STUDYING Things you should know Prepared by Sally Waltho, Psychometrist - Claremont Practice

Prepared by Sally Waltho, Psychometrist - Claremont Practice

STUDYING

Things you should know


What is Psychology?

Psychology is the science of the mind and behaviour. The word "psychology" comes from the

Greek word psyche meaning "breath, spirit, soul", and the Greek word logia meaning “the

study of something”.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, psychology is "The profession concerned with

the behaviour of humans and animals, and related mental and physiologic processes."

Although psychology may also include the study of the mind and behaviour of animals,

psychology refers mainly to humans.


How do psychologists study the mind?

The mind is highly complex and enigmatic. Many wonder how psychologists can study such an

intricate, seemingly abstract and extremely sophisticated thing. Even if scientists look inside the

brain, as in an autopsy or during a surgical operation, all they see is gray matter (the brain).

Thoughts, cognition, emotions, memories, dreams, perceptions, etc. cannot be seen physically,

like a skin rash or heart defect.

Experts say that the approach to psychology is not that different to other sciences. As in other

sciences, experiments are devised to confirm or disprove theories or expectations. For a physicist,

the raw data during the experiments may be atoms, electrons, the application or withdrawal of

heat, while for the psychologist ,human behaviour is the raw data.

For a psychologist, human behaviour is used as evidence - or at least an indication - of how the

mind functions. We are unable to observe the mind directly; however, virtually all our actions,

feelings and thoughts are influenced by the functioning of our minds. That is why human behaviour

is used as raw data for testing psychological theories on how the mind functions.


A brief History of Psychology

When psychology was first established as a science separate from biology and philosophy, the

debate over how to describe and explain the human mind and behaviour began. The different

schools of psychology represent the major theories within psychology.

The first school of thought, structuralism, was advocated by the founder of the first psychology

lab, Wilhelm Wundt. Almost immediately, other theories began to emerge and vie for

dominance in psychology.

In the past, psychologists often identified themselves exclusively with one single school of

thought. Today, most psychologists have an eclectic outlook on psychology. They often draw

on ideas and theories from different schools rather than holding to any singular outlook.

http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthinkers/p/wundtprofile.htm


Schools of Thought

Structuralism & Functionalism

Structuralism was the first school of psychology, and focused on breaking down mental

processes into the most basic components. Major structuralist thinkers include Wilhelm Wundt

and Edward Titchener. The focus of structuralism was on reducing mental processes down into

their most basic elements. Structuralists used techniques such as introspection to analyze the

inner processes of the human mind.

Functionalism formed as a reaction to the theories of the structuralist school of thought and

was heavily influenced by the work of William James. Major functionalist thinkers included

John Dewey and Harvey Carr. Instead of focusing on the mental processes themselves,

functionalist thinkers were instead interested in the role that these processes play.

http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/structuralism.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/structuralism.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthinkers/p/jamesbio.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesal/p/john-dewey.htm


Behaviourism

Behaviourism became a dominant school of thought during the 1950s. It was based upon the work

of thinkers such as:

• John B. Watson

• Ivan Pavlov

• B. F. Skinner

Behaviourism suggests that all behaviour can be explained by environmental causes rather than by

internal forces. Behaviorism is focused on observable behaviour. Theories of learning including

classical conditioning and operant conditioning were the focus of a great deal of research


Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a school of psychology founded by Sigmund Freud. This school of thought

emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behaviour.

Freud believed that the human mind was composed of three elements: the id, the ego and the

superego. The id is composed of primal urges, while the ego is the component of personality

charged with dealing with reality. The superego is the part of personality that holds all of the

ideals and values we internalize from our parents and culture. Freud believed that the interaction

of these three elements was what led to all of the complex human behaviours.

Freud's school of thought was enormously influential, but also generated a great deal of

controversy. This controversy existed not only in his time, but also in modern

discussions of Freud's theories


Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology developed as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviourism.

Humanistic psychology instead focused on individual free will, personal growth and the concept of

self-actualization. While early schools of thought were largely centred on abnormal human

behaviour, humanistic psychology differed considerably in its emphasis on helping people achieve

and fulfil their potential. Major humanist thinkers include:

•Abraham Maslow

•Carl Rogers.

