Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Bio
Writer, psychologist and university professor researching media psych, generational studies, human and animal rights, and industrial/organizational psychology
Stories (81/0)
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and the Stages of Accepting Death
Based on field studies and interviews with over 200 terminal patients Elisabeth Kubler-Ross categorized the typical progression of psycho-emotional stages an individual experiences in the process of acknowledging and accepting death. Her theory outlines five distinct phases of coping with death, including:
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Longevity
Self-Esteem in Children
Self-esteem refers to “the evaluative aspect of one’s self concept; judgments and opinions about the relative worth of one’s different characteristics” (Lefrancois, 2001, p. 425). It is a broad and comprehensive evaluation which is not specific to a particular skill or segmented mastery level, but rather represents the all-encompassing and deep-seated judgment an individual makes about his/her core value and worth. As such, it is a powerful force in the psyche of the individual.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Psyche
The Nature and Purpose of Intelligence, Aptitude, and Special Aptitude Tests
In general terms, various forms of psychological tests have been employed for the purpose of measuring “differences between individuals or between the reactions of the same individual under different circumstances” (Anastasi & Urbina, 1997, p. 2). More specifically, the measurement of ability represents one of the most widespread applications of psychology and psychometrics in everyday life. These assessments of ability range from instruments that test general mental ability – referred to as intelligence tests – to those that tap specific abilities – referred to as aptitude and special aptitude tests.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Education
Living the Dream in Paris
Glass exploded in my face as the deafening percussion pounded my ears. “GET DOWN! GET DOWN!” Brad screamed. “THEY’RE SHOOTING AT US!” I dove to the floor of the Mercedes, just as a big, hairy hand reached menacingly towards me. My fantastic dream had just turned into a living nightmare!
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Wander
When Your Patient Teaches You a Thing or Two About Living
The thing about clinical work is that each day you never know what’s coming. You can be working with a patient in the most clear-cut treatment plan with everything going textbook perfect and suddenly . . .
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Psyche
The Great Neighborhood Debate of 1977
The Story The summer of 1977 was the summer of the great debate in my neighborhood. I was 11 years old. The controversy: Rocky vs Star Wars. It was divisive. You were on one side of this proverbial fence or the other. And while it didn’t end friendships (because the bonds of summer bike rides and swimming and camping in the back yard were too strong) it did spawn many an argument.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Families
Hope in New Orleans
Her name was Hope and that was just what I needed her to be. As I drew back the faded chintz curtain to the back room of Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, I expected to see a crystal ball, a black cat, and Hope sitting on a throne, donning a dark purple gothic robe covered with stars and moons. Instead, she was wearing a dowdy, flower print dress — the kind my grandma used to call a housedress. She looked up and saw me, slipping her Styrofoam plate of Chinese food under the plasticized cardboard table and putting away her Harlequin romance. With her beer belly and unkempt gray hair, she would have looked more at home sitting at a battered kitchen table in a trailer, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes with the soaps blaring and a grandchild howling in a dirty playpen in the corner. If there were spirits from the netherworld here it seemed more likely they were of the trailer park trash variety than the supremely divine. It seemed more likely they might kick my city-girl butt just for fun than offer an aura of spiritual protection.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Humans
Mean Girls Aren’t Just in High School
The Story A childhood friend recently posted a nostalgic meme on Facebook that bore the caption “You never forget the neighborhood kids you grew up with.” She tagged a bunch of us from our old stomping ground. A smile came to my face as I saw my name there and the names of others who shared that special time and place. Instantly many fond memories came to mind. Based on the number of likes and comments it was clear that others were equally touched. Many posted specific memories and others chimed in with “OMG I forgot all about that!” There was a consensus that we were lucky to have grown up where and when we did.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)3 years ago in Humans