Who would think a research in psychology text book would inspire you to write a blog? Well it has me (I know a little strange) but If I haven't lost you yet, stay with me.
The Barnum Description is where people 'readily confuse statements that are true of people in general with statements that are true of them in particular'. I'd better reference this to protect the intellectual property of Pelham B., Blanton H., (2013 p 3) Conducting Research in Psychology: Measuring the Weight of Smoke...u get the drift. I'll try to explain the meaning behind this description, so you don't have to read it unless you have good cause!
While clearly at only page 3 of this book I am at the beginning of my journey of studying psychology. I know I should be reading instead of writing, but hey this is another way of taking notes and shall we say 'active learning'?
The essence of this 'description', while the writers say is mostly 'uninformative', was reported to be 'highly accurate' - and that in fact we relate to statements such as those we find on Pintrest, in self development books (perhaps in blogs), in fiction books, or even in horoscopes and magazines as though they are describing us personally, our situations and our lives at a given time and stage. We relate to them as though it was or is us, and yet they really describe virtually everybody.
If you are still with me? I've turned the page in the text book to find that our curiosity about the apparent accuracy of many descriptions we find eg in horoscopes, about 'human nature' and our own lives, personalities and contexts arouses our 'reasonable and intuitive, common sense and implicit' knowledge of how we feel, what we should feel, what we should do or how we should behave. Stunning revelation? No, however we cannot rely on our intuition and common sense alone (probably a good thing, as common sense does not always prevail, right?).
So while the historical context of Psychology is no doubt interesting to you (emoticon needed here, I just don't know which one, so I'll leave it up to you) to explain human behaviour and how it has changed over time, and luckily we have made some progress, it also requires systematic methods to uncover the truths behind our 'intuition or casual observations'. So, without boring you further about the science and systems, this is at the very least confirming for me.
My 'intuition and common sense' have lead to my interest in 'people, philosophy and psychology'. I hope this is enough to help me to take a more 'mature' approach (what I mean here perhaps is 'knowledgeable') and confirm or consolidate the many questions that still remain unanswered in my own life, work and 'love' (and perhaps the lives of my family, friends and colleagues - so watch out, I may need to use you in my experiments and observations during my studies? I promise they won't be painful, unethical or publicly offend you! Another emoticon or just LOL?
Back to Barnum - Perhaps these blogs will resonate with you, even when writing examples from my experience and you will be able to relate personally to the 'statements' I describe; while endeavoring to make sense of 'change, career and connections' as we all move on with life and making some sense of how this world (our world) operates.
Meanwhile...
I am still confronted with a competing set of choices and I am intrigued as I try to understand and debate with myself explanations for my behaviour. My responses to similar situations (eg career choices) at other times in life have seemed far less complex and my reasoning or the logic of my feelings explained my behaviour, and 'mental functioning' eg stress, depression, lifestyle at the time.
What is different now to when I was 18, 26, 37 (yes these were significant times in my life); I know the obvious answers and I am striving to use relatively simple principles of managing change, anxiety and stress (as seen or read in previous blogs eg relaxation, exercise and nutrition) - not hard in themselves, just hard to find the right balance with the stress of making career/workplace decisions and 'strategically' cooperating and communicating with colleagues/managers/clients at work', while remaining true to my 'values, needs and strengths'.
So how should I confirm or 'disconfirm' my theory that my job insecurity is the current cause and effect behind my dissonance and anxiety? According to my text book, I need to determine my theory, ask the question, hypothesize, simplify and test my theory/ies - well not today, but perhaps my questions will lead to an honours or masters study one day!
Until then I will continue to informally test and espouse my beliefs (of positivity, flexibility and autonomy) and devote myself to my own schools of thought, while building on my knowledge (implicitly and explicitly ie through study). I will observe, predict and believe that I am taking crucial steps and will one day delight, in what I can realistically juggle, explore and plan to do now and in the future.
And for now...I can at least pretend to be bold, visualise and 'live to work, not work to live'. I will slow down, let go and allow things to happen while making disciplined choices, adapting, changing and living life.
I'm off to have drinks with friends and family...then finish the day with an Adelaide Fringe Music Show. How lucky am I?
