Psychology Personal Statement (York)
In "Das Vorleser" by Bernard Schlink, the maincharacter asserts that decisions can have no influence on our behaviour. Inmany ways I think this is true. There are times when we can consciously make adecision, justify it, yet we can't go through with it. I am curious as to whythis is, as I have always been fascinated by behaviour. A-Level Psychology hasprovided me with some answers, yet I am eager to learn more.
Cognitive Psychology is one of my main interests because Ibelieve that the best way to understand people's behaviour is to try tounderstand the processes that take place in decision making, in remembering andalso at times when we don't even realise them, such as during the perception ofour surrounding environment. I also like it because of its links toneurosciences, which I have found intriguing because of the links between brainand behaviour. Recently, I have been reading articles on mirror neurons inScientific American Mind, which I found compelling because it would appear toexplain many of the processes engaged in learning. I found Kandel's work withsea slugs fascinating as well because it would seem to explain memory at abiological level, but I feel that there is still much to discover, as I thinkthat all behaviour could be explained in biological terms. I think this shouldbe investigated using the experimental method, with the challenge in doing somaking it all the more exciting.
I am also very interested in mental disorders. What compel meare the relationships between various biological and environmental factorswhich can induce them. Richard P. Bentall's 'Madness Explained' gave me aninsight into these relationships, but I also found this book interestingbecause of the implications for clinical psychology. His theory for treatingpsychological symptoms rather than whole disorders could be more beneficial forpatients due to the lack of reliability in the traditional method of diagnosisand treatment. Despite this, I am sceptical whether this approach wouldactually eliminate the problem, however he would assert that it does.
I consider myself an excellent candidate to study Psychology asI have a strong work ethic, I am motivated to extend my learning beyond theclassroom with reading around the subject and attend lectures organised by theRoyal Institute in London when I can (the most recent of which discussinginfidelity from a psychological viewpoint) and I am very capable of keeping todeadlines in spite of my many extra curricular activities. I am also aresponsible and reliable person as these are some of the qualities required forbeing a Prefect.
One of these extra curricular activities is Student Researchers.Currently, I am the Head of Qualitative Research and we have to designqualitative questionnaires, distribute them and analyse them. At times this canbe quite challenging, especially our first project, which was undertaken duringour AS exams. So far we have completed two projects, one exploring thestudents' views on learning and another investigating the students' views ongrades and feedback. I gained excellent experience with researching, analysingand evaluating evidence, drawing conclusions and exploring the implications ofthese conclusions, which I feel will particularly help me in studyingPsychology.
Outside of school, I referee for youth and senior football. Thisis challenging because of the unpredictability and aggressiveness of someplayers, whom I must keep control of, often under intense pressure, yet I alsofind it rejuvenating as it is a break from studying. Since March, I have beenin the refereeing promotion scheme, which pushes my ability as a referee andalso enhances my organisational skills. I also enjoy playing bass guitar orsocialising with friends.
I am eager to study Psychology and the prospect excites megreatly. I strongly believe I am an excellent candidate and I hope that I willbe offered a place at your university.
In "Das Vorleser" by Bernard Schlink, the maincharacter asserts that decisions can have no influence on our behaviour. Inmany ways I think this is true. There are times when we can consciously make adecision, justify it, yet we can't go through with it. I am curious as to whythis is, as I have always been fascinated by behaviour. A-Level Psychology hasprovided me with some answers, yet I am eager to learn more.
Cognitive Psychology is one of my main interests because Ibelieve that the best way to understand people's behaviour is to try tounderstand the processes that take place in decision making, in remembering andalso at times when we don't even realise them, such as during the perception ofour surrounding environment. I also like it because of its links toneurosciences, which I have found intriguing because of the links between brainand behaviour. Recently, I have been reading articles on mirror neurons inScientific American Mind, which I found compelling because it would appear toexplain many of the processes engaged in learning. I found Kandel's work withsea slugs fascinating as well because it would seem to explain memory at abiological level, but I feel that there is still much to discover, as I thinkthat all behaviour could be explained in biological terms. I think this shouldbe investigated using the experimental method, with the challenge in doing somaking it all the more exciting.
I am also very interested in mental disorders. What compel meare the relationships between various biological and environmental factorswhich can induce them. Richard P. Bentall's 'Madness Explained' gave me aninsight into these relationships, but I also found this book interestingbecause of the implications for clinical psychology. His theory for treatingpsychological symptoms rather than whole disorders could be more beneficial forpatients due to the lack of reliability in the traditional method of diagnosisand treatment. Despite this, I am sceptical whether this approach wouldactually eliminate the problem, however he would assert that it does.
I consider myself an excellent candidate to study Psychology asI have a strong work ethic, I am motivated to extend my learning beyond theclassroom with reading around the subject and attend lectures organised by theRoyal Institute in London when I can (the most recent of which discussinginfidelity from a psychological viewpoint) and I am very capable of keeping todeadlines in spite of my many extra curricular activities. I am also aresponsible and reliable person as these are some of the qualities required forbeing a Prefect.
One of these extra curricular activities is Student Researchers.Currently, I am the Head of Qualitative Research and we have to designqualitative questionnaires, distribute them and analyse them. At times this canbe quite challenging, especially our first project, which was undertaken duringour AS exams. So far we have completed two projects, one exploring thestudents' views on learning and another investigating the students' views ongrades and feedback. I gained excellent experience with researching, analysingand evaluating evidence, drawing conclusions and exploring the implications ofthese conclusions, which I feel will particularly help me in studyingPsychology.
Outside of school, I referee for youth and senior football. Thisis challenging because of the unpredictability and aggressiveness of someplayers, whom I must keep control of, often under intense pressure, yet I alsofind it rejuvenating as it is a break from studying. Since March, I have beenin the refereeing promotion scheme, which pushes my ability as a referee andalso enhances my organisational skills. I also enjoy playing bass guitar orsocialising with friends.
I am eager to study Psychology and the prospect excites megreatly. I strongly believe I am an excellent candidate and I hope that I willbe offered a place at your university.
