Eportfolio

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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Christopher HiltonPsychology, 2010

Personal Statement

Twelve years ago I began my journey towards an undergraduate degree in Business Management. Ten years ago I switched to a dual major in Business Management and Psychology. Eight years ago I began a dual major in Psychology and Communications. Six Years ago I switched to Behavioral Science. This upcoming August I find myself receiving a BA in Psychology. Many people believe that the length of time I have taken, and the varying majors in which I pursued in search of my degree shows a lack of direction. To this I respectfully disagree.

When I look back over the last twelve years of my life, I find that no matter what degree I was pursuing, they all had a common element of working with people. Business Management is a degree that focuses on leading others toward a common goal of financial and social success. Communications focuses on how we as a species communicate with each other through various forms of art, dialogue, contact and media. Behavioral Science is a broad degree that encompasses psychology, social psychology, communication and how our behavior towards each other effects how we make choices in our daily lives. Psychology is the study of the human mind, body, and behavior. So while many people will tell me that I have taken too long in graduating from college, I find that while my siblings and friends graduated in the traditional 4-5 years, my education far exceeds theirs.

Due to my broad education level, I have helped family and friends through crises in their lives

that if I hadn’t been there, might just have sent them down a path to ruin. While that seems ominous, please allow me to provide an example. My father is a great man. He raised six children, coaching most of us through youth sports, all while starting and running numerous businesses. Through most of this he had an addiction to pain medication. Over the years, as he found that Vicodin wasn’t giving him the same relief that it once did, he switched to Methadone. He was taking an alarming 300mg’s a day. Methadone, in many ways is worse than Heroine, and like any other kind of addict, a pain medication addict will lie, cheat, steal and do whatever they can to achieve their next “fix”. My father was no different.

Personal Statement continued

Two years ago I staged an intervention with my siblings to force my father off his destructive and debilitating course. At the end of this intervention he decided to accept our help in weaning himself off his medication. We looked into all different types of detoxification facilities, including rapid detoxification. But due to his size, age, and cost, none of these were a viable option. Luckily for him (and us) I had worked as a counselor for individuals with a dual diagnosis. Which means they had both a mental illness and a substance abuse addiction. Due to the knowledge I had gained in this position, and the knowledge I gained through the many years of schooling, I was able to guide my father through the detoxification process without incident and he has been clean ever since.

Which leads me to why this is my personal statement. While many people would have quit pursuing their higher education long ago, I chose to stay with it. This shows that I don’t know how to quit. While others would have stayed with the same degree, I chose different areas to study, which makes me well rounded and well versed in aspects beyond what my degree will show. With the knowledge I have gained, I have worked in sales, human services, IT, and even as an after-school teacher. I have abilities beyond my traditional years because of the choices I have made, and the fact that I refused to act the way society dictates, in pursuit of my happiness.

All of this shows that I am versatile, smart and dogmatic enough to conquer whatever life throws at me. From taming a drug-addicted father, to assisting my brother-in-law with his hair brained business schemes. I can and will accomplish what I must, to achieve and conquer whatever is laid before me.

Resume

OBJECTIVETo obtain gainful employment in the human services field that utilizes the skills and abilities I

have acquired through school, life and work experience.EDUCATIONBA in PsychologyArgosy University, Alameda, CaliforniaRelevant classes taken and notable projects:Personality Theory: Paper on different personalities and the best way to utilize individual talents

within each personality. Using Psychologist David Keirsey’s Temperament Indicator philosophy found in “Please Understand Me Too.”

Communication Styles: Paper on understanding the different styles of communication, and how to adapt your own style to others, thereby helping communication become effective and fruitful.

Race and Minority Relations: A comprehensive history of racial tensions and where we are at today.

Counseling Theories: Paper on different styles of counseling, including Gestalt, Psychoanalysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships: Paper on personal strengths and weaknesses, focusing on how to combat my weaknesses by utilizing skills learned.

Criminal Justice and Psychology: Several papers including how to select a favorable jury, profiling of a serial killer, and creating a pamphlet and program for helping juvenile delinquents and at-risk youth.

