CHAPTER 3.

FROM STUDENT TO PSYCHOLOGIST: MAKING THE

TRANSITION

TEXT:

Practicing psychologists help a wide variety of people and can treat

many kinds of problems. Some people may talk to a psychologist
because they have felt depressed, angry or anxious for a long time. Or,
they want help for a chronic condition that is interfering with their
lives or physical health. Others may have short-term problems they
want help navigating, such as feeling overwhelmed by a new job or
grieving the death of a family member. Psychologists can help people
learn to cope with stressful situations, overcome addictions, manage
their chronic illnesses and break past the barriers that keep them from
reaching their goals.

Practicing psychologists are also trained to administer and interpret a

number of tests and assessments that can help diagnose a condition or
tell more about the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. These tests
may evaluate intellectual skills, cognitive strengths and weaknesses,
vocational aptitude and preference, personality characteristics and
neuropsychological functioning.

Practicing psychologists can help with a range of health problems and

use an assortment of evidence-based treatments to help people
improve their lives. Most commonly, they use therapy (often referred
to as psychotherapy or talk therapy). There are many different styles
of therapy, but the psychologist will choose the type that best
addresses the person’s problem and best fits the patient’s
characteristics and preferences.
Some common types of therapy are cognitive, behavioral, cognitive-
behavioral, interpersonal, humanistic, psychodynamic or a
combination of a few therapy styles. Therapy can be for an individual,
couples, family or other group. Some psychologists are trained to use
hypnosis, which research has found to be effective for a wide range of
conditions including pain, anxiety and mood disorders.

For some conditions, therapy and medication are a treatment

combination that works best. For people who benefit from medication,
psychologists work with primary care physicians, pediatricians and
psychiatrists on their overall treatment. 1

VOCABULARY: EXPRESSIONS

 to make a profit on smth - a obţine un profit de pe urma unui lucru;

 to pick up with smb - a face cunoştinţă/a stabili relaţii cu cineva
(de obicei din întâmplare);
 to strive for an end - a se strădui să atingă un ţel;
 to take account of smth/to take smth into account - a ţine seama de
ceva, a lua în considerare ceva;
 to take a chance - a risca, a nu-şi încerca norocul;
 to stop short/to stop dead - a se opri brusc;
 to strain the law - a forţa legea/interpreta legea în mod părtinitor;
 to stay the course - a rezista până la capăt;
 to state the case - a proceda la expunerea faptelor (în tribunal);
 to set a trap for smb - a întinde o cursă cuiva;
 to score an advantage/to score a success - a înregistra un success.

1
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/about-psychologists.aspx
DEBATE SECTION:

The mind is highly complex and enigmatic. Many wonder how

psychologists can study such an intricate, seemingly abstract and
extremely sophisticated thing. Even if scientists look inside the brain,
as in an autopsy or during a surgical operation, all they see is gray
matter (the brain). Thoughts, cognition, emotions, memories, dreams,
perceptions, etc. cannot be seen physically, like a skin rash or heart
defect.

Experts say that the approach to psychology is not that different to

other sciences. As in other sciences, experiments are devised to
confirm or disprove theories or expectations. For a physicist, the raw
data during the experiments may be atoms, electrons, the application
or withdrawal of heat, while for the psychologist human behavior is
the raw data.

For a psychologist, human behavior is used as evidence - or at least an

indication - of how the mind functions. We are unable to observe the
mind directly; however, virtually all our actions, feelings and thoughts
are influenced by the functioning of our minds. That is why human
behavior is used as raw data for testing psychological theories on how
the mind functions.

Many say that psychology lies at the crossroads of other disciplines,

such as medicine, linguistics, sociology, biology, artificial
intelligence, anthropology, sociology, and even history. For example,
neuropsychology - which looks at how different brain areas are
involved in memory, language, emotions, etc. - overlaps with biology
and medicine.
GRAMMAR SECTION:

Language Exercise: Do or does? - Match the items on the right

with the items on the left.

DO and DOES both refer to a verb which infers that a task or an

action is accomplished by a person or being. These are mainly two
forms of the same verb Do. While Do is the first person simple tense
form does is used for second and third person.

To understand the difference between the two it is best to use an

illustration or an example.
First person - Singular
I do the task regularly.
Second Person - Singular
You do the task regularly.
Third Person - Singular
He does the task regularly.
DOES is used when you are referring to a third person. It is used in
the present tense and with a singular form. When referring to group of
people or more than one entity then we use "Do" while talking about a
single person or a thing even in third person form "Does" is used. E.g.
She does the cooking nicely. However when referring to more than
one entity in third person we use "Do". For e.g. they do the cooking
nicely.
DO and DOES are also used frequently in formation of interrogative
sentences. Questions are formulated using these verb forms often
however there is a slight difference in the usage of two. For example
let us see the following sentence "Do you know the basic difference
between what she does and what I Do?" As used in simple sentences,
the basic rule for usage of do and does is same. For first person and
second person questions are formed using Do. However when you are
talking about a noun in third person you simple use "DOES". So the
same sentence discussed above becomes "Does she understand the
basic difference between what you do and what I do?"

People often get confused while using the two verbs in the sentences.
There are a lot or errors seen in the writing of even the people who are
adept users of English language. It is true that the two verb forms are
too closely similar and it takes a deep understanding of the basic rules
of grammar pertaining to the usage of the two. However once the rules
are well understood it becomes absolutely easy to distinguish between
the two and use them correctly.

Another place where do and does may cause confusion is for

non-living objects.
What does this word means?
What do these words mean?
______ sit down.
doesn't do does don't

I ______ remember much about him.

doesn't do does don't

My husband ______ most of the housework.

doesn't do does don't

You remember me, ______ you?

doesn't do does don't

We ______ think you are suitable for the job.

I'm very sorry.
doesn't do does don't

I ______ think that this is a good idea.

doesn't do does don't

We don't want to do that, ______ we?

doesn't do does don't

It ______ bear thinking about.

doesn't do does don't
They ______ seem very happy.
doesn't do does don't

We ______ need to see you again.

Our minds are made up.
doesn't do does don't