When you think of a person majoring in Psychology, what do you think of?

[dvsxx6]

Just outa curiousity.. since I'm a psychology major. It's funny cause when I tell people that I'm majoring in psych, they almost always tell me "Oh I better watch what I say around you" or they seem a lil careful about what they do. I tell them that I'm not one of those psych majors that will pick at their brain, I just enjoy learning about psychology and I want to be a psychologist. As corny as this may sound, I believe that everyone needs someone to talk to. I'm not one of those psych majors that are overly critical nor am I constantly analyzing and taking notes of people and their behaviors.

 

I heard that some people think that psychologists believe they are superior than everyone else. I've always wondered about this, although it won't change my mind about psychology or psychologists.

 

Thanks for any feedback/comments :-)

[JamesM]

Truthfully, I think of someone who cares about how others feel. I think of someone who wants to help others solve problems. And I think that this person is a great listener.

 

But interestingly enough, (and it has proven to be true many times), I think that someone who choses psychology did so as a way to uncover and solve his or her own problems. Personally, I came real close to following that path, but chose business instead. But in human resources, I had many opportunities to be a counselor albeit briefly in a number of lives.

 

Just my opinion.

[quankanne]

and I think psychologists/psychology majors are just plain interested in what makes people tick. Which is something that fascinates me to no end. The only difference between me and you is that you're actually going a few steps further in your study than I did 20 years ago with a single psych class in college!

 

I wouldn't say that a psychologist is superior, but only has a different way of looking at things, much in the way that a journalist like me has a different way of looking at things!

[L8blumR]

I have a B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology...when I was in college, we considered psych a "soft" science and people that were psych majors couldn't hack a real science degree.

 

Since then, I have learned to appreciate psychologists, and have been to therapy several times for situational help. Everytime, I interview the psychologist first...I am the customer, and I know I need help (why else would I be here?). I have found the professionals to lie in 2 camps: 1) my s***'s together and your isn't, and 2) true empathy and desire to help others.

 

I never worry what they're thinking about me because 1) I'm a paying customer, and 2) yeah, I got a problem...that's why I'm here, and 3) they probably have a few skeletons rattling around too.

 

The most helpful professionals have been exceptional listeners, knowing the right thing to say to help me come to "healthy" conclusions/decisions on my own.

 

The shocker was when my sister, decided to get her masters in psych...she's super judgmental and a super control freak, one of those people who is sure her s*** doesn't stink but happy to describe how yours does in great detail. The thing is, she went to work for the school system...go figure!

[quankanne]

actually, her personality matched up with kids might be a positive thing, because she *could* present an absolute viewpoint they find safe/valuable because it's fixed when their little worlds have gone mad. Though I'm thinking this could only work if she learns to bend as needed!

[Trialbyfire]

It's not the occupation that concerns me, it's how the person uses/abuses it.

 

I had incredible help from my own counselor, post separation so I have great things to say about the profession. I've also seen some serious manipulative techniques used by people in the profession, for personal gain.

 

Two sides to the same coin, if the coin is the study of the human condition.

[Lauriebell82]

My degrees:

 

a) Bachelor of Arts in Developmental Psychology

b) Master of Arts in Community Counseling

 

Current job:

Addictions counselor

 

I personally LOVE psychology. Ever since I took my Intro to Psych class my freshman year I was so fastinated. I think people have the wrong impression about psych majors. People feel (esp. in relationships) that if you have issues then you should be able to solve them yourself since it's your profession. Yeah, that DOESN'T HAPPEN. Also people tend to think you are "reading their brain" or "psycho-analyzing them." Personally, I don't automatically go into counselor mode when someone starts talking to me about something, but I do use my professional expertise to offer sound advice.

 

It is kind of curse that psych majors over-analyze things a lot of the time. I certainly do. I think it's because I listen to clients all day and analyze what they are saying, so it carries over into my everyday life. But on the flip side, I have excellent communication skills so that aids me in how I relate to others.

 

Psycho majors ROCK, so just do what you love!!!

[Ronni_W]

they almost always tell me "Oh I better watch what I say around you"

A psych major friend used to respond in a joking tone, "Don't worry - I get paid $$$ per hour and I don't plan on doing YOU for free!"

 

I think of someone who likely has better self-understanding and healthier coping tools than the population at large. No idea if that is accurate, though...it could just be my own perception.

[Enema]

Someone who doesn't really know what they want to do, but thought it'd be a cool profession, especially because they think they know better than other people.

[Lauriebell82]

Someone who doesn't really know what they want to do, but thought it'd be a cool profession, especially because they think they know better than other people.

 

What???? Oh come on.

[Trialbyfire]

Enema, your screen name is so apt. You're such a sniper.

[IfWishesWereHorses]

I've got a minor in psych because that was the field of nursing I intended to go into. 3months of clinicals in a lock down unit for the criminally insane was enough to change my mind! Not for me, besides, I sucked at reality orientation and tended to believe everything the schizophrenics had to say!