Organizational Behavior: Taught a 50-minute class on reducing personal stress in the work place, focusing on the feelings of helplessness and relaxation methods.

Resume continued

WORK EXPERIENCEOvernight and Daytime Direct Care StaffCrestwood Behavior Health Inc: Pathways, Pleasant Hill, California August

2008 – Present Responsible for up to 16 sub-acute and acute mentally ill patients during nighttime and daytime hours.Count and dispense medication as needed for pain, various mental disorders and sleep.Document observations and treatment of clients as it pertains to individualized plan of recovery.Filling out reports for billing purposes regarding social security benefits.Assist clients with obtaining social security benefits, earning high school equivalency and learning

daily living skills.Counsel clients pertaining to general behavioral disorders/problems, social interaction, proper

behavior in psychosocial setting, and how to achieve their goals along their individual path to recovery.

Mental Health Rehabilitation WorkerAnka Behavioral Health Inc.: Nierika House & Nevin House, California Dec. 2007- Aug.

2008 Count and dispense medicationPerform client head check to assure their safety and well-beingDocument observations and treatment of clientsPerform admits and discharges of clients, including orientation of individuals to new facility.Counsel clients

Resume continued

Warehouse ManagerToo Good Gourmet, San Lorenzo, California Summer – 2007 Oversee receipt of and shipment of productsPlan and implement placement of goods (finished and raw)Supervise staging and shipping of large ordersComputerized receivingResponsible for cleanliness and organization of facilityManage varying staff size due to seasonal sales environmentConducted inventory consisting of several thousand pieces of raw and finished packages. Swing Shift CoordinatorRedcliff Ascent, Orem, Utah Dec. 2006 – May 2007Responsible for supervision of staff and residentsPerform head checks on-site and offResponsible for all residents needsProvide skills development for residentsSupervise evening choresDispense medicationsFile shift and incident reportsSet standard for line-staff to enforce rules and regulationsPlus all line staff responsibilities

Resume continued

SKILLS, ABILITIES and INTERESTS

Extensive Customer Service TrainingAn understanding of personalities and group dynamicsLeadership trainingCommunication TrainingProAct trainingExcelWordWordperfectPowerPointQuickbooksPC and MacInternetCertified in PCS (positive control system)Adult First-Aid and CPR CertifiedI routinely play softball, disc golf, racquetball and actively engage in weight trainingI read extensively and find particular enjoyment in classics such as the works of Alexandre

Dumas, Jules Verne as well as contemporary novels The Pillars of The Earth, and Stieg Larrsons Millennium Trilogy.

I also enjoy writing film reviews in my spare time, a hobby I picked up while taking a film class.

Reflection

According to the SSAL I can easily address these themes and apply them:• Oral Communication• Cognitive Abilities: Information Literacy• Ethics• Diversity• Knowledge of Applied Psychology• Interpersonal effectiveness: Active listening communication skills

According to the SSAL I show an expertise in the following areas:• Cognitive abilities: Critical thinking• Research: Understanding research methods• Communication skills: Written• Knowledge of Psychology

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Ethics and Diversity AwarenessResearch SkillsCommunication Skills: Oral and WrittenFoundations of PsychologyApplied PsychologyInterpersonal Effectiveness

Critical Thinking/Ethics

Week 2: Final Project Identify the professional organization or subcommittee elected to oversee the

conduct of mental health counselors like the one in this case study. There are two organizations that work with ethics in the psychology field. The first is

the American Psychological Association (APA). The other is the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Analyze the main functions of the professional organization or subcommittee. The main functions of the organizations are to establish ethical codes of conduct for

the professional field of psychology and counseling. In addition to writing the ethical codes of conduct, they also field complaints with regards to ethical breaches, determine the validity of complaints, whether the practitioner is guilty of the complaint and what sanctions should passed on to the guilty party. These sanctions include revocation of license to practice, suspension of license or establishing a probationary period.

