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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Portia StevensPsychology, 2011

Personal Statement

I have had an interest in working with children since I was a child myself. In the 4th grade, I was one of three students chosen to help a group of 2nd graders with their in-class math assignments. It was from that point that I knew I wanted to teach kids. In the 5th grade, I had an afterschool job walking kindergarteners home from school. I did this for three different families. This experience strengthened my desire to work with and care for children. By the 6th grade, I was babysitting for two different families in our neighborhood. From a very young age, I have enjoyed serving as an educator, protector and friend to children.

Although I have had the pleasure of babysitting children from time to time over the years, it was not until I gained employment at the Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC) in 2008, that I had the wonderful opportunity to work with kids as an occupation. SLDC is a non-profit school for kids with special needs. As a classroom assistant for students ages 3-6, I became skilled in helping children with autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), mental retardation, Down syndrome, behavior disorders and other speech and language impairments. Some important aspects to my job were to help them improve their fine motor skills through writing exercises, assist in their learning of the alphabet by assigning a new letter to learn each week, and promoting positive and appropriate social interactions during classroom and playground playtimes. In addition, I supported these students in coping with and overcoming the various challenges of everyday tasks such as learning to tie their shoes, spell their name or identify appropriate social cues.

In this position, I helped a 5 year old student named Bella who had a seizure disorder, learn to walk on the playground balance beam while she held my hand for support. This was something that the school’s physical therapist was unaware Bella was capable of doing. I

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Personal Statement

was able to encourage this student to walk the beam by offering the reward of being pushed on the swing which was her favorite playground activity. I believe that using rewards and incentives is key to helping kids reach goals. I would often use stickers, extra playtime or even a high five as incentives for the students

Patience is one quality that has allowed me to do well in working with children. There are many kids with special needs who do not grasp some practices and concepts as quickly as others. I believe patience is an important asset to have in this field. Moreover, I also communicate well with children. I have always had a youthful attitude therefore it is easy for me to communicate with kids at their level of comprehension. I like to use songs or rhymes to connect to youth. I have found it to be effective in their retention of information.

As well as having communication with children, I also interact well with other adults in the workplace. At SLDC, I would collaborate with other staff and parents to develop more effective teaching techniques. Furthermore, I learned the importance of staying in compliance with the Individual Education Program (IEP). Additionally, I provided input and ideas regarding different strategies to better facilitate successful learning.

I believe I am a good fit for your organization because of my previous experience and passion for teaching children. My goal in this position is to enrich the quality of life for special needs children by helping them overcome academic and physical obstacles. I would like to serve as a constant, reliable and positive role model to kids as they face everyday life challenges.

ResumePORTIA STEVENS844 N. Carew Dr.Placentia(714) 865-0351portiaastevens@sbcglobal.net  

Objective: To enrich the lives of the special needs community by helping them face and overcome daily challenges.

 Experience: No Ordinary Moments Huntington Beach, CA

Personal Attendant 09-23-2008 to presentApply behavior intervention to a client with a seizure and behavior disorder.Assist in bathing, clothing, toileting and food preparation.Drive client to scheduled appointments.Accompany client in recreational activities within the community.Responsible for grocery and supply shopping.Instrumental in implementing employee daily task assignments.Perform light housekeeping.Purchase clothing and accessories when needed. 

Speech and Language Development Center Buena Park, CAClassroom Assistant 04-16-2008 to 11-09-2009Assisted in providing self-care training.Executed daily activities including reading and writing lessons and physical fitness.Conversed with students to reinforce positive behaviors and to promote social interaction.Served meals and ate with students to act as a role model.Worked with students in arts and crafts, promoting fine motor skill improvement.Aided staff in administering activities, such as physical and occupational therapy and recreational games.Obtained Pro-Act certification training to restrain disruptive students to prevent injury to themselves and others.Observed students' behaviors, speech production, feeding patterns and toilet training, to assess and develop treatment goals. Education: Argosy University Orange County, CA

