PSI Tutor: Academic Mentor

Be Here Now~2009: This tutor wants to build on earlier adventures…

charmayne — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:29:15 +0000

Originally uploaded by jelene

These pieces that follow are from Sight, 1(1), May 13th, 2006~ the student psychology newsletter initiated PSI Tutor as a fierce tutor:mentor and student learning advocate.

Be here now…

“There may be a long list of things to do,
but really there is just one thing on the list
at any time. If you think of it like that, the whole
world looks different, and you can stay quite calm”

- Zoketsu Norman Fischer, 2006, p. 1

Opra on her show today was raising awareness about loving yourself and practicing happiness with the here and now.

Losing the Labels

Words, like the chisel of the carver, can create what never existed before rather than simply describe what already exists. As a [man] speaks, not only is the thing which he is declaring coming into existence, but also the [man] himself.

- Martin Heidegger (as cited in Walker, 2006, p. 71).

It has been noted that today’s counselors, psychologists and other health service workers have been slow to adopt a postmodern perspective toward ‘mental illness,’ as compared to other social sciences. A postmodern viewpoint states that it our day to day language that CREATES our reality (Walker, 2006). The idea that we as humans create ‘truth’ is termed social construction.

It is the social and cultural environment that we interact within which influences how we perceive ourselves, others and the meanings of events in the world. Our social relationships, with our family, neighbours, counselors, bus drivers, teachers, shop assistants etc. Both help and hinder the ways we identify ourselves as a person, and our place within society (Swann, 1999).

Wood (2006) refers to WORDS as ‘invisible chains.’ They are powerful. And many counselors, psychologists and other health providers maintain the use of PROBLEM-FOCUSED language, also known as pathologising, labeling and deficit-language. This is most evident when disease terminology is relied upon.

For example, “She is schizophrenic,” or “He has behavioral problems.” However, it must be remembered that at times a label helps a person to find answers to their experiences, and labels can aid in diagnosis and subsequent aid in regaining quality of life (Erhenberg, 2003). Unfortunately, many health workers forget that labels are MADE UP, just as society has decided that the word ‘chair’ will refer to a particular object that we sit on.

Labels are social constructions (Walker, 2006). We have a label for behaviours we consider ‘normal’ and a label for behaviours we think of as ’sick’, ‘mentally ill’ and ‘pathological.’ There are people in the Amazon who their culture labels ’shaman’ or ‘medicine woman,’ in our culture they are more likely to be labeled ‘ schizophrenic’ or ‘bi-polar.’

A postmodern perspective says that truth is not absolute, it is relative, and how we interpret ‘reality’
is grounded in our culture and social interactions (Walker, 2006). The labels we use are a reflection of how we view power in a capitalist society. Capitalism embraces paternalistic values: I know better than you do. Why? Because there is an absolute truth, and it is what I view reality as. When distinctions are made by using labels we influence our attitudes and subsequent actions, for ourselves, others and our environment (Walker, 2006).

How helpful is it for a counselor or other health worker to use problem-focused language? Not very according to a wealth of research (Erhenberg, 2003; Swann, 1999; Utesch, n.d; Walker, 2006). For the person experiencing emotional, relational or mental distress, the labeling of their feelings, behaviours
and thoughts, fosters a sense of being ‘wrong,’ ‘other’ or ‘ less than others.’ They begin to see their IDENTITY as a problem (Walker, 2006).

Hardly a state of being that would be considered a step toward improvement of quality of life. “A client’s problem that s/he brings to therapy is like cookie dough. The experience of it is vague and malleable. Once the “blob” of cookie dough is forced through the cookie press (a tube, funnel, and mold pressed against a baking pan) it becomes a Christmas tree, star, or Santa Claus.

Similarly, when a client exposes his or her problem to a therapist it gets “molded” or interpreted in the language of the therapist” (O’Hanlon and Wiener-Davis, 1989 as cited in Walker, 2006). What is the solution? There has been a move, though somewhat slow, of heath workers using a client-centred approach.

