r/AcademicPsychology

Hi! I’m 19F and I just got my AA at community college and I have come closer to needing to decide what I want to do for a career, I am thinking a lawyer. That being said, I need to declare a major for my bachelor’s and I’ve read that law schools really only care about GPA.

Right now I’m really looking at psychology as it was an interest of mine when I graduated high school a year ago but then I just focused on getting my AA.

My concern is, in case I get indecisive again and don’t want to be a lawyer, I don’t want to regret going through the course of my bachelors a year or two in so I want to choose something that speaks to me, but also has a good fall back plan. I’ve read that psychology majors have the lowest salary after high school. Especially since my scholarship only covers a certain amount of credits. Fall semester starts in a week and I need to choose classes depending on my major so I’ve been trying to make a choice.

I’m asking for advice on what possible majors could stick out to me that are like psychology or poli sci, but would also help me in my career to becoming a lawyer. LMK!!

One of my assignments in my research methods class is leading a class discussion of an empirical article. It seems like, even before people could ""read"" with AI and definitely after, there are two types of critiques that go down in U.S. college classes:

1. U.S. Sample: critique immediately hones in on issue of WEIRD samples, beats the dead horse for 50 minutes
2. Non-U.S. Sample: everyone concludes study is meaningless due to only being from Guatemala, or Korea, or Sweden, and dismisses it entirely; bonus points for any outright xenophobic comments

Like, there's never anything about sample size and statistical power, or about sample recruitment and demand characteristics. No one even brings up potentially meaningful differences between the U.S. and China (commerce, internet moderation, attitudes toward family, etc.) or concerns about translation, or even a meaningful explanation of why WEIRD matters. It's all either "WEIRD is Bad because it is" or "what could we possibly have to learn from Chinese students?"

Anyway, I'm thinking of announcing on the first day that they're more than welcome to share opinions on the articles, but criticisms of sample characteristics are banned unless run by me first. Am I depriving them of a whole swathe of important and valid critiques out of pique, or could this actually work to cut down on the casual ethnocentrism?

A study published in Scientific Reports compared active navigation using AR to passive observation in VR, finding that participants who physically walked through space showed enhanced memory formation. The researchers also note that the structure of the physical environment influences how memories are organized. The findings could have implications for interventions in neurodegenerative diseases.

Hi, I'm a 16 year old Korean rising junior [living in America] in high school and I have a huge passion for psychology. I truly love everything about psychology and I find it incredibly interesting on how the mind works. It's like a safe haven for me.

However, my mom tells me that because the rise of AI triggered a total 180 on the job market, choosing another major like Cinema Studies (sounds interesting to me) or even International Communications are much safer choices. I can keep Psychology as a minor if I choose a different major, but I feel this kind of stubbornness in me that wants to pursue Psychology as my major even more. We did briefly talk about how if I seriously want to have Psychology as my major, I MUST have another minor like International Communications.

I also want to work in South Korea as a clinical psychologist and I do plan on living there as an adult. I know that the demand for clinical psychologists and psychiatrists is incredibly high, but my mom disagrees with the demand (and I'm not quite sure why).

I'm quite worried that when the time comes to choose my major at the university I want to go to, I don't know what I'll want to do because of this push-and-pull thing with Psychology. If I do pursue Psychology, what if AI becomes enough to provide exactly what a real human psychologist can do? What if I end up having no job when I graduate college and my mom was truly right?

I know I still have time to decide, since again I am a junior, but huge life decisions like this are something I need as much clarity and certainty on. I'd seriously appreciate some insight onto this.

I work as a vet, I often think of changing careers (because we are overworked, underpayed and deal with a lot). I don't think psychology major would solve that problem though, but thought worth mentioning in case someone has a different opinion and to give some context.

However I am fascinated with the human mind, how humans change throughout their lives, how child trauma molds their personalities, personality disorders, serial killer minds, etc etc

I think I would like to study psychology just for the fun of it, however probably not paying for the degree and doing it on my free time.

Does this make sense? Anyone else done it? Where to start? Any advise?

TIA

I originally wanted to major in psychology because I’m interested in the mind and human behavior, but then I found out that you usually need more than a bachelor’s to actually get a decent job in the psychology field.

Are there any other majors that are similar and still involve studying the mind, behavior, why people think/act the way they do, etc., but have good job options and pay well with just a bachelor’s?
I’m pretty open to anything, I’m just trying to figure out what majors might be worth looking into.

