The expected outcome of this interview research profile is to find specified treatment or analysis of the contributing aspects on the subject of the psychological application of an individual’s day-to-day activities. Nonetheless, in distinction from others, this interview profile makes an effort to accomplish or give an account and a representation of the improvement and expansion of psychology as a study of the physical and natural world using theoretical models and data from experiments or observation (Judd, Reis, 2001 p. 247).
This is a performed comprehensive and complete general summary of systematic investigation of establishing facts and an interview which I carried out to declare and admit the existence, reality and truth of the detail consideration on the subject of an analysis and consecutively to discover essential features and meaning of the distinct or separate attitudes and personalities.
My interviewee was an individual with the possession of a triumphant increase by natural development in the psychological result of perception and learning with reasoning and the ability that has been acquired by training which came about through the condition of sharing in dealings or performance for this particular interview.
The main motive of this interview was to gather the best psychological result of perception and learning together with reasoning with reference to detailed interview issues connected to fundamental psychological abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances (Morris & Maisto 2002. P. 418). In addition, coming into the concrete or abstract possession of unique or specific psychological result of perception, learning and reasoning through the quality of being believable or trustworthy, I have a tendency to put up with diverse qualities of being able to perform, complex mental state involving beliefs, feelings, values and dispositions to act in certain ways, also the act of looking in diverse fields of life. (Morris & Maisto 2002. P.418).
During the interview, the center of operations of my systematic investigation was conducted in the areas I considered in detail like the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered (memory), the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge, the act of subjecting to experimental test in determining how well something works, personality, the ability to comprehend, to understand and profit from experience, the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior, and social psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning, which serves as the existing concepts of the essential components on a daily basis.
Learning and Memory
A clear and certain mental apprehension on how to deal with information in a routine way helps me in an obtainable structure. However, I seldom ask the question if what is being read by human beings is instantly memorized, or, if the remembrance of information is through observation of behaviors (Morris & Maisto 2002. P.185).
However, my initial step during the interview was to recognize as being or establish the specified kind of skill the interviewee has in the assimilation of information (Morris & Maisto 2002. P.226). The idea of the interview is to determine if the interviewee’s learning and memorizing ability exhibits insight or clear and deep perception, if relying on observation and experiment, or observant (Sheelagh O’Donovan-Polten, 2001 p.25)
Nevertheless, to my surprise, at the end of the interview, the interviewee proved to acquire both the learning and memorizing ability to exhibit insight, clear and deep perception, and relies on observation and experimental approach towards learning, and interestingly contributes to the approach of learning things by heart.
Consequently, on interviewing the interviewee he channeled back to every single conversation we had earlier to the last particular point in time that the novel numerical measure of the uncertainty of the interview was put before him.
This has helped the interviewee in having and bringing to mind a memory of the names and phone numbers of people he has known for the past seven years. For the received message to be understood and in an optimal and most desirable way remembered there are more types of learning and the most favorable one is the observational learning (Morris & Maisto 2002. P.330).
As opposed to insightful learning, observational learning is put into service, make work for a particular purpose or use as designed the sociability and communal learning theory which come about when one who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses change their manner of acting or controlling oneself (Morris & Maisto 2002. P.561).
During my interview, I came into possession of and considered in detail the things that contribute causally to the results that the interviewee has knowledge or skill from observation or participation like the behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental maturity.
She also has a complex mental state involving beliefs, feelings, values and dispositions to act in certain ways hence conveying his views on the actions and activities assigned to an individual, the race, sexuality and affiliations resulting from racial or cultural ties affect an individual’s personality. (Sprenger , 1999 p. 51)
For this paper, I was privileged to interview one of my well-known friends Bibi. Bibi is 47 years old white female. We carried on the interview at her offices where she said was the best place for the interview.
As a friend, I had to be very careful and arrange my questions carefully. The very initial maneuver I made as part of progress towards my goal was to recognize the type of information processor he is.
I had to distinguish whether he is the type that relies on observations or experiments, exhibits insight or clear deep perception and experiential.
To my surprise, Bibi’s reaction came out to provide evidence that he has both exhibited insight or clear deep perception and experimental styles of acquiring skills or knowledge and committing to memory of which he shared with me some of the interesting ways of remembering things.
As I continued with the interview, Bibi said and I quote, “My brain gets to know or become aware of and keeps in mind all messages received by making a logical or causal connection of them to something it already has or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception of”.
However, she further said that words are always held spellbound in her mind all the way back to the occasion or some event when the special set of circumstances was put or brought before her. That has helped Bibi in remembering events and things that happened up to 7 or more years ago, even phone numbers and names of all his close friends and family members.
Observational learning is one type of learning that helps and assists the collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn to be optimally brought to mind.
The observational learning, if examined and the similarities or differences are noted against insight and experiential learning, it ensures the observance of the social learning theory occurring at the same time that an expert observes and causes a transformation.
