Lesson Review

This lesson provided some interesting perspectives on the roles we perform. Groups have many special characteristics that influence the attitudes and behaviours of people who work together.

Lesson 1 Summary - Section 4: Making Choices

To summarize:

• Motivation may be intrinsic indicating that the person is attracted to the task by involvement and interest in the work itself.

• Motivation may be extrinsic indicating that the person is attracted to the task by external rewards.

• People must take responsibility for their own choices.

• The element of time we choose as the focus of our life is important. It is natural to think about past experiences and dream about the future, but it is necessary to be anchored in the present.

• The self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when we have strong beliefs and our actions lead us in directions that make these beliefs come true.

• That we review our self-image to make sure it is positive leading us to positive experiences is essential.

• Positive addiction (PA) means engaging in a beneficial habit to the degree that it becomes a necessary part of one’s lifestyle.

• Choose your thoughts carefully because finding a positive state of mind is a powerful technique for success.

• Develop an effective philosophy of life that works for you.

• Sensory awakening means learning to savour the vivid impressions and the details of our experiences instead of going through life on “automatic pilot”.

• Meaningful relationships are established when one takes a position of empathy with the other person. Apologize for problems and correct them; do not assume what has gone wrong, but ask the person about it directly.

• Hope is a choice to survive and become involved in life. Hope brings people through many crises in their lives including serious illness.

• Only people with PhDs in psychology can call themselves psychologists.

• Make sure you are aware of your own abilities, interests, skills, and values prior to choosing a career.

• Many jobs require a psychology major (having the majority of your postsecondary courses in psychology). Psychology courses can be combined with other courses to make you eligible for many employment opportunities.

• If you have a master’s or a doctoral degree in psychology, teaching and research careers are possible as well as jobs in applied psychology and education.