The science of psychology is such a vast topic that it is also prone to a lot of misconceptions. These misconceptions or myths are sometimes deemed as facts by those who have very little direct knowledge with the study of psychology. Of course, Montreal psychologists know better because they are, after all, the experts in the field.
For those who are new to the subject, you need to be able to differentiate the truths from the myths to have a better understanding of psychology. There may be a lot, but below are just some of the most common misconceptions.
Psychology is Easy
The study of the human mind and its functions is nowhere near easy. Classes and discussions can be tough, especially for those who have very little experience or background in it or other related subjects such as science and mathematics.
Some people mistakenly believe that studying psychology is simple and easy. Probably one of the reasons behind this kind of thinking is that they have already experienced a variety of human behaviors that they feel that they are already experts on the subject.
But while psychology can be difficult and challenging, it does not mean that it is impossible to understand. There may be some challenges and a learning curve, but if you put enough effort and determination, you can succeed in the field of psychology.
Once you finish psychology in college, you can become a therapist.
Your bachelor’s degree is your ticket to opening up a lot of opportunities for work in the field of mental health. But, keep in mind that most positions are entry level posts. A bachelor’s degree is great, but it is not enough to open your own private practice.
You need to have a master’s degree in order to become a practicing therapist. The good thing is that you can choose the field that you want such as counseling, social work, or advanced psychiatric nursing.
Most importantly, to earn the professional title of “psychologist”, you need to study even further and earn a doctorate degree. You also need to complete an internship, and pass the state licensing exams.
Psychologists earn easy money just by listening to people.
For some people, when they hear the word psychologist, they immediately conjure up an image of a professional taking down notes while listening to a patient talk. What they do not understand is that talk therapy is not a passive process. Psychologists do not just listen and take down notes. They actively listen, ask questions, provide advice, and help develop solutions to any psychological issue.
They also work in different industries and perform a wide range of duties. Some psychologists work in the field of mental health while some work in research, private businesses, or in the government,
So, psychologists work hard for the salary that they earn and what they earn depends on their field of specialty, educational background, competency, and years of experience.
Psychology is not a science.
Psychology uses scientific methods to investigate and study human behavior. Researchers and psychologists conduct scientific research, test different hypotheses, and use statistical analysis to determine if the results are due to chance or not. They also present their findings in such a way other psychologists can replicate their experiments and the methods that they used in the future.
Psychology may be relatively young, but it is indeed a real science. Although, it should also be noted that scientific psychology also has some limitations as human behavior varies and changes over time.
Daryl Green