Describe the process that the professional organization or committee follows

when a complaint is lodged against a professional member of the organization

Critical Thinking/Ethics continued

Filing complaints – A written complaint must be presented to the committee and the complaint must be signed by a complainant.

Notice to charged members – After a complaint has been filed, a notice will be sent to the accused with a request for written confirmation of receipt of the complaint.

Disposition of complaints – All evidence, supporting evidence, the accusers evidence and supporting evidence will be considered and a decision will be reached.

Withdrawals of complaints – In the event that the complainant and the accused decide to withdraw the complaint then the committee may decide to drop the proceeding.

Sanctions – The guilty professional would now receive whatever sanctions the committee deems necessary.

Hearings – These may be held if the committee feels that more information is required to render an accurate decision.

Notification of Results – The complainant and the charged member will be notified of the outcome within 30 days.

Appeals – The charged member may appeal the decision of the committee based on whether the committee violated any of the policies and procedures of the ACA ethical guideline.

Substantial new evidence – In the event of new evidence presented the committee may choose to reopen a closed case.

Critical Thinking/Ethics continued

Records – Records of all cases shall be kept confidential except for original complaints being held at an approved ACA site and members of the committee may keep copies of the complaint until the case is closed or they are no longer a member of the committee.

Legal action related to complaints – If any legal action is being taken against the accused then the committee shall stay any proceeding until after the legal decisions have been passed.(ACA website)

Analyze the potential outcomes for that member when a complaint is

lodged. The complaint may be dismissed, they could be found guilty of violations of the

ethical code of conduct at which point they would be sanctioned for their unethical behavior. Or they could be found to not have committed an ethical breach of conduct.

Reference: American Counseling Association. (2009). Retrieved September 19, 2009 from

American Counseling Association, ACA: http://www.counseling.org/.

Research Skills/Communication

Companionship: What We Do To Achieve ItIt is reasonably safe to assume that most humans want companionship in some form or

another. Whether it is for one drink, one meal, one night, or something longer, we want it, we crave it, and to many, we need it. For this reason the study of dating rituals, and how we deceive each other to reach that goal of companionship needs to be addressed. Personally having witnessed all my siblings, most of my cousins and a whole lot of friends participate in courtship, dating and marriage leads me to a hypothesis. Part of the dating game not only includes deception but it has become second nature for most to indulge in this potentially harmful habit.

The research concerning the topic of deception hasn’t been fully flushed out yet. During my research and having read several studies published on this topic there are several ways that they seem to fall short in addressing the actual issue of deception. The articles took samples ranging in number and gender from primarily college age adults. The samples numbered from 40 to 100, with discrepancies in gender that in some articles were almost 3-1 male to female. Additionally, all of the studies relied on answers from the participants. The researchers were simply asking a random sampling of adults about whether they deceive or not. This is an issue that goes towards validity, because the authors were relying on honesty from people that were openly deceptive, and in some cases outright liars.

After reading these studies there was some useful information regarding the topic I am most interested in. To begin with it is quite clear that deception can be detrimental to the health of a long-term relationship as Benz et all suggests, “…men and women attempt to deceive potential mates about evolutionary relevant characteristics…”(Benz et all, 2005).

Research Skills/Communication cont.

A few of these characteristics are, wealth, age, beauty, and commitment. Let’s be honest, do any of us really believe that lying about our age, wealth, commitment, or beauty is a healthy thing? The purpose of this deception is to improve our odds of “snagging” our “perfect” mate. However, if we have to lie about ourselves to find her, is she really our “perfect” mate?

There are many debates on what a perfect mate is. Is it the person that is your exact opposite? Is it someone exactly like you? Is it the person that has complimentary strengths and weaknesses? Or, is it that really hot looking number down at the end of the bar? Unfortunately, it tends to be that hot number at the end of the bar. Since we have a tendency to deceive our desired mate, we find that it correlates with how we approach said mate. Meaning, we tend to approach the hot number, and then act as if we are worthy of that mate. A study conducted by Rowatt et all in 1999 found that “Both men and women deceptively altered their self-presented expressivity and love attitudes to more attractive prospects, and reported being more willing to lie about their personal appearance, personality traits, income, past relationship outcomes, career skills and intelligence to prospective dates who were higher in facial physical attractiveness, compared with prospective dates who were lower in facial physical attractiveness.” Due to our desire to approach a potential mate that is probably more attractive than we are, we lie and or deceive with the hope that we will transform ourselves into what we believe is an ideal mate.


