PSYCHOLOGY
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
Psychology is the science that studies why human beings and animals behave as they do. It involves looking at behavioral patterns and processes from a biological and physiological point of view. From these perspectives, psychology is the study of perceptions, motivations, learning, memory, attitudes, and emotions. Psychologists study these areas through scientific observation, case histories, and surveys. The results of their research lead to methods that help people improve personal and interpersonal behavior and discover new skills and directions in their lives.
WHAT COURSES DO YOU NEED TO TAKE?
Students who major in psychology can obtain either a bachelor of arts in psychology or a bachelor of science in psychology. The difference: the student working towards the BS often minors in a scientific area like biology or chemistry.
Most specialized areas that include diagnosis and counseling of any kind require post-graduate work, but many majors in specific areas of concentration are achieved with carefully designed undergraduate degree plans. The following is a list of requirements and electives for an undergraduate major in psychology:
- History of Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Statistics
- Research Methods – Theory and Application
Electives can be chosen from among:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Adult Psychology
- Animal Behavior
- Child Psychology
- Human Cognition
- Neuroscience
- Personality Theory
- Psychology of Perception
- Social Psychology
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY?
Many people believe that the only job of a psychologist is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to people with mental disorders. There are many other specialties beyond clinical and counseling psychology. Psychology deals with human behavior and it motivations. A growing number of industries are addressing the mental and emotional needs of their employees and consumers as important for harmony and productivity. Following are a few examples of directions one can take with an undergraduate degree:
With a business minor:
- Advertising Trainee/Agent
- Customer Relations
- Employment Counselor
- Insurance Agent
- Loan Officer
- Marketing Researcher/Representative
- Personnel Administrator
- Public Relations
- Sales Manager
With a minor in family and child studies, health-related studies, or sociology:
- Affirmative Action Officer
- Behavioral Analyst
- Community Services Worker
- Counselor
- Day Care Supervisor (children or adults)
- Rehab Advisor
- Social Services Director
- Volunteer Services Director
The majority of psychology majors want to enter the area of counseling and research, which requires an advanced degree. In addition to an advanced degree, some positions require that you be licensed by the state in which you work. The American Psychological Association publishes a pamphlet that will give you more information about careers and licensing requirements. The following are some of the specialized professions for psychologists:
- COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY: Helps people deal with normal problems of adjustment to changes in their lives. Counseling psychologists work for clinics, agencies, or directly with individuals through private practice.
- ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Concerned with design of physical environments to enhance successful living and making physical settings functional and comfortable for individuals and groups. Environmental psychologists work with architects, urban planners, and in natural environments with biologists and conservationists.
- HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY: Deals with health education and diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. Health psychologists help people change their attitudes about risk-related behaviors, such as smoking and obesity that are associated with poor health.
- EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Seeks to increase knowledge about teaching/learning processes and to apply this knowledge to school and work settings through improving instruction and curriculum. Educational psychologists work directly with students and businesses that provide education for career enhancement.
- MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY: Focuses on understanding how electronic and printed information and formats affect individuals, especially children who are influenced by exposure to today's television and online media. Media psychologists are employed in journalism, broadcasting, and education where they assist media personnel in developing positive formats.
- LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY: Applies psychology to improving law and helping individuals understand the legal system. Legal psychologists consult with educational groups and the courts.
- ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: The application of psychological science to the study of mental disorders. Professions in abnormal psychology are related to the medical field and require intense postgraduate specialization.
- CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental disorders of all kinds, provide counseling services, conduct research, and teach. This requires five years of graduate study and one-year internship to earn a doctorate.
- PSYCHIATRY: Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosis and treatment of mental dysfunctions. This requires a four-year specialization, focusing on abnormal behavior, following the completion of medical school and internship.
- SOCIAL WORK: Social workers place more emphasis on the social and cultural aspects of behavior. Psychiatric social workers treat mental health problems through schools, hospitals, social services agencies, courts and prisons; their work often includes dealing with cross-cultural behavior.