The Benefits Of Studying Psychology

[Hannah591]

You may have heard people talking quite negatively about studying for a psychology degree. Their criticisms usually include the fact that a large proportion of people study the topic which seems to mean, in their minds, that it devalues the subject and finding a career is even harder. Finding a career is hard with whatever you study and there are thousands of graduates every year, who often go to jobs unrelated to their study. This article intends to show the benefits of studying psychology and dispel the myths around it.

"So many people study psychology!"

Is that a bad thing? Psychology affects us personally and it is around us all the time. Whether you want to move into a specific career or you study for interest, it can open your mind to society and your own behaviour, as well as others. So many people study psychology because it is of interest to so many people. According to OU figures, 25% of psychology students study out of interest and not for career advancement. This leaves 75% wanting a career using their degree which leads onto the next point.

Careers with a psychology degree

If someone says they're studying psychology, your first thought may be that they want to become a psychologist! Actually, only 15-20% of psychology graduates continue their education and become a chartered psychologist. Removing this percentage from the 75% remaining career driven graduates, that equals 55% of psychology graduates who do not become psychologists. So where do they go?

A psychology degree can lead to work in social work, data analysis, marketing, advertising, animal behaviour and more!

Transferable skills

All degrees teach you transferable skills and psychology isn't an exception. The skills you learn in a psychology degree are what allows graduates to get into careers such as data analysis. It teaches you how to perform statistical/data analysis and advertising and marketing companies appreciate the use of psychology in how they appeal to their audiences.

Learning about yourself and others

As you learn about things, such as phobias or anxiety, you learn about why you may be experiencing things and can help you understand your own behaviour/feelings. You see behaviours in your family and know what may be the best approach to help them. You also become more open minded and compassionate towards people who may show difficult behaviour - there's often something going on that you can't see and the right approach can make a difference for them.

It can be easy to get caught up by other people's negative opinions, but if psychology is interesting to you and you wish to study it, then do it! This goes for other degrees where people may negatively criticise your choice; it's your life - do what you want.

[betaTester]

"You may have heard people talking quite negatively about studying for a psychology degree"
I have only heard people talking negatively about psychology as a science:

dailynous.com/.../

The so called "reproducibility crisis" apparently started with this field. People have been saying Psychology is not a science and that majority of their research including most popularized results are in fact wrong. Basically they are referring to Karl Popper's criteria, something is a science only if it produces testable observations that can be reproduced elsewhere.

More recently a foundational law of psychology has been undone
https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/29663131
(this article addresses why modern studies fail to reproduce a classic result, why? because it's probably wrong lol)

I am not discouraging anyone from studying Psychology, just want to point out the only criticism I have ever heard about this field, so that you might be better prepared should you choose this path.

[Hannah591]

www.psychologytoday.com/.../the-psychology-the-psychology-isnt-science-argument
This article points out how people have come to view it that way and focuses on those who do perform genuine scientific research. It is usually the nutty professors who did outlandish things that get more publicity, understandably (and they're still interesting to read about!). Psychologists do not confirm anything without justifiable and logical, scientific evidence. If a theory doesn't have strong evidence, it gets thrown out and they start again but the theories are not drawn out of the air. Research builds on previous research continuously. It is the study of the brain and behaviour that has helped us develop psychiatric medications and so much more.
The government wouldn't be calling on psychologists to advise them on new policies and fund psychological research if they felt there was nothing in it. They probably wouldn't support academic study of it either. :)

[cherryphi82]

Thanks for this take. Studying psychology has helped me greatly in life. I agree, it's a very interesting, helpful major. Many fields can benefit from a knowledge in psychology, despite of what others say.

[Paris13]

Hey, Hannah, Beautifully Done, hun.
If Someone is Cut out for this, Nice to See what Makes them Tick. xxoo

[Mypage]

As you wade through it gleam the good and toss the bad. Yes it can help it helped me understand narcissism. It saved my sanity..

[Angelina25]

I was into parapsychology once.
Is it like a Part of psychology?

[Hannah591]

I don't think it's something you can study academically.

[Angelina25]

You do get a degree in it tho.
I don't know if that helps in anyway buy a degree In parapsychology happens.

[Angelina25]

***degree in parapsychology exists

[Hannah591]

Please share a university that does a parapsychology degree. If you want a job in parapsychology, you'd generally just do a psychology degree and then go onto doing paranormal type activities. However, there isn't really any kind of paid work available for it.

[Angelina25]

Yeah exactly. Paid work doesn't exist here, I guess.
If I'm not wrong Harvard University provided a degree in parapsychology. Also, some St. Laurens did... Almost all of them are in US.

[Angelina25]

Here. This is the link.
www.google.com/.../&ved=0ahUKEwj79Zens9_aAhWHsI8KHSR4AewQFgglMAE&usg=AOvVaw3V0BuSylBbx6NE0xfoImUA

[Hannah591]

Some of those universities tried it but discontinued it. A lot of it is about hypnosis and how some people are more likely to believe paranormal over others. I don't think it's a respected discipline. People studying Psychology alone get criticised, so doing parapsychology would be even worse! But I would suggest doing psychology first so at least you have a recognised qualification to fall back on that is relevant to the interest. :)

[Angelina25]

Well, I'm not pursuing it. Wanted to but never thought about getting an official degree.
Let's see where psychology as a whole takes us.

[ThisAndThat]

A good portion of psychology is horse s**t, more brain wash than truth.

[Askmes]

I had planned to Minor in Psychology for college, but suffering a traumatic brain injury in high school derailed that dream

[veronicalynn]

I'm still thinking about going back to school

[humbleguyno1]

i totally and utterly agree with u hannah

[BeHappy1985]

Studying psychology is only benificial when you study it as a hobby.

[Hannah591]

That goes entirely against this MyTake and all it stands for. Did you even read it?

[BeHappy1985]

No because I know it holds no future.

[Hannah591]

Do some research before you say things with no sense.

[AmyRay]

to know about ppls behaviour

[keenosamz]

it's a false science based on false premises on human behaviour.

[Hannah591]

www.psychologytoday.com/.../the-psychology-the-psychology-isnt-science-argument

[RicoSuave123]

college in general is fucking retarded
pointless

[CT_CD]

Interesting myTake