What Is Psychology?
Psychology is the science of why people do what they do. While its roots can be traced to philosophical and religious texts that date back thousands of years, the formal, scientific study of psychology began 125 years ago. It is one of the broadest university disciplines, spanning subject matter in the humanities, the natural sciences, and other social sciences. In particular, psychologists study the intersection of two critical relationships: one between brain function and behaviour, and one between the environment and behaviour.
Psychologists use the scientific method to conduct both basic and applied research. They serve as consultants to communities and organizations; diagnose and treat people's mental states; assess intelligence and personality. They study how human beings relate to each other and also to machines, and they work to improve these relationships. With the increased globalization that is bringing people together, psychologists bring important knowledge and skills to understanding diverse cultures.
Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and they concentrate on behaviours that affect mental functioning and emotional health. For example, they work with business executives, actors, and athletes to reduce stress and improve performance. They advise police on the personality profiles of criminals and they collaborate with educators on school reform. Immediately following a calamity, such as a highway collapse or natural disaster, psychologists help victims and bystanders recover from the trauma of the event.
Most psychologists surveyed say they thoroughly enjoy their work. They cite the variety of daily tasks and the flexibility of their schedules. They are attracted by the exciting changes taking place in the field, from adapting technology to humans to working as part of primary health care teams.
While the study of psychology is ideal for students intending to work in this field, it is also excellent preparation for many other
Career Prospects
Interest in psychology is rapidly growing internationally and locally. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, psychology was the most popular intended undergraduate major among university freshmen. This is in part a reflection of the demand for psychology majors in different careers.
Two-thirds of students surveyed with a psychology degree are in for-profit business settings, usually the sales/service sector. These students often have good research and writing skills, are good problem solvers, and have well-developed, higher-level thinking ability when it comes to analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. Many find jobs in administrative support, public affairs, education, business, advertising, health, the media, the biological sciences, and computer programming. They work as employment counsellors, correction counsellor trainees, interviewers, personnel analysts, and writers. Two thirds believe their job is closely or somewhat related to their psychology background and that their jobs hold career potential.
Psychology graduates generally report being pleased with how their degree helped prepare them for both life and work. A vice-president of human resources of a notable multinational Singapore-based firm described psychology majors as having very useful skills for her business, stating "After all, psychology is the business of life."
In Singapore, and overseas, opportunities for graduates in psychology are increasing. The Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and the Police are among the Singaporean government agencies interested in hiring psychology graduates. In the private sector opportunities range more widely.
For students who wish to work as professional psychologists, we strongly recommend they receive training beyond the bachelor level. Typically these students go on to do a masters or a doctoral degree in one of the many subfields in psychology.
Interested People, Contact Me For An Non-Obligation Discussion, We Have Many Schools Which Work With Us.
Psychology is the science of why people do what they do. While its roots can be traced to philosophical and religious texts that date back thousands of years, the formal, scientific study of psychology began 125 years ago. It is one of the broadest university disciplines, spanning subject matter in the humanities, the natural sciences, and other social sciences. In particular, psychologists study the intersection of two critical relationships: one between brain function and behaviour, and one between the environment and behaviour.
Psychologists use the scientific method to conduct both basic and applied research. They serve as consultants to communities and organizations; diagnose and treat people's mental states; assess intelligence and personality. They study how human beings relate to each other and also to machines, and they work to improve these relationships. With the increased globalization that is bringing people together, psychologists bring important knowledge and skills to understanding diverse cultures.
Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and they concentrate on behaviours that affect mental functioning and emotional health. For example, they work with business executives, actors, and athletes to reduce stress and improve performance. They advise police on the personality profiles of criminals and they collaborate with educators on school reform. Immediately following a calamity, such as a highway collapse or natural disaster, psychologists help victims and bystanders recover from the trauma of the event.
Most psychologists surveyed say they thoroughly enjoy their work. They cite the variety of daily tasks and the flexibility of their schedules. They are attracted by the exciting changes taking place in the field, from adapting technology to humans to working as part of primary health care teams.
While the study of psychology is ideal for students intending to work in this field, it is also excellent preparation for many other
Career Prospects
Interest in psychology is rapidly growing internationally and locally. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, psychology was the most popular intended undergraduate major among university freshmen. This is in part a reflection of the demand for psychology majors in different careers.
Two-thirds of students surveyed with a psychology degree are in for-profit business settings, usually the sales/service sector. These students often have good research and writing skills, are good problem solvers, and have well-developed, higher-level thinking ability when it comes to analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. Many find jobs in administrative support, public affairs, education, business, advertising, health, the media, the biological sciences, and computer programming. They work as employment counsellors, correction counsellor trainees, interviewers, personnel analysts, and writers. Two thirds believe their job is closely or somewhat related to their psychology background and that their jobs hold career potential.
Psychology graduates generally report being pleased with how their degree helped prepare them for both life and work. A vice-president of human resources of a notable multinational Singapore-based firm described psychology majors as having very useful skills for her business, stating "After all, psychology is the business of life."
In Singapore, and overseas, opportunities for graduates in psychology are increasing. The Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and the Police are among the Singaporean government agencies interested in hiring psychology graduates. In the private sector opportunities range more widely.
For students who wish to work as professional psychologists, we strongly recommend they receive training beyond the bachelor level. Typically these students go on to do a masters or a doctoral degree in one of the many subfields in psychology.
Interested People, Contact Me For An Non-Obligation Discussion, We Have Many Schools Which Work With Us.
