Self assessment

I am going to sum up my performances on speaking, listening, ESP tests, moodle tests and presentation in English classes and working at home.

Performance in Moodle tests. It seems that taking test at home by computer is very easy task. However, tests were more difficult than I hoped and taking test at home is not always useful. In my opinion my moodle tests scores are quite well, despite some mistakes what happens to everyone. But this test helps to prepare to exam.

Writing summary. I can state that writing summaries was the most difficult activity because I make a lot of grammar errors. In addition, this term I noticed that I make the same mistakes as last semester, but now I better generalize text.

Power point presentation. Even though presentation is interesting task, I found it difficult to present my theme successfully, because I had not knew some facts about my presentation theme.

Short talk. I usually feel nervous during the activity, because I make mistakes and incorrect pronunciation. But I believe that my speaking is improving every year and I have tried to do my best.

Listening. I feel that my listening this semester is much more better, because in this semester we had a lot of practise. Also in this task we write, because the task have been dictated to us before listening. This task is very useful because we improve listening and writing skills.

To sum up, I think that I have improved my English in general. But i still found difficult to do presentation and summary writing.

Personality type

Everyday we hear the word personality. On some people we say that they are personalities on onther not. So what means personality? Personality is a pattern of enduring characteristics that produce consistency and individuality in a given person. There are a lot of personality theories. About one of them i will try represent.

The sixteen personality types which we use in our assessment are based on the well-known research of Carl Jung. He believed that there were two basic kinds of "functions" which humans used in their lives: how we take in information (how we "perceive" things), and how we make decisions. We can perceive information with 1) our senses, or 2) our intuition. We can make decisions based on 1) objective logic, or 2) subjective feelings. Jung believed that we all use these four functions in our lives, but that each individual uses the different functions with a varying amount of success and frequency. So Jung defined eight personality types: Extraverted/Introverted Sensing; Extraverted/Introverted Intuition; Extraverted/Introverted Thinking; Extraverted/Introverted Feeling.

Now I will try to describe one personality type INFP (Introvert, iNtuitive, Feeler, Perceiver). INFPs represent between 4 and 5% of the U.S. population. INFPs value inner harmony above all else. Sensitive, idealistic, and loyal, they have a strong sense of honor concerning their personal values and are often passionately committed to making sure their beliefs and actions are congruent. INFPs are also extremely perceptive about people. They value their uniqueness and typically seek unconventional ways of doing things. Sensitive and empathetic, INFPs tend to be exceptionally adept at reading between the lines. Although they demonstrate cool reserve on the outside, INFPs care deeply inside.

They are compassionate, sympathetic, understanding and very sensitive to the feelings of others. They avoid conflict and are not interested in impressing or dominating others unless their values are at stake. INFPs seldom express the intensity of their feelings and often appear reticent and calm. However, once they know you, they are enthusiastic and warm. Feeling truly understood and respected for their unique perspective and strong values is important for many INFPs.

To sum up, every people have different personality type which is combined of four characteristics: 1. Extraverted or Introverted 2. Sensing or iNtuitive 3. Thinking or Feeling 4. Judging or Perceiving.

References:

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/cjung.htm

http://www.personalitytype.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_type

Psychology of handwriting

Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols. And the person‘s handwriting express unique movements which have their meaning and interpretations. This analyze the study of handwriting – graphology.

Most of what we know about Graphology dates back over the last few hundred years. The first known book about Graphology was published in 1622 by Camillo Baldi, an Italian doctor of medicine and philosophy. In 1872, Jean Michon published his book on Graphology which became the Authoity on the subject at that time. Soon, European universities started to offer a Ph.D. or Master's degree in graphology. With the advancement of psychology as a profession so did the study of Graphology advance.

One of the most insteresting question is what does descending handwriting show? So I will try to present short review of few: direction of lines, pace of writing and size of letters.

Direct of lines:

• If a person writes in a precisely straight line graphology could say that person is unyeilding.
• People who write in convex lines (a line that ascends then descends) start their project with ambition and enthusiasm only to lose interest and give up before the task has been completed.
• People who write with concave lines (a line that descends than ascends) approach their task with little optimism but gain self confidence as the task nears completion.
• Lines that are ascending steps are often found in people who have little stamina.
• Descending steps are often found in writers who bravely fight off depressive moods.
• Wavy, meandering lines may be indicative of moodiness.

Pace of writing:

• Spontaneous Writing : Ambition, activity, insability, restlessness, impatient, quick thinking.
• Unspontaneous Writing : Inflexibile, cautious, sluggish, plotter, schemer

Size of letters:

• Tall capitals are people who tower above the rest.
• Tall initials come from impressive people.
• Small capitals are people who are modest in nature.
• They concentrate on facts, not ideas.
• Wide letters are extroverted people.
• Narrow letters come from loners.

Finally, it is important to mention that psychology of handwriting has many oppositions. It is hard to prove it is true or no. So everyone should make a desicion about it. But in each day it is being developed and perhaps one day we will habe evidence about handwriting.

References:

http://www.businessballs.com/graphologyhandwritinganalysis.htm;

http://www.google.lt/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1865/sanders-handwriting.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1865/presidential-assassiins.htm&usg=__px-6Gj47ZdfORUxG3LB8W5Xjl_s=&h=468&w=408&sz=43&hl=lt&start=47&sig2=4h3OEYSD-NdSDmppRKWodA&zoom=1&tbnid=QRlEx97FYg-4FM:&tbnh=169&tbnw=147&ei=OXSbTIiMJ8T_OZHDkJoP&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhandwriting%26hl%3Dlt%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10,1200&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=822&vpy=341&dur=24&hovh=240&hovw=210&tx=117&ty=187&oei=CnSbTL7YNsK7jAeHrfXaCQ&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:47&biw=1280&bih=685

End-of-term self-assessment

• Performance in Moodle tests. The tests were complicated, especially true or false tests. That‘s why I didn‘t show good performance in this task.

