What are some of the goals of forensic psychology? or goals even for yourself? for your part in whatever you do and whatever you stand for if anything? What makes you want to learn forensic psychology or psychology or human behavior? What do you hope for the human world?
I feel these deeper soul searching questions give meaning to our lives as writers, leaders, creators, or psychologists and helps us tap back into why we are doing what we are doing and what we want to create in our own lives as well as our professional lives.
I was recently pondering current events, thinking about my work environment and people in general. I work with a schitzophrenic, a possible addict, and some other sketchy folks and from what I have learned in restaurant work as a cook and a supervisor is how to talk to people and how to de-escalate situations. Its a good thing to know, especially working with patients. This link here provides a nice example of how to de-escalate a situation. It involves using a low, dull tone of voice, not getting defensive even if you want to, becoming aware of a situation, other people around you and objects, watching out for your own body language . One should appear calm and self-assured, maintaining limited eye contact but being at the same eye level. Must have a neutral facial expression with palms facing up open and relaxed (I think of a standing shivansana pose). Do not shrug, point, or do any big gestures and maintain atleast 12 feet if possible as you approach. Ask simple questions: Hey what's your name? Acknowledge feelings without passing judgement express empathy which can come in the form of clarifying questions, paraphrasing the patient, and asking open-ended questions. Here is the full resource:
These simple things give meaning to my life. That maybe I can help people by trying to understand and acknowledge their humaneness.
Thank you for making this topic personal in your response. I agree communication is definitely a key aspect to interpersonal as well as professional relationships. Also, one of the most important aspects of a forensic psychologists specifically is that they must be good communicators.
I had not heard of this phrase before and looked it up: https://www.simplypsychology.org/fundamental-attribution.html
A healthy balance of environmental (external problems) as well as individual (internal problems) is the key to this. I think most people it's a combination. Often events and situations are complex, and it's up to the individual to know themselves well, maintain self-awareness of their own reactions, as well as others around them and in their environment and then deciding if it's within them to have the wisdom to decide what they are and are not in control of and how to deal with that. I like the slogan "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (often other people and situations), the courage to change the things I can (my reaction to other people and situations) and the wisdom to know the difference."
Some fascinating insights here. I think that a level of self-awareness can often stoke the fires of thought and bring one to ponder that very question - as to the responsibility of the individual to create a better world.
I think one primary way is to practice communication, it is a hypothesis of mine that people think because they can speak that this means they are good communicators. But I wrote an article for those to communicate better and much of this was through listening attentively.
So learning to communicate and not merely to assume one is gifted in this area is one key way.
Another fallacy might be to assume that we are limited in our contacts and thus cannot contribute to the overall betterment of the world. But in reality, every dyadic interaction we have may contribute to creating the fertile ground for meaningful change in both oneself and the person with whom we are communicating.
A brief and less than a comprehensive list:
1. Volunteering for a noble cause (soup kitchen) etc if we have the time
2. Donation to a given charity (if we have the resources)
3. Crafting such as knitting and distributing these to the homeless or organisations that can ship these to other parts of the world
4. Dropping into a neighbor (maybe senior) to see if they need help or even just a chat.
I love your point about body language and non-verbal cues. This is absolutelyorganizations essential, I would recommend the work by Ekman, Knapp, and others for a more systematic and scientific approach to body language and non-verbal cues.
You also raise some great points about empathy and a spirit of non-judgment, this can be gained by understanding heuristics and mental shortcuts that the mind takes. For instance by studying the fundamental attribution error and other cognitive fallacies.
Thanks for sharing the article on de-escalation techniques.