Psychology

I really enjoy taking Psychology classes even if there is a lot to read each time. In fact, I’m currently enrolled in Psych 253 – Social Psychology. I think I like Psychology for two reasons. First, it really is a very interesting subject. And second, I always learn something. In Psychology 101 – Introduction to Psychology, I learned about the Gestalt principle (the whole is not equal to the sum of its parts) for the first time and that when it comes to learning, an effective strategy is to study regularly, overlearn and to actively rehearse the material. In Psych 257 – Psychopathology, I learned that we are bio-psycho-social beings where our thoughts and behaviours are influenced both biologically, psychologically and socially. In my current Psychology class, so far one of the important things I’ve learned is about persuasion.

Why?

Well, now that I am a father, there are some social problems which are very frightening to me: peer pressure to do drugs and pressure to join cults. What I’ve learned is that parents should actively talk to their kids these things. Parents should first let their kids know that people will tempt them. It’s not a question of if but a question of when. Then they should teach them how to refute the persuasive arguments used by those tempting them. This is very important for if they can successfully resist a first attempt, they will become harder for others to tempt them again.

All I can hope now is that I will do a good job. I grew up in a culture where parents don’t really talk to their kids about these things. In Mauritius, parents don’t really know how to talk to their kids about sexuality and drugs.

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