English composition 2 -milestone 2

Makki 1 0

May 17 ,2025

Understanding Psychology, Environmental Science, and Political Science

For this project, I explored three academic subjects that help us understand people, the planet, and how society works. These three subjects are Psychology, Environmental Science, and Political Science. I picked these because I believe they are essential in today’s world. Each one looks at different problems and tries to help us find answers. I want to learn how they work together and how they each give us a better view of life and the challenges we face.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior. It helps explain why people act in specific ways and how emotions and thoughts affect our actions. I have always been curious about how the brain works, mainly when people deal with stress or trauma. I found a study by Kessler and others that looked at how common mental health issues are in the United States. It said that many people deal with anxiety, depression, and other disorders every year (Kessler et al. 617). This helped me see that mental health problems are more common than people think.

Another topic I found interesting is how climate change is connected to emotions. I read a report by Clayton and her team about “climate anxiety.” Many young people feel afraid, sad, or hopeless about the future of the Earth because of pollution, deforestation, and global warming (Clayton et al. 266). This topic connects Psychology and Environmental Science, making me think about how outside events affect people’s mental health.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science studies nature and how humans affect the planet. I chose this subject because I care about the environment. The Earth is changing fast, and I want to understand why. I read the 2023 IPCC report, which explains how human actions—like burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests—are warming the planet and causing extreme weather (IPCC 15). The report provided a lot of scientific data, but it was also easy to understand because it showed the real dangers we face.

Another source I used was a book by Robert Bullard. He explains environmental racism, which means that poor and minority communities are more likely to live near polluting factories, landfills, or highways (Bullard 7). This made me realize that not everyone suffers equally from environmental damage. Some people are harmed more because of where they live or how much money they make.

Political Science

Political Science is about governments, power, and laws. It shows how decisions are made and affect people’s lives. I chose this subject because I want to understand how leaders create policies and how those policies connect to the environment and mental health. One book I read was by Elinor Ostrom. She wrote about how local groups of people can manage natural resources, like forests or fishing areas, without the government stepping in (Ostrom 90). Her work shows that communities can care for the environment if they work together and trust each other.

I also read a book by Suzanne Mettler about the “submerged state.” Many government programs are hidden, and people do not know they are being helped. For example, people might get tax credits or benefits, but still believe they are not receiving any help from the government (Mettler 2). This book showed me that political systems are often confusing, and people do not always understand how policies work.

Question 1: How does each discipline present information?

Psychology often presents information through experiments, case studies, and survey data. It uses graphs, numbers, and statistics to show patterns in human behavior. Environmental Science includes reports, fieldwork, and measurements, like temperature changes or pollution levels. Political Science often uses real-life examples, laws, and government records. It might include interviews, policy documents, or historical case studies. While all three want to solve problems, each uses different ways to explain their findings.

Question 2: What are the differences in style and writing?

Each subject uses a unique way of writing. Psychology follows a scientific style with clear sections like methods, results, and conclusions. Environmental Science includes both technical data and real-world examples. Political Science can be more argumentative, meaning it builds a case using examples and quotes from experts. The tone in Political Science may feel more like a debate or discussion, while Psychology and Environmental Science are more about reporting results. However, all three try to explain issues clearly and support ideas with proof.

Question 3: How do they use evidence?

Psychology uses evidence from research studies, often based on people’s behaviors, emotions, or thoughts. Environmental Science collects environmental data, such as air or water quality. Political Science uses government records, speeches, laws, and voting data. Even though they all use evidence, what they count as “proof” can be very different. In Psychology, it might be a survey. In Environmental Science, it might be temperature readings. In Political Science, it could be the wording of a law or a politician’s statement.

Question 4: What kind of information is most important?

Psychology focuses on mental health and behavior. Environmental Science focuses on the health of the planet. Political Science examines power, justice, and public policy. This means each subject values different things. Psychology cares about well-being and emotions. Environmental Science values nature and balance. Political Science values fairness and decision-making. This helps me see how different fields focus on different “truths,” and none of them alone can explain the whole picture.

Question 5: How is expertise shown?

In Psychology, experts have studied the brain and behavior and published their research in journals. Environmental scientists are trusted if they collect accurate data and share it with the public. Political scientists are respected if they understand systems of power and can explain how government works. In all cases, experience, education, and publishing in respected journals help prove someone’s knowledge.

Question 6: How do these subjects speak to global or personal problems?

All three disciplines help explain global and personal issues. Psychology helps me understand how people respond emotionally to problems like poverty, war, or climate change. Environmental Science teaches me why the Earth is in danger and how that affects human life. Political Science shows me how governments can fix or ignore these problems. When combined, these subjects give me a stronger understanding of the world. I want to use this knowledge to write future papers on how these topics connect, like how climate change affects mental health, or how politics can protect or harm the environment.

Works Cited

Bullard, Robert D. Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality. Westview Press, 2000.

Clayton, Susan, et al. “Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance.” American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica, 2017, pp. 266–273.

IPCC. Climate Change 2023: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2023.

Kessler, Ronald C., et al. "Prevalence, Severity, and Comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication." Archives of General Psychiatry, vol. 62, no. 6, 2005, pp. 617–627.

Mettler, Suzanne. The Submerged State: How Invisible Government Policies Undermine American Democracy. University of Chicago Press, 2011.

Ostrom, Elinor. Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action. Cambridge University Press, 1990.