1. 1 Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Amanda Small B.A. Psychology, 2011

2. Personal Statement I was once asked by a classmate “why in the world I would want to be a research psychologist?” The classmate was also studying psychology, but with an entirely difference goal and the thought of research had absolutely no appeal to her. So she asked me, “Why?” As I apply for advanced education in psychology that question again becomes relevant, “why in the world do I want to be a research psychologist?” As unorthodox as it may be, the answer all starts with Shark Week. Off the coast of Africa there is a small stretch of land called Seal Island, named for the hundreds of fur seals that call it home. This is a very special island. Immense white sharks also call it home, hunting under the waves Seal Island, waiting patiently for a seal to swim by, so that they can come rocketing up to the surf and breach up into the air completely out of the water and land teeth first on the hapless fur seals. Marine biologists asked why and I, after accepting that yes there were jumping hungry sharks, also asked “Why?” All research begins with that question, “Why?” Shark Week and the intrepid marine biologists, found the answer for the jumping white sharks, and in watching the process and the experiments they designed and conducted to find it, I was hooked. The subject was interesting (not interesting enough to want to be a marine biologist), but it was the process that had me enthralled. The “whys” of the world could be answered, or at the very least, investigated.

3. Personal Statement (cont.) The more I studied the more “whys” I encountered. It was the “whys” of human behavior that held the most interest for me. I found in psychology an entire field dedicated to not only the “whys” but also the “hows” and the “what ifs” of humans. At Gonzaga University, under the supervision of Dr. Jason Williams, I participated in my first research experiment, assisting with the apparatus design, working with participants, and reviewing relevant literature on a project expanding data on saccadic eye movement, cueing, and inhibition of return. Just as with the white sharks, though the subject was interesting, in the lab it was the processes that interested me the most. Also under Dr. Williams’ supervision I was exposed to the teaching side of research psychology, serving as the teaching assistant for Psychology Research Methods lecture and lab for two semesters. Working with the Research Methods students provided me with the opportunity to gain an even more thorough understanding of the processes of psychological research. Including in the course was a student project on perception and acquaintance rape, including data collection as well as a literature review. In assisting with the experimental side of this project, I was able to gain experience with overseeing and guiding psychological research, as well as gain insight into my own research process. Both experiences helped solidified not only my interest in research but also my passion for psychology. Just as research is often more influenced by unsuccessful experiments and inconclusive data, so too has my education been tempered by challenges, including a substantial break between the bulk of my education at Gonzaga University and my finally year at Argosy University. During this break I found that my love for the subject and fascination for research could not be quenched, a discovery which ultimately lead me back to school.

4. Personal Statement (cont.) As anyone who used a keyword in ProQuest that was too general can attest, there are many areas of psychology for a research addict such as myself. In the early years of my education, paper topics that were not specified were both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I could research and write about anything I wanted and a curse because I would have to pick just one. As time progressed and I got more exposure to the field including extensive exposure to applied aspects of the field, several definite areas of interest emerged. Social psychology is an area of particular fascination especially in areas of culture, diversity, and prejudice, especially as it applies to Middle Eastern cultures, genders issues, and religions. In addition to the aforementioned foci most cross-cultural psychology stirs my research interest. It is an area of ever growing need for study in our global community. The way other cultures view and experience mental health continues to be a point of great curiosity for me. Additionally the biology of psychology interests me a great deal as do forensic issues in psychology from exposures in the classroom setting. Ultimately I hope to take the passion and obsession for all things research with me into an academic institution, to conduct research, to add my contributions to the wide arena of psychological knowledge, to publish and not perish, and answer some of the many “whys” that make themselves known every day. And it is all thanks to Shark Week and the breaching white sharks.

