Diverse Career Opportunities

One of the standout features of majoring in psychology is that it paves the path to a wide range of careers, from neuropsychologists to engineering psychologists. For example, a neuropsychologist would assess how your entire nervous system is working. They mostly deal with conditions, like epilepsy, , and Motor neurone disease (MND).

An education in psychology provides students with the flexibility to personalise their career prospects as per their interests. From research to counselling, this path offers countless opportunities. With the right psychology degree in Singapore, one can thrive in their interested niche.

Growing Demand for Mental Health Professionals

There has been a rise in demand for specialists in mental wellbeing worldwide. With increasing awareness regarding mental health, there are diverse openings for careers in this field. As more and more people seek help, the government has begun to launch support programmes for better well-being of the society.

Even with a part time psychology degree, one can set themselves up on this progressive career path. Mental health professionals are in high demand, not just as a career, but as major contributors to society. From hospitals to private practices, their expertise is needed in virtually every corner of the healthcare system, addressing their growing importance across all sectors.

World-Class Education

Singapore is known for having one of the top educational systems in the world. Modern facilities and resources enable institutes in Singapore to offer psychology courses that ensure thorough education. Psychology education in Singapore integrates theoretical understanding with applied learning to make sure that students are trained using real-world scenarios. For instance, students might be able to get practical experience through an internship at a mental care hospital. In addition to improving learning, this exposure allows students to be prepared for the challenges of the real world.

Opportunities for Research and Practice

Singapore focuses significantly on real-world applications and research which makes it one of the best places to pursue psychology. Institutes encourage students to conduct research, develop analytical and critical thinking, and learn from a practical standpoint. Students can concentrate on studies related to mental care therapies or gain a thorough understanding of the therapeutic approaches that are used in practice.

For example, students can work under licensed psychologists in a counselling clinic and use the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) technique to further understand how it reduces stress. Additionally, it also exposes students to role-playing exercises, case studies, and other practical applications that shape their skills. Therefore, research opportunities allow students to contribute to the field and make a meaningful impact towards society.

Conclusion

Singapore is one of the best places to pursue a career in psychology, and 51爆料 provides its students with some of the best psychology education in Singapore to meet world standards. From diverse career opportunities to extensive research opportunities, an individual can learn thoroughly and make a meaningful contribution to the world of mental well-being.
So, are you ready to embark on this journey? Contact us today and explore all the courses 51爆料 offer to help you achieve your goals. With our comprehensive programme that equips you with the latest knowledge and practical theories, you can make a difference in society today!

Our mental health has an impact on our physical health, and vice versa. How we feel emotionally is influenced by our physical well-being. The interaction between our mind and body becomes evident through various expressions. When we are depressed or stressed, it may indicate that we have difficulty falling asleep.

When we are hurt or injured, the pain can occasionally be made worse by stress or frustration. We may also experience increased irritability or rage, sadness or worry if we are ill or injured. When hopeful, we are more inclined to experience joy, and more likely to feel that we are living a meaningful life.

The Major Issues of Mental Health

Mental health has a major impact on the way in which we interact with others in social settings, make decisions in different occasions, and deal with stress in our everyday life. People’s ability to live fulfilling lives are highly influenced by our mental health. Therefore, public health professionals should consider prioritizing the protection and restoration of mental health for the sake of their health and well-being. Let鈥檚 take a look at the major concerns of mental health at workplace.

Workplace issues, worry, anxiety or stress can contribute to mental health problems. Mental health issues frequently impair concentration, which can jeopardize a person’s job performance. Depression is associated with difficulty focusing, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reduced productivity can limit one’s ability to perform well, earn promotions, and develop successful relationships with co-workers and higher management, all of which can have an impact on job satisfaction. Workplace absenteeism can also be influenced by mental health issues or unhappiness at work.

This may result in a person losing their job or having less opportunity to make a living. As a result, it’s crucial to maintain a work-life balance where one gives equal priority to both their career and their personal life.

3 Ways to take Care of your Mental Health and Well-being

Physical and mental health are equally important. It is possible to prevent mental health problems in the future by nurturing our mental health. For example, stress management can help reduce the potential of heart disease. When our mental health is in good shape, it extends to other aspects of our overall well-being too.

1) Learn to Manage Stress

Stress is a major factor that can negatively impact both physical and mental health. There are many different ways to manage stress, such as exercise, watching your favourite cartoon movie, going for a body massage or taking a walk in nature and listening to birds whispering or leaves rustling in the forest.

