Psychology: Why There's a Class for It
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Trinity Chang
Have you ever wondered why a person reacted in that way? Perhaps you pondered why that person is being so rude when you have never even met them before. Have you ever seen a person so lost in thought that you question what they’re thinking?
Congratulations, you have passed the first stage of being a psychologist. Now, I’m sorry to say, but it takes a lot more to be a psychologist.
For people who don’t know what psychologists do or what psychology is, psychology is the study of behavior and the mind. Now, there is more than one type of psychologist. Psychologists range from clinical psychologists, who diagnose and treat individuals experiencing psychological distress and mental illness, to cognitive psychologists, who investigate how people think, including topics such as decision-making and problem-solving. Have you ever wondered if you could be a detective? Well, that’s what being a psychologist basically is. You legally investigate people and study their behavior for scientific reasons and with their consent.
Students often confuse the subjects of sociology and psychology. While there is a slight overlap, they are very different. Sociology is the scientific study of society. During this course, students examine how people are impacted by their social surroundings. In other words, sociology examines how other people influence their mindsets and actions. Factors such as family, peers, and media are especially significant. Students also explore societal patterns of behavior and analyze whether or not the patterns are productive for our society or if things should change. Social problems such as discrimination, poverty, and crime, for example, are analyzed, and reform options are reviewed. Overall, sociology allows students to understand how they are impacted by social circumstances and how to take positive action accordingly.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind. One unit in this course, social psychology, is similar to sociology in that it explores how others influence your thoughts and actions; however, the course, overall, is immensely different. Brain anatomy, for example, is examined alongside mental health disorders and treatment options. Learning theory and motivation are also analyzed, and many famous laboratory experiments (often featuring mice and other animals) are investigated. A favorite unit of study, seemingly for students, is personality theory, wherein Freud is featured. Overall, psychology offers students insight into how our minds influence our actions, and it is more physiological in nature than sociology.
Both disciplines are beneficial to take if you are interested in better understanding yourself and others. It will make you more aware of your own thoughts and actions and enhance your interpersonal intelligence, which is necessary in any career wherein you are working with others. Why not take both?
If you have further questions about sociology or psychology, please see Ms. Swanson in 207 (NA), as she possesses degrees in both and has been passionately teaching both subjects for many years.
