Is the Psychology degree difficult?
When we think about psychology, perhaps those television series come to mind where specialists in this area appear being questioned before a jury and answering the questions of lawyers and prosecutors who want to solve a case and convict a defendant for a crime.
We also think of those interviews where they are invited to give their opinion on a specific topic.
Both examples hold a lot of truth, but perhaps the matter is not as glamorous as it is portrayed on television. Below we will try to clear up all your concerns and answer the most important question: Is the Psychology degree difficult?
What is Psychology?
Listening to other people's feelings, experiences, fears, and hopes is part of daily life in the work of psychologists.
While working with their clients, these professionals study each person's thought patterns, emotions, and interactions to help them improve their quality of life.
Psychologists collect information through assessments, surveys, interviews, and reviews of scientific studies. They look for ways to help people understand themselves, their behaviors, and their relationships. Some conduct research and write articles and reports to share findings and educate others.
Many psychologists share the qualities of being trustworthy, observant, compassionate, and analytical.
There are different types of psychologists, including social, clinical, school, counseling, and industrial-organizational psychologists. While most work individually with clients, some collaborate with doctors and social workers.
Brief history of Psychology
Psychology began to emerge as a distinct field from philosophy in the 19th century. Before this, philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes explored the causes of behavior and the nature of the mind.
In 1879, the German physician William Wundt established the first laboratory within the philosophy department of the Universidad de Leipzig with the goal of applying the experimental methods of the natural sciences to philosophical problems.
Wundt founded the school of thought known as Structuralism, which attempts to understand the structure of the mind through introspection.
On the other hand, the American William James drew on Charles Darwin's ideas about natural selection. He proposed that, just like our physical characteristics, human psychological characteristics evolved because they were functional. This school of thought is known as Functionalism and has evolved today into Evolutionary Psychology.
Sigmund Freud is considered the Father of Psychoanalysis or Freudian Psychology, which focuses on the role of the unconscious and the shaping of behavior. He believed that behavior was driven by forgotten childhood experiences and unconscious desires.
Freud used psychoanalytic approaches such as dream analysis and psychotherapy to understand the influence of the subconscious.
Freud's work also inspired other psychologists such as Carl Jung, Erik Erikson, Alfred Adler and Karen Horney. Each of these theorists shared Freud's beliefs about the importance of early childhood experiences.
Study psychology if...
Nobody wants to waste time studying a university degree that in the long run we are not fully convinced whether we will like or not, that is why a certain profile must be met for each of them. In the case of Psychology, there is no exception.
If this career catches your attention and you want to try it, these are eight personality traits you must have if you want to make it your future.
- You are a curious person
Each case that a Psychology professional will face will be different from the other. That is why you must have a deep curiosity to know what moves people to behave in a certain way, so it is important to learn every day and learn the subject, to be in constant study.
- You are someone who can be trusted
If you are the person within your circle of friends or even in your family that everyone turns to because you can be trusted, those who become your patients tomorrow will think the same. You must be someone reliable and to whom private and deep situations can be revealed.
- You know how to listen
And if you are a person who can be trusted, that means your future patients will be able to talk for long hours, you will know how to listen attentively and patiently, to then analyze the situation and answer the possible questions that may arise.
- You enjoy helping others
Whether you enjoy working with patients or you do it with other colleagues, it is important that as a Psychologist you are a sociable person. In both cases, it is about achieving a shared goal in close collaboration with others.
- You are open-minded
You have to take into account that when patients reveal their intimacies and problems to you, they do so because they consider you to be an open-minded and unprejudiced person who will not judge them for what they think or for how they are. There must be trust and they have to feel comfortable with you.
- You are a communicative person
It's not just about knowing how to listen to what your patients have to tell you, as well as conveying your opinions in words, but also about knowing how to interpret what they might mean with body language.
- You always look for (and find) the psychological explanation
If you are one of those people who like good books with a psychological background or movies called a "psychological thriller", then the degree in question is ideal for you. But, not only that. If throughout the entire reading or the entire plot of the film you are looking for explanations and you find them, it means you have what it takes to pursue Psychology studies.
If you have most of the characteristics or traits mentioned above, consider this degree as an opportunity to develop professionally. But if, on the contrary, you are a person who is not oriented toward helping people, who does not like to interact or collaborate with others, then you should think twice about whether it is your best option.
It can also be a career that generates a lot of stress because of the situations you will have to face: delivery deadlines, irregular hours, mountains of paperwork and clients facing major life crises are just some of the things that can drain your emotions.
Some subjects you will see in Psychology
The Psychology degree in Spain lasts four years and 240 credits that must be completed. In that period of time, students will see subjects such as:
- Fundamentals of Statistics
- Statistics Applied to Behavioral Sciences
- Learning Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Differential Psychology of Behavior
- Psychology of Work and Organizations
- Clinical Psychology
- Legal and Testimony Psychology
- Psychology of Social and Community Intervention
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Assessment and Intervention in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
And after graduating, what?
In Spain, the most common career paths for this career are: Neuropsychologist, Clinical and Health Psychologist, Psychogerontologist, Forensic Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Traffic and Road Safety Psychologist, Social Intervention Psychologist and Work and Organizational Psychologist, among others.
After having obtained the Psychologist degree, a person who graduated from this degree usually has a salary that can vary between 1,000 euros per month and 1,500 euros. In some cases, it can reach up to 3,000 euros per month, but it generally depends on years of experience and any other specialization completed.
Psychology can be a fascinating degree if you're someone who enjoys reading, research, and has strong analytical skills. Take all of this into consideration before choosing this career.
