Evaluation of Psychological Approaches in Understanding Self and Others

This document discusses the evaluation of psychological approaches in understanding self and others. It explores the cognitive approach, behavioral approach, and humanistic approach. The document also reflects on core skills such as time management, public speaking, and conflict resolution.

Business Psychology
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
Evaluation of psychological approaches in understand self and others.......................................2
Reflection of core skills...............................................................................................................3
Action plan...................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
2

INTRODUCTION
Psychology is a scientific study of the human functions, behaviours and mind. For
understanding others and themselves there is a requirement of some skills (Piaget, 2015).
Communication and taking feedbacks' ability makes an individual able to understand their
behaviour.
Evaluation of psychological approaches in understand self and others
Psychology study means to understand of themselves and others as what make them
unique and different from others. Self understanding and self concept in psychology plays an
important role as an individual can analyse him/herself that what motivates his/her actions and
how he/she can accomplish his/her pre-determined goals. The main aim of the study of
psychology is to understand him and herself better in terms of potential. It is stated that an
individual can understand other and can perform any type of work if he/she understand himself
in better manner. There are some approaches' psychology that helps an individual in
understanding themselves and others such as:
Cognitive approach: It is the best and modern approach which believes that thought
process of an individual directly affect the way of behaving. So, it can be said that there is an
interrelationship of way of behaving/treating and thought process (Metzger and Flanagin, 2015).
It is somehow as like the behavioural approach in which individual's behaviour is found as a
result of the way of he/she interprets and perceive. So, it can be said that if an individual wants to
understand behaviour of others and themselves then they have to understand how people are
processing it in the way they are.
Behavioural approach: It is an effective approach of psychology which focuses on
objective method of investigation. This approach believes that only those things are real whom
individual can observe and see. For example, an individual cannot see brain, but he can see the
way in which people act and react. The main aim of this approach is to understand behaviour of
others and themselves. Authors believe that much of the learning of an individual and several
aspects of behaviour can occur via observing behaviours of others.
Humanistic approach: This approach is mainly based on the Maslow's hierarchy of
needs. According to theory and approach, it believes that a person needs to obtain each of the
needs of Maslow's defined needs if he/she wants to reach their full potential. Basic or
3

psychological needs, safety, belonging, esteem and self actualization needs. So, from this theory
and approach, it can be said that humanistic perspective looks at human behaviour as a whole
and according to it he/she can control his/her behaviours (Obschonka and Stuetzer, 2017).
So, from above defined approaches, it can be said that psychological approaches plays an
important role as it helps an individual in analysing and understanding himself and others in a
better manner.
Reflection of core skills
1. Time management
What is the core skill to develop?
The core skill which I need to improve and develop in my professional and personal life is
time management. Time management can be defined as a process and way of planning the
time about activities and analyse the time which is being spent in each activity (Newstead
and Isles-Buck, 2019). In other words it can be said that it is a procedure of planning and
controlling of time spent in each activity.
Why did I select this skill to reflect on? Why is this core skill important for
your development (personal and professional)? (use relevant theories and
concepts from psychology and business to support your answer)
In my opinion, I can say that time management is the primary skill which can make an
individual able to accomplish its goals in a timely manner. It is a skill which not only
helpful in professional life but also beneficial in personal life. I can also say that an
effective time management skill help an individual in taking an effective decision. So, by
improving time management, they can improve their decision-making skills as well. The
most important benefit of time management skill is it reduces stress (Dicke and et.al.,
2015). When employees completed their work on the time then it makes them happy and
in contrast if they do not complete their important tasks on the time then it increases their
stress level. Pickle jar theory defines the importance of time management skills as it is an
4

idea that time is like a pickle jar and it is limited.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess
your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers
and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and
behaviours to answer this question)
I have completed a self assessment which showed me that I am lack in time management.
When I was in college, I recognized and analysed that it is my main weakness as I cannot
finish tasks and given project on the time. In some projects I felt that I am lacking in time
management due to late submission of project. On the other hand, in some types of project
I completed tasks and project on the time. So, I think it depends upon the type of project
and tasks. Whenever I completed tasks on the time then I felt that I committed some
errors.
After reflecting on my competencies, I am aware and know that what I actually need to
improve in my time management skills.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example,
is there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or
not?
I analysed myself and came to know that how I completed tasks till now and which types
of problems I face in completing projects on the time. I think that my time management
skills depend upon the type and nature of work. For knowing my effectiveness and
weakness I took feedbacks from my peers, and they told me that I am not that much good
in time management but I complete work in a quality manner. It made my happy and sad
at the same time. I need to improve my time management skills along with making quality.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your
argument)
5