Hola. Soy el autor de Experiencialismo Relacional Escéptico (ERE): Hacia una Teoría General de la Construcción Humana del Significado.
La idea central del libro es sencilla, aunque sus implicaciones no tanto: el significado que atribuimos a nuestra experiencia no se limita a ser descubierto. Se construye mediante la interacción entre experiencia, interpretación, narrativa, identidad y relaciones.
El ERE intenta integrar estas dimensiones desde una perspectiva psicológica, filosófica y epistemológica, pero también plantea sus propios límites y posibles puntos de refutación.
No publico esto para afirmar que he encontrado una explicación definitiva de la realidad. Precisamente lo contrario: me interesa someter la propuesta a crítica y discutir qué tan sólida es frente a otras perspectivas existentes.
El libro ya está disponible en Amazon: Libro en digital
Me interesa especialmente recibir críticas sobre el planteamiento teórico, sus diferencias respecto al constructivismo y construccionismo social, y cualquier problema conceptual que encuentren.
Si la propuesta es débil, prefiero descubrirlo mediante argumentos que protegerla mediante entusiasmo.

I’ll be 23 when I finish my masters. When I was 17 I did a few drugs for literally like less than a month and was coke, balloons and weed. I wasn’t addicted, I was js a teenager. I’m terrified this will stop me getting a job. Will it?
Forensic Psychology- Will be in the prison sector

Hello, I'm interested in reading something about the psychology of men over 50 dating girls under 30 or, even more specifically, men in their 50s or over with children, dating girls/young women their kids age or younger.

But I can't seem to put in the right parameters and can't find much, not scientific at least.

Thank you in advance!

Hiya guys I have offers from IOBM (BBA) and NUST (Psychology). Out of the 2 I’m more interested in psychology and don’t see myself in a corporate/finance path.

My dad thinks psychology has low success in Pakistan and only a few make it. It’s hard to convince him so I need pros of taking psych in PK to convince him.

If you’re a psychologist or student frm any other uni ( esp frm NUST psych grad/student)

please share:
Pros of psych,,,
Ur masters uni
Your career path & where you studied,, journey
Job experience earning potential / scope in PK
Basically everything to convince a Pakistani dad for letting his daughter study psych.

Thankyou💛

Many people view IQ tests as an absolute measurement of intelligence, but I believe they are fundamentally flawed as a standalone metric for several reasons

High Fluctuation: Test performance is heavily influenced by temporary physical and mental states, such as sleep quality, stress levels, fatigue, and general mood. A person's score can easily fluctuate by 10 to 15 points from one day to another.

Narrow Scope: Popular tests (like Mensa) measure almost exclusively fluid intelligence via matrix reasoning. They completely ignore other critical components of cognition, such as working memory, verbal reasoning, processing speed, and spatial awareness.

Practice Effect: Repeating these types of tests trains your brain to recognize recurring patterns. You learn the "rules of the game," which inflates your score over time without actually increasing your underlying general intelligence.
For a test to yield truly accurate and meaningful results, it would need to be conducted over multiple days using a wide variety of comprehensive, multi-dimensional battery tests to account for daily variables and cognitive breadth. Single-session geometric tests simply do not tell the whole story.

Note: For context, my tested IQ is 135+. This is not a case of sour grapes or a blind complaint because of a low score. However, despite scoring high, I refuse to share this number as a true representation of my intellect. Given the clear limitations of these tests, ignoring these facts just to show off would be hypocritical.

I have recently started my first postdoc - computational psych / cog psych - and long story short, after six months I gave the first draft of the postdoc project I have been working on to my PI (we developed the idea together but you could say 99% of it is me) . Now he has come back to me with feedback and most of them are from ChatGPT Sol.

Now, I'm not some hardcore anti-AI scientist, I do use AI here and there myself for productivity, I don't even mind going back and forth with AI about ideas, all good, it's just that this feedback I have gotten ...how do I put it... it's not "wrong" per se, it's like the feedback didn't understand the deeper layers of meaning that I'm almost sure a human would have gotten.

