<p>Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, cognition, and emotion. Psychology, as a subject, tries to explore the modus operandi of the human mind, essentially exploring mental behaviour and its wide-ranging processes. <br /><br />Of late, psychology as a branch of science has emerged as an important career choice among youngsters. This subject covers human actions and reactions, beliefs and faith, thoughts and feelings, emotions and sentiments. It explores in-depth the inter-personal relationships between people and how this interaction affects the home, community, society and ultimately human civilisation. <br /><br />Psychologists study the processes, motives, reactions, feelings and nature of the human mind. Their treatment strives to change behavioural patterns of the patient without medication. They counsel and help by bringing about changes in the thought-process, thus improving their quality of life. <br /><br />Due to the increasing growth and developing need of this subject, psychology has diversified itself into many sub-fields. Human development, sports, health, industry, media and law are a few such sub-fields of this vast field. <br /><br />Skills required<br /><br />In order to take up psychology as a career, the most important pre-requisite should be an inborn desire to lend a helping hand to the mentally ill. They should have a genuine interest in studying the human mind and its behaviour, and be empathetic towards the condition of the ill. They have to be sensitive and caring and also have the ability to understand people of very different backgrounds and upbringing. Counselors must follow a code of ethics associated with their respective certifications and licenses.</p>.<p>In India, a person can practise psychology with a Master’s degree. To become a psychologist, a student has to complete three years at the undergraduate level in Psychology, as a major subject. At the graduate level, one can study Psychology as an Honors subject with most universities.</p>.<p>After graduation, one can opt for an MA or MSc in Psychology — a two year Masters degree. In the second year of the Masters, candidate may specialise in a particular stream of psychology. There are specialisations in many fields of psychology such as:<br /><br />*Social psychology<br />*Child psychology<br />*Occupational psychology<br />*Clinical psychology<br />*Educational psychology<br />*Experimental psychology<br /><br />Specialisations in the subject can be pursued at the postgraduate level or at the doctoral level — MPhil or PhD, after post graduation. A doctorate degree takes three to five years to complete, depending on whether the student is enrolled for a part-time or full-time course, no course work is necessary and the student has to submit a dissertation upon completion. Postgraduate and doctoral degrees in psychology puts emphasis on research. <br /><br />The minimum requirement for a Bachelor’s programme in Psychology is a pass mark in 10+2. For postgraduate courses in Psychology, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology is a must. <br /><br />For those who do not wish to put in too many years of study, there are one-year diploma courses in Special Education. <br /><br />Areas of specialisation in psychology<br /><br />Careers in psychology are diverse and varied, with many different speciality areas to choose from. <br /><br />Abnormal psychology deals with behaviour disorders and disturbed individuals. For example, researchers might investigate the causes of violent or self-destructive behaviour or the effectiveness of procedures used in treating emotional disturbance.<br /><br />Developmental psychology explores the emotional, intellectual, and social changes in humans. Many developmental psychologists specialise in behaviour during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, or changes that occur during maturity or old age.<br /><br />Clinical psychology uses the data derived from developmental and abnormal psychology to diagnose and treat mental disorders and adjustment problems. Clinical psychologists help mentally and emotionally-disturbed patients adjust to life and may help medical and surgical patients deal with illnesses or injuries. Areas of specialisation within clinical psychology include health psychology, neuro psychology, and gero psychology. These professionals typically work in hospital settings, mental health clinics, etc.<br /><br />Comparative psychology explores the differences and similarities in the behaviour of animals of different species. Psychologists in this field make systematic studies of the abilities, needs, and activities of various animal species as compared with human beings.<br />Educational psychology attempts to improve teaching methods and material, to solve learning problems, and to measure learning ability and educational progress. Researchers in this field may devise achievement tests, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods. They typically work in educational settings with teachers, students, parents and administrators to help children resolve emotional, academic and social problems. <br /></p>
<p>Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, cognition, and emotion. Psychology, as a subject, tries to explore the modus operandi of the human mind, essentially exploring mental behaviour and its wide-ranging processes. <br /><br />Of late, psychology as a branch of science has emerged as an important career choice among youngsters. This subject covers human actions and reactions, beliefs and faith, thoughts and feelings, emotions and sentiments. It explores in-depth the inter-personal relationships between people and how this interaction affects the home, community, society and ultimately human civilisation. <br /><br />Psychologists study the processes, motives, reactions, feelings and nature of the human mind. Their treatment strives to change behavioural patterns of the patient without medication. They counsel and help by bringing about changes in the thought-process, thus improving their quality of life. <br /><br />Due to the increasing growth and developing need of this subject, psychology has diversified itself into many sub-fields. Human development, sports, health, industry, media and law are a few such sub-fields of this vast field. <br /><br />Skills required<br /><br />In order to take up psychology as a career, the most important pre-requisite should be an inborn desire to lend a helping hand to the mentally ill. They should have a genuine interest in studying the human mind and its behaviour, and be empathetic towards the condition of the ill. They have to be sensitive and caring and also have the ability to understand people of very different backgrounds and upbringing. Counselors must follow a code of ethics associated with their respective certifications and licenses.</p>.<p>In India, a person can practise psychology with a Master’s degree. To become a psychologist, a student has to complete three years at the undergraduate level in Psychology, as a major subject. At the graduate level, one can study Psychology as an Honors subject with most universities.</p>.<p>After graduation, one can opt for an MA or MSc in Psychology — a two year Masters degree. In the second year of the Masters, candidate may specialise in a particular stream of psychology. There are specialisations in many fields of psychology such as:<br /><br />*Social psychology<br />*Child psychology<br />*Occupational psychology<br />*Clinical psychology<br />*Educational psychology<br />*Experimental psychology<br /><br />Specialisations in the subject can be pursued at the postgraduate level or at the doctoral level — MPhil or PhD, after post graduation. A doctorate degree takes three to five years to complete, depending on whether the student is enrolled for a part-time or full-time course, no course work is necessary and the student has to submit a dissertation upon completion. Postgraduate and doctoral degrees in psychology puts emphasis on research. <br /><br />The minimum requirement for a Bachelor’s programme in Psychology is a pass mark in 10+2. For postgraduate courses in Psychology, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology is a must. <br /><br />For those who do not wish to put in too many years of study, there are one-year diploma courses in Special Education. <br /><br />Areas of specialisation in psychology<br /><br />Careers in psychology are diverse and varied, with many different speciality areas to choose from. <br /><br />Abnormal psychology deals with behaviour disorders and disturbed individuals. For example, researchers might investigate the causes of violent or self-destructive behaviour or the effectiveness of procedures used in treating emotional disturbance.<br /><br />Developmental psychology explores the emotional, intellectual, and social changes in humans. Many developmental psychologists specialise in behaviour during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, or changes that occur during maturity or old age.<br /><br />Clinical psychology uses the data derived from developmental and abnormal psychology to diagnose and treat mental disorders and adjustment problems. Clinical psychologists help mentally and emotionally-disturbed patients adjust to life and may help medical and surgical patients deal with illnesses or injuries. Areas of specialisation within clinical psychology include health psychology, neuro psychology, and gero psychology. These professionals typically work in hospital settings, mental health clinics, etc.<br /><br />Comparative psychology explores the differences and similarities in the behaviour of animals of different species. Psychologists in this field make systematic studies of the abilities, needs, and activities of various animal species as compared with human beings.<br />Educational psychology attempts to improve teaching methods and material, to solve learning problems, and to measure learning ability and educational progress. Researchers in this field may devise achievement tests, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods. They typically work in educational settings with teachers, students, parents and administrators to help children resolve emotional, academic and social problems. <br /></p>
