Assignment

Diploma in Human Resource Management

(DHRM)

 Subject - CHRM1503 PRINCIPLES OF

PSYCHOLOGY
 Assignment - CHRM1503 - Foundation Final
Examination
 Batch Number - No – 62
 Name - G.A.A.S. K Guanthilaka
 Index number - C20209
 Student No: C20209

Answer for Q :01

Authentic assessment is an approach to evaluating a student's or individual's knowledge and

skills in a way that closely mirrors real-world situations or tasks. While I can't conduct
assessments myself, I can provide you with examples of authentic assessments for subjects
closely related to psychology:
1. Neuroscience:
 Case Studies: Analyze and interpret real-life neurological case studies, MRI
scans, or EEG data to diagnose and propose treatment for neurological
disorders.
 Lab Experiments: Design and conduct experiments to investigate brain
functions, such as memory, perception, or decision-making, using neuroimaging
techniques.
2. Counseling and Therapy:
 Simulated Counseling Sessions: Role-play therapy sessions with a trained actor,
dealing with various emotional and psychological issues.
 Client Assessment: Assess and develop treatment plans for hypothetical clients
based on their presented issues and histories.
3. Developmental Psychology:
 Child Observation: Observe and analyze the behavior and development of
children at different stages of life, recording milestones and challenges.
 Parenting Intervention: Develop and implement a parenting intervention
program based on research findings to address common developmental issues.
4. Social Psychology:
 Community-Based Research: Conduct surveys or experiments in real-world
social settings to study phenomena like conformity, obedience, or bystander
intervention.
 Media Analysis: Analyze media content (e.g., advertisements, movies) for the
portrayal and impact of social psychological concepts like stereotypes, prejudice,
and persuasion.
5. Clinical Psychology:

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 Diagnostic Interviews: Conduct simulated diagnostic interviews with actors

portraying individuals with various mental health disorders and formulate
treatment plans.
 Therapeutic Interventions: Record and analyze therapy sessions with volunteer
clients, focusing on evidence-based techniques.
6. Cognitive Psychology:
 Memory Experiments: Design experiments to investigate memory processes like
encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
 Decision-Making Simulations: Create decision-making scenarios (e.g.,
investment choices, medical diagnoses) and analyze participants' choices and
cognitive processes.
7. Educational Psychology:
 Lesson Plan Evaluation: Analyze and critique lesson plans for effectiveness in
promoting student learning and engagement.
 Classroom Observation: Observe and provide feedback on a teacher's classroom
management and instructional strategies.
8. Health Psychology:
 Health Behavior Change Project: Design and implement a health behavior
change intervention (e.g., smoking cessation program) and evaluate its
effectiveness.
 Stress Management Workshop: Develop and deliver workshops on stress
management techniques and assess participants' stress reduction skills.
9. Statistics (Research Methods):

 Experimental Design and Analysis: Develop a research proposal, conduct an

experiment, and analyze the data using appropriate statistical methods, then present
the results and draw conclusions.
 Critique Published Research: Students can select a published psychological
study, critique its methodology, analyze its findings, and assess its impact on the field.

10. Philosophy of Mind:

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 Thought Experiment Analysis: Evaluate classic thought experiments like "Mary's

Room" or "Chinese Room" and provide critical reflections on their implications
for our understanding of consciousness and the mind-body problem.
 Dualism vs. Monism Debate: Organize and participate in a classroom debate on
the nature of consciousness, with students taking positions on dualism, monism,
or other relevant theories.

These authentic assessment methods ensure that individuals studying these closely related
subjects are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also developing practical skills that
can be directly applied in their respective fields.

Answer for Q :02

Structuralism and functionalism are two influential schools of thought in the field of
psychology, both of which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They represent
different approaches to understanding the human mind and behavior. Here's an evaluation of
each:
Structuralism:
1. Focus on Structure: Structuralism, primarily associated with Wilhelm Wundt and
Edward Titchener, sought to analyze the structure of the human mind by breaking it
down into its basic elements, such as sensations, feelings, and thoughts.
2. Introspection: The primary method used in structuralism was introspection, where
individuals would describe their conscious experiences in detail. However, this method
had limitations due to its subjectivity and lack of empirical rigor.
3. Contributions: Structuralism played a crucial role in establishing psychology as a
scientific discipline. It emphasized the importance of systematic observation and
measurement of mental processes.
Critiques of Structuralism:
1. Subjectivity: The reliance on introspection raised concerns about the subjectivity of the
data, making it difficult to establish objective and replicable findings.

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2. Limited Scope: Structuralism focused primarily on the conscious mind and neglected
unconscious processes, emotions, and behavior, which limited its explanatory power.
3. Decline in Influence: Structuralism declined in influence over time, partly due to its
methodological limitations and the emergence of alternative approaches like
functionalism and behaviorism.
Functionalism:
1. Focus on Function: Functionalism, mainly associated with William James, shifted the
focus from the structure of the mind to its functions and how mental processes help
individuals adapt to their environment.
2. Naturalistic Observation: Functionalism emphasized the use of naturalistic observation
and the study of behavior in real-world settings, which contributed to the development
of applied psychology.
3. Broad Scope: Unlike structuralism, functionalism considered a wide range of mental
processes, including consciousness, memory, emotions, and behavior, making it a more
comprehensive approach.
4. Influence on Applied Psychology: Functionalism had a significant impact on the
development of applied psychology, as it paved the way for the study of practical issues
such as education, industry, and clinical psychology.
5. Limitations: Functionalism lacked a clear, unified theoretical framework and was
criticized for being too broad and less focused on empirical research compared to
structuralism. Some of its concepts, like "consciousness" and "function," were vaguely
defined.
Critiques of Functionalism:
1. Lack of Precision: Functionalism was criticized for its lack of precision and clear
methodologies compared to structuralism, which hindered its ability to generate
testable hypotheses.
2. Theoretical Diversity: The school of functionalism encompassed a range of perspectives
and did not have a unified theoretical framework, making it somewhat fragmented.

