(Institution Name)
PART 1
Action Plan using Maslow’s Theory
The world has a myriad of cultures and people that share their own set of cultural values and belief systems. These values become their cultural norms and are preserved in their day to day actions and routine. If a person does not carry the firsthand knowledge of another person’s cultural beliefs and norms, then they are bound to follow hearsay and believe whatever stereotypes are associated with them.
However looking at the factual display of matters, many cultures have certain rites and traditions which cannot be changed or tampered with. There are several cultural mistakes that I was already aware of such as the British being very respectful of the Royal family and not taking any jokes on them, no matter in what state. Gossiping about royalty is one of the things they cannot stand. I came to know of this mainly through media; television and the internet, where the Royal family and its members have never been targeted or made fun of, and they are never gossiped about as well. Making movies or caricatures is one thing but an actual satire on the Royal family is a big mistake and considered discourteous.
The other cultural mistake I was aware of was the one regarding the Japanese and their extent of physical and eye contact. The Japanese are known for the distance they keep from one another, and they do not like to shake hands or maintain eye contact. Moreover, they also think of hugging or shaking hands as offensive acts especially when done in public. This, I came to know of through some friends who had been to Japan, and they had quoted how ‘cold’ the Japanese had seemed, as opposed to the American culture where physical contact is a normal phenomenon.
The third cultural mistake I had known was about the Mexicans and their business tempo. This I came to know of through friends studying business, who related how the Mexicans were particularly meticulous in establishing trust when sitting down to conduct a business deal and it took them a lot of time to decide and seal a deal in a restricted time frame. Therefore, no businessman could think that they would just come and go if they had business-related work in Mexico.
There were, however, several cultural mistakes that I was completely unaware of. One of them was about Italy and the tradition of not eating too much pasta because the Italians do not consider it as the main course, which is the meal eaten in the largest quantity. It came as a shock because here in America, pasta is considered the staple food of Italy and it would seem appropriate if one were to cook and serve a large serving of pasta if they had Italian guests over. Studying amongst diverse people and living in a country where one can come across any person of any nationality, it would make me more careful while sitting with an Italian and ordering or serving pasta as one main dish since this is an incorrect Italian stereotype.
Another cultural mistake coming as a shock was the American signal for ‘okay’ which the thumb and forefinger. Something considered normal and completely clean in order to show support or signal safety, is actually thought to be vulgar in Spain. The Spanish believe that making such a gesture is obscene. Learning of this is helpful to a large Spanish community inhabits America, and they live in most parts of the country. If I were to work with them or have them as clients in the future, then I would definitely remember not to signal with the thumb and forefinger as it would be offensive to them.
A third cultural mistake that I have learned is the use of ‘sir,’ ‘ma’am,’ or ‘miss’ when addressing a person of French origin. When meeting a French person for the first time, it is mandatory to make use of these titles. They may reciprocate in the French translation of these words. However it is important that when conversing with a French person, one uses these titles to make them feel respected and honored. Such titles also carry warmth and reverence.
PART 2
Personal Goal:
Personal Sense of Achievement: A sense of achievement through the acquisition of a high-level degree from a well-known institution. This satisfies my higher order needs of actualization.
Through networking with my peers and instructors as well as seniors, I would be able to develop a social circle that comprises of people who have excelled in their personal and professional lives.
Better Future for the Children: A qualified parent can be much more supportive of the future needs of the children that are dependents. This satisfies my security needs.
After having achieved the degree, I intend, I would be able to get a decent job that pays for my children’s expenses. Hence, I will be able to provide for my children’s education and god brought up.
Since I would have a secure and well-paying job, I will be able to spend more time with children hence bringing them up on my own. My presence is needed for my children given that they only have one parent.
Ease of Life: I will be able to earn a decent wage and enjoy a decent social status without exhausting myself. This satisfies my higher order need of self-esteem.
I will be able to make the most of my career in my young age so that I can, later on, retire with comfort and without having to worry about my expenditures.
I expect to have a decent retirement package following a good job that would relieve my children of the burden of having to look after me when I retire, and they are working.
Academic goal:
Contribution to the Field: I would be able to provide my service in the field, hence making a contribution. This satisfies my self-esteem.
For this, I would have to learn the theoretical as well as the practical foundation of the forensic psychology.
Skill building is an essential requirement for professionals in this field to be eligible to serve in the industry one day.
Academic Contribution: I would be able to make research contribution in the field through papers that I write. This satisfies my sense of belongingness.
This requires an in-depth understanding of the theory of the subject of forensic psychology and a large extent of clarity in the course of action.
This also requires the ability to draw research gaps from the existing literature and to discuss these potential research topics with instructors. Furthermore, this requires expertise in carrying out research.
Proving a Supportive Peer: Serving the classmates and other peers with affection and helping them in their academic issues. This satisfies my self-actualization needs.
This requires brilliant communication skills that would be needed for understanding the issues and delivering the solution.
This also requires exceptional performance in academics. This would give rise to an intellectual image of myself amongst the peers.
Professional goal:
Handsome Salary: Forensic psychologists draw handsome salaries from their professions. This serves my basic needs of psychological needs.
I would need to show good academic performance and then capitalize on any professional start that I get.
I would need to show optimal performance on the job so that I get awarded with monetary rewards and timely promotions.
The sense of Deliverance to Society: It would make me very proud of myself if my professional duty serves the society through eradication of crime and saving lives. This satisfies my belongingness needs.
This demands that I remain honest with my duties and consider it my obligation that public service comes on the top.
This demands that I become an affectionate professional with a fair bit of strictness.
Acquisition of Senior Position: I would one day become a senior official in my field. This would make me a powerful and a highly responsible professional. This satisfies my esteem needs.
This demands that I show a great level of managerial expertise so that I am found eligible to one day become a leader. In order to become a senior professional, it is required to possess necessary leadership traits.
Good interpersonal skills are required so that I am able to get the subordinates to work. Interpersonal skills are essential because these help in effectively managing the work of subordinates, enabling them to speak out their valuable inputs and to make them feel obligatory towards performing their jobs up to their actual potentials.
