Who are we, how did we get this way, and is it possible to change?
Studying psychology can provide profound insights into yourself and others, while enhancing your communication skills and research abilities. It can also lead to exciting job opportunities.
Let’s explore the top 5 reasons why studying psychology can help you understand society and enter a career that creates a better, more empathetic world.
What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of human thought, behaviour, and emotions. It aims to understand, predict, and improve mental processes and well-being.
Employing methods like experimentation, observation, and analysis, psychology helps us understand what makes us uniquely human and how we can create better circumstances for ourselves and others.
Why study psychology? With a versatile skill set and career opportunities in almost every industry, psychology graduates can foster positive change, tackle social issues, and contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities. According to labour market insights, demand for psychology graduates is expected to grow by 13%, and studying psychological science can be a stepping stone into fields of human development, health, sports, marketing, counselling and more.
#1 Understand Yourself
Memory, motivation, perception, and behaviour make us uniquely human. Who we are and where we came from are factors that can influence our success and wellbeing.
Studying developmental psychology can help you understand how your past experiences have influenced you. Learning psychological tools can also help you draw on your strengths, nurture important relationships, and create a better future.
Why do people study psychology for self growth?
Psychology guides students to examine their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Through self-reflection, we can become more aware of the cognitive processes and emotional responses that might be holding us back.
Once a psychological behaviour is understood, it can be changed. With insight into our motivations and responses, we have a chance to create better mental health, greater productivity, and deeper relationships.
A degree in psychology provides principles that enhance communication skills and foster better relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. This ultimately helps to create and foster a supportive community.
#2. Understand those around you
Psychological science provides insight into what people do and why, how they communicate, and how we can create meaningful interactions with others.
An in-depth degree like the Bachelor of Psychological Science at Federation Online explores the genetic and environmental influences that inform individual and group behaviour. Students learn about the nuances of non-verbal cues such as body language, types of motivation, and ways to predict how people will react in certain situations.
Knowledge is power. By understanding others, we can better manage conflicts, negotiate confidently, and improve our relationships.
Why study psychology and the Big 5?
The Big Five Personality Traits, or the five-factor model of personality, is a psychology tool to assess an individual’s traits.
You might already know about extroverts and introverts. Everyone falls on the spectrum of five traits:
- Openness to experience
- Conscientiousness
- Extroversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
Taking the Big 5 test can give you insight into your own personality – but a degree in psychology dives much deeper. By unpacking the nuances of personality spectrums, you can better understand relationship dynamics, and identify how couples and groups can best use their strengths.
#3. Strengthen your ability to research
Studying psychology equips you with the skills needed to explore complex scientific principles. Students develop expertise in research methodologies, critical reasoning, data analysis, and experiment design.
In the Bachelor of Psychological Science program at Federation University, you’ll develop skills in scientific writing, statistics interpretation, and professional practices. You’ll learn research methods encompassing everything from big theoretical concepts to analysing statistics and trends.
#4. Enhance your communication skills
Psychologists focus on interpersonal dynamics and communication, and play an indispensable role in our society. They foster harmonious relationships, guide individuals through crises, and illuminate the path to a more integrated world.
Studying psychology equips you with the tools to resolve conflicts, navigate intricate social situations, and bring people together. With skills in empathy, active listening, and non-verbal cues, you can improve all types of relationships – from friends and family, to colleagues and collaborators.
#5. Find a career path that excites you
The demand for psychological science is growing.
In a recent survey, the Australian Psychological Society showed that psychologist counsellors are in record-high demand, with 1 in 3 professionals so busy that they are unavailable to see new clients.
After completing a foundational degree, such as Bachelor of Psychological Science offered by Federation University, you can choose to go into supervised clinical practice or continue on an academic path. A postgraduate degree equips you with advanced knowledge and skills to register with the Psychology Board of Australia and specialise in specific areas of psychology, such as psychological counselling.
What careers are available if you study psychology?
Psychology is one of the most versatile areas of study and opens up careers in almost every industry. The most common career paths include:
- Counselling: Provide invaluable guidance to individuals dealing with personal challenges in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, workplaces, and health centres.
- Community Services: Work in community and welfare services with a focus on child protection, disability support, drug and alcohol services, social work and more.
- Business: Working in corporations, you can apply your knowledge and skills to market research, industrial relations, and human resources management.
- Education: Help schools and educators to design training programs, work with people with learning disabilities, and address issues like bullying and classroom dynamics.
- Forensic Psychology: Apply your psychology knowledge to help people navigate the legal system, give expert opinion in legal proceedings, and profile criminals.
Why is it important to study psychology to become a counsellor?
A counselling psychologist gives invaluable guidance to individuals and groups going through emotional, psychological, and interpersonal challenges. These could include anxiety, depression, relationship problems, stress, grief, trauma and more.
With a backbone of evidence-based science and ethics, a psychological counsellor identifies which techniques are appropriate for each client.
Psychological counsellors work in:
- Clinical mental health counselling
- Career counselling
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation
- Art therapy
- Couples and family therapy
- Group counselling
- Disability and behavioural counselling
To practise as a psychological counsellor in Australia, psychologists must have the education and clinical experience to register with the Psychology Board of Australia. A degree like the Bachelor of Psychological Science offered by Federation University is a step towards becoming recognised as a skilled psychologist and counsellor.
Feeling inspired?
Learn about the Bachelor of Psychological Science at Federation University or speak to one of our Course Consultants today. For more information, download the course guide now.
Ready to learn? Apply online today.