1. Structuralism: Structuralism was founded by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward

B. Titchener and was one of the earliest approaches to psychology. It focused on
breaking down the human mind into its basic elements or structures, such as sensations,
feelings, and thoughts. Structuralists believed that by analyzing these elemental

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components, they could gain a better understanding of the complex workings of the
mind.
Example: Introspection Structuralists used introspection as their primary research
method. In introspection, individuals were trained to observe and report their own
conscious experiences in response to stimuli. For example, a structuralist might present
a participant with a simple stimulus, such as a picture or a sound, and then ask the
participant to describe their conscious experience and the sensations, emotions, and
thoughts it elicited.
2. Functionalism: Functionalism, founded by William James and influenced by
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, shifted the focus away from the structure of the
mind and instead emphasized the function or purpose of mental processes and
behavior. Functionalists believed that the mind and behavior should be understood in
terms of how they help individuals adapt to their environment and achieve their goals.
Example: Study of memory Functionalism can be applied to the study of memory.
Rather than solely focusing on the structure of memory or its basic components,
functionalists would investigate how memory functions in daily life and how it helps
individuals adapt and survive. For example, they might study how memory processes
enable people to remember important information, learn from past experiences, and
make decisions that improve their chances of success.

In conclusion, structuralism and functionalism represent contrasting approaches to psychology,

with structuralism focusing on the analysis of the structure of the mind through introspection
and functionalism emphasizing the study of the functions of mental processes in real-life
situations. While both schools made important contributions to the development of
psychology, they also had their limitations and eventually gave way to other approaches that
incorporated their insights while addressing their shortcomings.

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Answer for Q :03

Stress is a natural response to challenging or threatening situations, and it typically occurs in a

series of steps or stages within what is often referred to as the "stress cycle." These steps can
vary from person to person, but they generally involve the following processes:
1. Stressor Identification:
 The stress cycle begins when a person encounters a stressor, which is any
situation, event, or circumstance that is perceived as challenging, threatening, or
demanding. Stressors can be external (e.g., work deadlines, financial difficulties,
relationship conflicts) or internal (e.g., self-imposed pressure, negative self-talk,
worries).
2. Alarm Reaction (Fight or Flight):
 When a person perceives a stressor, the body's stress response system is
activated. This is often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. The brain
releases stress hormones, primarily cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body
to respond to the perceived threat. Physiological changes occur, such as
increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness, all designed to
help the individual react to the stressor.
3. Resistance:
 In some cases, after the initial alarm reaction, a person may enter a phase of
resistance. This is the body's attempt to cope with the ongoing stressor. During
this phase, the body continues to release stress hormones to maintain alertness
and energy. However, if the stressor persists or if new stressors are
encountered, this resistance phase can be taxing on the body over time.
4. Exhaustion:
 If the stressor continues or if a person experiences multiple stressors without
adequate time for recovery, the body may eventually enter a state of
exhaustion. In this phase, the body's resources are depleted, and the person may
start to experience physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of stress
overload. These symptoms can include fatigue, irritability, anxiety, depression,
and physical health problems.
5. Coping Mechanisms:

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 Throughout the stress cycle, individuals employ various coping mechanisms to
deal with the stressors. These can be adaptive or maladaptive. Adaptive coping
strategies, such as seeking social support, problem-solving, or relaxation
techniques, help reduce stress and promote resilience. Maladaptive coping
strategies, such as substance abuse, avoidance, or denial, can provide temporary
relief but often worsen the long-term effects of stress.
6. Resolution or Perpetuation:
 Depending on the individual's ability to manage and cope with stressors, the
stress cycle can either resolve or perpetuate. If effective coping strategies are
employed and the stressors are managed or eliminated, the stress cycle can
come to an end, and the individual returns to a state of equilibrium. However, if
the stressors persist or if the person's coping mechanisms are ineffective, the
stress cycle can continue, potentially leading to chronic stress and its associated
health consequences.

7. ong-Term Effects: Prolonged or chronic stress can have detrimental effects on physical
and mental health. It can lead to conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression,
cardiovascular problems, weakened immune function, and digestive issues. Moreover,
ongoing stress can strain relationships and negatively impact overall quality of life.
8. Recovery and Adaptation: In some cases, individuals may adapt to chronic stress to
some extent, and their bodies may become somewhat accustomed to elevated stress
hormone levels. However, this adaptation is not without its costs, and it can still lead to
health problems over time.

It's important to note that the experience of stress is highly individualized, and not all
individuals will go through every step of the stress cycle in the same way or order. Additionally,
chronic stress, where a person experiences ongoing stressors without adequate relief, can have
long-lasting negative effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, it's crucial to recognize
and manage stress effectively to prevent its harmful consequences.