In today’s dating realm, our society has found a new way to meet new people. This way is through Internet dating websites. The proliferation of online dating can be linked to worsening the already rampant dating deceptions, by allowing “love seekers” to post a ten-year-old photograph of himself say that he is athletic, or that he loves long walks on the beach. Regardless of how true these statements are they are used on a regular basis to grab the attention of someone that is most likely out of the “love seekers” league. Due to the rise in Internet dating, and online deception, there have been ample studies about the reactions to this kind of illicit behavior. One such study found that “…violating people's expectations for an honest answer can cause one to be seen in a less favorable light.” (Rycyna et all, 2009)

This unfavorable light is something that we all should be worried about. If we deceive someone to gain favor and secure a date, what do we expect to happen when the truth inevitably comes out? Do we expect her to be overjoyed with our deception? Do we hope that she will be okay with it? Should we expect her to be upset with us? Or, what if she decides that it is a deal breaker? While any of the above scenarios are possible, the most likely outcome would be anger at the very least, if not the complete dissolution of your relationship. If that happens, aren’t we better off learning our lesson and not deceiving the next trusting fool?

Throughout all the research that has been done, there is no clear answer to which gender deceives more. However, “It was found that females assume more deception overall by members of the opposite sex.” (Keenan et all, 1997) If females are assuming that males are deceiving them, then doesn’t it stand to reason that they will behave the same? While males may be the catalyst, the females are participating, and therefore are further acerbating the fact that we as a species lie and deceive to achieve some goal that we often times are incapable of achieving.


The overall assessment of my topic tends to be about why and how people recreate themselves, or lie and deceive during courtship. A possible reason for why both male and females lie, deceive and even recreate their personality is because they have a general lack of self worth. Consequently, they feel that being true to their self isn’t good enough to get what they want. In turn, this leads them to lie, deceive and recreate themselves in any manner they deem necessary to achieve their goal.

The question I would ask to further this area is: How do mate seekers think lying at such an early stage in a relationship will unfold over the course of a long-term relationship? The reason I would focus on this topic is because, as our society continues a trend toward marrying later in life, and our divorce rate continues to climb, we should at the very least try and arrest, the divorce rate. I believe that if we all look back over our past and current relationships, we will find that not only were we deceived but that we were deceptive as well. It is my assertion that if we in general have more confidence in ourselves and not lie at the beginning of a relationship, it will make it far easier to continue to tell the truth, thus building a lasting relationship that is based on trust and respect. Not with the feeling of being duped into the relationship.

REFERENCES Benz, J., Anderson, M., & Miller, R. (2005). ATTRIBUTIONS OF DECEPTION IN

DATING SITUATIONS. Psychological Record, 55(2), 305-314. Retrieved from Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection database.


Boatright, R., & McIntosh, W. (2008). The relationship between mindfulness and self-promoting illusions. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 11(6), 561-566. doi:10.1080/13674670701686626.

Douglas C Lord. (2004, February). Truth in Dating: Finding Love by Getting Real / Updating!: How To Get a Man or Woman Who Once Seemed Out of Your League. Library Journal, 129(3), 146. Retrieved July 5, 2010, from Social Science Module. (Document ID: 573340031).

Keenan, J., Gallup Jr., G., Goulet, N., & Kulkarni, M. (1997). Attributions of Deception in Human Mating Strategies. Journal of Social Behavior & Personality, 12(1), 45-52. Retrieved from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database.

Rycyna, C., Champion, C., & Kelly, A. (2009). First Impressions After Various Types of Deception: Less Favorable Following Expectancy Violation. Basic & Applied Social Psychology, 31(1), 40-48. doi:10.1080/01973530802659851.