2) Follow a Healthy Diet

It is also possible to improve mood and reduce stress through a healthy diet. There are several nutrients that increase blood flow, including omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamin E, and polyphenols found in red wine, blueberries, and dark chocolate. Thus, a healthy diet improves brain function by enhancing blood flow, which improves nutrient delivery to the brain.

3) Practice Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness involves being in the moment without passing judgment. It may be beneficial for lowering stress, boosting mood, and raising self-awareness. Learning to meditate using singing bowls, deep breathing exercises, or relaxing yoga can all improve your long-term mental health.

We can enhance our overall health and well-being by making small changes one step at a time, to improve our overall wellbeing. However, if you are unlikely to improve over time, it would be best to seek professional guidance.

Your Guide to Seeking Professional Guidance

1) Help Someone in Need

If a friend confides in you about suicidal thoughts, you may be taken aback or react emotionally. Whatever your response, try to be non-judgmental and patient while expressing genuine concern.

2) Listen to Understand

Extend a listening ear and listen to understand their emotions. Understand their point of view and acknowledge their challenges. Be empathetic and show genuine concern in supporting them by extending a helping hand.

3) Encourage them to Seek Help

Assure them that it is alright to seek professional help if they may need to do so. You may offer to accompany them for a visit to the psychologist to make them feel secure.  Be with them to alleviate their loneliness and uncertainties.

4) Make a Referral

If you come across someone that may be at risk of suicide or is thinking of making an attempt to suicide. You may refer the person to to make an appointment to see a counsellor via CareMail service pat@sos.org.sg or call the 24-hour Hotline at 1-767 or 24-hour CareText: WhatsApp: 9151 1767‍. Together, we can offer support to those who require assistance, and also to those we hold dear.”

What are the Essential Skills for a Career in Psychology?

If you like to interact with people and are keen to help people manage their emotional, behavioural and psychological needs, learn more about the essential soft skills and mandatory qualifications required to be a psychologist to start your career. Let鈥檚 look at the essential psychological skills required.

Psychologists use a wide range of technical and people skills to be effective clinicians and counsellors. In order to relate to patients and determine the most effective course of treatment for them, a good counsellor balances their logical and empathic thinking. Research, active listening, communication, behavioural testing, teamwork, ethics, patience, problem-solving, and mediation are some of the essential skills for psychologists.

Where Can I Learn More About Psychology?

In 51爆料, the School of Psychology offers multiple programmes for you to choose from. We provide a path for education that starts with an International Foundation Diploma and ends with a Master’s degree in Psychological Science. We provide a holistic learning experience that covers the fundamentals of the five fields of psychology – cognitive, clinical, social, developmental, and biological 鈥� all under one roof.

View some of the psychology courses that 51爆料 has to offer.

Diploma programme | /-international-foundation-diploma-in-stema-psychology

Degree programme | /bachelor-of-science-hons-in-psychological-and-behavioural-science

For programme enquiries, please contact our friendly consultants:

Mr Douglas Koh | Mobile/WhatsApp: +65 9430 1901 | Email: douglas_kohfb@mdis.edu.sg

Mr Wilson Neo | Mobile/WhatsApp: +65 9673 3392 | Email: wilson_neows@mdis.edu.sg

There is still a stigma about mental health, and the only way we can get rid of it is by educating ourselves. Here is how we can help identify the different mental health issues (please seek professional advice, especially if you are experiencing any of the following, below):  

础苍虫颈别迟测听

Anxiety is the leading mental health condition today. How do we know if it is an anxiety disorder or a feeling of anxiousness? How do we differentiate between the two? According to , normal anxiety lasts as long as the situation or problem, while anxiety disorder might not be related to any specific situation. 

Anxiety  

• Related to a specific situation or problem 
• Lasts only as long as the situation or problem 
• Proportional to the situation or problem 
• Seemingly realistic response to a realistic problem  

Anxiety Disorder  

• Anxiety may come up unexpectedly, and might not be related to a specific situation 
• The anxiety response to a situation or problem may be much stronger than they expect 
• They may experience a lot of unrealistic anxiety, such as fear of an unlikely situation  
• Anxiety may last for a long time, even when the situation or problem has been resolved 
• Anxiety may feel impossible to control or manage 
• They may avoid situations or things that they believe will trigger their anxiety symptoms 

Below are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders: 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Involves constant, severe anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Experience intrusive and unreasonable thoughts, fears, and obsessions that lead to repetitive behaviors and compulsions. 

