DEVELOPING AS AN EFFECTIVE PSYCHOLOGIST
Most people think that they are some kind of psychologists. We, at times, talk
about intelligence, inferiority complex, identity
crisis, mental blocks, attitude, stress, communication barriers and so many other
terms. Generally people pick up such terms from popular writings and media.
There are a lot of common sense notions about human behaviour that one develops
in the course of their lives. Some regularity in human behaviour is frequently observed
by us to warrant generalisation. This kind of everyday amateur psychology often
misfires, sometimes even proves disastrous. There still remains a question
of how to differentiate between a pseudo psychologist from a real psychologist.
An answer can be constructed by asking such questions like professional
training, educational background, institutional affiliation, and her/his
experience in providing service. However, what is critical is training as a researcher
and internalisation of certain professional values. It is now recognised that the
knowledge of tools used by psychologists, their methods and theories are required to
develop psychological expertise.
For example, a professional psychologist
addresses the problem at the scientific level. They take their problem to the
laboratory or study it in field settings to answer various problems. S/he tries to find
the answer in terms of mathematical probability. Only then does s/he arrive at
psychological principles or laws that can be depended upon.
Here, another distinction should be made. Some psychologists carry out
research to propound or investigate theoretical formulations while others are
concerned with our daily life activities and behaviour. We need both types of
psychologists. We need some scientists to develop theories and others to find
solutions to human problems. It is important to know about the conditions
and competencies that are necessary besides research skills for a psychologist.
There are conditions and competencies for psychologists which have come to be
recognised internationally.
They cover a range of knowledge that a psychologist should possess when
entering the profession after complete in their education and training. These apply
to practitioners, academicians, and researchers whose roles involve consulting
with students, business, industry, and broader community. It is recognised that
it is difficult to develop, implement and Psychology 180
measure competencies required in a subject like psychology as the criteria for
specification, identification and evaluation are not yet fully agreed upon.
The basic skills or competencies which psychologists have identified for becoming
an effective psychologist fall into three broad sections, namely,
(a) General Skills,
(b) Observational Skills, and
(c) Specific Skills .
These are discussed in detail here.
GENERAL SKILLS
These skills are generic in nature and are needed by all psychologists irrespective of
their field of specialisation. These skills are essential for all professional psychologists,
whether they are working in the field of clinical and health psychology, industrial/
organisational, social, educational, or in environmental settings, or are acting as
consultants. These skills include personal as well as intellectual skills. It is expected
that it will not be proper to provide any form of professional training (in clinical or
organisational fields) to students who do not possess these skills. Once a student
has these skills, subsequent training in her/his area of specialisation would only
refine and further hone these skills required by a professional within her/his
field of specialisation.
OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS
A great deal of what psychologists as
researchers and practitioners do in the
field is to pay attention, watch and listen
carefully. They use all the senses, noticing
what is seen, heard, smelt, tasted, or
touched. A psychologist, thus, is like an
instrument that absorbs all sources of
information from the environment.
**Intellectual and Personal Skills**
1. Interpersonal Skills: ability to listen and be empathic, to develop respect for/interest in
others’ cultures, experiences, values, points of view, goals and desires, fears, openness
to receive feedback, etc. These skills are expressed verbally and/or non-verbally.
2. Cognitive Skills: ability to solve problems, engage in critical thinking and organised
reasoning, and having intellectual curiosity and flexibility.
3. Affective Skills: emotional control and balance, tolerance/understanding of interpersonal
conflict, tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty.
4. Personality/Attitude: desire to help others, openness to new ideas, honesty/integrity/
value ethical behaviour, personal courage.
5. Expressive Skills: ability to communicate one’s ideas, feelings and information in verbal,
non-verbal, and written forms.
6. Reflective Skills: ability to examine and consider one’s own motives, attitudes, behaviours
and ability to be sensitive to one’s own behaviour or others.
7. Personal Skills: personal organisation, personal hygiene, time management, and
appropriate dress.
Sensitivity to Diversity : Individual and Cultural Differences
- Knowledge of self (one’s own attitudes, values, and related strengths/limitations) as
one operates in the professional settings with diverse others. - Knowledge about the nature and impact of individual and cultural diversity in different
situations. - Ability to work effectively with diverse backgrounds in assessment, treatment, and
consultation. - Ability to respect and appreciate different cultural norms and beliefs.
- Being sensitive to one’s preferences and also to one’s preference for own group.
- Ability to promote diversity in cultural beliefs and respecting it to promote positive life
outcomes .
Though, specific skills and competencies are required for a very
specialised professional functioning, nonetheless, all skill sets do overlap quite
a bit. They are not exclusive to an area. Relevant specific skills and competencies
can be classified as follows:
(a) Communication Skills
- Speaking
- Active listening
- Body language or non-verbal skills
(b) Psychological Testing Skills
(c) Interviewing Skills
(d) Counselling Skills
- Empathy
- Positive regard
- Authenticity .
So, guyz...this is my today's blog and i hope you will really appreciate it..
friends please share your opinions about it..
Thanks to You
K PsYcHO....
