Social Psychology

[pljames]

Using psychology in social situations could backfire. One has their thoughts on how to fix other peoples problem/problems. Using their experiences as a tool. Trying to understand others problems is one thing, but plus ones experience is another. I have the gift of knowledge/understanding of problems (be they emotional or other) but not a degree. Does caring for others give one rights to give advice without a degree but with a relative experience?

I have been caught up in a psyche majors personal problems. My emotions have inter-feared with making a rational  decision because she is degreed and I am not (except with personal experiences).  Am I looking at this problem rationally or emotionally? pljames

[Edmund]

When I took Intro to Psychology, we learned a little but about all aspects of psychology. We learned about stereotyping and social view points, but my teacher sort of played the devil's advocate during discussions; she was never on either side. She used some examples, but she never pushed views of what is right or wrong. I guess I was lucky adn got an impartial teacher.

[pljames]

When ones wife is a psychology major and I have no degree, how come I feel she is using me psychologically because I have no degree. I love philosophy psychology theology and all the other disciplines. I feel because I have no degree but the experience I have some small knowledge of the disciplines in my sixty eight years. Because of this situation my emotions are rampant and chaotic toward my wife.

Who knows what goes on in a persons mind...only they know. Can I at my age get some certificate or degree in basic psychology for my own knowledge? I also feel those who have a degree and experience can abuse their knowledge for personal manipulation of another person be it family or friend. Thoughts please. pljames

[pljames]

I am a enigma within society. I like to help others and that makes me happy. I cannot make myself happy trying to help others to booster my self esteem. Something is missing in me, yet I do not know what. It is some merit to understanding ones self. But the mind is part enigma as well. How can I find happiness when I do not know where to start? Thoughts please. pljames

[SWM]

if you woke up tomorrow and your life was perfect and you were happy, what would be different from yesterday? in this perfect world you find yourself in how would you be spending your time, what would you be doing?

[S. Earl Martin]

pljames: what would be your goal in getting a degree? Would you be trying to impress someone? Would you be attempting to understand something about yourself or someone else? Degrees are avalible on line, but I would be sure what your reason is before devoting time and money.  If you desire to make changes in your life? Then decide what changes you think would make you happy and think them threw before commiting to a course of action. Think how they would effect not only yourself, but anyone else close to you. You say you are happy helping others? I to find happiness helping others. You might consider volunteering. Or if you have extra income charity can make you fell like you are making a difference. Even a small amount can really help people who have nothing. $5 a month can make a difference in a families life who have no food. I use Compassion International. They are reputable and give most of the money to people who distribute it or use it honestly.

I will admit that I believe selfless people are becoming rarer in this world. The amount of money given to charities and the number of volunteers has gone down. However that only makes it more important that those of us who still care about others continue to do what we can.

Now as far as your realitionship with your wife goes? Good communication is imparitive in a relationship. If something is bothering you. This is what my wife and I would do. We would before we discussed it think about what was bothering us and why. Then when we had decided this we would think of ways we might make the situation better. Then we would set aside time to discuss it rationally. Of course this didn't always work out, but we tried. We were married 21 years and we went thru a lot of very stressful situations that easily could have destroyed our marriage. Just be sure of what you want and why before approaching her.

Just do the best you can. If you screw up well we all screw up. Just learn from it and move on. If you need to apologize. Then do that.

I have seen this both with Psychology and mediation. It is very easy to use it to control or influence other people. Some people believe this is wrong? Others believe it is just part of life. People use the tools they are given. You must decide this as must everyone else. Peace

[pljames]

I would be confused bewildered, being born in a imperfect world is what I understand. I do not know how to live in a perfect world. I will never know all knowledge. Just what I can understand at the time. Maybe I am where I am suppose to be putting knowledge pieces into some sort of order. Excellent post. pljames

if you woke up tomorrow and your life was perfect and you were happy, what would be different from yesterday? in this perfect world you find yourself in how would you be spending your time, what would you be doing?

[S. Earl Martin]

Personally I believe that the Bible isn't flawed. It is the way humans use it or interpret it that is flawed. This is true for many great works that have been writen. Or even things that have been invented. They have great potential for good, but humans use them to hurt others.

In this plane of existance we are all imperfect beings. We make mistakes and have limitations. We can only comprehend or understand so much. If we want to move into another plane, a higher plane? There has always been a debate as to how this would be possible.

Can this be done by " keeping the Law"? Can this be done thru meditation and higher consciousness? Can this be done thru learning or education? I believe this can only be done by the Grace of God. We have to seek God thru a changed life. We are not saved by works. This is true. We are saved by grace because we can never be perfect by our own actions. We will always have sin in us no matter how much we try and remove it. So we must do our best to Love God and to Love each other. An example would be King David. God looked at his heart and commended him. Even though he was an adulterer and a murder. He had repented of his sins. I am not saying we should be sinners on purpose. But when we do sin it is important that we ask God to forgive us and that we try to live a Godly life in the first place. I will never be under the stress and temptation King David was under. Jesus said that the whole of the law is. Love God with all your heart and Love your neighbor as you love yourself. This is the path to Heaven.

As far as morals and justice come in there are two ways of viewing that. By the standards of man and the standards of God. If we break mans law we can be subject to mans actions if we get caught. If we break Gods law we can not escape God's judgement on our own power. We need the grace and mercy of God to forgive us. Seek yea first the kingdom of God.

Another aspect of this is when we know the truth we are accountable to the truth. When we didn't know it we were not accountable.

This is my beliefs. I am human and not perfect so my advice is that everyone must decide for themselves and not try and follow someone else's path. I find the words of Jesus very enlightening. I find the intrepretataions of these words by men to be less enlightening because they put their spin on them. The same could be said for my interptations so this is why I suggest everyone must decide what is true for themselves. I have seen a better place and I know it exists. I also know I will go there someday. I know my friends and loved ones will be there and we will live in perfect peace with the Lord as our redeemer. If some of our more humanist members here can't accept this I want them to know I hope and pray that one day they will. Peace!