Panic Disorder: Characterized by constant fearfulness and frequent, sudden attacks of terror and panic. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD usually develops after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It is also possible for individuals to experience trauma without suffering a major catastrophic event. 

Social Anxiety Disorder: This mental health condition manifests as irrational anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment in everyday social interactions. 

顿别辫谤别蝉蝉颈辞苍听

We have felt sadness to some degree, but do we know if our emotional state is one that might require seeking medical or professional help? 

What is the difference between situational depression and clinical depression? 

Situational depression is a short-term form of depression, an emotional state that occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event or change in their life. It usually occurs within 90 days (about 3 months) after the event. It is considered an adjustment disorder while clinical depression is considered a mood disorder. If recovery from situational disorder does not occur within a few weeks, then clinical depression may develop. 

Symptoms can include: 

• Sadness, tearfulness 
• Feeling nervous, tired, or hopeless 
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or heart palpitations 
• Behavioral signs such as arguing and fighting more or skipping school/work 
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits 
• Using alcohol or drugs 

No type of depression is more 鈥渞eal鈥� than the other. 

According to the , depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression. 

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: 

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or depressed mood 
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities 
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism 
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness 
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being 鈥渟lowed-down鈥� 
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions 
• Insomnia or oversleeping/trouble waking up in morning 
• Appetite and/or weight changes 
• Restlessness, irritability, anxiety 
• Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or heart palpitations 
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts 

Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumour or vitamin deficiency) can imitate symptoms of depression so it is important to rule out other causes with a medical exam. 

Eating Disorder聽

Eating disorders affect people of all backgrounds; genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.  

There are different ways to identify eating disorders 鈥� emotional and behavioural and physical symptoms. While there are different types of eating disorders, here are some common symptoms to look out for: 

Emotional & Behavioural  

• In general, behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns 
• Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, and dieting 
• Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.) 
• Appears uncomfortable eating around others 
• Food rituals (e.g. eats only a particular food or food group [e.g. condiments], excessive chewing, doesn鈥檛 allow foods to touch) 
• Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals 
• Any new practices with food or fad diets, including cutting out entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy, vegetarianism/veganism) 
• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities 
• Frequent dieting 
• Extreme concern with body size and shape  
• Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance 
• Extreme mood swings 

Physical 

• Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down 
• Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.) 
• Menstrual irregularities 鈥� missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a 鈥渢rue鈥� period) 
• Difficulties concentrating 
• Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low white and red blood cell counts) 
• Dizziness, especially upon standing 
• Fainting/syncope 
• Feeling cold all the time 
• Sleep problems 
• Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting) 
• Dental problems, such as enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth sensitivity 
• Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails 
• Swelling around area of salivary glands 
• Fine hair on body (lanugo) 
• Cavities, or discoloration of teeth, from vomiting 
• Muscle weakness 
• Yellow skin (in context of eating large amounts of carrots) 
• Cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling of feet 
• Poor wound healing 
• Impaired immune functioning 

It is important to be aware of and understand how we are feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically. As people, it is crucial that we have our own circles or communities that we can rely on 鈥� which is why it is important to also look out for our family and peers 鈥� extend a hand if they might be in need as it can make all the difference.  

Click here if you are interested in learning and understanding more about mental health and psychology.  

Sources: 

鈥� Graham Hancock, Fingerprints of the Gods, 2018

Contrary to Hancock鈥檚 (2018) statement on the unconsciousness, I believe instead that human society is deeply troubled by the vast amount of information that is granted to us through technology. We, as a result of this information overload, choose to stay within the privilege comforts of hedonistic society. We are largely conscious than we are unconscious. This development can be seen in the schools of psychology, each as a reaction to the former: functionalism to structuralism, behaviorism to psychoanalysis, humanism to behaviorism, and cognitive behaviorism to humanism. This development may also be blatant in social psychology as it progresses from the 60s to where we acclaim ourselves now with critical social psychology. How we rejected experimentalism, rather I believe its discoveries, and turn towards an illusionary social constructivism, which asserts that all things existentially matter, if not at all still within ambiguous identity-alienation (Jourard, 1996; Sloan, 1996).