Humanistic psychology remains quite popular today and has

had a major influence on other areas of psychology including

positive psychology. This particular branch of psychology is

centred on helping people living happier, more fulfilling lives.


Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the school of psychology that studies mental processes including how

people think, perceive, remember and learn. As part of the larger field of cognitive science, this

branch of psychology is related to other disciplines including neuroscience, philosophy and

linguistics.

Cognitive psychology began to emerge during the 1950s, partly as a response to behaviourism.

Critics of behaviourism noted that it failed to account for how internal processes impacted

behaviour. This period of time is sometimes referred to as the "cognitive revolution" as a wealth of

research on topics such as information processing, language, memory and perception began to

emerge.


What are the Admission Requirements for an undergraduate degree in psychology?

*Please note these requirements are based on UCT’s brochure for 2013 and therefore other institutions may differ.

•The minimum admissions requirement for the Bachelors degree is a National Senior

Certificate (NSC) with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50-59%) or better

in four subjects chosen from a designated list of subjects. These subjects are: Accounting,

Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Engineering Graphics

and design, Geography, History, Consumer Studies, Information Technology, Languages, Life

Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies,

Visual Arts.


Calculation of the Admissions Points Score (APS)

•The percentages achieved in National Senior Certificate

(preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated an

admissions score equal to that percentage. The sum of six

subject scores, excluding Life Orientation, but English and any

other required subject(s) for the relevant programme is considered

when deciding on admission. (In other words, for a given programme where Maths

and Physical Sciences are required, the scores for English, Maths Physical Sciences and the

next three best subjects other than Life Orientation will be taken to compute the NSC score

toward the APS).


Examples of APS Calculations:

Faculty of Humanities:

English Home Language 70% = 70 pts

Mathematics 84% = 84 pts

Life Sciences 86% = 86 pts

Geography 79% = 79 pts

Accounting 69% = 69 pts

Life Orientation 80% = 0 pts

Mathematics P3 70% = 70 pts

Total = 463 / 600

APS = 463


National Benchmark Test (NBT’s)

•All first time entering undergraduate applicants normally resident in South Africa are required to

write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT’s) prior to admission. Applicants are required to meet

the costs of writing the NBT’s.

•The NBT that you will be required to write will be the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test

(AQL) which consists of two components, namely, academic literacy (AL) and Quantitative

Literacy (QL). You will be awarded separate scores for each component, even though they are

written as one test.

Note: You must

• Register for the NBT’s before you apply online (or before you submit a paper application form);

•Include your NBT registration number on your application;

•Have written your NBT’s by the allocated cut off date per year.

For further information about the NBT’s, dates and venues please visit www.nbt.uct.ac.za or 021

650 5462.

http://www.nbt.uct.ac.za/

The Minimum Requirements for a BA and BSocSc (majoring in psychology)

• English 50%

•APS of 380 (63%)

•AL Upper Intermediate

•QL of 69% or NSC Maths 50%


Do not meet the requirements/ wanting a career that involves and element of Psychology but not specifically in psychology?

Why not consider Life Coaching?

Life coaching is a practice that helps people identify and achieve personal goals. Life coaches

help clients set and reach goals using a variety of tools and techniques. Life coaches are

neither therapists nor consultants; psychological intervention and business analysis are outside

the scope of their work. Life coaching draws inspiration from disciplines including sociology,

psychology, positive adult development, career counselling, mentoring and other types of

counselling. Contemporary life coaching can be traced to the teachings of Benjamin Karter, a

college football coach turned motivational speaker of the late 1970s and early 1980s.Many Life-

Coach training schools and programs are available worldwide, providing options (classroom

attendance or home study) for the individual who wants to gain a certificate or diploma and paid

work in the field of life coaching.

Critics contend that life coaching is akin to psychotherapy without restrictions, oversight, or

regulation. However, the Colorado General Assembly, after holding a hearing on such

concerns, asserted that coaching is unlike therapy because it does not focus on examining nor

diagnosing the past. Prepared by Sally Waltho, Psychometrist - Claremont Practice


WHAT CHOICES DO I HAVE NOW AT UNI FOR A

DEGREE INVOLVING PSYCHOLOGY?

