Is it true that we only use 1% of our brain? The mind boggles… but how much of it? Now and then a question on Answers really grabs your attention and focuses the mind, no matter how much of it you’re using, and one such question was about how much of our brains we use.
The question was answered by a great Answers user, Giorgie. Turns out she’d provided many such great answers but her profile hinted at an even more fascinating life.
“I’m currently undertaking postgraduate study in Forensic Psychological Studies and hope to go onto the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology next year I currently work with offenders who have mental health problems. I previously worked for 3 years with adults who have learning disabilities.”
Given this we thought we’d drop her a line, to thank her for her great contributions to Answers and see what her unique line of work throws at her…
Yahoo! Answers team: So Giorgie, please you introduce yourself to the community….
“I’m a Scottish girl who lives near to the granite city of Aberdeen, which tends to present in various shades of grey depending on the tone of the rain clouds! Since the age of 16 my main interest in life has been psychology, which I have studied first as a Higher, then as a BSc (honours) in psychology and now at Masters level in forensic psychology.”
“My ultimate career goal is to qualify as a clinical psychologist then specialise in either forensic patients or drug and alcohol addiction. I currently work with offenders who suffer from serious mental illness, which has been given me valuable experience both in terms of my career hopes and for life in general.”
“Whilst I am geekish enough to admit that I actually enjoy studying(!?), I also manage to squeeze in some other interests. I love being outdoors and enjoy walking in the local hills and countryside, which can look quite spectacular when the weather’s right! I enjoy art and relish in taking a stroll through an art gallery or museum (which makes Paris one of my favourite cities to visit!). Also, when a good show is in town I love a night at the theatre. I take every opportunity I can to travel and see the world!”
Could you tell me a bit about how you discovered Answers and what you like about it?
“I first discovered Answers way back in 2006 when I think I was using a search engine online and an answer given in Answers came up in the results. I began using Answers then, usually just reading and answering random questions. I soon discovered just how fun it was answering questions (and how much I could learn from reading the answers of others!) that I soon found I was using it quite alot.”
“I tend to answer questions in the topics of Psychology and Higher Education as these are the areas where I find the most questions that I feel I can answer but in general it’s good to answer any question that I think I may have a useful answer to. One thing I particularly like about Answers is that people can ask questions they may be reluctant to ask elsewhere anonymously, so any embarrassment in asking is reduced or removed. Answers also gives people the chance to seek the opinion of others on aspects that may not have a right or wrong answer, but for which advice or guidance is sought. Overall I think Answers is just a great opportunity for people to share knowledge and advice and have fun doing it!”
You seem to be providing some great answers about psychology, can you explain your involvement with the subject?
“I left school aged 16 and studied my Highers at college instead, one of which was psychology. I was hooked on the subject almost as soon as I started studying it! From there I began studying for an MA (hons) psychology at the University of Aberdeen, but unexpected problems meant I decided to leave after my first year. I did not want to discontinue studying psychology, as already I had decided I would like to follow a career in the subject.”
“So on the advice of my good old mum I transferred my first year credits to the Open University, where I studied full time with them and completed my BSc (hons) psychology degree in 2008. I’m currently studying at Masters level in forensic psychology, again with the OU. I am hoping that my OU experience and postgraduate study will be beneficial in gaining me a place on a practitioner qualification in psychology in the near future (either the clinical psychology Doctorate or the Masters in primary care psychology, the latter of which I believe is currently an exclusively Scottish qualification).”
“This is picture I took of a large sand sculpture of Charles Darwin at Fiesa Sand World in Portugal this summer-Darwin has contributed a lot to psychology and indeed there is an entire branch dedicated to evolutionary psychology so thought it encompassed the psychology aspect and my love of travelling!”
– Giorgie
What is it about psychology that appeals to you? What are it’s highlights?
“Psychology has so many appealing aspects to me it’s difficult to know where to begin with this question! I think the most crucial aspect is its relevance to pretty much everything human. I’m always coming across something in my studies that applies to either myself, or someone I know or even to everyone I know. Psychology is so diverse that there will always be something that really interests me and makes me want to find out more. It’s a subject that covers some very taken for granted behaviours that we all carry out, such as how we perceive images or understand words or remember who we are through to more varied behaviours that we may not carry out ourselves but which will often affect us, such as crime.”