Social Psychology is defined as the normative study of people in groups, their behaviors and interactions with other people. How we think and therefore communicate is partial to the domain of social psychology. Our cultures and beliefs in association with the group鈥檚 levies into this; further still is what is discriminated upon as abnormal, or outside society. Its possible mechanisms and lauded causes grants insights in experimental psychology, the likes of which include the Milgram study and Stanford Prison experiment. Critical social psychology would form in the latter years and break away from mainstream 鈥楢merican鈥� social psychology.

Psychology surmises the mind and thus its conceptions through behavior. As humans, we have the gift of reflection and choice. Our varied experiences in line with our backgrounds and characteristics make for this volatile spectrum of perspectives. To illustrate such a point, I shall use Freud鈥檚 unconscious theory (Wollheim & Goutallier, 1971, p.157-176; Journal Psyche, 2018) to support my claim. Freud asserts, while describing the iceberg: that the unconscious is the larger and unseen portion beneath the waves; whereas the subconscious occupy a partial position beneath and above surface; and the consciousness containing the least of portions, floating right above the surface. According to Freud (Wollheim & Goutallier, 1971, p.157-176; Journal Psyche, 2018), the unconsciousness governs most of our repressed memories and experiences, whereas the subconscious governs important circumstantial information, and the consciousness the data that would freely be accessed and retrieved.

To put things into perspective, we may draw that the unconscious is related to the past and the consciousness to the present. Where Freud鈥檚 model would have work in his time, the context now is drastically different. The past is largely irrelevant, we think little of it in our current time. Information is pumped out into overdrive with technology, the media and society. Tod Sloan (1996, p.9) in his book the Damaged Life, listed an account for the main problems people think about in modern life; It reports the pace of change, for which things are moving far too quickly; the decline of certainty and belief, where there are now numerous perspectives on a matter; unfulfilled expectations, that draw upon feelings of helplessness and victimization; the decay of morality, that feeds upon a nihilistic stance of life which follows; meaninglessness, an apparent empty or boring life.

Consciousness surrounds waking society. Sloan in his report (1996) surmises this apparent dissonance with the mechanic world that humanity is inclined into. Freud鈥檚 iceberg has been overturned. The consciousness is now much broader, in part due to the information overload from the media and technology, a crippling cultural foundation (Habermas, 1970, p.114), and the lack of self-initiative through dependency on authority. The unconscious that we may assume resonate from a time once of plentiful reflection has been shredded away, occupying but a portion of the now dominant and surface consciousness. A sense of alienation (Jaeggi & Smith, 2014) defers from the loss of personal integrity, to that which is expropriated and exploited to perceived powers beyond the individual. Sloan (1996, p.10) himself relates this 鈥溾�he striking thing about modern confusion is that its locus is personal identity鈥�. If we were to give further thought to Freud鈥檚 Id Ego and Superego, we would see that the societal narrative is driven by the superego鈥檚 adherence to normative structures, sought by hedonistic principle of comfort than pain; lo what is thus egoistically celebrated normatively, is also aggressively acceptable for the Id. Where the foundations of culture and tradition has been uprooted, we are presented a dissonance of conflicting roles; one towards the expectations of society and the latter towards our self-integrity.

In lines of the work of McDougall and William James (Rogers, 2011, p.13), the person that is at war to become the leviathan, finds himself a player amongst others on the board. A figurative chess piece that is socially constructed to the determinants not even to themselves who lord it, as all who believe it are made redundant as a result of it.

Perhaps nothing may illuminate this concept of depersonalization more than the experiments run by Milgram (McLeod, 2017) and Zimbardo (McLeod, 2018). Where Milgram sought to understand why people were so willing to obey authority, Zimbardo sought to investigate the tortures that follows a prison in Abu Ghraib. Supported by Asch鈥檚 conformity studies, Milgram uncovered that many people would relegate their moral obligations to authority figures, despite the steady increase of voltage for shocking the unbeknownst confederate. Alternatively, Zimbardo discovered the power of the situation, context in extension to role perception. The students who participated were depersonalized of their identities and followed their assigned roles of being prison guards or prisoners; an echo to the Cave Robbers experiment where two groups acted in essence of Adler鈥檚 inferiority and superiority complexes, a dichotomous complex of victim and aggressor that runs akin to Zimbardo鈥檚 prison experiment. The idea of such estranged situations need not be truly realized. The foregone conclusion is constructed from fiction, as we pull in our memories and experiences and apply it to our worldview. The concept thus I鈥檓 referring to refer to is Adler鈥檚 fictional finalism (Mitchell, 2015).

