Interests Transcend Fields? Confused?

[lt1196]

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I want to figure out why all capable humans are not great. Why do they waste time, or not give everything 100%, or choose the behavior most comfortable when intellectually they understand that the alternative would be more beneficial. How much can a person learn, store, recall, and how fast can she do it? And if we knew these answers, how would we motivate ourselves to apply them? These are the things I think about, and will continue to think about, which s why I'm staying in school. I am presently doing memory/sleep research as well as job-satisfaction research, and my eyes are on I/o schools. I do not know if my interests would be nourished or even addressed in such a program, but these ideas seem applicable to business. I need some guidance here. Am I off track? How do I find the right program for me?

 

[mcvcm92]

In my opinion, I think that your interests could be a match for I/O programs -- especially if you are interested in why people do not give 100% in the workplace specifically. Also, it may be a good idea to look into some social psych programs as well.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

A. The Internet.
B. Reality Tv.

Don't thank me for saving you 6-8yrs of work. 😉

 

[lt1196]

A. The Internet.
B. Reality Tv.

Don't thank me for saving you 6-8yrs of work. 😉

You seem like a refined and intelligent person, but I'm afraid that this response doesn't adequately reflect your ability to think sensibly or speak appropriately.

Would you please explain in more detail why watching reality t.v. Is the best way to foster the desire to conduct research in the area of human potential? Or were you implying that research into human potential is a vacuous endeavor?

 

[lt1196]

In my opinion, I think that your interests could be a match for I/O programs -- especially if you are interested in why people do not give 100% in the workplace specifically. Also, it may be a good idea to look into some social psych programs as well.

I'm glad to hear these confirming words. I am wary of social psychology because it seems restricting professionally, but it does seem very interesting. I need to find the right fit in an I/o program, I think, which would be a very person-centered program. Is anyone acquainted with or has anyone been personally exposed to a program like this?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Would you please explain in more detail why watching reality t.v. Is the best way to foster the desire to conduct research in the area of human potential? Or were you implying that research into human potential is a vacuous endeavor?

I was being facetious by implying that human potential has been severely undermined by mindless television and the InterTubes. I think there is a grain of truth to that, but obviously there are many other factors that also contribute.

 

[CheetahGirl]

Would you please explain in more detail why watching reality t.v. Is the best way to foster the desire to conduct research in the area of human potential? Or were you implying that research into human potential is a vacuous endeavor?

I was being facetious by implying that human potential has been severely undermined by mindless television and the InterTubes. I think there is a grain of truth to that, but obviously there are many other factors that also contribute.

Hello there,

T4C didn’t say anything about ‘watching’ reality TV. (Terse answers allow for more thought on your part.) Sometimes posters don't have time for research supervision or offer consultation via SDN hence the terse response.

So for both of you: As I understand T4C's response, reality TV is a good source to investigate human potential via studying film, arts, entertainment, journalism (think TIME magazine, not People). For example, look at Michael Jordan, Lady Gaga or Kim Kardasian’s (sp?) mom...a documentary compiling several top self-actualized stars (think Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of needs) could expose enlightenment on self-motivation and goal-directed behaviors...as well as a plethora of insight into the collective cognitive/conscious underpinnings of such folks. There are plenty of masters & doctoral programs in the arts & entertainment (assuming you’re an undergrad).

I was thinking about the“reality show” film-making process of the above example being a great way to foster desired research in human potential, n'est pas? 😉 It’ll still take you 6-8 years, so you better be in it all for the long haul.

As far as the internet…Google (either business or use of), Facebook,Twitter…take your pick of vehicle to study any type of anything that your heart desires.

I think social and i/o psych are good matches especially if your frame is “job-satisfaction research.”

And staying in school [assumingly, graduate school] because of your research thoughts isn’t always the better option in discovering your own potential. You still have to simultaneously enter the 'real world' and maintain structure when excising those thoughts and that puts every individual's capabilities to the test.😎

Good luck!

 

[lt1196]

I was being facetious by implying that human potential has been severely undermined by mindless television and the InterTubes. I think there is a grain of truth to that, but obviously there are many other factors that also contribute.

Sincere apologies; I read your response three or so times and only saw animosity. I was perplexed and put off. Wonder what that implies about me...

Reality t.v. is a no-brainer, ...👎...🙁 but I wonder if you're right about the webz. It is a curious thing if the apex of our technical wizardry undermines human potential. Seems like a mixed bag to me. There is the 'calculator/spell-check' effect, but then again, I am sure that I would be completely ignorant of many things that I know a little bit about because of google and wiki. .(Did you know on the Kindle the definition of any highlighted word on the page is listed at the bottom of the screen?) The newish interactive ipad textbooks blow oldschool textbooks out of the water in terms of likelihood of retention (fun, direct interaction). You can download a chapter for free from each textbook.

It's hard for me to say, but I think am a few years younger and thus have the vantage disadvantage.

