What is psychology?

Faith

Hi guys,

I'm finishing up a neuroscience degree and have decided I want to move into psychology. I'm applying for a conversion course and have to write a kind of personal statement. Part of the question is "What is psychology?". I'm kind of stumped on that, because how much more can you write beyond the definition?

Secondly, I want to integrate the fact I'm studying neuroscience into it, and outline the similarities/differences between it. I've written "While neuroscientists study the molecular and cellular processes that underlie behaviour, psychologists study..." but I'm having trouble finishing that sentence! How would you describe what psychologists study? the PSI website says "Psychologists examine the various aspects of human experience, such as human emotions, thoughts and actions". Can I alter that to make it fit the end of my sentence?

Thanks for any help!

The Black Oil

Do you mind if I ask what else is tied to that question or if it's relevant? We had to do something like this for the H Dip Psych, too. Unfortunately, I lost my application file in formatting the computer so I can't dig it up and see what I said a few years ago.

I guess in some sense it's merely an exercise to get you to write and show you've thought about the area and why you're willing to invest time and put effort into it. I don't know how much of the word count (I presume it's around 600-800 ish?) you should use answering the question in a fairly strict sense, definitely make a connection with what you've done as an undergrad, I think. Actually some of the lecturers in both fields can be slightly sensitive about what they're called (as you're probably aware) 'cognitive neuroscientists, psychologists we are not' etc so you might have to tread a little gently unless I'm reading too much into it, I guess it is usually the course director who will read the applications.

Maybe you could talk about how the discipline stands on its own two feet, but interacts with others if needs be, applies to a broad range of contexts across the development lifespan (maybe mention some specialities, autism services etc), uses robust means of research, scientific method etc, any developments relevant to the dept you're applying to or the function of psychology in the 21st century...but, maybe that might sound a little lame or textbook ish. Hmm.

How are you feeling about applying?

Valmont

Well neuroscience is at the micro end of behaviour whereas psychology (generally speaking) is at the macro end if that makes sense.

Cinful

An elaboration of the obvious?

Myksyk

The good thing actually about such a broad question is that you can take it where you like. Off the top of my head I think it would be interesting to begin with a brief history of academic/experimental psychology with its aims and goals and how it differed from previous attempts to understand the human condition. You can explain how it essentially remained an academic pursuit up to the late 40s early 50s. (You could if you wished cast an eye over the parallel developments in psychoanalysis but these did not strictly fall within the field of psychology per se and emerged out of medicine/psychiatry). In the second half you can talk about all the applied or professional areas within the field, perhaps beginning with the birth of Clinical Psychology in the early 50s at the Boulder Conference (Google Shakow/Boulder) and a quick Cook's Tour through the other major professional areas (Educational, Organisational, Counselling etc). You could even briefly discuss the tension that has always existed between the academic and professional sides of psychology and how such tensions for example eventually led to the splitting of the APA (the APS resulted from this split).

If you wanted to give a local flavour to it you could mention how psychology is currently practised in Ireland both at an academic and professional level. It would be instrctive to show how the various professions have developed and how the services are delivered at various points in our health, education and work environments.

In short Faith, you can go just about anywhere with this.

Faith

Thanks for the replies! I should have elaborated that that's just the first half of the question; the second half is "how do you expect to gain from studying it?". I've only got 600 words to play around with too.

Myksyk, your suggestions are great, but I just haven't got enough space to go into it. I think I'm going to focus on the second half of the question. If it was just "Why do you want to study psychology?", I'd be flying it, but the phrasing of the question makes it a little more challenging. Right now, I've mentioned my background in Neuroscience, my interest in psychology, transferrable skills that are gained from studying it, how I hope to improve my interpersonal skills, and that I eventually want to go on and do a PhD of some sort in the field.

I think I might elaborate a bit on my answer for the first section using some of Myksyk's suggestions, and then try and write more of a personal statement for the second part. I spoke to a careers counsellor today who said, as it is, she's not getting much of a sense of passion about studying psychology from what I've currently written. She thinks I should focus on "how do you expect to gain from studying it" rather than how just anyone would gain.

Valmont

Cinful wrote: »

An elaboration of the obvious?

Could you elaborate on that?

Moobui

Hi Faith,
Haven't read through all the replies but given the fact that Neuropsychology is a relatively new area particularly in Ireland the interaction between neuroscience and psychology-neuropsychology would be a good angle. This allows you to bring your expertise in neuroscience to the study of psychology and further expand your knowledge in other areas of psychology that you are not as familiar with. Your training as a scientist and the objectivity it brings with it is an excellent asset to bring to the study of psychology. Best of luck.