Both the Second World War and the Iraq war were recent incidences. It could be said that such tools of validity or ethics were not available then, though it could also be argued that it was never necessary to begin with. Returning to Sloan (1996), the constant theme of modern problems resides in our identity. These experiments highlight our role-confusion and depersonalization in suiting to the norm. The superego is thus the largest muscle, enforcing what is pleasurably attractive, and diverting our aggression through sublimation or displacement, Freudian defense mechanisms that entails us to show aggression in an acceptable manner as is the state of war or self-harm. Do I believe that we have developed from the past? That the theories are a product of the times? Is it not too complicated to say? Would it not altogether rob the experiments of its message? Or perhaps rightly so, the experiments are an artificial bubble to a life we can鈥檛 ever hope to comprehend?

There is a famous story. A group of people are backed facing into the depths of the cave, the light shinning from their back from its entrance. They see on the walls an illustration of shadows they think to be of themselves. They were later bewildered when the shadow takes another form. Our need for meaning, contrives perception. The allegory is of Plato鈥檚 Cave (), a priori that ask of our senses if what we sensed is indeed so, being that what we are taught has transformed what we claim to initially know. It suggests the need to be partial, explicit to the perceived world.

In relating back to Freud鈥檚 iceberg (Journal Psyche, 2018), our awareness of what we sense has made us more critical of the information we receive. What we may grasp out of all of this is possibly the ways we have decided to excavate, as archeologists do – the falling remnants of late capital. We are moved more by discomfort than we are comfort. The cause for many personality assessments and thus its interest, its relative extremes in psychopathy and abnormal psychology, in relating back to social constructionism which takes the account of subject place and time, sees this development towards a reclaimed self, a move to reclaim our fractured identities and to build upon a solid foundation that we realize was lost to us (Sloan, 1996). It is true that development is slow, yet it may also be that as we grow to be more aware of something we can no longer, and thus become critical thinkers of conscious society, – the more we truly begin to realize where our priorities really lie.

References

Graham H. (2018). I Believe We Are A Species With Amnesia. Retrieved from https://themindsjournal.com/i-believe-we-are-a-species-with-amnesia/

Jaeggi, R., & Smith, A. (2014). Alienation (Neuhouser F., Ed.). Columbia University Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/jaeg15198

Jourard, S. M. (1996). The transparent self. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Journal Psyche. (2018). Freud’s Model of the Human Mind. Retrieved from http://journalpsyche.org/understanding-the-human-mind/

McLeod, S. A. (2017). The Milgram shock experiment. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html

McLeod, S. A. (2018). Zimbardo – Stanford prison experiment. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/zimbardo.html

Mitchell, G. (2015). Alfred Adler & Adlerian Individual Psychology. Retrieved from https://mind-development.eu/adler.html

Sloan, T. (1996). Damaged life: The crisis of the modern psyche. London: Routledge.

Wollheim, R., & Goutallier, M. (1971). Freud. Paris: Seghers.

In today鈥檚 society, the number of suicide cases is becoming increasingly common due to the increased stress individuals face. We, are taking the term 鈥淪uicide鈥� too liberally without understanding that suicide itself has different reasoning and intent behind the action. 

According to Emile Durkheim, the term suicide is applied to all cases of death resulting directly or indirectly from a positive or negative act of the victim, which he/she knows will produce this result (Pickering & Walford, 2011). Durkheim identifies four different types of suicide which are egoistic suicide, altruistic suicide, anomic suicide and fatalistic suicide.

Egoistic suicide is seen as stemming from the absence of social integration. It is committed by individuals who are social outcast and see themselves as being alone or an outsider. These individuals are unable to find their own place in society and have problems adjusting to groups. They received little and no social care. Suicide is seen as a solution for them to free themselves from loneliness or excessive individuation.

Altruistic suicide occurs when social group involvement is too high. Individuals are so well integrated into the group that they are willing to sacrifice their own life in order to fulfil some obligation for the group. Individuals kill themselves for the collective benefit of the group or for the cause that the group believes in. An example is someone who commits suicide for the sake of a religious or political cause, such as the infamous Japanese Kamikaze pilots of World War II, or the hijackers that crashed the airplanes into the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania in 2001. During World War II, Japanese Kamikaze pilots were willing to lay down their own lives for their countries in the hope that they will win the war. These pilots believed in their nation鈥檚 cause and were willing to sacrifice their lives. Similarly, suicide bombers around the world were willing to give up their lives in order to make a political or religious statement because they firmly believed in their group鈥檚 cause.

