Writing from my Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies Class:
I really got to reflect on my interests.
I have chosen interdisciplinary studies as a major because it allows me to follow a path that is right for me. I started college unaware of what specifically I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted to study psychology for a while because it was interesting. I was also interested in art and design. I wasn't sure how all of this fit together in a college degree. I got the impression that it didn't, so I left school for 10 years.
I returned to school because I really did want to finish my degree. In addition to building more skills in my areas of interest, I would also like to be able to further explore certain disciplines, in combination, and in creative ways. I have a broad range of interests and I enjoy researching. My areas of academic interest include architecture, ecology, medicine, and philosophy (in addition to others I have mentioned previously.) So working on projects that combine my various interests together in the future is my ultimate goal. I would like to be able to share my ideas, perspective, research, and thoughts with others. I appreciate the chance to learn more about the interdisciplinary approach.
Two areas that are the most important to me are design and psychology. These disciplines have previously been combined in the interior design field, but I can see them being applied in many other areas. Any type of design is strengthened when it has the element of psychology built in. For instance, a design is more likely to be successful if the designer accurately takes into account how a future viewer might perceive their design. I think that design and psychology can be applied to solving many different problems, and building innovative systems.
_______________________________________________
Personal Interests: Psychology, Research, Spirituality
Academic Interests: Art, Design, Psychology
Professional Interests: Consulting, Design, Research
The areas in my interests that overlap are design, psychology, and research. I think my interest in design developed because I liked to intellectualize abstract 'value' things, like aesthetics, and understand the best way to present things. I was encouraged to create art as a child, and design followed from that because I found myself drawn to technique and method more than self expression. I would like to pursue design in the future to solve problems. I have developed some ways to think about, and approach, solutions based on what I have learned in art and design practice. Psychology is something that I am not interested in pursuing as a health practitioner. I much prefer building on my personal understanding of why people think in certain ways. This fairly universal psychological phenomena is comforting to me. It also offers a lot of opportunities to refine my own character and my approach to interacting with others. Lastly, research is something I have always enjoyed. I research a wide variety of things in my spare time and I would love to be able to help people with my research as a professional. Generally I am not interested in current well-trodden areas of academic research. I prefer to research my own interests.
I was able to focus on an academic discipline I'm interested in...
1. Psychology is the discipline I have chosen to focus on. It is a discipline that I became interested in as a child. I was interested in the 'subconscious', mental health, and optical illusions. My interests broadened to social psychology, personality theories, perception, and other areas of study. I know a bit about psychology, but I would also like to learn more about it.
2. Here is a definition of psychology: "the study of the mind and behavior. Historically, psychology was an area within philosophy and emerged from it (see epistemology). It is now a diverse scientific discipline comprising several major branches of research (e.g., experimental, biological, cognitive, lifespan developmental, personality, social), as well as several subareas of research and applied psychology (e.g., clinical, industrial/organizational, school and educational, human factors, health, neuropsychology, cross-cultural). Research in psychology involves observation, experimentation, testing, and analysis to explore the biological, cognitive, emotional, personal, and social processes or stimuli underlying human and animal behavior. The practice of psychology involves the use of psychological knowledge for any of several purposes: to understand and treat mental, emotional, physical, and social dysfunction; to understand and enhance behavior in various settings of human activity (e.g., school, workplace, courtroom, sports arena, battlefield); and to improve machine and building design for human use." (https://dictionary.apa.org/psychology)
3. Two sub-fields of psychology I am most interested in are environmental psychology and nutritional psychology. They are both moderately interdisciplinary. I think these two areas are extremely important for mental and physical well-being. I also think that they are somewhat overlooked in the field of psychology.
4. The experimental method is one research method used in psychology. It allows researchers to test out their ideas in controlled ways. This method provides information that can add to a better understanding of reality.
5. One key concept associated with this discipline is 'perception.' It is how we take in sensory information, and interpret it. Some aspects of perception are relatively universal, and some are unique to the individual.
6. One major theory in psychology is Gestalt theory. It is based on the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It started with the study of visual perception and optical illusion (motion pictures, for instance) and moved on to the study of other concepts in psychology, and has been applied to other disciplines. (https://www.britannica.com/science/Gestalt-psychology)
7. One major text in psychology is "A Theory of Human Motivation" by Abraham Maslow. It outlined what became known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This hierarchy of needs starts with a foundation of basic human needs and builds up to a point where the individual can reach 'self-actualization.' (http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm)
8. One important thinker and practitioner who influenced the field of psychology was Carl Jung. He founded the system of analytical psychology, and developed theories about the connection between the spiritual and the psychological. He was an imperfect person, as we all are, but his work was highly influential and meaningful. (https://iaap.org/jung-analytical-psychology/c-g-jung/)
Two areas that are the most important to me are design and psychology. These disciplines have previously been combined in the interior design field, but I can see them being applied in many other areas. Any type of design is strengthened when it has the element of psychology built in. For instance, a design is more likely to be successful if the designer accurately takes into account how a future viewer might perceive their design. I think that design and psychology can be applied to solving many different problems, and building innovative systems.