Alternate Degree in Courses

Psychology forms a valuable part of these degree courses.

Such courses would be:

- Social Worker

- Human Resources

- Occupational Therapy

Psychology as my major:

- Bachelor of Arts

- Bachelor of Social Sciences

Specialist career as a Psychologist

OR

Non specialist Careers:

- Advertising, Marketing, Journalist


WHAT WILL I STUDY IN A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE?

*Based on UCT’s curriculum (other institutes may vary)

FIRST YEAR

One of the following:

PSY1001W Psychology I

PSY1003W Psychology Foundation

SECOND YEAR

PSY2006F Research in Psychology I &

TWO of the following:

PSY2003S Social Psychology and Intergroup Relations

PSY2009F Developmental Psychology (was PSY207F)

PSY2010S Cognition and Neuroscience (was PSY2005S)

PSY2011F Clinical Psychology 1 (was PSY2008F)

THIRD YEAR

PSY3007S Research in Psychology II &

TWO of the following:

PSY3005F Critical Psychology

PSY3008F Health Psychology (was PSY306F)

PSY3009F Applied Cognitive Science (not offered in 2009)

PSY3010S Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology

PSY3011S Clinical Psychology 2 (was PSY3004S)

http://www.google.co.za/imgres?q=psychology&start=140&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1360&bih=622&addh=36&tbm=isch&tbnid=5eF5PN9RoNfiWM:&imgrefurl=http://www.clinicalforensicpsychology.org/tag/educational-psychology/&docid=ur5bJPief_1n-M&imgurl=http://www.clinicalforensicpsychology.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Psychology-Degree-What-Can-You-Do-with-a-Psychology-Degree.png&w=300&h=300&ei=wMXpT6OADoaBhQf7ovj_DA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=314&vpy=249&dur=1636&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=109&ty=102&sig=112045202920521751422&page=6&tbnh=133&tbnw=133&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:140,i:245


AFTER COMPLETING YOUR DEGREE

Once you have completed your degree, with psychology as a major, then you have to decide:

•Do you go on with psychology?

Or

•Do you want to follow a different career?

Again, you can do further studies in psychology to become a psychologist, but can also use it as

general background to another career.

This is a very useful feature of psychology, because it leaves you with so many options, after your

Bachelors degree, as well as subsequent postgraduate degrees. So even when you are doing a

postgraduate degree in psychology, you can still ask the question:

•Now that I am studying for a post graduate degree in psychology, what are my options?

We show this process on the following page. Keep in mind, though, there is strong competition for

the limited places available in postgraduate programmes in psychology.


NOW I HAVE MY DEGREE WHAT NEXT?

B.A. OR BSOC.SCI DEGREEWith a major Psych

Look for EmploymentCareer Options:

-Advertising & Marketing-Personnel Work-Facilitator-Researcher

Study Further

1. Honours2 Masters3. PhD

SPECIALIST CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY!!


NOW THAT I HAVE COMPLETED A POST GRADUATE

DEGREE (HONOURS), WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

•SEEK EMPLOYMENT

•BECOME A REGISTERED COUNSELLOR

•BECOME A REGISTERED

PSYCHOMETRIST

•FURTHER MY STUDIES TO MASTERS/

PhD LEVEL


WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY POST GRADUATE HONOURS DEGREE?

B.SOC.SCI (HONS) / B.A. (HONS)

+ 6 /12 month internship:

•Registered Counsellor

•Registered Psychometrist

Career Options:There are a wide variety of career options open to

graduates+2 years Masters Programme (includes

thesis, coursework & internship):

• Registered Psychologist

Continue with your studies doing research in your:

• M.A or M.SOC.SCI (Research) and PhD


BECOMING A REGISTERED COUNSELLOR

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

A Counsellor generally provides more short term counselling intervention and deals with

less complex presenting concerns. Often, they have specialized in a particular field of

counselling, such as trauma counselling.