That is a perspective that takes the perspective that reality is constructed, and seeks to empower the distressed person to view themselves as self-determining. Words that focus on the positive and strengths of a person, and their relationships with themselves, others and the wider community, are tools that ‘enable’ and facilitate a person to cause change within their lives (Walker, 2006).

Words can also encourage a person not to objectify themselves with a label that they consider an ‘absolute reality.’A strength-based approach to human services focuses on ‘what’s right,’ in terms of a personas current resources, social support networks and coping abilities (Epstein & Rudolf, 2001).

A strength-based perspective identifies the emotional, behavioural and cognitive aspects of a person that contribute positively to their accomplishments, empowers their relationships and ability to be resilient during times of stress, and so enhances their personal, social and learning development. The perspective is based on two key principles: 1) We all have strengths; and 2) We are able to be motivated when our strengths are recognized and pointed out to us (Epstein & Rudolf, 2001).

Essentially, a strength-based perspective focuses on health and wellness, and on facilitating a person to enhance their quality of life through awareness of their internal strengths, by using language that reinforces their innate ability to persevere and succeed through troubled-times (Utesch, n.d). As such, the human service worker is in the unique position of being able to draw the attention of a distressed person to a glass that is ‘half
full.’

References

Epstein, M. H., & Rudolf, S. (2001). Strength-based assessment. Retrieved May 18th, 2006, from the Centre for Effective Collaboration
and Practice Website: http://cecp.air.org/interact/expertonline/strength/sba.asp

Ehrenberg, M. (2003). What’s your label? Retrieved May 18th, 2006, from: http://www.newyorkcityvoices.org/2003aprjun/20030608.html

Swann, W. B., Jr. (1999). Resilient identities: Self, relationships, and the construction of social reality. New York: Basic.

Utesch, W. E. (n.d.) From a glass half empty to a glass half full…Retrieved May 18th, 2006, from: http://www.foellinger.org/ResourcesLinks/UteschArticle.pdf

Walker, M. T. (2006). The social construction of mental illness…Retrieved May 18th,2006, from:http://www.psychosocial.com/IJPR_10/Social_Construction_of_MI_and_Implications_for_Recovery_Walker.html

Merry Christmas! Students and tutors are bid a merry safe Christmas

charmayne — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:21:26 +0000

Image by Nessy Shepherd via Flickr

merry christmas and a happy new year~

play safe, gift with thought and share your magic into 2009…

Kingdomality: Char (PSI Tutor) personality test results

charmayne — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:20:16 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Your distinct personality, The Dreamer-Minstrel might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time.

You can always see the “Silver Lining” to every dark and dreary cloud. Look at the bright side is your motto and understanding why everything happens for the best is your goal.

You are the positive optimist of the world who provides the hope for all humankind. There is nothing so terrible that you can not find some good within it.

On the positive side, you are spontaneous, charismatic, idealistic and empathic.

On the negative side, you may be a sentimental dreamer who is emotionally impractical. Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in today’s corporate kingdoms.

Flexibility in the Life of the Brain

Thank You to the Students of 2008! PSI Tutor (Char) would have been going nowehere without you :-)

charmayne — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:43:55 +0000

Teen Forums | Teen Advice Help & Support

Check out this neat Glitter Tool over at Ultimate Teen Forums

Disrupt & Grow: Embrace chaos this study break suggest Guest Blogger Joseph Jude

charmayne — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:24:35 +0000

Prediction and chaos

Originally uploaded by kevindooley

Given to itself, every entity - nation, society, organization, individual - will continue in its path. Because that is easy and simple.

While a predictable path provides feelings of safety and security, it rarely leads to growth. It leads to complacency, which in turn leads to decay. Any organism that has turned a blind eye to the changing landscape was overtaken and ruined by those that changed the landscape.

Once there was a mighty Ottoman Empire that is now without a trace. Another example is that of ‘the-sun-never-sets’ British Empire.

Huge organizations of yesteryear’s like DEC and Novell are taken over by Googles and Amazons.