Bachelor of Psychology 2011   

Resume

Resume

References: Randy RutledgeNo Ordinary Moments: Supervisor16742 Gothard St # 115

Huntington Beach, CA 92647-4564(714) 848-3800

 Eddie FloresLegacy Metal Services: General Manager4236 E. Washington Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90023(714) 865-6981  Fred RobertsArgosy University: Professor of Criminal Justice601 South Lewis Street

Orange, CA 92868714-620-3700

Reflection

Reflection of My Education 

During my time at Argosy University, I have had the opportunity to learn and interact beside a wide range of people from different cultures, ages and socio-economic status. It has opened my eyes to the different viewpoints and perspectives that I would encounter as a psychologist, therapist or educator. The small class sizes at Argosy allow for a richer, more effective learning environment.

I have learned the importance of conducting experiments and observations as opposed to simply stating a theory; it is important to have valid evidence to support theories and hypotheses. I will never accept study results or percentages given without knowing all of the variables involved such as any bias there may be on behalf of the researcher or how the researcher obtained their data. In addition, I am well learned on the importance of conducting ethical research and practices. In addition, Argosy has strongly emphasized the need to be ethical not only in research, but in all aspects of psychological practice.

I have exhibited a need for improvement in the area of applied psychology. This is an area in which I am dedicated to progress. However, I have developed the strongest in the areas of cognitive abilities, research, understanding research methods, communication skills, ethics, diversity and knowledge of psychology. I have demonstrated a keen level of knowledge in these areas.

Table of Contents

Research SkillsCommunication Skills: Oral and WrittenEthics and Diversity AwarenessFoundations of PsychologyApplied Psychology

Research Skills SampleResearch Skills Sample

                            

Research Skills

  Portia Stevens

Psychology 493Vicious Cycle02/16/07             It is definitely necessary to formulate some type of public policy about

parole and recidivism.  To better explain my view, allow me to first define two key influences to crime deterrence…severity and certainty.  Severity refers to the length of time given to a criminal for a crime.  The longer the sentence, the higher the severity.  High severity ensures that criminals are off the streets longer.  Certainty is the difference between the number of criminals incarcerated and the number of crimes actually committed for a specific offense.  If the certainty is high, then the crime rate will most likely decrease.  High certainty means that the correct people are getting punished for the correct crime.  About 15 of crimes are prevented per criminal that is incarcerated ( www.ncpa.org).  Because many prisoners are released back into their socially disorganized neighborhoods, they will most likely commit the same or similar crimes.  Because of the above factors, it is my view that a public policy about parole and recidivism is very necessary.  Now I will explain my strategy for devising this public policy. 

           

Research Skills

I believe the punishment should fit the crime.  Although I do not subscribe to the “eye for an eye” belief, I do believe that criminals should have to face and live with the effects of their actions.  In order for this to take place, the prisoner will have to attend mandatory support groups and provide a community service.  The support group would be to provide a safe environment for criminals and allow them to share their reasoning and thoughts behind their crimes.  An environment like this might help the criminal gain insight to their actions.  In order to bring about change, one must first understand the reasoning behind their doings.   For example, if a rapist is listening to other rapists talk about their childhood experiences, family life, school life, he may be get a sense that he is not a deviant, but a victim of circumstance with the result being deviant behavior.  Next I would make it mandatory for criminals to perform community service.  However, this will not be the typical “pick up trash on the freeway” community service.  Criminals would be required to assist with programs for victims of the same crimes the criminals were convicted of.  For example a convicted rapist would have to help in a rape center.  He would have to attend their support group and hear their stories.  This would hopefully help the offender to see victims as humans who hurt and feel just as they do.  It might also be therapeutic to the victims as they would be able to confront not their offender, but rather a representation or symbol of their offender.  The same would apply to a convicted drunk driver.  He would have to attend his own support groups as well as those of victims.  The only crime that would need a different policy would be homicide.  This is because of the severity of this crime. 

