REGIONAL PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPPORT INITIATIVE

(REPPSSI)

DIPLOMA PROGRAM :CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

NAME. :WAMUNEO .P.KABUKU
NRC NO. :341037/74/1
PHONE NUMBER. :0970526829
STUDENT NUMBER. :CAMH2208090043
NAME OF COURSE. :PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
NAME OF LECTURER:GIFT NYAMBE
COURSE CODE. :447-23-A
DISTRICT :LIVINGSTONE
ASSIGHNMENT :1
INTAKE. : 2ST YEAR STUDENT ,2024
DUE DATE. : 21/02/2024

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The dynamic relationship between the psychological and social dimensions of an individual is
intricate and influential in shaping one's overall well-being and functioning. The psychological
dimension refers to an individual's inner world, including their thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and
behaviors. On the other hand, the social dimension encompasses interactions with others,
relationships, societal norms, and cultural influences.

These two dimensions are deeply interconnected, with each influencing and being influenced by
the other. Psychological factors, such as self-esteem, personality traits, coping mechanisms, and
mental health, play a significant role in how individuals engage with the social world. For
example, someone with low self-esteem may struggle to form meaningful connections with
others or participate actively in social activities.(Slavich,2009).

More over, Conversely, social factors, including family dynamics, peer relationships, societal
expectations, and cultural values, profoundly impact an individual's psychological well-being.
Positive social support systems, for instance, can enhance mental health and resilience, while
social isolation or conflict can contribute to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression.
(Wood,2006).

Furthermore, these are several similarities between psychology and society. These two are also
interdependent and inter-related. Psychology concerns itself with the study of human
mannerisms and way of thinking. On the other hand, humans are the main component of any
society. This is the main relationship between psychology and society. Moreover, psychology
can be termed as a study of the relationship between organisms (humans) and their environment
(Slavich,2009).
On the other hand ,, psychology is a study of how human beings in any society react to their
environment. Psychology works at arriving at laws of human behavior as well as those of mental
life . Such laws are at most times responsible for shaping and governing societies. The social
relationships that go on in a society are very important to psychological studies. Therefore,
psychology and society are two inter-dependent entities. In addition, their inter-relation cannot
be ignored (McAdams, 2013)

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However, Psychology is an important field of study with several benefits to the society. The
knowledge and practices of psychology can have positive impacts on a society. One of the
practices advocated for by psychology is that of self-knowledge. Each individual is an integral
part of his/her society (Bowlby,1980)

In addition, Psychological studies advocate for each individual to understand his/her own
personality and behaviors. A society with individuals who possess a good amount of self-
knowledge is likely to be more advanced than that with individuals of less self-knowledge. For
instance, individuals with self-knowledge set goals that are consistent with their own
personalities.

Moreover, their productivity increases and this benefits their society directly. There are those
who feel that over-reliance on psychological theories places a huge burden on a society. The
rationale behind this argument is that these theories may be conflicting and at times
unsubstantiated. Hence, a society bears the burden of sorting which theories to rally behind
(Slavich,2009).

For instance, Psychological influence on political and social issues is notable. Politics is a
science that relies heavily on internal mechanisms including those of the human mind. A
politician has to work with an audience’s psychology for better success. Social psychology
focuses on how individuals think about one another and their relationship to one another.
(Slavich,2009).
On another hand , this concept is very important in the field of politics. When it comes to social
issues, psychology still has a significant impact. This usually comes to play in times of conflict
resolution. In conflict resolution, the one heading the exercise has to have an understanding of
the psychology of the conflicting parties (Erikson, 1999) .

Moreover, the interaction between the psychological and social dimensions is bidirectional. For
instance, positive social interactions can boost one’s self-esteem and confidence, leading to a
more positive outlook on life. Conversely, psychological challenges, such as anxiety or
depression, can hamper social interactions, leading to feelings of alienation or disconnection
(Seligman, 1998).

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Understanding and addressing this dynamic relationship is crucial in promoting holistic well-
being. Psychologists and social scientists often consider both dimensions when assessing and
supporting individuals in therapy or counseling. By recognizing the interplay between the
psychological and social aspects of a person’s life, interventions can be tailored to address
underlying issues and promote positive growth and development. Ultimately, fostering a healthy
balance between the psychological and social dimensions is essential for overall wellness and
fulfillment (Seligman, 1998).