Anomic suicide is caused by the lack of social regulation and it occurs during high levels of stress and frustration. Anomic suicide stems from sudden and unexpected changes in situations. For example, when individuals suffer extreme financial loss, the disappointment and stress that individuals face may drive them towards committing suicide as a means of escape.

Studies conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that historically, suicides for people aged 25 to 64 rose during economic downturns (Sternheimer, 2011). There was a significant increase in suicide rates in USA from 1928 to 1932 when unemployment rates were nearly 24%. On the other hand, suicide rates were at a low in 2000 when unemployment was about 4%. In addition to economic downturns, disasters can also be associated with increases in suicide. The Japanese public health department reported that there was a rise in suicide rates after the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Earthquake survivors faced great stress and difficulty in trying to rebuild their livelihood and soon realised that their lives will not return back to normal due to the lost they suffered. Suicide became a means for them to escape reality.

Fatalistic suicide occurs when individuals are kept under tight regulation. These individuals are placed under extreme rules or high expectations are set upon them, which removes a person鈥檚 sense of self or individuality. Slavery and persecution are examples of fatalistic suicide where individuals may feel that they are destined by fate to be in such conditions and choose suicide as the only means of escaping such conditions. In South Korea, celebrities are being put under strict regulations. There was a case where, a singer committed suicide due to exhaustion to keep up with society鈥檚 rules and regulations. In 2017, celebrity Kim Jonghyun ended his life due to severe depression and the pressure of being in the spotlight as he felt that he  could not fulfil the society鈥檚 expectations  of his performance (Lee, 2018).

This article is contributed by Dr Amir Singh from the School of Psychology. 

References

Lee, J. (2018, September 8). Family of late SHINee star Jonghyun sets up foundation support young artists. Retrieved from The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/family-of-late-shinee-star-jonghyun-sets-up-foundation-to-support-young

W. S. F. Pickering; Geoffrey Walford; British Centre for Durkheimian Studies (2000). Durkheim’s Suicide: a century of research and debate. Psychology Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-415-20582-5. Retrieved 13 April 2011.

There is a substantial literature on the significant association between acute and chronic stress and the motivation to abuse addictive substances or engage in compulsive behaviours such as problem gambling, internet use, gaming, pornography use, overspending, and binge eating, among others. Majority of people with addictive behaviours do not seek help. Without early intervention, addictive behaviours can potentially result in dependence i.e. an addiction.

To better understand the association between stress and addictive behaviours, we utilise the biopsychosocial model of health and illness to explain how stressors develop. The biopsychosocial model of health and illness is a framework developed by George L. Engel to explain the interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors that determine the aetiology, manifestation, and outcome of wellness and disease. This model argues that any one factor is insufficient; it is the interplay between individuals鈥� genetic makeup (biology), mental well-being and behaviour (psychology), and the socio-cultural context (sociology) that determines the course of their health-related outcomes.

Biologically, an individual may be genetically predisposed to substance use. One perspective looks at addiction as a brain disease and seek to explain the development of addiction using neurobiological evidence to show that 鈥渕otivational brain pathways are key targets of brain stress chemicals and provide an important potential mechanism by which stress affects addiction vulnerability鈥� (Sinha, 2008: 3). Studies have also reported that addicts often present themselves with poor physical and mental well-being. Psychologically, individuals who experience loneliness, chronic pain, anxiety and depression, among other mental disorders, may have a high risk of being vulnerable to addiction. Sociologically, stressful events, lack of social support, financial debts, poor health behaviours, among other reasons, can increase an individual鈥檚 vulnerability to addiction.

How do individuals recover from an addiction? Honestly speaking, recovery from any addiction is not a walk in the park. It involves relapse, failures, frustration, disappointment and a great deal of resilience. Let us consider substance (drugs, alcohol and inhalants) use as an example. Stopping substance use is possible and easy for some but staying stopped is often a big challenge. Many recovering addicts encounter relapse, which is a gradual process. Melemis (2015) argues that if people in recovery do not practice self-care, they eventually start to feel uncomfortable and look for ways to escape, relax, or reward themselves. This can be explained by thinking of relapse in terms of three stages: emotional, mental and physical.