_______________________________________________
Personal Interests: Psychology, Research, Spirituality
Academic Interests: Art, Design, Psychology
Professional Interests: Consulting, Design, Research
The areas in my interests that overlap are design, psychology, and research. I think my interest in design developed because I liked to intellectualize abstract 'value' things, like aesthetics, and understand the best way to present things. I was encouraged to create art as a child, and design followed from that because I found myself drawn to technique and method more than self expression. I would like to pursue design in the future to solve problems. I have developed some ways to think about, and approach, solutions based on what I have learned in art and design practice. Psychology is something that I am not interested in pursuing as a health practitioner. I much prefer building on my personal understanding of why people think in certain ways. This fairly universal psychological phenomena is comforting to me. It also offers a lot of opportunities to refine my own character and my approach to interacting with others. Lastly, research is something I have always enjoyed. I research a wide variety of things in my spare time and I would love to be able to help people with my research as a professional. Generally I am not interested in current well-trodden areas of academic research. I prefer to research my own interests.
I was able to focus on an academic discipline I'm interested in...
1. Psychology is the discipline I have chosen to focus on. It is a discipline that I became interested in as a child. I was interested in the 'subconscious', mental health, and optical illusions. My interests broadened to social psychology, personality theories, perception, and other areas of study. I know a bit about psychology, but I would also like to learn more about it.
2. Here is a definition of psychology: "the study of the mind and behavior. Historically, psychology was an area within philosophy and emerged from it (see epistemology). It is now a diverse scientific discipline comprising several major branches of research (e.g., experimental, biological, cognitive, lifespan developmental, personality, social), as well as several subareas of research and applied psychology (e.g., clinical, industrial/organizational, school and educational, human factors, health, neuropsychology, cross-cultural). Research in psychology involves observation, experimentation, testing, and analysis to explore the biological, cognitive, emotional, personal, and social processes or stimuli underlying human and animal behavior. The practice of psychology involves the use of psychological knowledge for any of several purposes: to understand and treat mental, emotional, physical, and social dysfunction; to understand and enhance behavior in various settings of human activity (e.g., school, workplace, courtroom, sports arena, battlefield); and to improve machine and building design for human use." (https://dictionary.apa.org/psychology)
3. Two sub-fields of psychology I am most interested in are environmental psychology and nutritional psychology. They are both moderately interdisciplinary. I think these two areas are extremely important for mental and physical well-being. I also think that they are somewhat overlooked in the field of psychology.
4. The experimental method is one research method used in psychology. It allows researchers to test out their ideas in controlled ways. This method provides information that can add to a better understanding of reality.
5. One key concept associated with this discipline is 'perception.' It is how we take in sensory information, and interpret it. Some aspects of perception are relatively universal, and some are unique to the individual.
6. One major theory in psychology is Gestalt theory. It is based on the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It started with the study of visual perception and optical illusion (motion pictures, for instance) and moved on to the study of other concepts in psychology, and has been applied to other disciplines. (https://www.britannica.com/science/Gestalt-psychology)
7. One major text in psychology is "A Theory of Human Motivation" by Abraham Maslow. It outlined what became known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This hierarchy of needs starts with a foundation of basic human needs and builds up to a point where the individual can reach 'self-actualization.' (http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm)
8. One important thinker and practitioner who influenced the field of psychology was Carl Jung. He founded the system of analytical psychology, and developed theories about the connection between the spiritual and the psychological. He was an imperfect person, as we all are, but his work was highly influential and meaningful. (https://iaap.org/jung-analytical-psychology/c-g-jung/)
... and I was able to describe how another area of academic interest fit into interdisciplinary work.
Design often requires a person (or a group) to work in a way that integrates multiple different disciplines, or interdisciplinarily. Some of these possible disciplines include, advertising, art, business, communication, psychology, research, and science. There is of course the need to identify and address a problem with a viable solution, another aspect of interdisciplinary work. Practitioners of design must be able to converse in the language of the fields they are working in, and have a significant base of competency in their work, two more important considerations in successful interdisciplinary work. An adventurous spirit combines with competence, and broad interest in many of the most successful designers. There are a wide range of products, and systems, that can be produced that can be 'designed' so there are not a lot of limits inherent to the practice/profession of design. Designers must have an adventurous spirit, and the abilities/competence to create innovative work. There is certainly a lot of room for a broad range of interest and research. I think that a wide range of inspiration is encouraged in design work. Being able to see what other people don't necessarily see initially, and to make interdisciplinary knowledge/research connections, is the beginning of great design work. This 'knowing' can develop into the ability to identify the universal aspects necessary to communicate/create effectively. Designers interpret this knowledge for others to understand. Design does have the power to solve some of the biggest problems that humanity faces, and this is perhaps the most important aspect of interdisciplinary work.
Design often requires a person (or a group) to work in a way that integrates multiple different disciplines, or interdisciplinarily. Some of these possible disciplines include, advertising, art, business, communication, psychology, research, and science. There is of course the need to identify and address a problem with a viable solution, another aspect of interdisciplinary work. Practitioners of design must be able to converse in the language of the fields they are working in, and have a significant base of competency in their work, two more important considerations in successful interdisciplinary work. An adventurous spirit combines with competence, and broad interest in many of the most successful designers. There are a wide range of products, and systems, that can be produced that can be 'designed' so there are not a lot of limits inherent to the practice/profession of design. Designers must have an adventurous spirit, and the abilities/competence to create innovative work. There is certainly a lot of room for a broad range of interest and research. I think that a wide range of inspiration is encouraged in design work. Being able to see what other people don't necessarily see initially, and to make interdisciplinary knowledge/research connections, is the beginning of great design work. This 'knowing' can develop into the ability to identify the universal aspects necessary to communicate/create effectively. Designers interpret this knowledge for others to understand. Design does have the power to solve some of the biggest problems that humanity faces, and this is perhaps the most important aspect of interdisciplinary work.