The Purpose of Psychology: A Presentation to Incoming Undergraduate Students
Introduction
The American Psychological Association simply defines psychology as “the study of the mind and behavior” (Apa.org, n.d.). However, despite its simplistic definition, it is a multifaceted discipline that encompasses many sub-fields, including clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, child psychology, and social psychology. Clinical psychology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, emotional imbalances, and behavioral problems. Cognitive psychology is concerned with the reception, interpretation, and response to stimuli (including ideas and impressions) (Mcleod, 2019). Developmental psychology examines the behavioral changes that occur throughout an individual’s lifespan. Child psychology is part of developmental psychology that is concerned with the emotional and mental development of children. Social psychology explores how an individual’s behavior is influenced by the environment (Mcleod, 2019). (Note: The term environment is used in this context to refer to the actions of other persons−our family, friends, neighbors, workmates, and even the societal influence).
It is worth noting that society has always understood psychology as a social science discipline concerned with understanding and explaining human behavior in relation to peoples’ behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. Thus, by implication, society has mistakenly perceived psychology as only social psychology. However, it is a multifaceted discipline consisting of many sub-fields in clinical, health, sports, human development, cognitive processes, and social behavior.
5 Lessons From Studying Psychology
Firstly, as a senior psychology student, I have learned that psychology is an ‘all-accommodating’ discipline. By ‘all-accommodating,’ I mean that it encourages students to recognize and respect cultural diversity during and after studies. Unlike other disciplines that deal with animals, or plants, or machines, psychology has a special attribute of dealing with human beings. Thus, every student studying psychology needs to respect other peoples’ race, nationality, tribe/ethnicity, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, or language. As first-year students in psychology, I wish to encourage you to start learning to embrace cultural diversity or to keep practicing it. I am convinced, failure to learn to recognize and respect all facets of cultural diversity is a sure bet to becoming an unsuccessful therapist or psychologist in the future.
Secondly, I have learned that psychology is concerned with the following four (4) main objectives−to describe, to explain, to predict, and to change the behavior or mental processes of others. Through describing human behavior, psychologists have been able to come up with generalized laws concerning human behavior. For example, by describing the dog’s response to different stimuli, Ivan Pavlov was able to establish the classical conditioning theory. After developing a generalized law to describe human behavior/cognition, psychologists are tasked with the responsibility of providing a conclusive explanation for how/why the phenomenon occurs. In most cases, they will posit theories that explain the phenomenon.
Furthermore, after explaining a particular human behavior based on proposed theories, psychologists attempt to make predictions based on the findings from empirical research. In case they fail to confirm a specific prediction, then its explanation is revised until an outcome is confirmed. For example, Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning theory predicts the development of phobia if one relates a negative result with some stimuli. Finally, after describing, explaining, and predicting human behavior, psychologists attempt to change or control it. As Mcleod (2019) observes., intervention/s drawn from Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning theory, e.g., systematic desensitization, is being used in psychotherapy to treat patients with anxiety and mental disorders.
Thirdly, there is a common myth that psychology is merely common sense. Contrary to common sense, psychologists base their conclusions on scientific methods and principals. Through research, psychologists have been able to demonstrate many human behaviors that were initially believed to be merely common sense when they were actually untrue at all. For instance, they have challenged various misconceptions regarding why and how people behave, ultimately helping to provide solutions to world-class problems.
Fourthly, psychology is more than just an academic discipline existing only in research laboratories and classrooms. But its principles surround us in our daily situations. For example, TV commercials and newspaper ads curators depend on psychology to design appealing audio and multimedia promotional messages to persuade and influence consumers to buy advertised products. Additionally, psychology is essential in helping us to manage stress, overcome phobias, and even improve interactive and communication skills. Finally, I have learned through psychology that learning to what you believe, you become. Thus, I want to encourage you to train your mind that you have selected one of the most special courses on earth, a course that allows you to interact and understand your fellow human being/s. isn’t that special?
Educational requirements within Illinois to become a practicing psychologist.
There are various steps to becoming a prescribing psychologist in Illinois. Firstly, the journey begins by attaining a first degree and a master’s degree in psychology (Illinois Psychology Association, n.d.). After that, one is required to achieve either a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) Ph.D. in psychology from any APA-Accredited institution or be approved by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (Illinois Psychology Association, n.d.). Coupled with a pass in PEP examinations (PEP is proficiency examinations for prescribing psychologists), one is liable to obtaining the license for a prescribing psychologist (Illinois Psychology Association, n.d.).
References
Apa.org. About APA: Frequently asked questions about the American Psychological Association. Apa.org. Retrieved 4 June 2020, from https://www.apa.org/support/about-apa.
Illinois Psychology Association. Information for Psychologists – Illinois Psychological Association. Illinois Psychological Association. Retrieved 5 June 2020, from https://www.illinoispsychology.org/information-for-rxp/.
Mcleod, S. (2019). What is Psychology? | Simply Psychology. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/whatispsychology.html.