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Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Col umbia University, New York City, is Consultant in Research and Guidance, Office of the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
W h y People Act Like That What are Compensation Mecha nisms? All of us act in certain ways. Those who know us best can usually predict how we will react to given situations. These somewhat regular and distinctive patterns of behavior are called mental mechanisms. There are ways of reacting to our environ ment, to our problems, and to other people. There are devices we use to make adjustments to our environ ment. We know that compensation usu ally refers to the pay, salary, or reward that is received for various types of services. In psychology “ compensation” is referred to as the way people make up for the lack of some specific ability. Many people who feel insecure or inferior devise ways to compensate for such feelings. Adults as well as children who feel that they do not enjoy the physical size or appearance equal to others, may make them selves conspicuous and loud to make up for their felt lack. People who feel outclassed in one field of en deavor, but who make up for it by becoming expert in another, are compensating too. Some people work much harder than is actually necessary because of feelings of inadequacy. Strive as they may, they seldom feel that they are competent and worth-while. A .dangerous kind of compensation is substituting gifts or special favors for time and attention. What young people, children and adults desire much more than a compensating gift or reward, is our personal attention and our personal association. There are also favorable attributes to compensation mechanisms. We do not feel badly about doing something poorly if we learn to do another thing well. Men and women who have boring jobs compensate by do ing interesting things on off hours. Those who are seriously physically handicapped may compensate to the extent that they achieve unusual suc cess. 34
.M issionaries to Africa In a short while my wife and I are planning to leave for Africa where we will be serving as missionaries. We will be in charge of a school ( grades 1-12) for children of missionaries. Our duties will include supervision of the dbrmitory and administration of the school. We will both do the classroom teaching. Although we are aware that your answer might require much more space than would be possible to give in your article, we would appreciate even a few suggestions that might help us in understanding and working well with these boys and girls who will be entrusted to our care. I suspect that both of you are highly competent and not in need of my advice. However, I should like to make three suggestions. Make certain that your own spirit ual life is fresh and vigorous each day. We can’t give out more than we have. Too often, talented and well- trained Christians are in demand and as a result they get very busy and neglect their own personal spiritual development. Consequently they get still busier and become less effective. Secondly, learn to laugh and see the humorous side of things. It will relieve tension. When you look at a boy or girl, smile! It’s one of the best and quickest ways of letting another know that all is “ o.k.” I would encourage you to consult the guidance director of a local city or county school district and get in formation concerning group achieve ment and group intelligence tests which might be useful in your pro spective school. You can soon learn to administer them, and you will find they will reveal valuable in formation concerning the child’s abil ity as well as his achievement. One of the best ways to understand people is to study them. Readers are invited to submit questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California. — ED. THE KING'S BUSINESS
Wh ere to Look A close friend of mine is in need of psychological or psychiatric counsel ing. He is a devoted believer and in sists upon seeing a Christian. How should 1 go about locating one? As you can realize, there’s none here in our small town. This question is often asked, but I know of very few Christians in the field. You might ask a local minister or an outstanding Christian layman. Another good source is a near-by Christian college or Bible institute. Very often there is a Christian psy chologist or psychiatrist on the fac ulty of such an institution. At least they could refer you to one. If your physician is a believer he might be able to make suggestions. College Student / am writing in regard to informa tion about positions in the field of psychology and psychiatry. I am a junior in college and I would like to have information concerning p o s i tions, and qualifications. Qualifications for psychologists are usually established in each state by the department of education of that particular state. Such information is obtainable by writing the D epart ment of Education in the capital of the state in wh ich you wish to qualify. A well-trained psychologist w ith advanced degrees usually has several years of advanced work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Most states require psychologists to take several courses in each of the following fields: Child development, psychological testing, abnormal psychology, mental health, statistics and methods of research. School psychologists are usually re quired to have experience in teaching in the public schools, and to hold regular teaching credentials. Information regard ing qualifica tions of psychiatrists may be obtained from the Department of Health in the capital of the state in which you wish to practice. It may also be se cured from medical schools. Such training includes courses in medicine.
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