Rowatt, W., Cunningham, M., & Druen, P. (1999). Lying to Get a Date: The Effect of Facial Physical Attractiveness on the Willingness To Deceive Prospective Dating Partners. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 16(2), 209. Retrieved from Academic Search Elite database.

Yurchisin, J., Watchravesringkan, K., & Brown McCabe, D. (2005). AN EXPLORATION OF IDENTITY RE-CREATION IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNET DATING. Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal, 33(8), 735-750. Retrieved from Academic Search Elite database

Foundations of Psychology

Psychology 2200He Said, She Said: Communication

StylesChris Hilton

Foundations of Psychology cont.

Communication styles can give us all the necessary insights into each others lives that we need to fully understand and comprehend what makes us all unique. It also can render the best of friends enemies. While I don’t want to lose Melissa, I fear that our inability to effectively communicate with each other is going to be the ruin of our relationship.

Melissa is one of the most intriguing individuals I have ever met. I first saw her walking into church with an air of both confidence and disdain, and was immediately taken in by her beauty and elegance. Even though we are very important to each other, we have been unable to connect in a more significant way. Our relationship as with most has had its fair share of ups and downs, and twists and turns. However, our issues have not stemmed from spite or anger. But has, and always will come from our inability to effectively communicate. I am, and perhaps always will be a “straight talker.” Melissa as far as I know has always been a “small talker.”

The very first conversation we had, we connected. We found that we had similar interests, and likes and dislikes. We had the same sense of humor, and same amount of cynicism. At this beginning stage of our relationship we were able to communicate very effectively. Mainly I believe because in the “get to know you” stage of relationships, there has to be a certain amount of small talk which as I said is her strength. But now, three plus years later we still have not moved past small talk. Yes, we have the occasional meaningful conversation which keeps me around, but I am growing increasingly bored with her constant playful, friendly and relaxed tone. We are not getting to know each other anymore, and we are not just “trying” to keep in touch. I spend three to four nights a week with this woman, and feel like we should have been able to move past this rather lamentable stage of relationships by now.


I am aware that I could do my part, meaning I could do a little more “control” talk, “spite” talk, or “fight” talk to try and arouse some extra emotion from her. However, I am just as bull headed as she is, and don’t see why I should do all the changing.

At the beginning of the semester you asked us to try out “human checkers” with someone. Well I did, and of course I did it with her. I must say I was surprised at how the exercise turned out. I was not anticipating how aggressive she would be. She came right at me, and it was I that flinched first. After several “dance” steps we ended up circling each other. Not so much repeating the same steps, but more of our unwillingness to step into the others space. This exercise was completely different than her communication style would dictate, as was mine. I wanted to step in, and be as assertive, but for some reason I couldn’t. This really opened my eyes to our relationship, mainly proving that she is the one actually in control. Without realizing it, about a year ago I turned complete control of our relationship over to her.

Even though she is in control, she still doesn’t initiate much. Yes, she is the one calling me, but she does it under the guise of “small” talk. Since I know her as well as I do, it is obvious what her intent is, and of course I end up asking her if she wants to do something, which predictably she does. That situation is my problem. We have known each other long enough and know each other well enough to where she should be able to ask me anything she wants.

While I am trying to be open, honest, assertive, direct and responsive to her, she continues to communicate in her playful, chatty tone. Making it very difficult for me or anyone else to really get to know her.


She has told me on a number of occasions that I am the only one she tells certain things to, while those little tidbits she shares with me are enlightening to who she is, they in no way give me enough to go on. I use to really care about this woman, I use to want to spend as much time with her as possible, but now I have grown weary of her small talk, and I no longer want to spend as much time with her as I once did.

Applied Psychology/Interpersonal Relationships

My Future in Learning

Having spent the last twelve years working to earn an undergraduate degree I consider myself someone that is constantly working to improve. Having at one time or another majored in five different areas of study I have garnered a broad knowledge base in which I look forward to adding to in the future.

Whether I pursue an advanced degree or not, I am excited to embark on the next stage of life which includes learning what I can, when I can.

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