Outcome Assessment Essay

After reading this fictional narrative, there are several concepts that were identified relating to psychology. One of these concepts is decision making. Making decision involves weighing out the options and maximizing the best alternative. Alan seemed to be content with his job and have an established family, but at the same time willing to explore different avenues. He had to make a difficult choice; rather to continue with his stable job or take a chance with a new company.

Stress became to play apart not only with Alan, but upon his family as well. After realizing that his decision may have not been the best one, he sees that this new job has become more of a burden. This was one of the many life events that can lead to stress. Stress is a response to events that disrupts, threatens our physical or psychological functioning. Work-related stress is caused by Alan’s job obligations, which prevents him from spending the time he used to with his family.

The behavioral approach shows how the people who know Alan can see the change in his behavior since he has taken this new position. The cognitive approach focuses on the way Alan thinks, which provokes his actions and responses towards his family. Betty, Alan’s wife, thinks that he is directing his work-related anger toward her. In psychology, this defense mechanism is referred to as displacement. The bartender at O'Hooley's Bar & Grill took the humanistic approach. He's trying to get Alan to gain a better outlook on life and to cope with public speaking. Denise also took this same approach with Carl. He was complaining about missing something from his life and she tells him he has everything and should feel blessed. Therefore, he should not look for anything more. The psychodynamic approach seems to be affecting Alan as well. In psychodynamic therapies, Freud describes