           

Research Skills

The above policy is my proposal to help decrease crime recidivism. Certainty levels are more influential than severity levels.  The goal of this policy would be to lower the crime rate by increasing certainty. 

Communication Skills SampleCommunication Skills Sample

Communication Skills Sample

I asked my boyfriend to tell me his childhood story. He is one in a set of twins, and they are the youngest of 8 kids. There were humble beginnings before Eddie was born. His parents were immigrants who did not have much money which meant his older siblings were deprived of some of the things he and his younger siblings received when they came along. Because of this, Eddie experienced some guilt as a child because he was always being told how his family struggled in the beginning of their lives in America.Though I had heard his childhood story before, I was able to utilize the listening tools I have learned such as body language, rephrasing, and summarizing. I tried to visualize his experiences as if they were happening to me. I found it difficult in some areas because I only have one sibling who is 8 years older than me.

One of the biggest influences of his childhood was his twin brother. Eddie said that his brother always had a chip on his shoulder like he had something to prove. Because of this, there was much conflict between the two of them. Eddie also struggled with an alcoholic father which is an experience that I have never had. I thought it would be difficult to re-tell his story to him as if it were my own.

After re-telling him the story, Eddie said I expressed myself in a way that he could tell that his feelings of frustration and guilt were understood. I will continue to do this exercise in other areas of my life. I feel it is very effective and educational because it helps one to really focus on how another person feels which will enable them to be more empathetic.

Ethics and Diversity SampleEthics and Diversity Sample

Ethics and Diversity

Moral ReasoningMoral reasoning is a critical thinking process in which people provide

reasons that support their conclusion. The conclusion will determine whether a particular action or behavior should or should not be done. According to (Brannigan, 2004), the reasons justify the conclusion. This paper will discuss the most important steps, the hardest steps, and the benefits to moral reasoning.

Steps to Moral ReasoningIn order to make an informed moral decision, one must get as much

information and facts as possible. But how does one know if the information they have acquired is factual? It is very important to utilize multiple resources when gathering facts. Cable news channels such as Fox News and MSNBC are prime examples of how information that is presented as facts may be biased. Brannigan (2004) states that media sources tend to be naturally biased in view of competition for ratings and for news that “sells.” Therefore one must gather facts from differing perspectives. So, the first step to moral reasoning is to know the facts and view them from varying perspectives (Brannigan, 2004).

Cultural differences may also affect one’s moral reasoning. Hai Nguyen, for example, was fishing in Newport Beach, Ca, when he stabbed a sea lion that was stealing bait from his boat (Goldwert, 2007). Federal authorities had to determine whether Nguyen was in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Rescue volunteers were upset about the occurrence and the supervisor of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Dean Gomersall stated, "It's a horrible thing.” (Goldwert, 2007). However, in Vietnam, where Nguyen was

Ethics and Diversity

from, animals may not be held in as high regard as animals in the United States. Consequently, one should consider their frame of reference as well as that of others. Also, it is important to explore different resolution options. One must think about the consequence to each solution and which solution is the most morally sound and logical. This is why it is important to gather factual information from many resources. Once all resolution options have been weighed and considered, a logical, moral option can be selected.

Critical StepsThe most important step to moral reasoning is to know the facts. Facts

are the foundation for the reasoning process. Without these, conclusions may be obtained out of ignorance. For example, Randy signed up for advanced the English course for his upcoming senior year. After he signed up, he was given the list of books he was to read during the summer break. Randy was not aware of the fact that summer reading was required for the advanced English course. He intended on spending his summer working, and having fun with friends. As a result, Randy withdrew himself from the program. Had he known all of the facts about the advanced English program, he could have made a more informed decision.

Challenging StepsViewing facts from various cultural, gender, and societal perspectives

poses as the most challenging step to moral reasoning. Some would like to think that their moral code is superior to those of others. In addition, they may believe that considering the perspective of another is to somehow admit that there is something wrong with their own perspective.

