Essay On Ordinary Women In Psychology

As I walked into Sachsenhausen (“Saxon’s Houses” concentration camp in Germany), I was in disbelief. Here I am, walking on the same land as three-hundred thousand human beings treaded on (Châtel). I walked into the exhibit in hopes to comfort my mind with inspirational survivor stories, but the atmosphere in the exhibit, at first, felt colder than the icy weather outside. At this moment, I was face to face with the men and women behind this horrid camp. I quickly glanced at the individuals’ concise story expecting to read about their dark past, but instead I learned that many of these individuals [Nazis] were ordinary, everyday people. Just like me. The phrase “they were ordinary people” replayed in mind for days. They were neither criminals nor sadists, so what changed? How could an ordinary citizen suddenly accept the genocide of millions of people who were their [Nazis] neighbors, friends, and co-workers? So many questions entered my mind.
Previously, I was taught to believe these individuals were mentally ill or “sick” monsters, but they were ordinary people.
In an interview with my professor, Dr. Marlin Killen, she displayed her resilience when sharing her challenges, she faced. From encountering a man who believed one could cure cancer if they believed they can, Dr. Killen began to crave learning about the psyche. Through her education and many experiences, she was able to work in the industrial and organizational psychology field, in which she was one of the very few women in the field at the time. Although Dr. Killen’s mother thought of her daughter pursuing a doctorate degree was horrible and wanted Dr. Killen to become a Librarian or Kindergarten Teacher, her mother was proud of Dr. Killen’s achievements. All in all, Dr. Killen has shown that a woman in psychology is able to have a family, be a full-time mother, have a profession, and be a person