5. Resume/CV Education Argosy University, Phoenix, AZ Spring-Summer 2009; Spring-Summer 2011 Psychology Bachelor of Arts Graduation: 6/29/2011 Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA Fall 2000 - Spring 2004 Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Butte, MT Summer 2000 Academic Honors Gonzaga University Honors Student Fall 2000 – Spring 2004 Research Experience Gonzaga University, Psychology Department Fall 2002 – Spring 2004 Perception Research Team Member Designed and conducted cognitive psychology project addressing false attention with other team members under supervision of professor Recruited confederates for project materials Assisted in design of inhibition of return display software on SuberLab Corroborated with other student in literature review for multiple attention projects Gonzaga University, Psychology Department Spring 2003 – Fall 2003 Research Methods Lab Teaching Assistant Served as consultant for students to several separate on-going research projects Aided professor during lecture period with presentation of material Presented lectures independent of professor Evaluated project write-up for students prior to submission of final draft

6. Resume/CV Memberships Gonzaga University Psychology Club (President 2003-2004, Vice President 2002-2003) MECDA (Secretary 2011) American Psychology Association (Student Affiliate) Co-Curricular Experience Gonzaga University Theater Department (Theater Guild Member 2001-2004, Theater Sports Player 2000-2004, Technical Theater Assistant multiple productions, Assistant Stage Manager multiple productions, Performer multiple productions) Community Theater – Utah (Director Twelfth Night 2004) Volunteer – Free Arts of Arizona (2010-current), Catholic Charities of AZ – Refugees Resettlement (2011-current) Performer and Student - Padmakali Tribal (Director 2010-2011 and Member 2010- current) Musician (Classical Piano, Zils, and Doumbek) Other Experience Marketing Support Contact – VALIC, Phoenix, AZ (4/2008-Current) Licensing Coordinator – VALIC, Phoenix, AZ (4/2008 – 10/2008) Administrative Assistant – SPV Real Estate Services Inc. (7/2006 – 1/2008) Administrative Assistant – TIAA-CREF, Salt Lake City, UT (5/2005-6/2006) Forestry Technician – Bureau of Land Management, Butte, MT (6/2002-8/2002) Academic and Professional References available upon request

7. Reflection My journey towards the completion of a bachelor’s degree in Psychology has been anything but smooth. There have been road blocks, detours, and rest stops. In preparing this portfolio I had the opportunity to review much of my work for the past years, including a entrance essay in which I detailed my immense passion for psychology, a passion which at the time was largely uneducated in the field. In the years since, I have grown in my knowledge and exposure while maintaining and even increasing that passion. I came to Argosy University with a fairly solid grounding in the discipline (due to my previous undergraduate experience), however it was at AU where I gained education in many of the applied fields. I had the opportunity to take the core familiar concepts and learning and apply them to practical applications. It was also at AU where I solidified my interest in Social and Cultural Psychology due largely due to frequently included diversity sections in many courses, as well as a dedicated course to the subject. Also at AU, I was able to get exposed to Forensic Psychology, which prior to attending had been my main focus. Through the class, I was able to learn that I did not enjoy it as much as I thought, at least from an applied perspective, though the research side is still thrilling. The one outstanding personally weakness I have found in studying at AU has been presentations. It is an area where I can benefit from further practice, especially since I intend to work in research, a career goal which will likely include conference presentation, research proposal, and a fair amount of public speaking.

8. Table of Contents I. Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy - Dissociative Identity Disorder and the Film Fight Club II. Research Skills - Effects of Victim Intoxication and Persona on Responsibility and Believability of Victim and Offender of an Alleged Acquaintance Rape III. Communication Skills: Oral and Written – Gender Differences in Reference to Adolescent Friendships: A Qualitative Study IV. Ethics and Diversity Awareness - Familiar Factors on Intellectual Development V. Foundations of Psychology - Scribner’s Revisit to Rosenhan Reviewed and Televised Violence and the Resulting Aggression in Children VI. Applied Psychology - Client Betty Through the Lenses of Client-Centered and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy VII. Interpersonal Effectiveness - The Mental Disorder, Schizophrenia: An Overview of Symptoms, Causes and Treatment and accompanying presentation (All professional work samples can be viewed via Box.net on LinkedIn Profile)

9. My Future in Learning One of the most exciting parts of psychology is that there is always more to learn. Aspects of the mind and behavior are constantly being developed, explored and evaluated. This means for an enthusiastic psychology student, such as myself, the learning never ends. By contrast. it has been my experience that the more one learns the more one discovers there is to learn. Though it is my intent to pursue additional education, in my mind lifelong learning is more than formal education. It is about taking the tools provide by education and applying them to your world, something I do with great zest. I love not having to just wonder “why” but knowing how to go about finding and answer, whether those whys be jumping sharks, maladaptive behaviors, or cultural differences.

10. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. small.mandy@stu.argosy.edu