Letter communications are taken over by Email and Chats.

Despite the negative connotation of the word, disruption brings with it huge opportunities for growth and profit (not necessarily monetary profits). Quicker ones who spot these opportunities leave lasting impacts, if not making huge profits; ones who led disintegration of empires became ‘Fathers-of-Nations’; while owners of Hotmails and gMails have made huge monetary gains.

Such disruptions are happening everywhere and in every sphere - in our churches, societies, nations, and definitely in businesses. That means there is disruption for students too. It is sometimes difficult difficult to spot disruptions when they occur, nevertheless they occur continuously. When disruptions happen, there is the choice for you to: lead, be part of it, or to ignore it.

Can you spot a disruption that is happening in your studies, or your society, church or nation?
Are you leading the disruption or at least part of it?

About the author: Joseph is a consultant in the IT space for the past 13 years. In addition to programming and consulting he enjoys debating new ideas. He regularly blogs at http://www.jjude.com.

12 Monuments Dedicated to Amazing Women

More Disruption…

IMHO

The Odyssey ~ Homer

Refreshing Quizzes: Tune your brain

charmayne — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:10:09 +0000

Image by nixter via Flickr

College Prep Quiz

Grammar Pop Quiz

Are You CEO Material?

Island Survival Quiz (you never never know

Cooking 101

World Mythology Quiz

Share with the rest of us how you go on these…

Do You Need A Tutor? MSN posts the question

charmayne — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:59:31 +0000

Image by diankarl*AgainstUUPornografi* via Flickr

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/guides/?article=Tutor

Study Method: Preparing for the upcoming semester with SQ7R

charmayne — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:03:47 +0000

Image by Jared Zimmerman via Flickr

Yes~ these are the holidays. But remember back to those sweating blood days of making assignment deadlines, and recall your daydreams about being more organised in future. Or of making a head start before the next season of essays, presentations, group work and exams.

Elearning shares a straightforward method to organise and GTD this semester.

In the early 1970s Francis Robertson developed a test that suggested 3 tasks:

Survey
Question
Read

Later, in 1997, Pauk suggested a method that is commonly known as the SQ5R, aka reflective journaling, equivalent to scrapbooking and blogging.

Record
Recite
Review
Reflect

The survey begins with slowing down and focusing on taking in a birds-eye-view during a course/subject orientation and writing summaries: subject outline, assessment goals, chapter and tutorial summaries

Take advantage of the internet to source Companion Guides from the Publishers. Many have other free study resources that can help you to scope an overview of what the subject is about.

Write questions for yourself and others. Be creative. Make cross-words, word searches, journal, interview or just ask others (pose questions for Guest Bloggers).

Skim reading and collecting questions or making notations of interesting points as well as answers to your questions means you are up-to-date. You become familiar with the Glossary used to describe a field of thought. Read a variety of materials, watch, listen and physically experience all that is possible with regard to your field of study.

Swimming around in your pool of theories and models will give you a taste and view of a smorgasbord of opinions and facts. Trivia in your field of practice is a great anchoring point that can be used to chart your way across the semester.

Recording means exactly that, to make notes about what you have read, heard, seen or experienced. Photos, other milestone symbols etc, express in some way how you interpret material communicated to you in class. Be critical~ ask questions: How do others conclusions compare with yours? Where are the gaps? What interesting? Why? How does this apply to your life?

Familiarity with the material is the key. New information about any topic has its own inherent language, style and leaders of thought. Use flashcards, mnemonic aids, narrative, pictures etc to engage, experience and exchange information to build on knowledge and solutions.

Review is your opportunity to organise information. Prune deadwood information~ what you already know and have a solid understanding of (post it or recycle it). Identify your gaps in knowledge and set about SQ7R from the beginning.

Finally, reflect on the material and methods and note your observations on learning style, interests, findings and conclusions as to why you found what you did. As always, questions are a must

What areas of study can you apply the SQ7R to this semester?

Have you used this method, share your reflections…