Psychology is a science that seeks to answer the what, how, when, and why about behaviour. To do so, psychology shares parts of many other sciences. For example, in studying the effects of brain functioning on behaviour, psychology overlaps with the neurosciences, physiology, and computer science. In the study of social behaviours, psychology overlaps with sociology, cultural anthropology, and socio-biology; and in the study of thinking and reasoning, there is overlap philosophy and artificial intelligence. While other disciplines address many of the same problems, psychology differs from these areas in the way it attempts to answer these questions. Psychology relies heavily on experimental procedures where individuals are observed under controlled conditions. The experimental approach is not the only method used by psychologists – psychologists also rely on clinical observations and careful study of humans and animals in more natural settings – but the experimental method allows psychologists to address and sometimes answer questions which remain speculative for other disciplines. Experimental methods sometimes limit the kind of questions that can be asked. This means that some of the problems that new students want answered may not be treated or treated only superficially. Someone turning to psychology for an immediate solution to his or her personal problems may well be disappointed, at least initially. Many people do find, however, that a scientific understanding of behaviour gives greater “insight” into their own behaviour in ways that may not be appreciated immediately.
Psychology and Other Professions
A broad knowledge of psychology is useful for careers in many other areas, such as teaching, social work, business, medicine, law, recreation and community studies. Potential teachers, for example, can take courses in developmental psychology or courses which cover processes involved in learning. Those interested in government or business should study the social psychology of small groups. People interested in law have an opportunity to study abnormal personalities and the psychology of persuasion. Individuals interested in the health professions can examine the perceptual processes involved in pain or the use of biofeedback techniques with stroke patients. Those interested in social service professions might study the impact of different family patterns on moral development or alternative approaches to personal counseling. These are but a few of the psychological topics relevant to different fields but they serve to illustrate the general nature of psychology.
Psychology as a Profession
Professional psychology can be divided into two main areas – academic and applied. Academic psychologists, who make up about 40% of the total, teach in the universities and carry out basic research. Applied psychologists are concerned primarily with the application of findings from basic research and share the common goal of helping people to function as effectively as possible. The field of applied psychology includes diverse areas of specialization including clinical psychology, counseling, consulting, sports psychology, environmental psychology, engineering psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology. Applied psychologists work in educational, government, health, community, business, industrial, correctional, and justice settings. The area of psychology that a person goes into will often determine the level of education required. A Bachelor’s degree, which requires three or four years of undergraduate study, is usually not sufficient for a career in psychology. The aim of the undergraduate program is to provide a broad, general background for those going on to graduate work and for those entering other professions. Individuals wishing to go into certain applied areas of psychology will usually require at least a Master’s degree, which demands two years of additional study. A Doctoral degree (PhD) takes several more years of graduate study and is usually required for those wishing to go into academic or clinical psychology.
What Can A Psychologist Do?
Psychologists can be categorized into two types depending on their major activity: research psychologists and clinical psychologists. Most psychologists work in one of the following settings:
- Universities: Psychologists in universities have a twofold role: to teach what is known, and, through research, to add to what is known.
- Schools: School psychologists are primarily involved with testing, assessments, and counseling.
- Hospitals/Clinics and Private Practice: Most psychologists who work in these settings are clinical psychologists whose major activity is diagnoses and treatment of disorders.
- Business, Government and Industry: A variety of employment opportunities exist in these settings for psychologists – the types of responsibilities they assume include: job satisfaction and employee assessments, workplace stress, advertising, and environmental concerns.
- Community Health and Forensics: The primary responsibilities for psychologists working in a community setting are in areas such as program design and evaluation (usually in Mental Health/Family Centres): drug rehabilitation, sex counseling, and assisting lawyers—with jury selection, custody disputes, and assessing the mental competency of defendants.
To become a psychologist you must first complete either a B.A., B.A.C.S. or B.Sc. with a major in psychology and then go to graduate school for approximately 5 years to complete a PhD specializing in the area of your choice. Many of our undergraduate students have been accepted at the best graduate schools in North America, completed their PhDs, and gone on to satisfying and successful careers in research, hospitals, schools, and business.
How can I study Psychology at CBU?
Here at CBU, we offer 3 different ways to study Psychology!
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- Bachelor of Science (BSc) – A Bachelor of Science in Psychology may be ideal for someone interested in pursuing a career related to medicine or clinical psychology. If you are someone who is interested in scientific and mathematical topics, this may be the way to go. By taking a Bachelor of Science, you may be studying subjects such as mathematics, physics, biology, or chemistry. You can take a Bachelor of Science four different ways: a 4-year Major in Psychology Degree (120 credits), a 4-year Honours in Psychology Degree (120 credits), a 4-year Double Major Degree in Psychology and another Science discipline (120 credits), and a 3-year General Psychology degree (90 credits).
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) – A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology may be ideal for someone interested in pursuing a career in the social sciences, such as social work or counselling. If you are more interested in humanities and social science topics, this may be the choice for you. You may study subjects such as history, philosophy, fine arts, or human resources by choosing a Bachelor of Arts program. You can take a Bachelor of Arts four different ways: a 4-year Major in Psychology Degree (120 credits), a 4-year Honours in Psychology Degree (120 credits), a 4-year Double Major Degree in Psychology and another Arts discipline (120 credits), and a 3-year General Psychology degree (90 credits).
- Bachelor of Arts: Community Studies (BACS) – A Bachelor of Arts: Community Studies program is different from the Bachelor of Arts program in that it is process-based, experiential, and focuses on self-directed learning. You will be looking at more community-based topics, and will be required to do work placements through your program. You can take a Bachelor of Arts: Community Studies a variety of different ways: a 4-year Major in Psychology Degree (120 credits), a 4-year Honours in Psychology Degree (120 credits), a 4-year Double Major Degree in Psychology and another Arts discipline (120 credits), and a 3-year General Psychology degree (90 credits). There are many more ways to create a BACS degree than what is listed here; please visit the CBU website for more information.
Is there a major difference in what program option I choose?
Don’t worry – the core for each program is almost the same.
When studying any program at CBU, your core Psychology courses are almost the same. Each degree option still must take the following Core Psychology courses:
- PSYC1101: Intro Psych: A Natural Science
- PSYC1103: Intro Psych: A Human Science
- PSYC2101: Data Analysis
- PSYC2111: Research Methods in Psychology
- PSYC3203: Learning
- PSYC3211: Cognition
- PSYC4101: History of Psychology
Please note: If you are a Science student, you will be required to take two other Core Psychology courses: PSYC3212 (Physiological Psychology) and PSYC3101 (Research Practicum in Psychology). If you decide to do an Honours degree in Psychology, you will also be required to take PSYC3101 as well as PSYC4900 (Honours Seminar) as part of your Honours requirement. For more information, please see the Academic Calendar.