With the development of technology and the unification of countries, both in economic and cultural contexts, the world of each individual is also expanding significantly. Thanks to this, individuals have the opportunity to access a massive amount of information in the general information field, as well as interact with other people around the world. Thus, each person is currently subject to a much larger number of different social influences than before. With the help of various technological devices, they only acquire a new form while increasing their importance.
While people 100 years ago were directly connected with only a small social circle, depending on it, the current world situation creates conditions for the formation of an infinite number of very different connections. At the same time, this creates ample space for the study of these interactions from the point of view of social psychology. However, the qualitative conduct of such investigations and, accordingly, the use of their results for solving urgent social problems is impossible without high-quality academic training. In this personal statement of purpose, I want to outline my goals and motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree in social psychology at Liberty University, aligning them with University’s mission.
Social psychology studies the patterns of human behavior in terms of their interaction with various groups based on the characteristics of these associations. As mentioned above, technological progress allows each person to create many more different connections. In the modern world, this quality is one of the most critical and necessary for successful advancement both in society as a whole and in its elements, for example, the career ladder. However, at the same time, the increased number of connections creates more opportunities for the formation of various conflicts and problem situations that require resolution with the help of special skills. These skills also include the study of human psychology, knowledge of behavioral theories, critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as the specifics of their application on a social scale. Only by studying in detail all these areas is it possible to find qualitative approaches to solving such problems.
The topics of social dynamics, relationships, and conflicts are extremely interesting to me. The modern generation is faced with a considerable number of intriguing and controversial problems that cannot be solved without additional skills and insights. In addition, the current society is characterized by the mixing of a vast number of cultures, which gradually overshadows the value of spiritual and biblical practices. From my point of view, most social issues and conflicts can be resolved by incorporating the psychological skills and abilities formed at the academic level and various spiritual practices. Since the world community at the moment is strongly connected, it is necessary to use some shared system of views, which will allow us to form a common system of values for solving pressing issues. In my opinion, Christian teaching is one of the most appropriate for the realization of such a task. The values reflected in this system could make the world a better place, and people’s interaction in it is much easier.
However, to carry out the combination of such systems and skills with the highest quality and skill, a high level of training is required. A doctoral degree, in my understanding, reflects just such a level of qualification. Since I am incredibly interested in providing the highest quality assistance and effectively resolving existing social problems, I need to receive the highest quality training in this area. From my point of view, a doctoral program in social psychology at Liberty University is the most suitable option for this. First, this program places a strong emphasis on the study of the ethical and academic foundations of research in psychology (“Ph.D. in psychology,” n.d.). Without a thorough study of these elements, it is impossible to implement the critical thinking skills required for high-quality problem-solving.
In addition, these tasks require high qualifications in terms of clinical knowledge and various theories, which can be used most effectively only when studied by professionals in their field. Finally, Liberty University is one of the few organizations that actively integrates Bible principles and values into the learning process at all stages. Thus, graduates not only receive a doctorate but become leaders whom patients can fully trust (“Ph.D. in psychology,” n.d.). My main goal in studying in this particular direction at Liberty University is to obtain a specific set of high-quality knowledge in a narrow field. They will help me become a first-class specialist in the field of social psychological research, which, in turn, will allow me to contribute to the solution of pressing social problems. From my point of view, the level of academic, research, and spiritual training, which will allow me to fulfill these tasks, is found only in this educational institution.
The alignment of my views of the world, my goals for the future, and the mission of Liberty University further increase my interest in this program. The combination of religious teaching with an academic approach is not just the methodology of this educational institution, but its mission, within which the university trains Champions for Christ (“About us,” n.d.). From my point of view, to effectively solve social problems, it is necessary to have a relatively straightforward system of values and views, which allows one to form strong beliefs. Christian principles, in this context, are the best fit as an additional component in the study of social psychology. Since the bases of a given religion are foundational virtues for any society, a person devoted to Christianity can even more effectively serve the community around them. At the moment, I want to learn more about this teaching and the possibilities of combining it with academic practice, so I am ready to make every effort to become another champion for Christ.
In addition, within the framework of Liberty University’s mission, it is indicated the creation of specialists who will influence the world and not only build a career. In particular, the emphasis is on balanced learning that can enable a person to adapt to constantly changing environmental conditions (“About us,” n.d.). In this context, I also strive to positively impact the world around me, making it a better place. It seems to me that with the correct balance between academic psychology, religious beliefs, and developed theories, it is possible to approach the existing social problems qualitatively. This kind of training creates a specialist who can quickly adapt to new circumstances.
I do not have a goal to choose for myself a strict career path that I will follow throughout my life. From my point of view, such an approach limits a person, not allowing them to grow spiritually and receive new knowledge and skills following the changes around them. Therefore, my goal is to obtain quality training from both an academic and a spiritual point of view, which will allow me to adapt successfully to the majority of situations. Social problems are inherently quite volatile, and when fixed on a particular method, there is a danger that sooner or later, a person’s actions will cease to be relevant. I would like to acquire a wide range of knowledge that will allow me to solve an expansive variety of problems in different contexts, bringing benefits to society. In addition, through this program, I wish to develop my critical and leadership skills to lead others toward progressive change. This is where my goals and Liberty University’s mission to prepare universal, inspiring leaders also coincide.
Thus, my main reason for getting such a Ph.D. is to acquire a high-quality set of specific knowledge in the field of social psychology. For me, it is necessary not only to learn the existing theories but also to develop the skills of critical analysis, leadership, and helping a community. In addition, I want to introduce elements of Christian teaching into my future practice since, from my point of view, this can significantly help in solving many social problems. The program provided by Liberty University fully meets these criteria, following the mission of educating the champions of Christ, ready to serve the community. My main goal is to improve society through an expansive range of professional skills and abilities. In this context, my desires and the course at Liberty University are precisely the same, which makes me a worthy candidate for a doctoral program.
References
About us. (n.d.). Liberty University. Web.
Ph.D. in psychology – Social psychology. (n.d.). Liberty University. Web.