By improving time management skill I can take promotional opportunities and can
minimize stress level and being happy in the future. By competing prioritize and important
tasks before I can even complete other works as well. I can enjoy y personal and social life
by developing time management skill which is important for an individual and the society
as well.
2. Public speaking
What is the core skill to develop?
The core skill in which I am lacking and need to improve is public speaking. This skill
can be defined as a process of communicating informations and feelings to an audience
without having fear and confidently (Stewart and et.al., 2017). Giving a speech and
performing any act in front of a large audience is known as public speaking.
Why did I select this skill to reflect on? Why is this core skill important
for your development (personal and professional)? (use relevant theories
and concepts from psychology and business to support your answer)
In the context of importance of public speaking, I can say that it is an important skill
which shows listener about the confidence level and knowledge of a topic of an
individual. As a leader and manager, it is important to have this skills because they are
mainly responsible for introducing all policies, vision and details of the company to
employees. An effective public speaking skill increase confidence of speaker and
listener as well. For public speaking it is important to have communication skills which
also improves the way of behaving and talking with people. I believe that this skill can
make an individual more able to influence customers and employees in an efficient
manner. Social learning is the best theory of communication and public speaking
which shows that by observing and communicating with people can increase this skill.
6

Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you
assess your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback
from peers and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts,
feelings and behaviours to answer this question)
I analysed or assessed myself in order to know this weakness. I found that I have fear
of speaking in public and those people who is not known to me. I have has some
occasion where I had to speak in front of large population. When I were in school, all
friends and teachers were known to me so, I felt comfortable and gave excellent
speech. On the other hand, at the time of conference and office meeting when I was
asked to give a speech then I get stressed. I did not give an effective speech. I got
nervous. So, from this I got to know that my public speaking depends upon the type of
audience and people as if they are known or unknown to me. After few meetings and
preparing meeting speech I gave speech and manage the meeting but somewhere I was
not feeling comfortable at all. So, I think that I need to improve this skill of
communicating and speaking in font of any type of people.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For
example, is there a match between how you see yourself and how others
see you, or not?
For knowing and analysing myself more I took feedbacks from my colleagues in order
to know that what they feel about me and what is the difference between their and
mine thinking. They told me that at the time of giving speech I remain calm and do not
speak much. So, it shows that I need to improve my skill and become more confident
by which I can speak out openly.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support
your argument)
By improving this skill I can increase my confidence level which will help me out in
increasing my employability. It will also help me out in accomplishing all goals and
7

achieving effective career opportunities. By communicating in an effective manner I
can improve relationship with others which will make me happy (Hostetler and Kahl,
2016). It will also make me able to understand feelings of others as well.
3. Conflict resolution
What is the core skill to develop?
The core skill in which I am not good and wants to improve for my better professional
and personal life is conflict resolution (Fusch and Fusch, 2015). It is a process and way
of taking a decision by which both parties feel satisfied. To make both parties involved
in a conflict able to agree on an agreement and give a peaceful solution is called conflict
resolution.
Why did I select this skill to reflect on? Why is this core skill important for
your development (personal and professional)? (use relevant theories and
concepts from psychology and business to support your answer)
Conflict resolution is an effective skill which can help an individual in his/her
professional life to become happy and make the environment peaceful. Peaceful and
happy environment is called the key of the success of an organization which makes
people healthy and fresh. The reason of improving this skill is to improve effective
relationship with others and reduce the fiction which deceases working relationship.
Conflict resolution skill makes an individual able to accomplish their long term goals
and solve all other problems like labour turnover, miscommunication etc. With the help
of John Burton theory, importance and ways of conflict resolution skills is defined. It
shows that conflicts always occur due to dissatisfaction (Gren and Lenberg, 2018). By
understanding needs of others, conflict resolution skill can be improved and make the
environment happy.
8

Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you
assess your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback
from peers and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts,
feelings and behaviours to answer this question)
I have completed a self-assessment and analysis by which I came to know that to which
limit I lack in this skill and how much time I need to invest in improving this skill. I
perceived myself as a low competence level. I felt that due to lack of this skill I avoid
and negotiate situations rather solving them. It creates several problems which makes
me depressed sometimes. When I was promoted as a team leader than initially I felt and
faced several problems in making people influenced and agreed on a particular
situation. But after sometimes I found that people are understanding each other and
working tirelessly. So, it can say that I can improve this skill by understanding needs of
other as what they want to say and what they seek.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For
example, is there a match between how you see yourself and how others
see you, or not?
There is a contradiction in my analysis and self assessment and it is identified when I
asked my manager to give feedback about my conflict resolution skill. I assessed my
self a lower competence in this skill but what my manager told me totally shocked me.
My manager told me that I am good in conflict resolution as team members like to work
with me which they knew in one-to-one session. They also said that I have an ability to
influence people and make them able to agree on the result which I give. So, I can say
that there is a contradiction in my analysis.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support
your argument)
As I think that I am not good in this skill so, I need to develop it for making my career
9