Ethics and Diversity

The Benefits of Moral ReasoningMoral reasoning is beneficial because it allows one to think

critically. The more relevant facts that are gathered, the easier it is for one to reason. Also, taking varying perspectives into consideration may allow one to reach an understanding and tolerant of opposing viewpoints.

 ReferencesBrannigan, M. C. (2004). Ethics Across Cultures. New York City, NY,

United States: McGraw Hill Companies.Goldwert, L. (2007, July 28). Retrieved January 16, 2011, from CBS.com:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/28/national/main3107074.shtml

7Foundations of Psychology Sample

Foundations of Psychology

Social structure theories promote the belief that crime is dependent on one’s location and economic status within a society (Frank Schmalleger, 2009). The reading describes three types of social structure: social disorganization theory, strain theory and cultural conflict theory. Social structure theories propose that certain crimes occur due to family dysfunction, economic inequality and lack of success due to educational disadvantages (Frank Schmalleger, 2009). This paper will compare and contrast each of these theories.

Social disorganization theory suggests that crime is due to an integration breakdown within a particular society (Frank Schmalleger, 2009). W.I. Thomas and Florian Znaniecki authored The Polish Peasant in Europe and America which described the plight of Polish immigrants who moved to American cities in the early 1900s. The authors hypothesize that crime rose within this community due to the inability of the Polish to shift the customs and values from their homeland to America. A modern day example of social disorganization would be the honor killings that go on within the Middle Eastern community. Honor killings occur when Middle Eastern men believe that a woman in their family has dishonored the family so they consequently kill the woman. This practice has occurred in the U.S. but is not acceptable within the American culture. As a result, the act is deemed a crime thus causing social disorganization.

Strain theory maintains that crime is committed as an alternative route to success due to a lack of opportunities of a particular society (Frank Schmalleger, 2009). For example, imagine a young man who lives in a poverty stricken neighborhood. He wants to make money more money for his family but his minimum wage job is not enough

Foundations of Psychology

. In order to get a better paying job, he needs to complete his education. Because of this he decides to sell drugs to earn more money. As he begins to bring home more money for his family, he realizes that selling drugs is bringing in much more money than a 9-5 job would without spending excess time and money completing his education. Many underprivileged youth fall into this trap and become dissolutioned that they are living a life of success.

Lastly, cultural conflict theory is a difference in what is considered to be acceptable behavior within societies (Frank Schmalleger, 2009). An example of cultural conflict theory would be a stay at home suburban mother who takes non-prescription Oxycontin to calm her nerves in order to deal with her three kids under the age of 5. She is part of a group of moms who all use the drug to take the edge off. However, these ladies most likely would not consider themselves to be drug addicts and may be quick to set themselves apart from a heroin addict living on the streets who also needs to take the edge off. With the cultural conflict theory, there is a clear cultural distinction between what is believed to be okay and what is not.

Of the three social structures, I believe that social disorganization and cultural conflict theory may be the most similar. Both theories have to do with illegal activity that is seen as the norm within that particular society. Although strain theory deals with crime within impoverished societies, not all members of that society agree with such behavior.

My Future in Learning

Reflection of being a Lifelong Learner 

When I returned to college, it had been 10 years since I was last in school. Still, I knew that it was important to earn an education. I felt intimidated by the math courses I was going to have to take in order to get my degree which is what took me so long to return. However, what I learned during my time at Argosy is that I am a different learner in my thirties than I was in my teens and early twenties. My priorities have shifted. What was important to me then, is no longer important to me now and vice versa. So I took on the math courses and did surprisingly well as math was not my strong point.

I truly believe that it is never too late to return to school. People can always benefit from expanding their knowledge by learning and embracing new ideas, cultures and concepts. I do not view the world today in the same way I viewed it before my time at Argosy University. It is as if my eyes have been opened. I now have a drive to continue to learn and develop which I believe is important for everyone to do. It is my contention that as long as we are learning, we are growing which allows us to live longer, more fulfilled lives.

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