During emotional relapse, individuals are not thinking about using substances but often recall their last relapse. Denial is a big part of emotional relapse and their emotions and behaviours set them up for relapse down the road. In mental relapse, individuals encounter a conflict of thoughts in their minds where part of them wants to use substances but part of them does not. The prolonged conflict of thoughts diminishes their cognitive resistance to relapse and their need for ways to escape, relax or reward themselves increases. Lastly, physical relapse occurs when individuals start using substances again. Once an individual uses drugs once or have one alcoholic drink, it may lead to a relapse of uncontrolled substance use (Melemis, 2015).

On the bright side, relapse prevention and recovery are possible. Cognitive therapy is one of the main tools used by practitioners to change an addict鈥檚 negative thinking and develop healthy coping skills in the process. Relapse prevention depends not on willpower but effective coping skills instead. Recovering individuals need to learn from setbacks, overcome a fear of recovery, and learning to becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. In the recovery journey, individuals must be willing to change their lives and be comfortable with not using substances. Therapists will recommend that people in recovery be completely honest about his/her recovery and ask for help when needed.

In conclusion, stress, if unmanaged and unrelieved, may result in addictive behaviours for some individuals. By applying a Bio-Psycho-Social Model of health to understand stress, we seek to better understand the impacts of stress and explain why individuals respond differently to stress and utilise both positive and negative coping mechanisms to manage their stress. Early intervention for individuals afflicted with addictions is crucial for the recovery journey, which is about making life better for the recovering person and his/her loved ones.

References:
Melemis, S. (2015). 鈥淩elapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery鈥�, Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 88: 325-332.

Sinha, R. (2008). 鈥淐hronic Stress, Drug Use, and Vulnerability to Addiction鈥�, Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1141: 105-130.

This paper seeks to investigate a deeper reason and create critical thoughts on why ethics and morality exists in the working environment beyond the general consensus reason as stated earlier.
The idea of ethics is unique and only observably exists within humanity (Reed & Jennings, 2007). Animals care not about ethical conduct, following the idea of 鈥榮urvival of the fittest鈥� instead (Reed et al., 2007). There are many ethical facets in the working environment, from making sure safety regulations are met to keeping the strictest of confidentiality between professionals.

However, one can argue that ethics and morality is illogical. A classic example of the illogical nature of ethics and morality would be chemical products testing. If these products are being tested on humans, human rights activists would be up in arms, decrying the unethical conduct of the researchers. So the researchers make a compromise. They find animals that share the closest genetic framework with humans and test it on them instead (mice for instance). This is when animal activists cry out; that it鈥檚 inhuman and unethical to test it on animals as well. This is a classic case of the illogical concept of ethics and morality because if we do not test it on humans and we do not test it on animals, how on earth would anyone ever find out the efficacy and side-effects of those chemical products (Reed et al., 2007)?

However, although illogical when viewed from a scientific viewpoint, workplace ethics and morality come from a different approach. Ethics in the workplace includes factors like 鈥榠ntegrity鈥� and 鈥榟onesty鈥�. Such traits in their employees are favoured by most employers. Ethics in the workplace can be viewed as black and white with no compromise (LaFollette, 1991). This is where the issue of morality kicks in. What may be ethical may not be moral.

As the saying goes: 鈥榟onest to a fault鈥�, there are times when the ethical code has to be broken. A classic example is in psychology, especially during counseling, the counselor maybe faced with the dilemma of a suicidal client. When determining if the client is a threat to themselves or others, the counselor has to make the call of breaking counselor-client confidentiality in order to protect the lives of others or the client (Lakeman & FizGerald, 2009). This breaks the workplace ethical code of confidentiality but yet is a moral thing to do.

In conclusion, ethics and morality in the workplace can serve as a positive guiding force. A good code of ethics ensures the well-being of the environment and a good sense of morality assists judgment on critical matters (Lakeman et al., 2009).

There are multitude of Colleges and Universities that offer psychology at the diploma, degree and postgraduate levels. In deciding education provider, students must check the curriculum and facilities of the school, professional accreditation and the stability of the institution. However, the trickiest question I have encountered in my long years of service in the academy is not about the institution, rather on the academic success of psychology students. Many times students have asked me about the profile of students who are 鈥渄estined鈥� to succeed in the study of psychology.

There are available career or aptitude tests in the market that can assess student鈥檚 competency on specific fields of study. However, these tests will never be 100% accurate. As with any field of studies, students seeking a degree in psychology should possess certain innate qualities that help them excel within the field. Here are 6 basic personality traits that a psychology student should possess or aim to develop.