Nevertheless, Social and political events do at times impact psychology. Whenever a significant
event occurs, psychologists will always unearth the psychological theories behind the event. For
instance, if the event revolves around an individual or a group of individuals, personality theories
are usually cited. Personality psychology studies a person’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Moreover, good example when this branch of psychology was focused on was when pop icon
Michael Jackson died. All aspects of his life were being focused on with a view of understanding
his personality. This included his life as a child (Slavich,2009).
In addition, the study of psychology encompasses various areas of study. Each of these areas is
dependent on other areas of study in psychology. The inter-relation between these sub divisions
is what makes psychology a wholesome science. One area of study that appealed to me was that
of developmental psychology. Developmental psychology is the study of how human beings
develop during their entire lifespan (McAdams, 2013) .

Furthermore , this area of psychology is mostly applied to child development and monitoring.
Since its conceptualization, developmental psychology has expanded to include topics such as
motor skills and language acquisition. As a science, developmental psychology has been applied
in areas such as education, child development, and forensic psychology.. (Bowlby,1980)

Moreover ,development psychology’s roots can be traced as far back as the fifteenth century.
Plato, one of the earliest philosophers, was of the view that there is a relationship between the
physical and non-physical aspects of the human being. According to him, human beings have an
aspect of pre-existing knowledge. Another historical figure connected to developmental
psychology is Rene Descartes. (McAdams, 2013) .

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Furthermore ,descartes used the ideas of developmental psychology to advocate for proper
methods of studying theology. John Locke came shortly after Descartes and was of the idea that
the mind is a blank slate. According to him, human beings develop through experiences with
their environment. He is famous for starting the nature versus nurture debate. After these two
scholars, various other scholars made their contribution to this study.(Wood,2006).

In addition, Charles Darwin is the more famous of these mostly because of his work in the
evolution theory. He believed that human beings developed certain behaviors for them to fit in
their environment. His concept of “survival for the fittest” has earned him both immense praise
and criticism. Stanley Hall came after Darwin and translated the latter’s principles to fit in with
human development(Wood,2006).

For instance, Hall founded the American Psychological Association and was the first to employ
the questionnaire method when doing research . After Hall, came Watson in the early 1900s.
Watson focused mostly on behaviorism. By doing so, he ignored the importance of introspective
traits in developmental psychology. He also advocated for the use of scientific methods in the
study of psychology.(Slavich,2009).

In reference, Some of the later contributors to developmental psychology include Arnold Gesell
and Sigmund Freud. Gesell was of the view that there was an “inner timetable” to development
and a child has to be of the right age for him/her to benefit from a certain development. .
(Bowlby,1980)

Freud on his part is one of the most avid contributors to developmental psychology. Freud
addresses various subjects among them the issue of libido discharge, shaping of personality, and
the role of a parent/guardian in development (McAdams, 2013) .

Furthermore, this history of psychology is important to all would-be psychologists. Psychology

became an independent discipline around the late 1800s. However, its roots go as far back as
ancient Greece. This is why for an aspiring psychologist it is important to correlate various
psychological developments with developments in the then societies.(Wood,2006).

However, Psychology like other disciplines has evolved over the years. All those who
contributed to this evolution had to refer to their predecessors. This is why a psychology scholar
cannot afford to ignore the works of his/her predecessors. There have been instances when some

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psychology theories and approaches have been ignored only for them to be re-adopted later.
(McAdams, 2013).

In conclusion, in such cases, knowledge of history on the subject plays a major role in
appropriation of such theories. The backward-reflection gives scholars an overview of where the
science has come from and possibly, where it is headed. In conclusion, a historical reflection of
psychology gives a scholar the necessary perspectives in its study. These include the human
development, philosophical, and scientific perspectives.

References

Slavich, G. M. (2009). Psychology and society: How society shapes science and science shapes
society. The Clinical Psychologist, 62(1), 9-10.

Wood, C.E. & Boyd D. (2006). Mastering the world of psychology. Boston, Mass: Allyn &
Bacon

Caplan, G. (1964) Principles of Preventive Psychiatry. Basic Books: New York.

Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. (1984) Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing
Company: New York.

Bowlby, J. (1980) Attachment and Loss: Volume 3. Loss, Sadness and Depression. Basic
Books: New York.

Antonovsky, A. (1987) Unraveling the Mystery of Health: How People Manage Stress and Stay
Well. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco.

Erikson, E.H. (1959) Identity and the Life Cycle. Norton & Company: New York.

Seligman, M.E.P. (1998) Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. Vintage
Books: New York.

McAdams, D.P. (2013) The Art and Science of Personality Development. Guilford Press: New
York.

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