come in. I am a big fan of the Italian Football Club A.C. Milan and I’ve been always buying their jerseys every season. I started out buying fake jerseys but then I realized if I want to be more of a Milanista, I’d have to buy the original jerseys. Whenever I wear these clothes, I feel like I am a part of the club one way or another. And my feeling of being a player doesn’t just stop in football. For instance, when I have an important exam to take for the day, I wear my Milan football jerseys because when I do, I feel like putting on my ‘game face’ and conquering that test just like how my football idols conquer theirs night in and night out.

How I think I look like in an exam

Me wearing my jersey and scarf during a Milan game

My Milan jerseys

As I mentioned awhile ago, I know I’m not a good player so I decided that what I can be is to become the best fan I know. So also always wear my jerseys whenever I watch a game to give support even if the team will never know if I wear them. Besides that, I also have shoes and accessories like ballers.

My Milan ballers

Besides being a Milan fan, I’m first and foremost a FOOTBALL fan. So I also own jerseys from other teams. But I’m actually more proud of collecting scarves of football clubs and national teams.

My collection of football scarves

Aside from football, I am also a comic book fan. This all started when I wore a Thor costume. I internalized being Thor and I had a really fun time with it. So besides having a costume of Thor, I also have a Thor shirt. I wear it everytime I feel good or I felt like I want to read more comics or everytime Marvel announces something big about their movies. It allows me to let out the geeky side of my personality and I don’t really care how people think about it, as long as they get the message that I love comics and I am THOR (for that day at least).

How I felt I looked like.

How I really looked like.

I also love travelling. So I always make sure that everytime we go abroad, I get a shirt from that country. It makes me remember the places I went to and the experiences that I had.

Just a few of my souvenir shirts

Shirts with messages:

Besides hobbies, I also have shirts that have text on them because of something I want to convey or show support for. Sometimes I also feel some sense of pride or the occasion is right like when I wear org shirts during org events and school shirts during games. Below are some examples of these shirts wearing them because of the occasion.

Conclusion:

So I have been able to show how I show people a part of who I am through what I wear. I may not be a fashionable guy (I still ask help from mom and sister for what clothes should I wear or buy), but I still use fashion to convey my thoughts and feelings, and as well as what my role is (like being a high school student, but I don’t wear it anymore since, well, I’m in college already). I do hope that people see fashion not just to show off if you have money, but also to show things you want people to see about you and the things that you care for. Remember, the clothes don’t make the man, it’s the man that makes the clothes.

Source used: The Semiotics of Fashion by Pauline Weston Thomas

http://www.sgsbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Alessandro-Nesta.jpg (for the football player (Nesta) image)

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/10/108927/2083825-thor.jpg (for the Thor image)

What has Physics 10 taught me

Science in the Philippines

In a world where technology seems to be advancing, I believe the Philippines is getting left behind in this regard. Proof of this is how badly we predict weather here. Time and time again, due to our old and outdated equipment, a lot of lives were lost simply because the predictions of PAGASA were way off. We have to blame the lack of funding and appreciation of science for this. We have to support science in our country because it can uplift our country into greater heights and improve our way of living. Let us not be happy with only hand me downs from our allies like the USA. Why not make our own innovations?

Being a student of science in the country

To able to study in the country’s premier university that is well-known especially for being good in science is a big privilege for me. It was always my dream to study in the University of the Philippines since I was a kid. I also have to consider myself to be very fortunate that I’m enrolled in such a prestigious university.

With that said, being a student of science in this country is great because I get to have good education and not everyone here gets to have that. Science is very interesting because it aims to let our knowledge of the world grow. I get to learn things such as planetary motion and astrology in Physics 10, get to do lab work in chemistry. I’ll even get to study the human body in biology. All of these will help me and other students understand the physical world even more.

How do Filipinos view science?

I think Filipinos know that science is still important in education. But I believe that we still undervalue science, especially when it comes to research and technology. This is why we are behind other countries in terms of science.

Filipinos, in general, are probably scared of science because they think it’s hard.

But if we look past this notion that it is difficult, perhaps we would appreciate the beauty of science. It’s sad because after having Filipinos contribute like the fluorescent lamp and lunar rover to technology, we are lagging behind our neighbors. If we want to improve as a country, we need to realize that we have to support scientific studies and research in the country even more. It will also help us keep some of the country’s brilliant minds to stay in the country if we give them resources for them to develop their minds in scientific research even more.

What is Physics and its significance?

Physics is defined to be the study of nature and the study of matter and motion. But of course there is more to Physics than just these definitions.

Physics has a big influence in our lives today. As I have learned through class, without it, a lot of our technology wouldn’t be present today. Without Galileo, we wouldn’t have telescopes and we’d still probably believe that sun is not the center of the universe. Michael Faraday and Maxwell gave us a better understanding of electrical and magnetic fields, and these would eventually lead to some technological advancements like magnetic levitation. There are many more examples of inventions being made because of physics. Physics gives us a basic understanding of how things and the environment works which allows us to go through our jobs and other daily hassles.

What has Physics 10 taught me?

That’s a good question. At first, people told me to take this class because it was an easy ‘uno’. When I was able to get the class, I was very happy, especially since I’m a very grade-conscious person. I was thinking that I wouldn’t learn anything new since this was ‘easy’ Physics. But you know what they say, expect the unexpected.

Before I took up Physics 10, I viewed science as something essential, but also something that brings down my grades. I knew that science was interesting, but I didn’t really see that until I took Physics 10. Having a class that is geared for students to see interesting things about science really helped me see how important science is and how relevant it is to our lives in modern days.

Probably one of the best things that Physics 10 showed was that our world is full of things that we don’t notice in our daily lives. We usually think that subjects like physics pretty much have no connection to our lives, but they are actually relevant to us. For example, physics can explain to us how airplanes are flown due to the flow of air from high to low pressure, which is explained by Bernoulli's Principle. The photoelectric effect explains why photography dark rooms use red lights. Physics will also help you understand why the sky is blue and other interesting facts.

This class also made me even more in awe of our universe. The lectures about the universe were very interesting because there is nothing bigger than the universe. What was also interesting was the way these scientists were able to prove their theories because it is hard to imagine how the universe works. Kepler used many mathematical equations to create his planetary laws. Galileo used telescopes to observe the universe and even became blind for it. Newton used Kepler’s laws to show gravitation and that the universe follows laws. Einstein even went further with his theories of relativity, which were proven many years after to be correct. The fact that the universe is growing and expanding even more shows that there will be more to discover in the future and it is up to future generations to find out even more.

Lastly, and I believe the most important thing I got from Physics 10 is that it made me appreciate human intelligence and the power of thinking. It is important to note how powerful the human mind is. As the Greek philosophers showed, it makes us question everything around us. This is what started science itself and what makes it very important to us. It is what made Galileo believe in what he thinks is right using scientific evidence even if the Church was against him. It made Isaac Newton so curious that because of him, we now know about gravity and the Newtonian laws of motion. It is what made Albert Einstein imagine what the Universe is really like way ahead of our time using his general and special theories of relativity. The core values of science, the five diagnostic features of science and the goal of science all show the importance of thinking in our lives. The human intellect can empower us to do great things and discover much more about ourselves and the universe.

Because of what I have learned from Physics 10, I would hope that UP students who can take it to go sign up for this class not just for the grade, but more importantly to learn more about physics. It has taught me to appreciate the world, the universe and human intelligence. I am sure that besides these, you will also find many other things that will definitely keep you interested in physics. I hope that you too would learn to love the sciences as well, especially after taking this wonderful course.