Reflective Assignment
Course: Introduction to Psychology (PSY101)
Submitted to:
Prof. Dr. H M Saidur Rahaman
Department of History & Philosophy
North South University
Submitted by:
Name: Farshib Ahmed
ID: 2321954630
Section: 20
Semester: Spring 2025
Date of Submission: 27 April, 2025
Reflection Paper:
It has been a wonderful experience to take PSY101 under your guidance. I have learned much
and discovered new ideas about myself and the subject. Throughout this semester in Introduction
to Psychology, I have developed strong beliefs in the scientific study of human behavior,
interactions, and how the brain works. I studied the topics by looking into major areas like
Neuroscience, Sensation & Perception, Learning, Memory, Intelligence, Motivation & emotions,
Personality, and many more. These topics have helped me better understand the different parts of
my daily life that are influenced by psychology.
However, I found the unit Abnormal Psychology interesting. The unit illustrated how abnormal
behaviors are defined, diagnosed, and treated, and it also cleared some myths and assumptions I
thought were real.
I always assumed that mental disorders were always extreme and easy to spot. The myths like
“disorders are incurable” or “people with mental illness are weak or dangerous” were cleared in
this unit, and I found out that I subconsciously had some of these so-called mental illnesses.
My misconceptions were cleared when I got to know about the four D’s – discomfort, deviance,
dysfunction, and danger. These topics gave me a clearer understanding of what makes a
behavior “abnormal.” It astonished me when I got to know these aren’t just labels for extreme
mental conditions, but these exist in everyday life.
When I got to learn about Generalized Anxiety disorder, I instantly thought of a close friend
who is always worried about small things that are easily manageable. I used to think he was
overthinking or being dramatic, but now I realize how exhausting it must have been for him. I
never got a chance to understand his issues properly and the phase he is going through until I saw
the symptoms of GAD discussed in this unit.
When it comes to my personal life, I relate myself to having Social Anxiety Disorder. I always
had trouble with presentations and even answering questions in class during my first semester. It
wasn't that I didn't know the answers; I was just too afraid to speak up. But now that I've studied
this unit, I see some deeper trends. These helped me understand how these events affected my
confidence and how I dealt with them.
Depression, one of the parts of mood disorder, cleared a lot of concepts for me. It made me
realize how important it is not to minimize someone’s sadness. Depression is not only about
sadness but also, it’s a heavy feeling that affects both the personal and social life of a human
being. I now understand what a person is going through with depression.
The knowledge I gained about these disorders through this unit has been eye-opening. At this
point, I have a detailed understanding of the condition, the primary challenges that patients face,
and the impact that these challenges have on life. Both as a student of psychology and as a
person, I have a greater capacity for empathy. I am working on improving my listening skills and
reducing my judgment. I have learned to understand the context behind a person’s behavior
alone. In the future, I want to use this understanding in fundamental interactions, whether
supporting a friend or being more thoughtful in conversations about mental health. Now, I am
dedicated to helping people facing these sorts of disorders. I talk with them about their life and
issues and try to motivate them to be positive and not overthink.
This unit didn’t just teach me theories; it reshaped my point of view and how I see others and
myself.
