My passion for psychology began when an experience on a plane with severe turbulence made me think about the irrational fear I was experiencing. The Science of Psychology helped me realise, that my fear of flying was not abnormal but simply a learned emotional response to a situation that provoked intense and terrifying thoughts. Being able to understand my phobia and how I can control it is why psychology has changed a part of my life.
The diversity of the A Level syllabus has reinforced my commitment. The course has enabled me to work independently and manage my time effectively. These skills were demonstrated in my A Level coursework project which involved extensively researching a topic of my choice. I thoroughly enjoyed this project as I was able to gain an insight into many relevant theories of my chosen subject on figure attractiveness. To support my studies I attended a crime conference in Leicester which was a fascinating experience, from hearing crime investigators talk about their daily challenges to psychopath profilers engaging in the nature vs. nurture debate. I also heard American Nick Yarris' poignant story of spending 20 years on death row after being framed for murder. Attending the conference strengthened my note taking and listening skills.
Working in a primary school for a week as a teacher's assistant with children aged 4-5, has furthered my interest in the educational aspects of psychology and I believe that this experience has been useful for a career in psychology. The experience enhanced my leadership skills and I was able to communicate successfully with the children, helping them to grasp classroom topics they found difficult. Seeing the way in which children socialise and engage in different activities helped me acknowledge that conditioning of behaviour is prevalent in a human's first few years. Last year I decided to participate in