1. Tolerance

This trait is closely related to the values regarding diversity. Acceptance of others with respect despite cultural differences is the most humane attribute of a psychology student. Tolerance is often mistaken as passive acceptance. This is rather a false belief as acknowledging others normally requires conscious and active effort to be in commune with others without passing judgment or criticising.

2. Patience

This is an outward display of inner self-control. One aspect of self-control is management of emotions. Control of emotions does not mean denial.It should be the directing and managing emotional experience in a way that it will not result in a negative outcome. In directing emotions, one must answer these questions 鈥� (A) am I going to hurt other people when I express the emotions? (B) Am I hurting myself? If the answer to these questions is 鈥楴o鈥�, it is likely that in this instance, the expression of emotion is healthy and productive.

3. Ethics

This involves professional rules developed from one鈥檚 basic morals. Ethical practice for psychology is far more than merely knowing and following a professional code of conduct. In dealing with ethical dilemmas, students will rarely find clear-cut answers. Most of the problems are complex. Making decisions ethically involves a tolerance for dealing with grey areas and for coping with ambiguity.

4. Critical Thinking

Students studying psychology must not be contented and just accept presented information. They should challenge common knowledge with the use of critical thinking skills. Critical thinking involves searching of some rule, plan or strategy to reach a certain goal that is currently out of reach. Students can increase the chances of solving a problem by learning to change their mindset, i.e., looking at the problem from many different viewpoints, perspective and even unusual angles.

5. Compassion

Empathy is a gateway to compassion, which includes sensing what other people are feeling, being able to take their perspective and cultivating rapport and attunement with a broad diversity of people. Emphatic understanding and listening skills are intimately intertwined. Here are some of the questions that you can use to test the level of your empathy – Are you interested in others? Can you be emphatic with their concerns? Can you pick up small signs of the many emotions others may have? Do you have an understanding of people different from yourself and can you see from their perspective?

6. Organisational Skills

The ability to schedule and use time efficiently during and between classroom discussions (or coursework) is vital to success in studying psychology. A personal recommendation is to form subgoals. Divide the assignment or general problem into a number of small achievable sub-goals leading to your main goal. This can be a useful strategy for any academic exercises including revisions, writing papers or preparing for exams.

I hope this would help you assess your own self and eventually assist you in deciding to study psychology. There is no need for concern if you are keen to do psychology but do not possess any of these attributes yet. Tolerance, patience, ethics, critical thinking, compassion and organisational skills are something that are not automatic to most of us. However, they can be learned and developed as you step-up and make a decision to study psychology.

Knowing oneself has immense benefits, which can help oneself in setting realistic goals, accomplishing tasks, having successful relationships, or simply remaining motivated in their daily activities. In order to perform at an optimum level, knowing oneself is of top importance!

Self-awareness stems from reflecting on three aspects of the 鈥楽elf鈥�:

1) 鈥业-厂别濒蹿鈥� This aspect answers the question, 鈥楬ow do I see myself?鈥� Reflecting on the concept of 鈥业-厂别濒蹿鈥� helps the individual to understand oneself from life鈥檚 learning experiences including past experiences, accomplishments, mistakes, attitudes, behaviours or values. These experiences mould one to become who they truly are.

2) 鈥楳别-厂别濒蹿鈥� – This answers the question of 鈥楬ow do others see me?鈥� This aspect of the self is developed from influences and interactions with society. Parents, friends, teachers, mentors and any environmental factors can contribute to the shaping of the 鈥楳别-厂别濒蹿鈥�. The 鈥业-厂别濒蹿鈥� is constantly developing as the 鈥楳别-厂别濒蹿鈥檈volves.

3) 鈥业诲别补濒-厂别濒蹿鈥� – This answers the question of 鈥楬ow do I want others to see me?鈥� This is a projection of oneself onto others and the fulfilment of various roles in one鈥檚 life journey.

Creating a unified self is constantly challenging as often, the three aspects of 鈥橲ELF鈥� are not in sync with one another. People are generally wired to seek meaning and acceptance. However, what one conceals from the public can be the catalysts hindering the quest for social acceptance. For instance, when the urge to control the perception of others overwhelms the authentic self, self-awareness will be gradually diminished, resulting in a loss of identity.

It is therefore of high importance to know oneself as it aids in identifying personal weaknesses, realising areas of improvements, identifying optimal choices in decision-making and the sharing of strengths with others. Ultimately, knowing and understanding oneself leads to a more productive life and in attaining one鈥檚 goals.