Then I'm like I have always cared about the content so I should focus on the content of the feedback, not the source... the thing is that perspective of mine worked with humans, but I don't think it works with AI? Again, I don't know how to put it, but the GPT feedback didn't understand what I was going for but I can't prove this because on the surface it did get the paper, I know I'm being confusing as hell so sorry about that. This paper, "LLMs can't Jump" is relevant here https://openreview.net/attachment?id=klU4737opt&name=originally_submitted_PDF

And during my three-years PhD, my PI was hands-on and involved as hell, I learned a ton from him, now my postdoc PI is the opposite (this is a bigger lab in another country) and I think it's fine because I'm supposed to be independent now and he's a busy guy, but I'm like is it too much to expect actual thought-out feedback from my PI? My inexperience is making me so confused and I'm an international postdoc from the worst country visa-wise so I'm walking on egg-shells here and can't afford friction. Don't get me wrong, I have a good relationship with him, but still.

I wonder if I should indirectly complain that I want only his feedback even if it has been produced in conversation with GPT, because copy-pasting AI feedback doesn't seem right to me. We have another collaborator and have sent the draft to him as well, maybe I should wait for his.

On a broader note, I have no clue what AI is going to do to science, but this experience has me worried.

Hi, I'm a senior in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I'm graduating this year and I'm working on my grad application for 2027-28. I'm from the US and really had plans on studying in Canada. But I wonder if I have a better shot at staying in the US to get my masters. I'm interested in social Psychology and clinical psychology. I want to focus on getting a job that involves patient care and some research writing. I'm in departmental honors for my psych program. I have no publications but I do have hands on experiences with patients with mental disorders. I also am a top student and have a pretty good connection with my professor. I'm debating if studying in Canada is the best option for me. No US schools genuinely stand out or offer any good funding options. I also love Canada and I don't want to get my license somewhere I don't imagine myself living in 5 years

I'm a second year psychology student and I've never read any research paper (ik it sounds very dumb, but I just never did). I've tried reading them but I just can't keep reading. Can you please suggest some ways to spark my interest in them and read at least one research paper this month.

I am a current first year student at UCF and my major is Psychology(Neuroscience), I do want to eventually open a sleep clinic and or other careers surrounding Neuropsychology But I am really lost on what to do and where to start. Could anyone give me any advice on what to do please? I feel like I am so far behind and can't catch up.

Hello! I recently graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Criminology. I am interested in creating a career in criminal psychology, however I am completely lost on how to do this. I was hoping I could get some guidance from others since I don’t have anyone who could provide guidance to me personally. For reference, I am located in California, USA.

Since I have completed my bachelor’s, what is the next step? I have heard from some that a master’s is required, and from others that I could skip that and go on to a doctoral program.

If I were to enroll in a master’s program, what program would this be? Would I enroll specifically in a criminal psychology program? Is that even a thing? Or would I enroll in a general psychology program?

If I were to look into a doctorate, as far as I know there is no “criminal psychology” doctoral program. Would I simply enroll in a psychology program and tell someone I would like to specialize in criminal psychology?

If there are any specific programs anyone has suggestions for I would appreciate that! In general though, I just want to know what type programs I should be looking into in order to end up a criminal psychologist. I truly am lost when it comes to how all of this works, and I don’t have anyone around me who understands it either. Thank you so much for any help anyone can provide!

Under 100,00 K online

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I've been studying psychology for the past four years and have completed a lot of different assignments, assessments, research projects, and academic work during that time.

I've noticed that the biggest challenge isn't always understanding psychology itself, sometimes it's knowing how to approach an assignment question, structure an argument, find appropriate academic sources, critically evaluate research, and present everything clearly.

I've also learned a lot from my own mistakes over the years, and I'm currently continuing my studies at Master's level.

I'm curious about other psychology students' experiences:

What was the hardest part of psychology assignments or assessments for you when you first started?

And what eventually helped you get better at them?

I’m very passionate to become a social psych researcher, and thinking about my future path.
Currently I’m doing a bridging program in Australia, and looking to do a research masters and then a PhD.

Which universities are good for social psych research? (Reputation, employability, funding…etc)
I’m looking globally (mainly Australia and Europe), but not USA.

Hi All!

I am based in USA and studying psychology at community college with a high GPA. I am finishing with my AA degree in December. I hope to pursue neuropsychology/engineering psychology and I know it requires phd in the long term. However, I want to gain clinical or research experience and don’t know how to start or where. Almost all of the internships are for university students. Before I transfer, what can I do?

Thanks <33