Explain the role of psychology in the well-being of self and society
Apply elements of emotional intelligence when adapting to various situations
Scenario
As a soon-to-be graduate who is preparing to enter the workforce, you will have so many opportunities ahead of you. To better prepare for a successful future, you have been assigned a career services advisor. Your advisor will work with you to identify an ideal job you are qualified to perform and evaluate what jobs may be better suited for you that reflect your personal perspective, ethics, and social awareness.
To prepare you for your job search, your career services advisor requires that you answer a list of specific questions related to the field of psychology and to emotional intelligence skills that might be asked in an interview.
Supporting Materials
Reading: Connections Between Job Tasks and Corresponding EI Skills
Review this document for an overview and example of how different jobs relate to the subdisciplines of psychology.
Reading: Strategies to Increase EI Skills
Review this document for strategies to increase specific EI skills.
Directions
In the milestone for Project Three, you identified a job description with tasks that rely heavily on EI skills. For this project, you will respond to interview preparation questions; you should answer them as if you are applying for the position you previously identified.
Describe how you would exhibit characteristics of social awareness in this professional position. Your response should be a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Consider the following in your response:
In what ways might this position require you to remain aware of the impact of your thoughts, emotions, and actions on the people around you?
In what ways might this position require you to regulate your emotions?
Explain how you would exhibit emotional intelligence skills in this position, using at least two examples from the required job tasks. Your response should be a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Consider the following in your response:
How do the EI skills connect to each job task?
In what ways might this position require you to remain aware of the thoughts and feelings of others?
In what ways might this position require you to arrive at peaceful solutions to confrontations and disputes?
Explain which psychological theory relates most to your selected job role. Your response should be a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Consider the following in your response:
In what ways might applying this psychological theory within your job role improve your relationships at work?
Explain how the selected job role requires you to apply strategies to increase emotional intelligence that can lead to successfully performing the selected job role. Your response should be a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Consider the following in your response:
How will this job role help you increase your current EI skill level?
What specific strategies will you apply?
Which EI skills do you feel you need to improve most in order to succeed within this job role?
How will society benefit from the increase in your EI skills?
Full Answer Section
Emotional Intelligence Skills:
Job Task 1: Active listening and providing feedback to colleagues during brainstorming sessions.
This task demands strong self-management and self-awareness. By remaining calm and focused, I can actively listen to colleagues' ideas without judgment. This allows me to provide constructive feedback that is specific, actionable, and delivered with empathy and respect.
Job Task 2: Mediating conflicts between team members with different working styles.
Emotional intelligence is crucial for navigating this task. By exhibiting social awareness, I can understand the underlying emotions and perspectives of each team member. This allows me to employ relationship management skills to facilitate open communication, identify common ground, and arrive at mutually agreeable solutions.
- Psychological Theory:
The Social Penetration Theory by Altman and Taylor is most relevant to my selected job role. It posits that relationships develop through layers of intimacy, beginning with superficial interactions and progressing to deeper levels of self-disclosure and emotional connection. Understanding this theory helps me build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders by tailoring communication to the level of intimacy established. This promotes trust, collaboration, and a more positive work environment.
- Strategies to Increase Emotional Intelligence:
This job role will provide an excellent platform to enhance my current EI skill level. I will actively seek opportunities to practice active listening, giving and receiving feedback, and managing my emotions in stressful situations. Additionally, I will engage in mindfulness exercises and self-reflection to develop greater self-awareness and emotional regulation skills. By regularly soliciting feedback from colleagues and mentors, I can identify areas for improvement and implement specific strategies, such as role-playing and journaling, to develop my EI further.
- Improvement and Societal Benefit:
Developing my EI skills will be most beneficial in areas like relationship management and conflict resolution. By improving my communication skills and emotional agility, I can build stronger rapport with colleagues, clients, and partners, fostering more productive and collaborative relationships. Additionally, I will be better equipped to handle conflict situations constructively, leading to peaceful resolutions and improved team dynamics. Ultimately, these improvements will not only enhance my job performance but also contribute to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone around me.
By enhancing my EI skills, I believe I can contribute positively to society in several ways. Firstly, I can be a more effective communicator and facilitator, fostering collaboration and understanding within diverse groups. This can lead to innovative solutions and positive outcomes in various fields, such as education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives. Secondly, by managing my emotions effectively, I can serve as a positive role model for others, demonstrating the importance of emotional intelligence in building strong relationships and navigating challenging situations. This has the potential to create a ripple effect, contributing to a more compassionate and emotionally intelligent society overall.
Sample Answer
Social Awareness:
This position requires me to be highly socially aware. As a [Job title], I will be interacting with diverse stakeholders, including colleagues, clients, and partners. It's crucial to remain mindful of how my thoughts, emotions, and actions impact others. This includes being attentive to nonverbal cues, actively listening to understand perspectives, and adapting communication styles to build rapport and foster collaboration. Additionally, regulating my emotions, particularly in challenging situations, demonstrates professionalism and allows me to respond effectively without being swayed by personal triggers.