Applied Psychology
As a diverse society, one of the challenges of teaching about social justice issues in all fields of psychology is the construction of a teaching environment where those can empower themselves to explore their personal experiences of being privileged and being oppressed.1 Those that are a part of the LGBT community are often rejected and put down by those that don’t believe in same-sex marriage. These members are often harassed for their sexuality. Personally, the field of psychology and the principles of social justice are connected by having the understanding that there is different social, cultural, and worldviews of us and others.
Laws that prevent same-sex couples from getting married are examples of institutional discrimination-societal-level conditions that take away many benefits, privileges, and opportunities of socially disadvantaged groups like the LGBT community. My chosen topic for Fire Project is linked to the psychological disorders of mood, anxiety, and depression in states that ban gay marriage. Mood disorder is characterized by the elevation or lowering of a person’s mood that can lead to one being bipolar or depressed.2 To be depressed one is in a state of general unhappiness or hopelessness. For people with anxiety disorders, worry, fear, and stress are constant feelings one embarks. Due to social conditions, every individual should be able to achieve their hopes and dreams by having the same basic fundamental rights and securities under the law and to celebrate their love in all aspects of humanity. As a society, we laugh at or make fun of such blatant hypocrisy, but in a real way, words do hurt. Oppressing someone for being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender is not a laughing matter. Homophobia isn’t something to take lightly either – for the fact that – it can have tragic consequences.
It is proven that the importance of abolishing institutional forms of discrimination, including those leading to disparities in the mental health and well-being of all LGBT individuals in this case can be solved if one is given family or client-centered therapy. Family therapy is when the client and their family are brought together to create harmony and to help better understand the client. Client-centered therapy is when the therapist tries to form a relationship with the client by using positive regard and empathy. The goal for the therapist is to help the client realize that they do have a problem and that it is up to them to solve it on their own. Yet, in this case, wanting to marry someone of the same-sex is not problem; it is perfectly a way of life. The by-stander effect is also a big one. Instead of letting others discourage others for being different within their own perception speak up and be the voice for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to fight against oppression and discrimination.
The field of psychology is important to humanity because it is the study of behavior, performance, and mental operations of people. By studying psychology, one will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding of why humans think and act the way they do before thinking or acting a certain way themselves. It can help people to become more open-minded and accepting to the world around them as well. It is extremely important for many factors that psychology can be used to change the world, including decision making, avoiding stressful situations and helping diagnose diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and more.
The major takeaway that I have acquired from my experience with AP Psychology is in fact becoming more aware about my surroundings and others. I’ve realized that in order to change the world, we must change ourselves first. We must all change our perception of humankind, influence others to change, and embrace the biologically make-up we are born with. I will forever take all that I learned and educate others in hope for them also to do the same.
1 http://www.psych.nyu.edu/jost/Social%20Justice_%20History,%20Theory,%20&%20Research.pdf
2 IMPACT. (2010). Mental health disorders, psychological distress, and suicidality in a diverse sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths. American Journal of Public Health. 100(12), 2426-32.
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