The Study of Behavior

Even though I'm on vacation I have been studying for a final exam. The course is Writing for the Social Sciences, and as part of the course I wrote a research paper about adolescent psychology. Tomorrow, when I take the final (on vacation) I will be required to write a memo reflecting on my research paper.

Honestly since writing that paper I have become more cynical about psychology's ability to help teenagers. Don't get me wrong, I'm not throwing out the whole profession or even the theories. It's just that I see the holes more clearly now.

When I spoke to the Adolescent Psychologist on my jury about her profession she nearly told me to run the other way.  She said that counseling troubled teenagers is a fruitless endeavor- that most of their issues come from the messed up families they live in. When I asked about the usefulness of family therapy she said that the parents blame the dysfunction on the teens so nothing ever changes, even in that setting. Great view of the world isn't it?

So that left me thinking about sociology. Could changes be effected in society that would make for stronger families, and thus individuals?

In the end that thought is all backwards. It isn't society that makes families strong - it is strong families that make a strong society. (Although strong families do need the structure of a good government to succeed.) That led me back to a well-used quote from Elder Packer, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

So here I am, an LDS woman, becoming a psychologist. How do these ideas gel? If I truly believe this quote then my time and energies would be best focused on teaching the gospel. Yet, in our little struggling branch I feel overwhelmed and unsuccessful at helping people change their lives.

To me, some concepts of the gospel are hidden within psychological theories (naysayers would say the opposite is true). So in being a psychologist you are, in a way, sharing true doctrines; which then, if understood by the client, changes their behavior (if it brings forth good fruit...). Can we then admit to a connection between psychology and church work? I know, reaching too far probably, but I'm just trying to figure out how to get a paycheck while helping people. The limitations of this world are just holding me back ;)

BTW- that talk by Elder Packer is a great one. I didn't set out to read it tonight but it lifted my spirits and gave a little enlightenment.

Comments

[readerMom]

1.

I know a number of LDS people who are skeptical of therapy for this very reason. Psychologists have a reputation for telling people their religion is the problem, instead of working through the religion to find answers.
I know I would only trust a therapist I found through LDS social services, and even then I would have trust issues for a while.
But then I have trust issues for most things anyway.

[Allan]

2.

"Yet, in our little struggling branch I feel overwhelmed and unsuccessful at helping people change their lives."
Yet your success is that you were willing to offer help, and have a heart to do so. Christ offered a gift to all of Heavenly Father's children; yet sadly few have accepted it.
Thanks for having a desire to help others in their struggles and a heart for the work.
In as much as ye have done it unto the least these ye have done it unto me.

[Sweet Escape]

3.

I know of two therapists who counsel incredibly well using a balance of both psychology and religion. Although my school counselor only counseled me with psychology, she played a huge role in my emotional health as a teenager. It's not fruitless nor futile. A simple act of compassion on a teen can impact them years later as an adult. You're amazing!