  · Writing summary. I can state that writing summaries was the most difficult activity for me because of my poor English vocabulary. It is hard to understand a text and create a summary if you have no idea of the words written. In addition, this term I noticed that I make the same mistakes when I am writing a summary.

  · Making power point presentation. This term I made a presentation about „Human needs and motivation: Eating“. It was interesting because I have chosen the topic which suited me. However, I really don‘t like to talk to the audience, so I was nervous and was shaking a lot.

  · Short talk on ESP themes. Speaking is my biggest problem not only in English, but also in other lectures. I know that my speaking is full of mistakes and incorrect pronunciation, but I think it is better to try to say something with mistakes than don‘t say anything at all.

  · Performance in ESP definition tests. Moodle tests helped me a lot while preparing for these tests. However, my marks weren't perfect, because I find it hard to write clearly.

  · Listening practise in class. This term I had a bigger success in listening tasks than before. But my performances weren‘t perfect. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that with more practice my performances will become better.

Psychology of conflict

Psychology conflict can be defined as a negative emotional state caused by having to choose between two or more incompatible goals or impulses. Conflict can be a major factor for the cause of stress. It depends on the complexity of the conflict itself to determine how much stress it has produced, but there is a lot more to it. There are three different types of conflicts that are all very different. These forms of conflict have very different results from one another. Some are sure to have positive results, while some are sure to have negative results and some can have both. The first kind is approach-approach conflict. It happens when a person has to choose between two desirable outcomes, such as a choice between finishing college and a full-time job offer. Research suggest that approach-approach conflicts are easier to resolve than any other type. Also people generally resolve approach-approach conflicts easily because they always result in something pleasant. The second kind is avoidance-avoidance conflict, the individual is faced with two goals, both of which are negative, or repellent. For example, is the child who is faced with "Either you do your homework or you go to bed without supper." Since the equilibrium is a stable one, the child is likely to remain balanced between the two negatives as long as possible. The nearer the individual comes to a goal he wishes to avoid (a repelling one), the stronger is his tendency to avoid it. The third conflict pattern is approach-avoidance. In this situation, the individual is both attracted and repelled by the same goal. The same goal has qualities that make the individual want to approach it and other qualities that make him want to avoid it. For example, an otherwise appealing career may require a lot of education. A luxurious car is costly. Should I have the dentist take care of my cavity? These conflicts also are difficult to resolve and generates much anxiety. And the last kind is Double approach-avoidance conflicts have two goals, each with good and bad points. The only available job is dull but will provide income. Should I go out with Agne or Lina? Agne is intelligent but hard to talk while Lina is talkative but simple. Like single approach-avoidance conflicts, double approach-avoidance conflicts are anxiety-provoking and hard to resolve. The basic drawback of conflicts is apathy, when people may not care to work with the other perspectives, preferring to bow out. Second is abandonment, when people may tend to give up on a process if they feel it can't be solved. Sometimes happens confusion when differing opinons about data and analysis may cloud issues and comparisons between alternatives. And of course people feel stress and frustration. While the term conflict generally is associated with negative encounters, conflict itself is neither inherently good nor inherently bad. In fact, engaging in conflict can have positive effects on relationships and organizations. Consider these benefits: conflict fosters an awareness that problems exist, discussing conflicting views can lead to better solutions, managing conflicts appropriately helps build self-esteem, managing conflicts well is a sign of maturity, conflicts are challenging, exciting. Conflicts encourage people to grow. Finally, I can say that conflicts are often difficult to solve, even when both sides want to get maximum benefit. The best way to do this is to find a compromise. However it is not always easy to do. But people can always ask psychologists for an advice concerning these questions.

References:http://www.thepsychologist.org.uk/archive/archive_home.cfm?volumeID=19&editionID=133&ArticleID=999

http://www.ohrd.wisc.edu/onlinetraining/resolution/aboutwhatisit.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict

Psychology at MRU and abroad

Lots of young people are dreaming about studying at the university. Some are dreaming about local universities, some about going abroad. Here I am going to compare Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) and University of Liverpool.

University of Liverpool was founded in 1881. Today the University have principal centre of excellence in many disciplines, including engineering, medicine, dentistry, business and law. The University of Liverpool is one ot the most popular higher education institutions in UK.

MRU is a modern and dynamic University seeking to have a well-established position in European hihged education. Today the University have disciplines including law, ecinomics, sociology, information technology.

The first difference I noticed was the number of the years one has to study. In University of Liverpool programme lenght is 3 years., while in MRU it is 4 years of bachelor. But the structure of programme is quite the same. Modules will provide an introduction to the principal methods and content of Psychology, such as Social Psychology, Psychobiology, Personality, Cognitive Development and Abnormal Psychology, before developing into the applications of Psychology as conflict, psychological ilness, drug dependency through to child development and the structure of the brain. The biggest difference I found was the labaratories. Liverpool University students in major final-year have research project, where they are undertaking their own labaratory experiment or field observaion based on their own research questions, whereas MRU students don't have that opportunity.

To sum up, I am convinced that both universities are good and interesting in their own way and it is hard to say which is better and which is worse.

Reference:

www.liv.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/C801.htm

www.mruni.eu/padaliniai/fakultetai/politikos_fakultetas/studiju_programos/