1 Bailey Ameen Mrs.

Stein Psychology- 12:30 20 November 2013 Life According to Psychology During my 21 years of living, my life has been one big roller coaster. I try and live my life to the fullest and never have any regrets. The people in my life are the ones who keep me going and are there for me every step of the way. My parents have taught me many life lessons and I still live by those lessons today. Without the support of my parents, I dont think I would be where I am today, either. Psychology is a subject that many people study, and I believe that psychology is something everybody should either learn or teach himself or herself. I would say that I resemble both of my parents. Both of their genes come out in my day to day life (p.96). My mother is very outspoken, a night owl, kind, sweet, lovable, and strict. My father was outgoing, generous, kind-hearted, always had a smile on his face. I believe I look more like my mom, though. My maturation started early with me getting my girl parts (p.97). I definitely have my moms gene for that part of my physical growth. My puberty came in my earlier stages of adolescence (p. 121). Before I could start school I would go to a babysitter so that my parents could go to work. The term in psychology, social smile, described me when I would get to see one of my parents at the end of the day. I was always excited to see them even though I would be furious when they dropped me off. I would say that I had horrible separation anxiety (p. 105). Everytime when one of my parents would drop me off, I would scream at the top of my lungs. My thoughts were that I was never going to see them again, however, that was never the case. I was securely

2 attached to both of my parents, so whoever it was that would drop me off at daycare, I would be thrilled to see them at the end of the day (p.105). Daycare was the starting point for my social development (p.104). That was a place where I could meet new friends and caregivers. Daycare also was the foundation where my caregiver could give me contact comfort, by giving me a toy or something that was reassuring feeling of comfort (p. 104). Growing up, not only were my parents always willing to do anything for me, they showed their love every single day. I would say my parents both enriched and deprived me of my childhood (p. 102). They enriched me in ways that included buying me any toy I wanted, having the best birthday parties, and loved my unconditionally. Their deprivation of my childhood consisted of me not being able to have their love and affection in the same house. My parents divorced when I was little and so I never got to experience what life was with both parents still living together. My parents would be considered authoritarian parents, because there were always rules in the household (p. 107). I was to always clean up my toys after I was done playing with them, always have my room clean, and help with chores. I think that is why my life is so organized today, because of how I was raised. My siblings and I were to stay out of trouble and if we were to get into trouble, there would be punishment. My parents used power assertion as punishment (p. 107). I would get my toys and the privilege of going to play with my friends taken away. My parents made me learn the right way I should, and shouldnt treat adults (p.235). I remembered getting punishment for everytime that I would act up in public or to an adult (p. 255). However, the punishment I would receive wouldnt be a spanking or getting the switch. My mother would just firmly tell me not to do it again or something bad was going to happen, which nothing ever happened. After I would be punished I would try and be the best child I could be. I would say my

3 parents had good management techniques (p. 107). They would encourage me to be responsible, think of my actions, and to make overall good decisions. After I had made a mistake, my parents would firmly enforce verbal punishment. My personality has varied every since I was a little girl (p.400). When I was little, my aunt told me that I was extremely shy and would never talk when I was asked a question. Being shy still is one of my personality traits to this day. In school I would be outgoing and make many friends, but around adults and people I didnt know, I would be timid. I would say that I am inbetween being and introvert and extrovert (p. 401). I am an introvert because of how shy I can be around people I do not know, and an extrovert because I love going out with my friends and I am confident. My self-concept would be that I have a good personality (p.401). I am not extremely loud and I can control my actions pretty well. I feel as if I am easy to get along with a personable. I see myself as having positive self-regard, which means to think of myself as a good, lovable, worthwhile person (p.418). I would label myself with having a Type A personality (p.473). One reason would be that, I cannot take things easy. I feel like I always have to accomplish my task in a quick by efficient way. One example of my conditions of worth with my parents would be that I should not hate anyone (p. 418). Anger issues in my household when I was young were my brother always picking on me and I would tell him I hate him. Also, when I played softball, if I didnt hit the ball or catch a fly ball my dad would yell at me through the fence and embarrass me. I would use self-reinforcement when I would hit the ball good, or make a good play (p. 421). My selfreinforcement when I was little would mainly consist of using my allowance to go by something at the mall.

4 During my time in college I have grown to have episodes of anxiety (p. 462), although I have not been diagnosed with anxiety disorder (p.490). When I was a freshman I would be frightened to go to class, I was scared that I wasnt going to meet anybody, and I would call my mom crying because I wanted to come back home. My uneasiness in college is slightly going away. I actually enjoy my time, and my purpose in college. Also, I am excited seeing my future coming together. However, once I start nursing school in the fall I have a feeling that all my anxiety is going to come right back to haunt me. I had denial about attending Oklahoma State University, because I didnt think I was going to meet anyone, but that quickly wasnt the case (p.463). I have a fantasy of becoming a nurse, and later onto become a nurse in labor and delivery (p.463). My fantasy is slowly coming true, because I am set on achieving my goals and I will not stop until I have fulfilled them. When my father passed away when I was in my sophomore year in college, I remember going through all of the stages of grief. When I got that phone call when I was leaving the library I couldnt help but stop what I was doing and fall to the ground. I was in denial for an extremely long time, long enough for me to drop out of school for a year and a half. (p. 103) I remember being angry with my step dad for trying to take on the role of my father (p. 130). I grew to be depressed, and had to be medicated for a short time period (p. 130). Finally, I snapped out of it and had to remind myself that I still have to make something out of myself, I still had a future ahead of me. I then re-enrolled in college classes, and am on my way to a brighter future. Overall I am very grateful to be alive today. Although achieving my goals will be difficult, I plan to accomplish them by continuing my education, and bettering myself as a person. When I have children one day I believe I will be an authoritarian parent. My parents are the best people in the world, and I hope I can be just like they were to me.