Psychology, simply put, is the study of a person’s physical and mental behaviors. Psychologists study both individuals and groups to understand the biological underpinnings of brain functions, as well as the social other and non-biological influences.
What Psychologists Do?
Psychologists study the behaviors and mental wellness of individuals and grounds using scientific methods. Like any other science, psychologists craft theories and subject them to subsequent tests to determine if the theories are correct or incorrect. Psychologists can also work as therapists to help patients who suffer from emotional, mental, and other behavioral issues.
Due to the wide variety of areas in which you can focus, the overall field of psychology is immensely extensive. This makes psychology an attractive field of study for people who want to explore a variety of occupational fields.
What Skills Are Required?
While the fields that psychology applies to are varied, the skills required for studying psychology are more specific. Obviously, areas of emphasis will require specific coursework. However, there are a number of skills that apply to all areas of psychology, and should therefore be an area of focus for aspiring students.
Since statistics is at the core of most clinic studies and trials, it is important that students have a strong foundation in math. This often requires taking math coursework similar to those in other behavior science majors. Not all concentrations require these courses for completion, but they are useful to all psychology students.
Another area of emphasis for psychology study is logic. The philosophical underpinnings of how humans understand the brain, and the degree to which we are self-aware, may be helpful for psychologists in understanding their subjects. Other philosophy classes may be helpful in understanding previous psychologists and their theories. That makes logic a skill for every psychology student.
Areas of Study
Most psychology courses mirror typical college courses in the sense that they have a core set of requirements before a student can graduate. These core requirements are often grouped into math and statistics, natural sciences, English, and economics and business. The majority of these credit hours will come from the math and statistics and natural sciences categories.
Beyond those courses, there are psychology specific courses required as well. These will include the behavioral sciences, statistics, research methods, and specialized psychology classes. A study of these areas gives the student a broad foundation from which to choose a specialization and an occupational focus.
Specializations and Advanced Learning
Upon completion of basic study, psychology students can choose a further emphasis for their career. These areas include:
- Biological
- Clinical
- Cognitive
- Comparative
- Developmenta
- Evolutionary
- Social
These areas typically require advanced study. This study typically takes the Master’s, PH.D., and other specific certification programs.
Psychology is a diverse, rich field that is currently experiencing a solid job outlook. For interested students, a psychology degree can open the door to a variety of fields in a whole host of industries. Work in the field will often be marked by continued professional growth, with ample opportunity to explore and test issues. That is why so many people have become interested in studying for work in psychology occupations.