The interview
The person I interviewed is a 47 white female, named Bibi. Here are the questions and answers that need to be resumed in this Profile Report Assignment:
Learning, Memory, and Intelligence
Me: Do you remember information more accurately from observing or reading the behavior being performed?
Bibi: I prefer to read materials and absorb the words. If someone reads something to me, I do not focus entirely on what that person is saying and as a result; do not retain half of what is being read to me. I need to visually see the words and let them “talk” to me. When I read, I am focusing 100% on the reading materials. I immerse myself in the story of the book. Sometimes when I read books I actually feel like I am living the storyline of the book.
Me: When reading, do you prefer doing it in a library, or at home where there are background noises and some distractions?
Bibi: I’ve probably visited a library three times (that I can remember) in my entire life. It is not someplace that I associate with reading; although the building is completely filled with books and it sounds like a dumb response to say that I don’t associate it with reading. I happen to read on the train every night. Most of the time, you can sit on the train and not be bothered by any really loud or disruptive noises. I consider the train my personal space where I travel back and forth to work for four hours a day. The train is where I wind down from a day’s work or prepare myself mentally for the day. I read the paper every day on the train and catch up on the day’s news. I’ve observed people reading on the train and listening to their music (using earphones) at the same time. Honestly, I don’t know how they do it because I would find the music very distracting while reading. I need to focus entirely on my reading material without any distractions.
Me: Can you retrieve easily events stored in your memory?
Bibi: I do not have good long-term memory – so, no, I cannot easily retrieve events stored in my memory. I do not remember much of my childhood as a pre-teenager. I can probably remember only about five events from my childhood. Two are associated with being punished, two were of my father being himself – a nasty, bitter individual and causing my mother emotional pain and the last one had to do with coming home on the bus from school as a fourth-grader and a weird looking man sitting next to me on the bus. I actually remember sitting at the kitchen table that night doing my homework and still being able to smell that man’s cologne. It felt yucky to me! So, now I ask myself – because I’ve never really sat down and thought and analyzed these thoughts before – why, why do I only remember negative things from my childhood? My mother and grandmother were very loving to me and gave me everything I wanted, but why is it that the bad memories are the ones that I can remember the most? What is the reasoning behind this?
Me: Do you consider yourself intelligent?
Bibi: Do I consider myself an intelligent person? Well, that depends on how you define the word “intelligent”. Some people talk about “street smart” and “book smart”. I would consider myself to have a little bit of both. I consider myself to be average – just an average person who reads up on current events in the newspaper every day. I am however, good at what I do. I am a secretary and I consider myself to be a very good one. I feel that my “intelligence” could be described as a pot that has been covered with a lid. Because of various events that have happened in my life, my career has gone as far as it can go, as far as I will allow it to go. It was not my desire to become a secretary after graduating high school and college. I had other goals, other ambitions, other dreams. However, here I am today, a secretary and making a living and supporting my family. Am I being “dumb” for not pursuing my dreams? – Probably.
Me: What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Bibi: Without thinking about my answer, my answer is probably “nothing”. Other than reading the newspaper every day and catching up on current events and taking computer classes at work, I don’t really think that I’ve greatly improved my knowledge in the last year.
Me: Do you have difficulty memorizing certain things, like names, telephone numbers?
Bibi: I definitely have difficulty memorizing certain things. I can meet a new person and then an hour later I would have forgotten their name. I actually have acquired the habit of writing on my hand in order to remember certain things that I need to do in a day. It stems from my high school days. I can remember having to force-feed information to my brain in order to study for a test and saying to myself “why must I do this – I’ll only forget it after the test.”
Me: Do you enjoy playing and winning strategy games like forex. chess, checkers, etc.?
Bibi: Yes, I consider myself to be competitive and enjoy winning a game of checkers. It’s fun to win. I also like playing cards, but I don’t get the opportunity to do so.
Me: Describe your learning style (Visual, auditory, physical (Kinesthetic)
Bibi: I would describe my learning style as visual-only because I need to read and absorb written material in order to learn it. On the other hand, it is a little difficult for me to visually see, for example, a dance move and learn it. I need to physically take the dance steps (over and over again) in order to learn them. So, I suppose that my learning style depends on the subject that I am trying to learn.
Motivation
Me: Are you motivated? Explain and provide examples.
Bibi: I am not always motivated. Sometimes I just want to sit back and watch things around me and just do nothing. I actually like observing people. Sometimes I am discouraged and feel unhappy about my life – this economy has affected me greatly. It’s not always easy to keep up-to-date with my bills. I try my best not to let it upset me. Therefore, I would say that motivation and a happy state of mind go hand in hand with me. If I am happy and in a good mood, then it is easy for me to follow a food and meal plan and try to lose weight and be successful at it. If I am unhappy one day, then my motivation to lose weight drops and as a result I eat very poorly on that day. However, I like motivating people. I like helping people help themselves.
Me: What motivates you to do your best on the job?
Bibi: Pride and money motivate me to do the best on the job. Furthermore, sense of accomplishment. knowing that I can do the job and am good at what I do. It also makes me feel good to know that I am doing a good job.
