Psychology?

Question

I am going to study psychology at college and hopefully continue to study it at university. I can take 4 A levels at college and have decided to take english language and psychology but am unsure about the other 2. Does anyone who studies psychology or is a psycholigist have any advice on what others are best to take? Any other advice about psychology would be great. Thanks.

In the future I am most interested in child psychology. I heard you don't hae to be qualified to be a teacher to do this anymore, is this true?

Answer 1

I have a BSc. Clinical Psychology. My advice would be to take a science, such as biology or chemistry and maths. A lot of psychology is based on biological processes so a good understanding of these is essential. Also, the primary goal of psychology is research. The first two years of a psychology course involves studying statistics and research methodology. Having a Maths A-level will help you get a head start on this.

I would also advise you to go for an applied degree if you want to become a psychologist when you leave. A lot of people, myself included, underestimate how much practical experience you need to get onto the doctorate course. Its a good idea to volunteer with a charity like MIND, shadow a professional or get a job as an assistant psychologist. Do whatever you can to improve your CV. Another good idea is to join the British Psychological Society (or your county's equivalent) as a graduate member. This will help you get jobs and keep you up to speed with new research. The competition is fierce for places in psychology, both at university and in the jobs market. There are a lot of different applications for psychology. Read up on it as much as you can so you can plan what direction your career will take. Also remember, the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. If you want to have a more hands-on role with the mentally ill, you may consider entering psychiatry instead. I sometimes wish I did! I have a very good degree but never managed to get very far with it! I have knowledge, but lack experience.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Queenbee and others have given good advice. I'd only add to hers that a good background in biology/pharmacology is very good in practical psychology - not just research. A lot of people who come through the psychologist's door have a mix of psychological and health issues, and are often dealing with the side effects of those health issues and the drugs they have been prescribed by their doctors (and some that weren't..).

The key to it - as I see it - is to decide (as best you can) what sort of psychology you are interested in. I know it's often a case of 'I'll think about specialising later', but there is no such thing as a general psychologist. So if it is childhood psychology (or geriatric, or marketing or organisational, or therapeutic, criminal etc) then look in those directions.

If you are doing psychology to find out more about yourself while you make up your mind about 'where to go' then that's ok as well. But in that case pick at least one other unit that is something that you 'love doing'. The psych units will always be useful to you, and if you don't follow that path, then the unit that gives you the most joy might just lead to a great - satisfying - career.

And remember, sometimes the most employable folk are the ones with unusual combinations of skills. The psychology background means that you have a (potential) skill with people, and people are pretty much involved in every other area of science or the humanities. So you could become an expert in pscychology and the law, or computers, or art, or (any)industry, or design, or advertising, or building design or planning, or hospitality or media, or nursing, physiotherapy, sports, education and even landscape design.. About the only combination that I can't see much future in is Geology and Psychology...

Answer 3

I'm in year 12, taking Psychology, English Lang and Lit, French and Product Design.

As you can see my subjects don't really 'go'.

I only took psych because I didn't know what else to take and thought it would be interesting. It is interesting! The only thing I hate, and it's a personal problem is that I don't have a teacher for it at the moment, that's my school's problem though!

English is brilliant, I wish I could've taken just Language but unfortunatley I can only take Lit on it's own, so I do a combined course.

Taking another language is always good as it opens up so many windows for your future, so consider that!

I took Product Design as a 'break' subject and because I enjoy it, it is however, a LOT of work! Compared to the other 3, which are essay subjects, it's an easy ride!

Good luck with your choices :]

Answer 4

A good introduction course to take in psychology is the study of the history of lifespan deveopmental theories. The study of ethics and how it impacts the area of counseling/psychoanalisis is important. You may also just wish to take an overveiw cousre in the study of the theories of psychology. I think the latter would give you a basic guides to the founding principles of psychology and reveal how the field has evolved into the vast espanse it is today.

Answer 5

Yes if carried out and thought out properly. Not all the time though it depends on how fixed the victim of the reverse psychology is on their decision

Answer 6

Biology is very useful and necessary with Psychology- from a teacher.

Answer 7

Psychologists suffer more psychological problems in life. Most of them I know they are divorced singles.

Answer 8

take some criminal justice classes or childhood development classes, education classes are also good, try to fill your core requirements as quickly as possible...

Answer 9

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology -
www.psychology.org -
psychology.about.com -
dir.yahoo.com/Social_Science/Psychology -
dmoz.org/Science/Social_Sciences/Psychology -
www.socialpsychology.org -
www.doaj.org/ljbs?cpid=128 -
www.psychologytoday.com -
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Psychology -