effective and taking promotional opportunities. With the help of conflict resolution
skills I can make good relation with others which can create a peaceful working
environment. It can increase my and the overall productivity of the company. I can also
increase my concentration power which will increase my productivity and also will
make me able to complete project on the time.
Action plan
Strength
In the context of strength I can strongly say that I am good at taking and giving
feedbacks. This strength shows that my observation and understanding people's behaviours skill
is good (Safa and et.al., 2018). This skill helped me out in understanding myself and other which
makes a working environment effective. It also increased my decision-making skills and make
me able to help the company in accomplishing its goals. In addition, I also believe that my
research and development skills is good. It helped me out many of the times in getting
appropriate informations like current trends, customers' needs, employees demands etc.
Weaknesses
In this context I can say that my time management skills is not good as most of the time I
miss the deadline of submitting project. It is not good for me and my colleagues. It gives a bad
impression on manager and others and also makes me tensed. When I do not submit tasks and
projects on the time than I have to suffer a lot as it hamper my other works. I cannot even spare
time for my family and myself which frustrate me. There are other areas also in which I need to
invest time and improve them. Public speaking and an effective communication skill. I feel that I
cannot speak in front of a large population and audience which demotivate me and decrease my
confidence level.
10

So, I can say that self evaluation and assessment plays an important role because it shows
both areas of strengths and weaknesses. With an effective evaluation I can improve my skills
which are my weaknesses.
Areas need to
improve
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time
Time
management
For improving
time
management
skill I will
make a time
table as per the
every hour. It
will allow me
to tell me that
how much
time will be
taken by me in
each activity.
By dividing
tasks and
assumed time
I will
breakdown
hours and
activities. By
seeing each
activity and
actual time, I
can, measure
my
effectiveness.
For seeing that
if my skills has
been attained or
not I will
complete the
same task again
and again. It
will increase
my
effectiveness
and help me out
in attaining my
objectives.
It is very
important for
me to increase
this skill as it
is relevant to
my job role. I
think that
submitting
projects on the
time will help
me in the
future in
professional
and personal
life.
Developing
time
management
skill will take
approximate
20 days.
Public
speaking
Public
speaking is
also important
to increase
confidence. It
is a skill which
can only be
improved by
practising. For
This target
can be
achieved
because
practice
makes a man
perfect. By
practising on
continuous
This target is
attainable. For
taking time for
practising, I
cannot spend
time in social
media.
In the context
of relevance I
can say that it
is the skill
which shows
confidence
level to
listener and
also make
This skill
require more
practice and
building up
confidence is
not easy so, it
will take
approximate
30 days.
11

improving this
skill I will
speak in front
of the mirror
by thinking
out that people
are sitting in
front of me.
basis and
increasing
time on this
practice I can
measure its
effectiveness.
them
influenced, It
is important
for an
employee to
have this skill
because they
have to
communicate
and influence
customers.
Team working I feel
uncomfortable
while working
in a team. As I
am an
introvert
person, so I
prefer to keep
calm and have
fear of sharing
something
with others.
But it is
important to
develop this
skill for
getting
outcomes. For
this I require
to work more
By taking
feedbacks
from my
colleagues
with whom I
perform
activities in a
team, I can
measure my
effectiveness.
It is attainable
as there are
many projects
which required
to be completed
in a team and
group.
It is highly
relevant in my
professional
level because
team working
improves
relationship
and also give
learning
opportunities.
It will take 15-
20 days.
12

in a group and
team.
CONCLUSION
From the above data it has been summarized that different skills like time management,
public speaking played a vital role in psychological. Understanding people in a better manner
helped an individual in conflict resolution.
13

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Dicke, T. and et.al., 2015. Reducing reality shock: The effects of classroom management skills
training on beginning teachers. Teaching and Teacher Education. 48. pp.1-12.
Fusch, P.I. and Fusch, G.E., 2015. Leadership and conflict resolution on the production
line. International Journal of Applied Management and Technology. 14(1). p.7.
Gren, L. and Lenberg, P., 2018, May. The importance of conflict resolution techniques in
autonomous agile teams. In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Agile
Software Development: Companion (p. 19). ACM.
Hostetler, M. and Kahl, M., 2016. Advanced public speaking: A leader's guide. Routledge.
Metzger, M.J. and Flanagin, A.J., 2015. Psychological approaches to credibility assessment
online. The handbook of the psychology of communication technology. 32. pp.445-
466.
Newstead, S. and Isles-Buck, E., 2019. Essential skills for managers of child-centred settings.
Routledge.
Obschonka, M. and Stuetzer, M., 2017. Integrating psychological approaches to
entrepreneurship: the Entrepreneurial Personality System (EPS). Small Business
Economics. 49(1). pp.203-231.
Piaget, J., 2015. Structuralism (Psychology Revivals). Psychology Press.
Safa, M. and et.al., 2018, April. Vibrotactile feedbacks system for assisting the physically
impaired persons for easy navigation. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol.
1000, No. 1, p. 012062). IOP Publishing.
Stewart, C.O. and et.al., 2017. An initial exploration of students’ mindsets, attitudes, and beliefs
about public speaking. Communication Research Reports. 34(2). pp.180-185.
14