Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour.
This also includes our mental processes -- so how we think, remember, and feel.
Believe it or not, a common misconception is that if you study psychology, you will
be able to read other people's minds -- in fact, this is actually not the case.
The scientific emphasis means explanations need to be based on principals of objectivity,
validity and reliability.
You will learn to understand behaviour from multiple perspectives including biological,
cognitive including our basic thinking processes, developmental, social including how others,
including groups influence behaviour, and cultural including indigenous cultures.
All of these areas will in turn influence each other.
You will also gain an understanding of how emotions influence behaviour, what drives
motivation and how personality is defined.
Because human behaviour is a vast and complex area, psychology is diversified into specialised
fields.
Within the degree in psychology at the Open Polytechnic, we also have an emphasis on health
related topics.
For instance, at level 5 you can study courses on the psychology of stress, psychology of
grief, and relationship management and communication.
At more advanced levels, you can select courses which look at issues affecting children, adolescents
and adults, and how psychological disorders are diagnosed and treated.
To become a psychologist, the first step on this path is an undergraduate degree in psychology.
The Open Polytechnic offers a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in psychology.
You will also need postgraduate training, at least to Master's level.
Universities provide this advanced training.
Quite often, psychologists will also have completed a postgraduate diploma in their
respective field, for example, the postgraduate diploma in clinical psychology.
Once qualified, you can work as a clinical psychologist -- which involves diagnosing
and treating people with mental health issues through therapeutic interventions.
This differs from a psychiatrist, who also treats people with mental health issues but
have a medical degree and can prescribe medication.
You can also work as a criminal justice psychologist which involves working with offenders to reduce
reoffending.
Or you can work as a educational psychologist which involves developing learning and behavioural
programmes in educational settings.
Or you can work as an organisational psychologist which involves understanding workplace performance
and job satisfaction, and helping organisations transition through periods of change.
Or you work as a health psychologist which involves promoting changes in people's attitudes
and behaviour towards health and illness and may include developing health campaigns and
policies.
Of course, the first step to becoming a psychologist is an undergraduate degree in psychology,
which you can do at the Open Polytechnic.