Me: Describe your greatest accomplishment.
Bibi: Without out even thinking, I would say that my greatest accomplishment is being a mom and having my son. I would like the opportunity to shape him into a good person and give him the opportunity to have all the things that I never had in life.
Me: Are you intrinsically or extrinsically motivated?
Bibi: I am definitely intrinsically motivated. I think that I can classify myself as a “go-getter”. When there is something that I want, I won’t stop until I get it. I don’t like being forced into doing something; I don’t think that anyone does. Sometimes, when I have to do something that I don’t want to do or don’t agree with, things don’t turn out the right way because I don’t have my whole heart in it.
Psychological profile
Me: Have you experienced the Myers Briggs test? Do you remember the results? Do you think this test gave you accurate results? Why or why not?
Bibi: I took the test and yes, I feel that the test gave me accurate results because I answered the test questions truthfully and I agree with the personality type that was given to me. I have been classified as an INFJ: 11% introverted 38% intuitive, 50% feeling and 67% judgment. On the outside I may seem like an outgoing person, but there is a part of me that is also reserved. Most of the time I try to hide (maybe not hide, but suppress) my feelings and try to make the best of things. I try not the reveal the “real me” to people. Sometimes the “real me” scares me. Sometimes I wish that the “real me” could come out and I could live my dream. Sometimes I am happy the way I am. If I sound confused, maybe I am.
Me: What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
Bibi: I’ve never really thought about my greatest strength, but I believe that I am a fairly confident person. I think that in order to survive in this world today, you need a certain amount of confidence – a “yes, I can” attitude. Things are so hard nowadays and you need to have the strength and perseverance to keep on going and hope that one day you will reach the pinnacle.
My greatest weakness is holding onto anger. My father is a very bad person – he caused my mother a lot of emotional pain. And, as a result I have a lot of resentment towards him. Forgiveness is not (never) an option when it comes to him.
Me: Please describe a negative quality about yourself.
Bibi: I have no patience – when I want something, I want it immediately. And, if I want it bad enough, I will not let anyone or anything stand in my way of getting it. Another negative quality about me is that I laugh when I am nervous and it happens all the time. People don’t understand why I am laughing and they end up getting mad at me until I explain myself to them, but sometimes people don’t believe me because they are angry that I’m laughing (which is not the case at all).
Me: How would you describe yourself?
Bibi: I would describe myself as someone who likes to help others. I think that is the reason why I once wanted to become a kindergarten school teacher. I like teaching. I enjoy being with people who can learn from what I have to offer them.
Me: Which experiences from your past contributed most to your personality’s development?
Bibi: I wouldn’t say that past experiences are the determining factor in the development of my personality. I would attribute genetics more to my personality development. It is ironic that the person that I most hate in this world is the person that I am most like – my father. Other than the bad qualities that my father has, I would say that he is a go-getter. He sees what he wants and he tries his best to get it. He owned a construction company and he was very successful at it and he made a lot of money (even though he did not share it with his family).
Me: Are you able to monitor and adjust your own attitudes? Why and why not?
Bibi: Yes, I can monitor my own attitudes. I try not to let bad, insensitive and mean people get the best of me. I try not to let them know that they are hurting me. I try not to react to their actions and behaviors.
Me: What was the strongest influence on your attitudes and why?
Bibi: I did not have a good relationship with my father as a child. He was cold, sometimes mean and distant towards us. And, as a result, I have trouble trusting people.
Me: How do you think race, ethnicity, and gender played in forming your personality and attitudes?
Bibi: I do not believe that race, ethnicity, or gender have to do with forming my personality, as mentioned before, I firmly believe that it is genetics that forms a person. It is your internal makeup. It is who you are from the inside, blood and bones that make you who you are. I won’t deny that outside forces (like your environment) can have some impact on who you are but, ultimately I truly believe that genetics is the contributing factor.
Me: How do you cope with unexpected obstacles? How do you express yourself emotionally?
Bibi: With unexpected obstacles, I do not have a chance to think things through, so my immediate reaction can be either good or bad – I might get extremely angry really fast or I might get extremely emotional and cry. Sometimes, I am stunned (frozen) by what someone might say and I say nothing in response and then I get angry with myself because it is too late to go back and tell the person how I feel after their outburst. When I get nervous, I laugh and this can be perceived as negative because people don’t understand that it is my reaction to being nervous, they just think that I’m being callous – which is not the case.
Me: Are you a sensitive and emotional person? Why and why not.
Bibi: I am a very sensitive person, but I try to hide that sensitivity. I see it as a weakness. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me and my feelings come out – I usually end up crying.
Reference List
Judd, C. M., & Reis H T. (2000). Handbook of research methods in social and personality psychology, Melbourne, Cambridge University Press.
Morris, C. G., & Maisto, A. A. (2002). Psychology: An introduction (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Sheelagh, O’Donovan-Polten. (2001). The scales of success: constructions of life-career success of eminent men. Canada. University of Toronto Press.
Sprenger, M. (1999). Learning and memory: the brain in action. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.