CheetahGirl

Thoughtful response, thank you 🙂

Regarding your last statements:

"And staying in school [assumingly, graduate school] because of your research thoughts isn't always the better option in discovering your own potential. You still have to simultaneously enter the 'real world' and maintain structure when excising those thoughts and that puts every individual's capabilities to the test."

You are most certainly correct. However, I personally intend to build a working base of knowledge by understanding how people stay motivated, achieve goals, and work efficiently, so that I may apply it to myself in the future. I have no idea if it will work. But maybe the clown really does cry.

However, if you would please expound upon this thought a little further, I think there is more you could say that might be useful to me and others. Why is what you said true and how does it make sense?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Sincere apologies; I read your response three or so times and only saw animosity. I was perplexed and put off. Wonder what that implies about me...

Reality t.v. is a no-brainer, ...👎...🙁 but I wonder if you're right about the webz. It is a curious thing if the apex of our technical wizardry undermines human potential. Seems like a mixed bag to me. There is the 'calculator/spell-check' effect, but then again, I am sure that I would be completely ignorant of many things that I know a little bit about because of google and wiki. .(Did you know on the Kindle the definition of any highlighted word on the page is listed at the bottom of the screen?) The newish interactive ipad textbooks blow oldschool textbooks out of the water in terms of likelihood of retention (fun, direct interaction). You can download a chapter for free from each textbook.

It's hard for me to say, but I think am a few years younger and thus have the vantage disadvantage.

CheetahGirl

Thoughtful response, thank you 🙂

Regarding your last statements:

"And staying in school [assumingly, graduate school] because of your research thoughts isn’t always the better option in discovering your own potential. You still have to simultaneously enter the 'real world' and maintain structure when excising those thoughts and that puts every individual's capabilities to the test."

You are most certainly correct. However, I personally intend to build a working base of knowledge by understanding how people stay motivated, achieve goals, and work efficiently, so that I may apply it to myself in the future. I have no idea if it will work. But maybe the clown really does cry.

However, if you would please expound upon this thought a little further, I think there is more you could say that might be useful to me and others. Why is what you said true and how does it make sense?

Slight aside, but I think some people might disagree with the bolded portion above (e.g., do the flashy bells and whistles of some of the interactive books available via e-reader really help retention; perhaps they hurt it in some ways by "overstimulating" vs. having a tangible page to turn, highlight, quickly flip back and forth between, etc.). Seems like an interesting area of research so that the question(s) could be addressed more thoroughly.

 

[CheetahGirl]

CheetahGirl

Thoughtful response, thank you 🙂

Regarding your last statements:

"And staying in school [assumingly, graduate school] because of your research thoughts isn’t always the better option in discovering your own potential. You still have to simultaneously enter the 'real world' and maintain structure when excising those thoughts and that puts every individual's capabilities to the test."

You are most certainly correct. However, I personally intend to build a working base of knowledge by understanding how people stay motivated, achieve goals, and work efficiently, so that I may apply it to myself in the future. I have no idea if it will work. But maybe the clown really does cry.

However, if you would please expound upon this thought a little further, I think there is more you could say that might be useful to me and others. Why is what you said true and how does it make sense?

You're most welcome.

I can only expound on this briefly...


I made this statement speaking from personal experience. Some say that graduate school doesn't prepare you for 'real living,' i.e. paying bills, not relying on parents' income. Those folks say graduate school makes a professional student out of you without awareness of what the workforce entails. And while graduate school can be one of the most infantilizing experiences, you will discover the depths of your own limits (and strengths) as a secondary gain. I didn't know the necessity of being so compulsively organized until I entered graduate school. And by gosh, I am super compulsive & organized because I have to be with children, a husband, mortgages, and major life events passing me by all while I have to work on my dissertation/clinical work to get the hell out of graduate school and begin working. Sounds like an oxymoron.

However, one of the most brilliant things I did was work for several years after undergrad (in medical, then biopsychosocial research). I got married, had some fun (had a lot of fun), travelled the world (with my husband before kids), got a masters (in psychology) and then applied to doctoral programs. And I wouldn’t change a thing for me in my path because of all the life's lessons I bring to the table prior to my doctorate. I love learning through my 'experienced lens.' I can't speak for my fellow colleagues fresh out of undergrad who are just brilliant [period]. But, I wasn't one of them. I was undisciplined and just knew what I wanted without a clue on how to attain it. I only had some great research interests and knew I wanted to work in the clinical sector.

Living life (so to speak) has taught me so much about fulfilling one's potential. And holy smoke, if I don't self-actualize every few years, I don't know who does. 😉

For anyone considering the field and on the fence, a really good thread to read is doctoral student self-care (in fact, one program asked the applicants what you do to take care of yourself when stressed?). You will be stressed to the maximum in graduate school. It's the nature of the beast and as long as you can ameliorate your stress (anxiety, depression, whatever!) without drastic effects or problematic solutions, then you'll be okay.

Phew ! That was cathartic! Hope it helps. Now back to work...