Solvej Berman

Professor Kitty

English 125

March 10, 2024

Rhetorical Analysis

I have awaited the day that I knew what I wanted to do as an adult from a very young

age. As my kindergarten peers fixated on their dreams of becoming NASA astronauts, nurses

like Doc McStuffins, and firefighters who got to drive big red trucks, I sat idly by. I knew I

wanted to be a wife and mother, but I had no real dreams or ideas for my future self—not to say I

saw a careerless life. As my teenage years come to a close, the time to choose my career path is

scaringly close, yet I continue to await the day I know what I want to do. However, through the

Language, Science, and Arts College at the University of Michigan, I am given the freedom and

encouragement to explore a multitude of different fields of study.

Following one of my favorite courses in high school, AP Psychology, I was excited to

enroll in Psych 111 this semester. Through psychology, I learn to be more empathic and ethical

as I learn about different psychological theories and disorders and how to understand ethical

principles for research and studies. From an undeclared major student's perspective, acquiring

empathy and ethics skills is beneficial as they apply to most niches. More than this, the more

time I spend at home working with the non-profit organization, the Philly Friendship Circle

(PFC)—an organization that I’ve participated in for almost eight years that “connects teens and

young adults to youth with special needs and their families through a full range of social

offerings” (Philly Friendship Circle)-- the more I desire to learn about different mental functions,

capacities, and behaviors.

 While looking through multiple writings published on MICUSP, one particular title

caught my eye: “Treating psychopathology in adults.” This paper was written by a first-year

psychology graduate at the University of Michigan in response to the question, “There have been

growing international efforts over the years to not only understand and treat physical illness, but

to also understand and treat mental illness. Consider whether or not there should be a universal

requirement to study and treat psychopathology in adults all over the world. Provide 3 reasons

for and 3 reasons against. Be specific and cite your readings.” I was instantly drawn to this

question through my PCF connection to psychopathology, the study of mental and social

disorders, as well as a question that requires ethics to answer, a large focus in Psych 111. Overall,

the argument of this essay is carefully crafted within its framework of a balanced argument,

using featured sources that are cited specifically through detailed explanations and examples.

The prompt of this essay asks for three reasons for and three reasons against a universal

requirement to study and treat psychopathology worldwide. The rhetorical purpose of having a

balanced argument is to create a nuanced discussion of the topic by considering both sides of the

argument. In this essay, the author acknowledges the advantages of international research to

understanding cultural diversity while also including the challenges of cultivating this research

due to different culture’s perspectives on mental illnesses. First, the author cites Hermans and

Kempen and their belief that “as people engage in more and more cross-cultural interaction,

there's a greater need to understand the worldview and cultural context of other people to

minimize misunderstandings and potential conflict. Furthermore, as people travel to other

countries for work, education or tourism, they may need the help of mental health care

providers.” (Hermans & Kempen, 1998). This argument for the universal requirement leaves the

audience compelled to believe that due to the diversity of the world through travel, mental health
care could be needed by anyone at any time, meaning the universal requirement would be

beneficial. Next, the author draws from research that highlights the problem of having a

universal requirement because cultures differ in how they address and treat mental illnesses

(Tsai, Butcher, Munoz, and Vitousek, 2001; Matsumoto and Juang, 2004). By being forced to

consider both sides, this rhetorical device encourages critical thinking and an openness to

multiple opinions.

A second rhetorical device the author uses in this essay is logos. The author incorporates

many scholarly sources and citations, to appeal to the reader's sense of logic by making clear

connections between her ideas, facts, and statistics. This device works to add credibility to the

author’s argument by providing research and evidence from reputable sources and historical

findings. Some notable references throughout the paper include Hermans and Kempen (1998),

Culbertson (1997), and Tsai et al. (2001). Each of these authors is known for their specific

knowledge and studies in globalization, cultural differences, and research methodologies. By

incorporating well-famed authors who each specialize in different fields, the author can combine

their credibility in different fields to create a more nuanced, well-rounded argument. Without the

incorporation of multiple well-known, well-established sources, the author's claim becomes less

powerful as the audience has less reason to find the author's claims credible.

A third rhetorical device the author uses follows Hyland's stance and engagement

categorizers: hedges and boosters. To indicate caution or uncertainty in her claims, the author

uses hedges. For example, the text frequently uses, "I think," "may be," "some researchers

argue," and "one may assume" statements. These phrases serve to soften the claims made by the

writer by suggesting that the arguments raised are not definitive but rather susceptible to further

consideration or interpretation. For example, the author says, "While I think that international
research endeavors in understanding psychopathology have many advantages, I think we cannot

implement a universal requirement to study psychopathology around the world." On the flip side,

the author uses boosters to support her claims and highlight particular ideas. These boosters

consist of expressions such as "even though," "there is a need," "advantage," and "one way of

gaining a better understanding." Boosters make arguments sound more factual and confident,

which increases their persuasiveness and convincingness. For example, the author says that

"international research can help psychological researchers in the United States to understand

psychological phenomena that are not easily understood if research is only conducted in the

United States." By using both boosters, to back up claims, and hedges, which communicate

caution or uncertainty, the author can create a balanced perspective. By incorporating these

rhetorical devices to discuss multiple viewpoints, the author successfully contributes to a more

nuanced discussion of the topic by sharing strong arguments supported by relevant information.

Altogether, the author uses multiple rhetorical strategies to craft a well-versed argument

concerning the universal requirement to study and treat psychopathology worldwide. The

argument is presented as a balanced argument through logos, hedges, and boosters. Overall, these

rhetorical strategies are used to present the reality that the issue revolving around global mental

health needs is very complex due to cultural sensitivity and logistical reasoning.
 Works Cited

Gualda, E. (2007). Researching "Second Generation" in a Transitional, European, and

Agricultural Context of Reception of Immigrants. Working Paper Series. Princeton

University. The Center for Migration and Development.

Hermans, H. J. M. & Kempen, H. J. G. (1998). Moving Cultures. The Perilous Problems of

Cultural Dichotomies in a Globalizing Society. American Psychologist, 53 (10),

1111-1120.

Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2004). Culture and Psychology. Belmont, CA:

Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

MICUSP - PSY.G1.11.4, elicorpora.info/view?pid=PSY.G1.11.4. Accessed 24 Mar. 2024.

Philly Friendship Circle: Home, https://phillyfriendshipvirtual.com/. Accessed 10 March 2024.

Tsai, J.L., Butcher, J.N., Munoz, R.F., and Vitousek, K. (2001). Culture, Ethnicity, and

Psychopathology. Comprehensive Handbook of Psychopathology. New York/Kluwer

Academic/Plenum Publishers.