[Enema]

Heheh, that's the just what I think of when I think of psych students.

 

I have a fair bit of staff turn over where I work and there seem to be a disproportionate number of people I interview that did pscyh right out of school, but have since switched to their "real" focus.

[spookie]

I have no doubt that there are many psych majors who pick that line of study because they genuinely think helping people that way is their calling, but at my school, most psych majors were sorority girls going to college for their MRS. degrees. Personally, I felt they were wasting their parents money.

[Lizzie60]

I have seen more 'bad' psychologists/therapists than good ones..

 

I agree with Enema..

 

I think this got to be the easiest degrees to achieve... almost anyone can become a psychologist/therapist.. no special abilities IMO... and no need to be a brain ball either..

[dvsxx6]

Truthfully, I think of someone who cares about how others feel. I think of someone who wants to help others solve problems. And I think that this person is a great listener.

 

But interestingly enough, (and it has proven to be true many times), I think that someone who choses psychology did so as a way to uncover and solve his or her own problems. Personally, I came real close to following that path, but chose business instead. But in human resources, I had many opportunities to be a counselor albeit briefly in a number of lives.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Lol, you're not the first person that said that people go into psychology because they want to discover who they are. I too have heard that many times. And it's funny, cause it's somewhat true. I've struggled with many things in the past, anxiety and depression, abuse sexually and verbally, anorexia, etc. I feel that with all of those experiences I was confused and needed a better understanding of the why of things and also about what to do. I believe that by using the resources of psychology and from the things that I have learned, I was able to dig myself out of the rut and pull through each of the situations I was in

 

The thing is that psychology wasn't my first major. I only learned about psych after taking it for fun during my Soph year in college. At the time, my major [first major] was nursing [helping/caring for people] but for other reasons, I decided that wasn't for me. Then, my second major was dietetics [counseling people], and after realizing each of those paths were not for me and after finding that I was fascinated by psychology, it was the perfect split of the two.

 

I believe a lot of psych majors/professionals probably have been through a lot of traumatic and horrible experience in their lives and that is why we are able to help a variety of people. I myself know how it feels to want someone to talk to and have had feelings of loneliness and in that sense, I am very relatable [now I am doing fine, have things together, etc. but I have felt lonely in the past].

 

I just love being able to help my friends, family or pretty much anyone for that matter, simply by just listening and offering advice. It's something so small but it makes the world of difference. Not everyone is a good listener nor are they a good advice giver. And unlike what Lizzie60 said, you do need special abilities. Psychology is a very complex field, and there are many technicalities in terms of research, mental diagnostics, statistical testing, and each individual field can be intense. The long hours of counseling can become mentally exhausting. Not just ANYONE can do it. You have to genuinely care about people [not many people do] and not be a bitter and miserable person like Lizzie60 and Enema, and you have to be sure to always be objective because although you are empathic, you can't get emotionally attached to your client [i'm sure this is hard to do], amongst other things.

 

For me, I wouldn't see being a psychologist as a job, I'd see it as a necessity for people to thrive and in order to be healthy [mental health is just as important as physical health]. Just because someone sees a psychologist that doesn't mean the person has problems. That means that you're living in this same crazy world and are caught up in the day to day hustle and bustle. You need someone to talk to and you want to tell a trusted individual your true feelings without the fear of being judged like how you possibly would be by friends and family.

 

Anyway, Gota get back to studying for my psych exam! I'll respond to everyone else when I log back on.. thanks for everyones comments, even the negative ones, pessimists.

[Taramere]

Psychology is a very complex field, and there are many technicalities in terms of research, mental diagnostics, statistical testing, and each individual field can be intense. The long hours of counseling can become mentally exhausting. Not just ANYONE can do it. You have to genuinely care about people

 

I agree. A friend of mine is a psychologist, and she's become very successful. I'm in awe of her insight and her profound ability to help other people. Even though we're friends, occasionally she's put herself into pure professional mode - and I've put myself into client rather than friend mode - so that I can see how she works.

 

However much some might deride psychology as a soft option, I have met very few people with the level of people skills and the insight/ability to get to the heart of the issue that she has. Part of that is her personality and difficult personal experiences she's had to come to terms with...but the training she's undergone is clearly evident.

 

Experienced psychologists can do quite well financially if they can set themselves up, and obtain work, as expert witnesses. If you did decide to become a psychologist, and eventually branched out into that area, you would be paid not simply for preparing reports but also for any court/tribunal appearances you had to make in order to speak to those reports.

 

Psychologists' particular area of expertise is generally acknowledged by other professionals who have a working knowledge of what it is that they actually do. Good luck with your course, and however you choose to apply your learning I'm sure it'll stand you in good stead.

[Adunaphel]

I actually don't think anything until I get to know the person better.

After I know more about him/her I might think he would probably be a good psychologist (or a bad one), or wonder why he is majoring in psychology, or ask them about it to get to know them better.

[a4a]

I have a general opinion about psych' therapy' providers......... they are nuts themselves and trying to figure out their own problems.

 

Running with Scissors?