About Psychology

Can I Get a Graduate Degree in Psychology If My Undergrad Degree Is in a Different Field?

2009-07-03T08:00:09Z

A reader writes: "I graduated from college a few years ago with an undergraduate degree in economics. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about pursuing a career in psychology. Can I apply to a psychology graduate program if my previous degree is in a completely different field?"

Earning a graduate degree in a field that differs from a student's undergraduate program is more common than you might think. For example, students with an undergraduate degree in psychology sometimes choose to earn a graduate degree in an alternative field such as counseling, social work or law. You can certainly study psychology at the graduate level with an undergraduate degree in economics (or another area of concentration). However there are a few factors you should consider:

What requirements does the graduate program have? If you have not yet taken some of the prerequisites, you should consider taking those courses before applying to the program.
Have you taken the required tests? Many graduate programs require at least a certain score on both the GRE and the psychology subject test.
Have you shown an aptitude or interest in the subject? Previous coursework and volunteer experiences are great ways to demonstrate that you have the ability to excel in the study of psychology.

Tara Kuther, About.com's Guide to Graduate School, offers some great advice for students interested in changing fields between undergraduate and graduate school. Learn more about some of the things you should consider and steps you should take in her article on earning a grad degree in a different field.

What's the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

2009-07-01T08:00:18Z

One Reader Asks: "I read a lot of articles on psychology websites and I often see the terms 'psychologist' and 'psychiatrist,' but I'm not really clear on what those titles mean. What exactly is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?"

Many people are not quite sure of the distinction between these two professions, but if you are planning a career in mental health or seeking a mental health provider, it is important to understand exactly how these two professions differ. The simplest answer lies in the educational background required for each profession. A psychiatrist has a degree in medicine and a psychologist has a doctoral-level degree in psychology. However, there are a number of other distinctions that make each profession quite unique. Learn more about the different educational, training and job requirements in this overview of the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists.

Harry Harlow and the Nature of Love

2009-06-29T07:30:51Z

While parental demonstrations of affection are often taken for granted today, there was was a time during the early twentieth century when experts warned parents about the dangers of holding their children. Behaviorist John B. Watson once even went so far as to warn parents, "When you are tempted to pet your child, remember that mother love is a dangerous instrument." According to many thinkers of the day, affection would only spread diseases and lead to adult psychological problems.

However, research on attachment soon changed how we view affection and love. In a series of controversial experiments conducted in 1960s, psychologist Harry Harlow demonstrated the powerful effects of love on normal development. By showing the devastating effects of deprivation on young rhesus monkeys, Harlow revealed the importance of love for healthy childhood development. His experiments were often unethical and shockingly cruel, yet they uncovered fundamental truths that have heavily influenced our understanding of child development.

Learn more about the study in this article: Harry Harlow and the Nature of Love

Perspectives In Social Psychology

2009-06-26T07:40:32Z

There are a number of different approaches to the study of social psychology, each with a different area of focus. For example, the evolutionary perspective emphasizes the importance of genetic influences on social behavior while the social learning perspective stresses the importance of unique experiences.

Learn more about some of the perspectives in social psychology.

Counseling Psychology - Psychology Definition of the Week

2009-06-24T01:42:42Z

Definition: Counseling psychology focuses on providing therapeutic treatments to clients experiencing a wide variety of symptoms. It is also one of the largest specialty areas within psychology. The Society of Counseling Psychology describes the field as " a psychological specialty [that] facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns." Learn more about counseling psychology.

Related Reading

_{Image courtesy Piotr Bizior}

A Closer Look at Child Psychology

2009-06-22T07:30:27Z

Child psychology is one of the many branches of psychology and one of the most frequently studied specialty areas. This particular branch focuses on the mind and behavior of children from prenatal development through adolescence.

As early as a century ago, people viewed children simply as small versions of adults. When psychologists such as Jean Piaget and other experts began to suggest that the thoughts, minds and behaviors of children are fundamentally different from those of adults, the concept was considered revolutionary. Today, child psychology research focuses on diverse topics such as education, emotional development, cognitive development, language and gender roles.

Learn more about this fascinating area in psychology and some of the major topics of interest in this field in this brief overview of child psychology.

More About Child Psychology

_{Image courtesy Kent Murray}

Sigmund Freud Photobiography

2009-06-19T00:01:47Z

Sigmund Freud may be one of the best known figures in history, but he is also one of the most controversial. The legacy of his life and work provokes both impassioned acclaim from his supporters and disdain from his detractors. While some view him as a cultural icon and others see him as a pseudo-scientific charlatan, there is no question that Freud left an indelible mark on psychology as well as other disciplines.

Explore his life from his birth in the tiny town of Frieberg, Moravia, to his death at age 83 in London in this Sigmund Freud photobiography. Along the way, you will learn more about how his life and work influenced the theories and ideas that continue to influence psychology, philosophy, literature and art.

What's Your Learning Style?

2009-06-17T11:00:52Z

Have you ever noticed that you seem to learn best under certain conditions? For example, some students learn best from class lectures while others learn best by reading textbooks. Your unique learning style can play a role in how well you learn as well as your ability to retain and recall information.

All people have different abilities, personalities, motivations and past experiences that may impact how they learn best. Numerous theories exist to categorized and describe these different ways of learning. One of these theories is based upon the work of analytical psychologist Carl Jung. Jung's theory suggests that there are a number of psychological types based on several different personality patterns.

Jung�s theory focuses on four basic psychological functions:

Extroversion vs. Introversion
Sensation vs. Intuition
Thinking vs. Feeling
Judging vs. Perceiving

You may be familiar with these personality types from the well-known Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator, which is based upon Jung's work. While Jung's theory is typically applied to personality assessment, it can also be a useful tool for understanding your unique learning style.

Remember that your learning style is not set in stone. It may change over time or based upon the learning situation that you are in. Most importantly, remember that no single theory or style can fully encompass the way you learn best. In reality, your learning style is likely a mix of many different abilities, characteristics and preferences. Learn more by reading the article on Jungian learning styles and consider which combination of styles best describes how you learn best.

What Is Clinical Psychology?

2009-06-15T07:00:04Z

Clinical psychology is the single largest specialty area within psychology. This field is focused on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. While many clinical psychologists perform psychotherapy with clients, it is important to note that it is not the only career path within clinical psychology. Other options include teaching at the university level, conducting research and administering public programs.

Clinical psychology is focused on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness.
Photo © bo1982/iStockPhoto

If you are thinking about pursuing clinical psychology as a career, there are a few things you should consider. First, how long are you willing to spend in school and training? Most clinical psychologists possess a doctorate-level degree in clinical psychology, which requires four to six years of post-bachelor's graduate training. Are you interested in working with children, teenagers or adult clients? Your choice may play an important role in the clinical training program you ultimately choose and the area of specialization you pursue.

Another important consideration is which type of degree is best suited to your needs. The traditional Ph.D. degree emphasizes the role of research in addition to preparing graduates for careers as clinical practitioners. Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degrees are focused on the professional aspects of clinical psychology.

Learn more about the clinical psychology, what clinical psychologists do and take a psychology career quiz to help determine if this is the right field for you.

Personality Disorders

2009-06-12T07:00:22Z

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, an estimated 30.8 million American adults experience symptoms of at least one personality disorder. Just what are personality disorders, anyway? A personality disorder is a chronic and pervasive mental disorder that affects thoughts, behaviors and interpersonal functioning. The DSM-IV currently lists 10 different personality disorders, including borderline, antisocial and avoidant personality disorder.

You can learn more about the causes, diagnosis and treatments in this overview of personality disorders.