“Psychology has had a significant input to many areas of everyday life that many people don’t even realise. Areas such as public health, education, employment, child rearing, law, business and advertising right down to road signs and aeroplane cockpits have been influenced by the findings of psychological research! Research is really one of the foundations and highlights of psychology and research findings often produce even more research questions! Because psychology is so diverse, there is always more to investigate and learn. ”
“A further highlight is that psychology is very self critical, which means it’s always looking to improve its theories, knowledge and research. Anyone who has studied a psychology degree will know that critiquing the work of others and expressing how it could be improved is a central skill to acquire. Psychology takes nothing for granted and every psychologist needs to be aware of both the pros and cons of their own work. Through this process psychology can be used to improve itself and then applied to real life situations to help improve the lives of others, which is a further highlight of the subject. I feel it’s definitely a subject that has something for everyone.”
You seemed to study at the Open University, who are a Knowledge Partner here on Answers. How did you find learning with them?
“I thoroughly enjoy studying with the OU. When I first began studying with them I was in my late teens and to be honest I did wonder if I would have the self-discipline and commitment to finish my degree through distance learning.”
“However, I find the studying very rewarding and my enjoyment of it is enough to encourage me to keep going. Studying is not as isolated as may be expected, with tutors who can offer as much or as little support as you need and an online community of other students that are there for you everyday! Students and tutors can also meet face to face at tutorials and residential schools; my experience of both has been fantastic. The materials I’ve received for all of my OU courses has been of a very high standard and varied media is used to teach (such as textbooks, cd roms, DVDs, audio and online activities). ”
“When I first left the University of Aberdeen I was concerned that completing my degree with the OU might give me a poorer quality education (sorry OU!). Now I do not feel this is the case at all. Not only have I received a comprehensive psychology degree that has given me the registration with the British Psychological Society that I need to progress onto a career in psychology, but gaining my OU degree also shows potential employers and postgraduate course administrators that I can work efficiently and independently and that I am a self-disciplined and motivated individual.”
“This is a picture of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall when they held The Open University graduation ceremony that I graduated at.”
– Giorgie
You currently work with offenders who have mental health problems, whats that like and can you describe the challenges and highlights?
“To use a cliche it is a very rewarding job, although at times it can be difficult. The bulk of my clients now live in the community after spending time in psychiatric hospitals, including the Scottish State hospital, although a couple are still inpatients. They have very varied personal, psychiatric and offending histories and nearly all have previous or ongoing drug/alcohol issues.”
“It is very interesting just to chat with the guys and get their perceptions and ideas on issues to do with their lives and their futures. My work is mainly on a 1:1 basis and people will often ask me “what on earth do you find to talk about?!” but in reality my clients are intelligent and perceptive men who are more than able to provide quality conversation. A real plus of this job is seeing progress in clients. We assist them with many aspects of their daily lives and even a little bit of progress in the right direction is positive. Sometimes this could be something as basic as a client’s house being clean and tidy when I arrive right up to a client securing a job for themselves.”
“One of the more difficult aspects can be when there is a deterioration in their status. This could be due to a relapse in mental health or becase of their engaging in substance misuse (the two of which are often linked). It can sometimes feel like one step forward two steps back, or that a long time passes where nothing changes, but I think this is definitely a job where progress and achievement can take a long time so patience is a requirement!”
“Another challenge is simply being wary of anything that may suggest things are ‘not quite right’. Almost all of my clients have at some point committed very serious, often violent offences, so there is a duty on me as a worker to protect myself, clients and the public. My job can sometimes involve working with clients who are overtly suicidal, which is distressing as suicides are unfortunately not uncommon with this client group.”
“However, the overall purpose of my job is to assist clients in improving their quality of life and overcome their offending, which can only be beneficial for all. This job gives me valuable experience relevant to my future career plans and has provided an opportunity to put my psychology knowledge into action!”
5 Best Answers from Giorgie
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