Frequently Asked Questions by Intending Students
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science of behaviour. It studies the way
people and animals interact with the world and each other.
This covers a wide range of topics. Here are a few, and the
sort of questions they might address:
Biopsychology. How do sleep, hormone levels and drugs
affect our behaviour?
Neuropsychology. How does our brain work?
Development. Why do our abilities and behaviour change
with age?
Perception. What do our eyes tell our brain?
Social Psychology. Why do groups of people treat each
other the way they do?
Abnormal Psychology. When do we decide that behaviour
is "abnormal" and what causes such problems?
Learning. How do our experiences influence our behaviour?
Cognition. How do we remember things, solve problems
and use language?
Applied Psychology. How do we apply our knowledge
of behaviour to everyday situations? ^ Top of page
Who takes Psychology?
Psychology attracts many students. Some specialise in Psychology,
and they complete BSc or BA degrees with Psychology as their
major subject.
Others take Psychology because it complements many degrees.
For example, many students take some psychology to go with
their degrees in Law, Health Sciences, Education, Philosophy,
Management, Marketing, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Physical
Education, or Consumer and Applied Sciences.
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What does first year Psychology involve?
There are two first year papers, PSYC 111 (Semester 1) and
PSYC 112 (Semester 2). Students can take just one paper, but
you usually must do both before you can take Psychology papers
at 200 level. Each paper has both lectures and a laboratory
component.
Further details of PSYC
111 and PSYC 112 are available here.
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What background do I need?
Any student eligible to enrol at university can take Psychology
papers at 100 level at the University of Otago.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, therefore
we don't assume too much in terms of prior experience. High
School English, Biology and Statistics are useful, but are
not essential.
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What other subjects should I take if I major in Psychology?
It depends on your particular interests and strengths. Here
are a few examples, but there are many other possible
combinations.
Student A takes some biology and chemistry because she enjoys
science.
Student B takes some management and marketing because he plans
to work in industry or an organisational setting.
Student C takes mathematics and computer science because he
is fascinated by artificial intelligence.
Student D is interested in issues of social change and she
adds some political studies and philosophy to her degree.
Student E would like to work with children so he takes some
education papers.
Student F is also interested in the cultural aspects of behaviour,
so she takes some anthropology and sociology papers.
Any student intending to progress to advanced levels (e.g.,
Honours, Masters, Diploma in Clinical Psychology) should take
STAT 110, STAT 115, or equivalent before entering 300-level
psychology.
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What is the difference between a Clinical Psychologist and
a Psychiatrist?
Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists are both trained
to diagnose and treat psychological disorders and dysfunctions.
Both can provide therapy and counselling services for children
and adults.
Psychiatrists have a general medical degree and then advanced
training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication
for people with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia,
whereas psychologists cannot.
Clinical Psychologists have a MA, MSc or PhD in Psychology
and advanced training in Clinical Psychology (Postgraduate
Diploma in Clinical Psychology). As well as therapy and counselling
services, clinical psychologists can do psychological testing
with well-researched tests. Psychiatrists usually do not do
psychological testing.
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