When it comes to Psychology, my original first impression is that it is one of those fields were they ask you to look at a picture and tell them what you see. But for me, for the duration of this spring semester I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was this a course that taught about the mind, it also taught about our biological beginnings, our genetic foundations to our general health, motor sensory development and so much more.

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What affected my learning the most in this class is the offered online textbook. Through out this course, the accessibility of our online textbook allowed me to focus on the literature and give me the tools to make notes, underline and highlight what I found was the most insightful information. One such topic I had a high interest in was the chapter about genetic foundations of development.

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I found this chapter so intriguing because right away from the beginning it captured my attention. I am fond of genetic research & discovery because the human body is so complicated and so amazing in its creation at the same time. Even the traits within our DNA lay a foundation for the person we will become in our lives. To take a piece out of the book, it says:

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"Our many traits and characteristics that are genetically influenced have a long evolutionary history that is retained in our DNA. In other words, our DNA is not just inherited from our parents; it's also what we've inherited as a species from the species that were our ancestors." -Santrock, Pg. 49.

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I find this information so fascinating because for me it makes so much sense. I act the way I act because of someone in my bloodline before me. From a conversation I had with my father some time ago, I had been researching our family history when he gave me details of who these people in our family were, what they did, etc.

 

When he then proceeded to tell me of those in our family who are in the medical field, I was in shock. I barely know any members of our family but to those I do know, they are just at your typical 9-5. But for me, I feel that the medical field was destined for me. When he mentioned business in our family history, right away it made me think of my sister, and same for music and theatre and made me think of my oldest sister.

 

It's so interesting to find out the traits we are gifted were meant for us this whole time whether we realize it or not.

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