Psychologyis the scientific study of behavior and mind.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mind. I am interested in this career because of various reasons. Since I was a little girl, I have always enjoyed helping others, especially those who have disabilities or those who have little. Throughout the past five years, I have been able to get involved within different organizations and groups to provide those who need aid with supplies, donations, and most importantly of all… with affection and love. During my educational years (starting from seventh grade), I have been involved with community service groups. There are many people in this world that do not appreciate what they have or who they are. Because of this, I have developed a skill on learning how to put myself into other people’s shoes to try to identify myself with them. I like listening to people speak about their problems and usually, I like to analyze them and try to comprehend why they think in a certain way. Also, I try to understand what exactly is the problem that the person is facing so that solutions can be found to help improve their lifestyle or their current situation.

After majoring in this field, I expect to use my skills to help others as much as I can. I am patient and with this ability I am able to listen to people for hours. I expect to make this world a better place with happier people. Those who turn to psychologists, obviously, are those who need to find someone whom they can relate to and therefore, create a rapport and speak to them about their internal and personal problems. Money of course is an issue that I should be deeply concerned about, but this matter does not alarm me the most right now. With this major, I want to be able to improve people’s perspectives about this world, therefore, allowing them to be thankful for what they have right before their own eyes.

In order for me to be filled in with adequate and abundant amount of information on psychology, I will use resources such as magazines, textbooks, books, pamphlets, encyclopedias, websites, as well as an experienced person on this field (for instance, our school psychologist). To start off with, I will learn more about this field and see if I really want to focus my career on psychology. Lots of reading will be required in order for me to gather plentiful amount of information. I will research about the job, the wages, the tasks involved, and other criteria that will be necessary for me to have a successful future. In my opinion, turning to other people who have experience with this field is a very helpful guide. It is useful to speak to someone who has gone through what you will later be going through.

‘Psychology’ literally means the ‘study of the mind.’ Psychologists are individuals who dispense advice, analyze personality, and help those who are troubled or mentally ill. Nonetheless, they also strive to understand the mysteries of human nature. For instance, why people feel, think, or act the way they do. Psychologists teach, encourage, conduct research, or manage programs in a quest to understand people. They examine and analyze individual or group behavior through the process of testing, experimenting, and studying personal histories.

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The founder of experimental psychology is called Wilhelm Wundt and he held both a M.D, and a Ph.D. He was a physician who taught at the University of Leipzig and his title was Professor of Philosophy. In 1879, Dr. Wundt set up an investigational laboratory to conduct research upon human behavior. Many people who later became well known U.S. psychologists received their training under this famous doctor. One of the most famous pioneers in psychology was Dr. Sigmund Freud, whose work led to many of the modern theories of behavior. His work, on the meaning of dreams, the unconscious, and the nature of various emotional disturbances, has had a profound effect upon the profession and practice of psychology for more than six decades, even though the majority of the psychologists now disagree with some of his theories. Other Americans have also contributed greatly to the science that seeks the understanding of human behavior. Such people include, Robert Woodworth, E.L. Thorndike, William James, Clark Hull, and B.F. Skinner.

Psychologists usually hold doctorates in psychology and they are not allowed to prescribe medication to their patients. Psychology is both a science and a profession. In science, it is a systematic approach to the understanding of people and their behavior and as a profession, it is the application of that understanding to help solve human problems. Nowadays, psychology is a rapidly growing field and no one single person can become an expert in all its phases. A psychologist usually concentrates on one area of expertise. Many teach some area of basic psychology in colleges or in universities. They are also likely to conduct research and supervise graduate student work in an area of special interest. There are an astonishing variety of branches and subjects that fit into this field. For instance: biological psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, and many more.

A doctorate in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) is recommended. Some positions are available to people with a master’s degree, but they are jobs of lesser responsibility and lower salaries than those open to people with a doctorate. Usually in a clinical or counseling psychology, requirements for a Ph.D. or Psy.D. includes one year of internship or supervised experience. In many search fields, psychologists are required to complete a postdoctoral fellowship. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not need to attend medical school. High school students interested in studying psychology should enroll in a college preparatory course and they should concentrate especially on English, math, and science courses. Reading comprehension of languages, such as French and German, are usually required for obtaining a doctoral degree. Therefore, it is recommended also to take modern foreign languages. Psychologists who desire to enter private practice and school psychologists employed in the public school system must meet state certification or licensing requirements.

People who are attracted in exploring the profession of psychology should definitely read all they can about this field, including biographies of and works by noted psychologists. It is also suggested for them to seek an appointment to talk with a professional psychologist who may work at a nearby school, college, university, hospital, or clinic.

To begin with, a university placement office will be able to help a college graduate find a position. The student’s professors, colleagues, or friends, may also know of job opportunities in professional positions. Other job search methods include searching for newspaper ads or meeting an employer through a former job.

