Week 1: Two Cultures

          Oftentimes, I find that many different cultures in my life holds a significant influence on my own life and the lives of others. The way some of these cultures intersect are quite interesting and prominent, as introduced by C.P. Snow. Specifically, the major I have decided to study, which is Psychobiology, combines two separate cultures, or disciplines, in a sense. I began my undergraduate years at UCLA studying mathematics and the sciences, which included biology, chemistry, and physics, while to finish off my years here, I will be studying psychology, a topic more centered around the arts. Furthermore, this cross in cultures is further depicted in the fact that Franz Hall is situated right in between where north and south campus meet. Franz Hall is essentially the hub of all psychology majors (including psychobiology), north campus is where the arts and humanities majors meet, and south campus is the center of math and sciences. Contrary to John Brockman's beliefs that science and art should remain separate, I find it quite unconventional, yet extraordinary that I have the opportunity to essentially study two distinct cultures. 

(A campus map of UCLA, the red circle indicating Franz Hall situated between north and south campus)

          Furthermore, psychobiology in itself is an amalgam of the human psyche with biological functions in the brain, creating a branch of study that examines the biological basis for behavioral and mental phenomena. This branch of science taps into the beliefs of Bohm, as he claims that originality and a creative state of mind within scientists although hard to explain are crucial. 

(A graphic that essentially sums up with the study of psychobiology entails)

          Ultimately, prior to coming to UCLA and undertaking this daunting endeavor in tackling two separate disciplines in the one major of psychobiology, I always assumed I was simply a science person and couldn't delve into the arts or humanities. However, as the years progressed in my schooling journey here and reading articles from Vesna, studying a discipline that is in fact in between the two cultures of science and art is beneficial and is indicative of a shift to what is called a "third culture." Furthermore, I believe this major will ultimately prepare me for my career as a physical therapist. There is no doubt a scientific portion to physical therapy, as human anatomical and biological processes are examined, but what makes this career path unique is the psychological aspect of it as well. As a result, even as a physical therapist, this blend of cultures is essential and will prove to be important. 

(A depiction of the cross of two cultures in the realm of physical therapy)

References

Bohm, D. "On Creativity." JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2013.

Brockman, John. The Third Culture. N.p.: n.p., 1995. Print.

Kelly, Kevin. "The Third Culture." The Third Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. Feb. 199

Psychobiology – where mind meets matter. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2018, from https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-28/may-2015/psychobiology-where-mind-meets-matter

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.