You don't need to consult psychological research to know that children growing up poor are at a disadvantage in all developmental domains. They are more likely to be malnourished, have delayed cognitive development, have behavioral problems, and so on. It seems all too easy to conclude that being poor almost makes you doomed. But then we hear of all these rags to riches stories. There are people who manage to overcome their circumstances. As a psychologist, I would like to understand how that happened. I want to look at the elements of their lives, be it parenting practices, education, chance opportunities or what have you. With this discovery, I would also like to maximize these elements so that more people will have a way out.
A similar line of thought comes with research (and daily observations) on aging. We blame age for our forgetfulness and slowing of thought, among others. And yes, it has been found that our neurological structures do experience some degradation as we age. But the beauty of the brain is its plasticity. New connections are formed with novel and complex experiences. And so with research, I would also like to understand what kinds of experiences can help enhance cognition even as we get older. I refuse to believe that old age solely predicts the downward trajectory of human development, and I will not allow that to be an excuse for neglect.
I recognize that these circumstances do present a disadvantage for people. But understanding how exactly these circumstances operate to bring about such outcomes can help turn them around. Recognizing this possibility just makes me want to pursue psychological research even more. I suppose this entry after a relatively long hiatus will serve as a reminder when the task becomes too daunting.