A psychologist at a college or university may advance and prosper through the academic ranks from instructor to professor. Some college teachers that enjoy administrative work may be advanced to department head and psychologists who work for state or federal government agencies may be promoted to head a section or department. School psychologists may be made directory of pupil personnel services and industrial psychologists may rise to executive or administrative positions. After many years of experience and knowledge, psychologists may also enter private practice or evens set up their own research or consulting firms.

Psychologists address all sorts of fascinating issues and problems. Graduates in psychology are usually highly sought after by a wide range of organizations to work in human services, as research officers, human resource mangers, marketing, and advertising personnel. Normally after completing a bachelor degree with a major in psychology, graduates tend to undertake a fourth year in this field and they continue to further study in areas of professional psychology. People major in psychology because of various reasons. Many wish to continue their studies to enroll in non-psychology professional programs (such as law, education, or social work) while others study this to gain a better understanding of people so that they can later use this knowledge for teaching, management, or in other business-related careers. The majority of the apprentices enter straightly into psychology-related positions in areas such as rehabilitation or human services.

Nowadays, psychologists hold about 241,000 jobs in the United States and unemployment among new psychologists is rare. About 48 percent of psychologists are employed in human service settings (ex: hospitals, counseling centers, community mental health centers, and clinics). About 30 percent work in academia and 14 percent in business, government, and other settings (for instance, nonprofit agencies, private labs, or research organizations). Only about 8 percent of the psychologists work in schools or other educational settings. Also, about one third of the psychologists that work full time carry on an independent practice as a secondary position and many of them have their own research or consulting business. There will be a greater demand for psychologists in places where there is an increased emphasis on health maintenance and illness prevention as well as growing interest in psychological services for special groups. Outstanding psychologists with a doctorate from a leading university will most definitely have no problem obtaining employment in top academic institutions. Prospects look best for doctorate holders in applied areas such as counseling, clinical, and health psychology. Competition will be severe for people with only a master’s or bachelor’s degree in psychology.

The average salary for psychologists with a master’s degree can range from $37,500 for faculty positions up to $67,000 for research administration positions. Depending on the region and the position of a beginner psychologist with a master’s degree, they are most likely to earn a salary of about $20,000 or perhaps less. The median salary for all psychologists with doctorial degrees is about &65,000 and their average starting salaries can rage from $29,500 (a lecturer/instructor in a university psychology department) up to $52,000 (a psychologist working in business or industry). Psychologists employed in business or industry usually earn the highest average salaries (about $80,000) compared to the psychologists that work in any other setting. Psychologists in faculty positions earn an average salary of $50,000 a year, while those in administrative positions in colleges or universities generally have higher earning than other psychologists. Clinical psychologists (those who primarily work in private practice, hospitals, health centers, or colleges) earn an average of $60,000 a year. Counseling psychologists make about an average of $52,000 yearly in their salary and school psychologists earn about $60,000. Human service administrators, whose duties primarily include personnel supervision, make $58,000 a year on average. Psychologists in private practice and in applied specialties generally have higher earnings than other psychologists. The majority of the psychologists are able to supplement their basic earning with fees from writing, lecturing, or consulting.

Psychologists work under many different conditions. Those who are employed in colleges or in universities usually own their own offices in a building on campus and have access to a laboratory in which they can carry out experiments. School psychologists may be located in the school system headquarters and they may also see students and their parents at these offices. Psychologists employed in government may work in a variety of places, such as in public health or in vocational rehabilitation agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Peace Corps, the U.S. Office of Education, or a state department of education. Their working conditions depend mainly on the kind of job they have because some may be required to travel a lot or to produce publications while other may work mainly with people or are assigned entirely to only research. Nonetheless, there are some psychologists that are self-employed and most of them work as clinical psychologists and have offices where they can see their clients. Others work as consultants to business firms. These psychologists either rent or own their office space and arrange their own work schedules.

In order to become a successful psychologist, one must have the desire to help others understand themselves as well as others. A basic curiosity is required along with a fascination with the way the human mind works. In conclusion, studying psychology leads to a greater perceptive of how humans think and behave. As a student of this field, one must definitely gain insight into themselves and they must develop a greater awareness about the psychological processes of others. If interested in people and in their basic motivations, this field offers everyone the opportunity to explore the inner lives and emotions of individuals as well as groups. For whatever one’s reasons for choosing this major, the study of psychology will always broaden one’s knowledge of people and their behavior and teach others how to study behavior in a scientific way.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

American Psychological Association. “Getting in 2 Graduate School” Education Directorate (March 1998): 313-97. Washington, DC. 5 Jan. 2000. < http://www.apa.org/ed/gradschool/>.

La Sierra University. “Careers in Psychology” Psychology (March 1999): 318-29. 6 August 2001. < >.

Steingart, Sandra K. “School Psychology Resources for Psychologists, Parents, and Educators” School Psychology Resources Online. Pulaski Park Drive, Baltimore. 1995-2002. < >.