I think the first thing we might do is to agree on exactly what psychology is; what's it for, what's it do? This comparatively young science (about two hundred years old, tops!) deals with our striving for a better understanding of ourselves and of each other, as well as how we fit in with everything that goes on around us. In short, it is the exploration of our sentience. Psychology encourages us to ask ourselves WHY we do what we do, and HOW IS IT that the other fellow responds to us the way they do? This encompasses the fields of physiology, genetics, environmental studies, sociology, history and even some basic physics--to name but a few. Our methodologies in this pursuit include testing (observation and extrapolation of patterned data from a large group in controlled circumstances), counseling (offering new, unconsidered options to the distressed individual, or group so as to inspire an improvement in their experience of life), and--most commonly--simple, straightforward open dialog (encouraging someone to view their situation from a different perspective..to 'get out of the box' they've placed themselves in). Bottom line: the more we know about people, the better people we can all be!
Now, enter Star Trek--it's unabashedly stated purpose, to offer us a stark and candid view of humanity, as we are today, from the perspective of an idealized group of future humans--and ALIENS!--who have finally learned all of the things we are still so desperately inured to presently: Co-operation, tolerance, compassion, curiosity, and true equality. Why, the whole thing is a 'spot on' psychology textbook, enticingly wrapped up in a stirring galactic adventure candy coating!
When the Vulcan teaching computer in STIV:TVH casually asks Spock, "How do you feel?", the moment carries infinitely more sheer profundity than the average viewer can possibly have realized. For you see, our society misguidedly trains us all to ignore that very question, in favor of 'being a real man' or 'acting like a proper young lady'. We are each forced into 'acceptable' little molds, which we all spend our lives resisting, to varying degrees. In fact, virtually all of humanity's ills can be traced back to our collective desire to break free of those arbitrarily imposed social restrictions. If 'knowledge is power', then self-knowledge must surely be FREEDOM! Star Trek is teaching us that!
When Spock is able to overcome decades of stereotypical racial conditioning to embrace his epic friendship with Kirk, it shows us that we CAN beat the programming, becoming more than merely foot soldiers in the infinitely lost cause of mass isolationism.
When the crew--all races, creeds, mindsets and species--works smoothly together as trusted comrades and friends, it's a clear message that WE can too, making this fantastic fiction into a current-day reality.
When Troi takes the time and makes the effort she does, in order to bring Barclay out of his shell and provide us with Starfleet's next great engineering genius, we can realize that absolutely NOBODY is completely irredeemable.
When Sisko cobbles together a unified force from the diversified rabble of a ruined and abandoned space station and ultimately spearheads a defensive action that literally SAVES the Federation, it let's us know what WE could do if we'd just set aside our petty, selfish personal agendas.
When Janeway is installed as the captain of Voyager and promptly embarks on the toughest assignment any starship commander has ever had, it demonstrates that a woman can do a traditionally 'man's job' as well, or better than the boys could have.
When Tripp and T'Pol miss out on the love of their lives because of a simple unwillingness to communicate with each other openly and honestly, we can see the value of real dialog in our relationships.
The examples are endless! Watch Star Trek--REALLY WATCH IT--and try to do what you what you see them doing. Just a T.V. show? Not hardly. This may actually be the very best presentation of a universally beneficial psychology course that the human race has ever been exposed to!
Retired clinical psychologist and university professor, happily married, untimate Spock fan
Now, enter Star Trek--it's unabashedly stated purpose, to offer us a stark and candid view of humanity, as we are today, from the perspective of an idealized group of future humans--and ALIENS!--who have finally learned all of the things we are still so desperately inured to presently: Co-operation, tolerance, compassion, curiosity, and true equality. Why, the whole thing is a 'spot on' psychology textbook, enticingly wrapped up in a stirring galactic adventure candy coating!
When the Vulcan teaching computer in STIV:TVH casually asks Spock, "How do you feel?", the moment carries infinitely more sheer profundity than the average viewer can possibly have realized. For you see, our society misguidedly trains us all to ignore that very question, in favor of 'being a real man' or 'acting like a proper young lady'. We are each forced into 'acceptable' little molds, which we all spend our lives resisting, to varying degrees. In fact, virtually all of humanity's ills can be traced back to our collective desire to break free of those arbitrarily imposed social restrictions. If 'knowledge is power', then self-knowledge must surely be FREEDOM! Star Trek is teaching us that!
When Spock is able to overcome decades of stereotypical racial conditioning to embrace his epic friendship with Kirk, it shows us that we CAN beat the programming, becoming more than merely foot soldiers in the infinitely lost cause of mass isolationism.
When the crew--all races, creeds, mindsets and species--works smoothly together as trusted comrades and friends, it's a clear message that WE can too, making this fantastic fiction into a current-day reality.
When Troi takes the time and makes the effort she does, in order to bring Barclay out of his shell and provide us with Starfleet's next great engineering genius, we can realize that absolutely NOBODY is completely irredeemable.
When Sisko cobbles together a unified force from the diversified rabble of a ruined and abandoned space station and ultimately spearheads a defensive action that literally SAVES the Federation, it let's us know what WE could do if we'd just set aside our petty, selfish personal agendas.
When Janeway is installed as the captain of Voyager and promptly embarks on the toughest assignment any starship commander has ever had, it demonstrates that a woman can do a traditionally 'man's job' as well, or better than the boys could have.
When Tripp and T'Pol miss out on the love of their lives because of a simple unwillingness to communicate with each other openly and honestly, we can see the value of real dialog in our relationships.
The examples are endless! Watch Star Trek--REALLY WATCH IT--and try to do what you what you see them doing. Just a T.V. show? Not hardly. This may actually be the very best presentation of a universally beneficial psychology course that the human race has ever been exposed to!
Retired clinical psychologist and university professor, happily married, untimate Spock fan
