What is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of mind, brain, and behaviour.
The brain and behaviour can be observed through techniques such as brain imaging or by watching people in specific situations. The mind cannot directly be observed, but can be postulated based on research findings.
Psychology describes many of the fundamental processes that happen every day, including how we make memories, why we sleep, and how we form relationships.
Psychology can be described as a blend of scientific and non-scientific approaches and features many topics that are universally interesting and applicable.
Why Study Psychology?
By studying psychology, you will:
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Gain analytical skills by learning how psychologists carry out research and understand what the data they collect mean.
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Aquire scientific knowledge as you gain familiarity with human biology and how the brain works.
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Learn how to describe and critically assess research studies and theories
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Psychology complements many other subjects you may be studying, to provide a strong foundation for studying almost any subject at university. For example, it can be studied alongside science subjects and Mathematics, or alongside arts subjects such as Philosophy, English, and Modern Languages.
For certain university applications, such as Medicine, it is looked on very favourably, combined with traditional science subjects such as Biology and Chemistry. Psychology is a versatile subject as it requires both scientific skills, such as data analysis, and essay writing skills. By studying Psychology, you acquire analytical and reasoning skills which can be transferred to other subjects and eventually the workplace.
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Another area where psychology students can also benefit is in their daily lives. By understanding the reasons why people behave the way that they do, you can develop better understanding and communication skills which can be helpful in professional and personal settings. For example, knowing about Relationship Theory and attachment styles can help you conduct relationships in a better way.