A Psychologist undergoes additional specialised training. They are therefore able to

diagnose and intervene within a wider range of scope of practice, manage more complex

and serious presenting clinical concerns and provide more indepth and longer term

psychotherapy.


BECOMING A REGISTERED PSYCHOMETRIST

What is a Psychometrist?

Psychometrists are trained professionals who are able to administer, score and

interpret certain assessments. Psychometric assessments are tests, exercises, or

questionnaires which measure the intellectual, cognitive, behavioural and personality

constructs of an individual. These tests provide information enabling decisions

regarding relevant recommendations in a clinical setting; or selection, development, or

promotion in an organisational setting.


Why would I want to become a registered Psychometrist or Counsellor rather than going directly into the Masters Programme to become a registered

Psychologist?

•Masters programmes are exceptionally difficult to get into. The selection process does not only take a student’s grades into account but their age, relevant psychological experience, life experience etc. A lot of students then choose to gain the relevant psychological and life experience through these channels before applying for their Masters. Other students who have applied for their Masters, and were not selected also choose this path to gain experience before applying again.

•Lastly, students may realise that they prefer the assessment of different constructs of behaviour rather than the treatment thereof. In such instances, a student may choose the psychometry route where they can work either in their own independent practice or under the supervision of a registered psychologist.


Counselling Psychologist

Counseling psychologists participate in a range of activities including teaching, research,

psychotherapeutic and counselling practice, career development, assessment, supervision,

and consultation. They employ a variety of methods closely tied to theory and research to

help individuals, groups and organizations function optimally as well as to mediate

dysfunction. Interventions may be either brief or long-term; they are often problem-specific

and goal-directed. These activities are guided by a philosophy that values individual

differences and diversity and a focus on prevention, development, and adjustment across

the life-span which includes vocational concerns.

CAREERS AS A REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST CONT...


CAREERS AS A REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST...CONT

Clinical Psychologists

Like Counselling psychologists, Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to

enhance and promote psychological well-being. They deal with a number of mental and physical

problems including anxiety, depression, addiction and relationship problems. To assess clients,

they use a variety of methods including psychometric tests, interview and observation and work

primarily in health and social care settings including hospitals and community mental health

teams. Due to their role as a scientist-practitioner they are also involved heavily with research and

in evaluation of current services to provide a strong evidence base for practice.


The Difference between a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist?

There is considerable overlap between counselling and clinical psychology.

Traditionally however, the main difference between counselling and clinical psychology

is their perspective and training. Counselling psychologists, in general, focus more on

healthier, less pathological populations whereas Clinical psychologists focus on

individuals with more serious mental health issues such as personality disorders and

psychosis..



Educational Psychologist

This is an exciting field of work in which the focus is on the optimal emotional, cognitive

and educational development of the child/adult in his or her environment. The work of an

Educational psychologist includes psychological and scholastic assessment of

children/adults who are experiencing emotional and /or academic problems or barriers to

learning and development. Such work may include play therapy or counselling, and parent

education and counselling. Also, work with teachers, parents / caregivers and communities

plays an important role since all levels of the child’s environment are considered too.

CAREERS AS A REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST... CONT



Research Psychologist

For persons who are interested in psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour,

rather than in the applied field of therapy, there is the possibility of a directed MA degree in

Research Psychology. The aim here is to train social scientists as researchers and as

consultants in the general area of psychological and social science research. This will enable

them to pursue a career in industry, commerce, universities or public institutions in various

research-related fields.

It is of relevance to persons contemplating a career in, for example,

marketing, management, or information technology. There is a selection

process for a limited number of places


FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE CHOSEN YOUR FIELD OF

PSYCHOLOGY AS YOUR FUTURE FIELD GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY

EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!


References:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_coach#Life_coaching

http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/schoolsthought.htm

http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/student/undergradpros/

http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/psychology/starting.pdf

http://www.jobs.co.za/job-seekers/career-advice/article/98/understanding-psychometric-assessments

http://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/counselling-psychologist-clinical-psychologist.htm

http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=13555

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STUDYING Things you should know Prepared by Sally Waltho, Psychometrist - Claremont Practice