Three reasons why you are suited for a bachelor's degree in psychology
6 December 2022
Many school leavers find themselves at a loss when it comes to choosing a career as there are many options available. However, if you have always been interested in understanding yourself and those around you better, psychology may be a fascinating area to explore.
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes. It employs scientific methods such as naturalistic observation, case studies, experiments and questionnaires to gain a new understanding of the human mind and behaviour.
Why is psychology important?
People often picture clinical psychology as the main branch of psychology, however, there are other subfields that include developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, forensic psychology, social psychology and more.
With the distinctiveness of each subfield, there is bound to be one that piques your interest. Here are a few reasons studying for a psychology degree might be the best fit for you.
- You are fascinated by the different reactions people have to set stimuli
It is a given that every person you come across behaves differently. This is despite them being exposed to similar situations and experiences. By studying psychology, you would be able to understand why people react differently to trauma such as a car accident or triggers associated with a negative experience.
Your deep understanding will put you in a better position to determine the best help needed, such as counselling, medication or developing coping mechanisms.
- You wish to become a better communicator
Studying psychology not only helps you better understand yourself but also those around you. Knowing the factors or situations that can scare, hurt, lift or motivate you will be beneficial in your approach to challenges and controlling your emotions. In turn, you will be more empathetic towards others who share the same fears and reluctance.
For example, sharing your experience of how you overcame stage fright or a fear of speaking to large crowds can be helpful to some of the people you meet.
- You have the desire to contribute to change
Malaysia is in constant need of psychologists. As of June 2022, Malaysia has only 200 clinical psychologists serving a population of 33 million people. This pales in comparison to the United Kingdom which has 9500 psychologists serving a population of 67 million people.Help fill the demand gap for proper mental healthcare in the country.
Psychology is a good fit if you wish to bring positive change in Malaysia, whether by increasing the level of acceptance for psychological help or improving support delivery and infrastructure.
As a psychologist in the 21st-century, you can utilise social media to create more effective general awareness campaigns or bring greater attention to mental health events and educational talks as compared to your older peers. This is the first step in bettering the psychology field in Malaysia.
Deciding the right course for you
Studying for a Bachelor of Psychology at Monash Malaysia will prove beneficial in your future endeavours. Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), your degree is recognised in both Malaysia and Australia. Monash Malaysia’s Bachelor of Psychology ensures you graduate with the knowledge to:
- critically review a variety of research paradigms and methods, psychological tools and psychometric instruments
- engage in research and develop evidence-based arguments from diverse psychological approaches to solve real-world problems.
You'll also master a set of transferable skills including communication and presentation skills, critical thinking and logical reasoning, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills, and more.
Click here to learn more about Monash Malaysia’s courses and take your first step into the world of psychology.